Automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus

• US 7,380,631 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Midorikawa, Yukinori
• Primary Examiner(s): Bottorff; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/921,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20050017494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 180/268, 180/269, 180/271, 280/801.1, 280/802, 280/807, 701/45
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device combined with a spring B60R2022/444, B60R2022/4466
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4666 characterised by electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/46 Reels with means to tension the belt in an emergency by forced winding upelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01 ; tensioners using reels only guiding the belt during normal use, e.g. splitted reels B60R22/195
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation

Abstract

An automotive passenger restraint and protection device for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt which restrains an occupant of the automotive vehicle. The device includes an electric retractor, a power supply, a detector, first and second switches and a controller. The controller is responsive to the detector and controls the second switch to provide power to the electric retractor, controls the first switch to stop the supply of power through the first switch after power is supplied through the second switch, and controls the second switch to stop the supply of power through the second switch after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after the first switch stops providing power.

Claims

1. An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle, having a seatbelt, for restraining an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant, comprising:

an electric retractor having driving means for retracting and protracting the seatbelt;

power supply means for supplying power to said electric retractor;

detecting means for detecting information used for deciding whether supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor is carried out or stoppage of the supply of power is carried out;

first switching means responsive to results of detection of said detecting means, for selecting supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor and stoppage of the supply of power;

second switching means for selecting supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor and stoppage of the supply of power; and

monitor control means for monitoring the results of detection of said detecting means and controlling said second switching means in response to the results of detection of said detecting means;

wherein said monitor control means controls said second switching means so as to select supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor, when said first switching means selects stoppage of the supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor after supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor, and thereafter, said monitor control means controls said second switching means so as to select stoppage of the supply of power from said power supply means to said electric retractor after a lapse of a predetermined time period from the supply of power being selected by said second switching means.