Seat belt buckle tongue electromagnetic coupling with optional wireless sensor and/or actuator system
First Claim
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1. A seat belt system for a vehicle comprising:
- a seat belt mounted to a vehicle seat or a portion of a vehicle structure, the seat belt having a tongue attached, wherein the tongue can slide relative to the seat belt;
a buckle configured to receive and lock the tongue in an attached state such that the seat belt restrains an occupant in a vehicle seat;
a primary coil included in the buckle, wherein the primary coil is electrically connected to at least one primary circuit; and
at least one secondary coil included in the tongue, wherein the at least one secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one secondary circuit;
wherein the primary coil and the at least one secondary coil are configured to be electromagnetically coupled when the buckle and tongue are in the attached state.
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Abstract
A seat belt system for a vehicle having a seat belt mounted to a vehicle seat or a portion of a vehicle structure, a tongue which can slide is attached to the seat belt, and a buckle that receives and locks the tongue in an attached state such that the seat belt restrains an occupant in the vehicle seat. A primary coil is included in the buckle and is electrically connected to at least one primary circuit. At least one secondary coil is included in the tongue and is electrically connected to at least one secondary circuit. The primary coil and the at least one secondary coil are configured to be electromagnetically coupled when the buckle and tongue are in the attached state.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A seat belt system for a vehicle comprising:
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a seat belt mounted to a vehicle seat or a portion of a vehicle structure, the seat belt having a tongue attached, wherein the tongue can slide relative to the seat belt; a buckle configured to receive and lock the tongue in an attached state such that the seat belt restrains an occupant in a vehicle seat; a primary coil included in the buckle, wherein the primary coil is electrically connected to at least one primary circuit; and at least one secondary coil included in the tongue, wherein the at least one secondary coil is electrically connected to at least one secondary circuit; wherein the primary coil and the at least one secondary coil are configured to be electromagnetically coupled when the buckle and tongue are in the attached state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A seat belt system for a vehicle seat comprising:
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a seat belt having a tongue attached; a buckle configured to receive and lock the tongue in an attached state; a primary circuit included in the buckle; and at least one secondary circuit included in the tongue; wherein the primary circuit and the at least one secondary circuit are configured to be electromagnetically coupled when the buckle and tongue are in close proximity.
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20. A seat belt system for a vehicle seat comprising:
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a seat belt having a tongue attached; and a buckle configured to receive and releasably lock the tongue in an attached state, wherein a primary coil included in the buckle and a secondary coil included in the tongue are configured to be electromagnetically coupled when the buckle and tongue are in the attached state such that at least one of power and data may be transmitted between the buckle and tongue.
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Specification