WIRELESS BUCKLE-UP DETECTION USING RF TECHNOLOGY

• US 20070139173A1
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Ghabra, Riad, Tang, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,642,907 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.160
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/485 for sensing belt anchor position, belt orientation, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

An automotive restraint monitoring assembly is provided comprised of a seatbelt assembly including a buckle element and clip element affixed to an automotive seat assembly. A wireless transponder element and transponder antenna are positioned within the buckle element and transmit a seat-based unique identification signal only when the clip element is positioned within the buckle element. A base station mounted within a vehicle includes at least one base station antenna in wireless communication with the wireless transponder. A vehicle belt alert system is in communication with the base station.

Claims

1. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly comprising:

a seatbelt assembly including a buckle element and clip element affixed to an automotive seat assembly;

a wireless transponder element and transponder antenna positioned within said buckle element, said wireless transponder element wirelessly transmitting a seat-based unique identification signal when said clip element is positioned within said buckle element;

a base station mounted within a vehicle including at least one base station antenna in wireless communication with said wireless transponder;

a vehicle belt alert system in communication with said base station.

2. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said wireless transponder element is only connected to said transponder antenna when said clip element is inserted into said buckle element.

3. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 1, wherein wireless transponder element comprises a passive transponder wherein said seat based unique identification signal is powered by a magnetic field generated by said base station.

4. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said base station antenna comprises:

a plurality of base station antennas each positioned in close proximity to one of a plurality of seatbelt assemblies.

5. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said wireless transponder element transmits a secondary unique identification signal when said clip element is positioned outside of said buckle element.

6. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 1, wherein said base station comprises a remote-keyless entry receiver.

7. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising:

an occupant passenger presence sensor in communication with said base station, said occupant passenger presence sensor operating without physical connection to said automotive seat assembly.

8. A automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 7, wherein said occupant passenger presence sensor comprises a passive infra-red sensor.

9. A automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 7, wherein said occupant passenger presence sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

10. A automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 7, wherein said occupant passenger presence sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

11. A automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 7, wherein said at least one base station antenna comprises:

a plurality of base station antennas each positioned in close proximity to one of a plurality of seatbelt assemblies, each of said plurality of base station antennas including a base station switch operable in response to said occupant passenger presence sensor.

12. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly comprising:

a seatbelt assembly including a buckle element and clip element affixed to an automotive seat assembly;

a wireless transponder element and transponder antenna positioned within said buckle element, said wireless transponder element wirelessly transmitting a seat-based unique identification signal when said clip element is positioned within said buckle element;

a base station mounted within a vehicle including at least one base station antenna in wireless communication with said wireless transponder, said base station comprising an alternate purpose automotive receiver;

a vehicle belt alert system in communication with said base station.

13. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 12, wherein said alternate purpose automotive receiver comprises a tire-pressure-monitor receiver.

14. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 12, wherein said alternate purpose automotive receiver comprises a remote keyless entry receiver.

15. An automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 12, further comprising:

an occupant passenger presence sensor in communication with said base station.

16. A automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 15, wherein said occupant passenger presence sensor comprises a passive infra-red sensor.

17. A automotive restraint monitoring assembly as described in claim 15, wherein said occupant passenger presence sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

18. A method of monitoring automotive restraints comprising:

generating a seat-based unique identification signal from a wireless transponder element and transponder antenna positioned within a buckle element of a seatbelt assembly;

transmitting wirelessly said seat-based unique identification signal when a clip element is inserted into said buckle element;

receiving said wireless seat-based identification signal using a base station mounted within a vehicle, said base station including at least one base station antenna in wireless communication with said wireless transponder;

communicating said seat based identification signal to a vehicle belt alert system.

19. A method as described in claim 18, further comprising:

utilizing an alternate purpose automotive receiver as said base station.

20. A method as described in claim 18, further comprising:

utilizing an occupant passenger presence sensor in communication with said base station to register passenger presence.