Method of optimizing threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle

• US 8,862,332 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Dolan, John R., Gleason, Joseph P., Corrion, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US13/238,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20130073148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 701/45, 701/46, 701/36, 180/271, 180/273, 280/735, 280/801.1, 280/803
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/105 for children adaptation of children's seats for seat belts B60N2/265, B60N2/2803
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/36 self-locking in an emergency B60R22/3405 , B60R22/343 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/415 with additional means allowing a permanent locking of the retractor during the wearing of the belt

Abstract

A method is presented of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle. The method includes defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of an airbag is suppressed above the first value. Next, one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat are determined. The airbag suppression threshold is set to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met. The factors include determining whether a locking feature in a set belt webbing retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing. Other factors may include determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range and whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a refractor and an airbag, the method comprising:

defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value;

determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;

selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met; and

wherein the one or more factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when a predefined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat remains above a predetermined adult load for at least a predetermined minimum time.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined adult load is 100 pounds and the predetermined minimum time is 30 seconds.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the factors include:

determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined speed range is 0-10 kilometers per hour.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seat-load range.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the seat-load range is approximately between 20 and 38 pounds.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the factors include:

determining whether the locking feature in the retractor remains in the first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predefined minimum locking time is 10 seconds.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the airbag suppression system is pressure-based such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed when a pressure on the vehicle seat is above the first value.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the locking feature is configured to enter the first state when the seat belt webbing is fully extended.

11. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, an airbag, a seat belt webbing and a retractor, the method comprising:

defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that the airbag is suppressed above the first value;

determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;

selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met;

wherein the factors include;

determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when the seat belt webbing is fully extended;

determining whether an adult classification has been made with high confidence;

determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range;

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range; and

determining whether the locking feature in the retractor remains in the first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said determining whether an adult classification has been made with high confidence includes determining whether the load applied to the vehicle seat remains above a predetermined adult load for at least a predetermined minimum time.

14. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a retractor and an airbag, the method comprising:

defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value;

determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;

selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met;

wherein the factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor remains in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time; and

wherein the predefined minimum locking time is about 10 seconds.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat remains above a predetermined adult load for at least a predetermined minimum time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined adult load is 100 pounds and the predetermined minimum time is 30 seconds.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the factors include:

determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seat-load range.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the seat-load range is approximately between 20 and 38 pounds.