Comfortable restraint system

Abstract

The invention discloses a comfortable restraint system, which is located in a vehicle including an electronic braking system controlled by a control unit and comprises a safety belt (1) consisting of a textile strip (6) and a chamber (5) longitudinally attached on each side of the textile strip (6), and also comprises a permanent anchoring device (2), which in turn comprises a device for connecting an anchoring tongue (8) and a certain number of connector outlets (7) for supplying and withdrawing compressed air via a compression system, the chamber (5) being connected to the connector outlet (7) by means of an adapter (9) in such a way that the chamber is pneumatically connected to the compression system controlled by the vehicle control unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a restraint system comprising a safety belt containing an air chamber so that the belt does not have to be adjusted as tightly on the user's body, thereby providing a higher degree of comfort.

[0002] The invention is particularly applicable in the field of safety elements in transport vehicles. Background Art

[0003] In the current prior art, restraint systems using straps have evolved from basic solutions that simply provide a stop to the movement of the user's body to applying varying degrees of tension, including stops that are activated when a certain level of forward movement is reached or if a sudden movement occurs.

[0004] However, in any of these cases, once adjusted on the user's body, the initial tensioning of the strap is continuous and tends to be tighter rather than looser because, if an accident occurs, the strap must be in contact with the body to be able to stop body movement as quickly as possible.

[0005] However, this tensioning of the safety belt on the user's body may cause discomfort, considering that the user has limited movement due to the pressure of the belt, thereby generating heat due to the pressure of the belt and wrinkles in the user's clothes, etc.

[0006] The present invention aims to prevent these drawbacks by incorporating a comfortable restraint system formed by a safety belt that remains in contact with the user's body but maintains a certain gap between the belt and the body that relieves the pressure on the body caused by the belt throughout its entire width, thus preventing the above-mentioned discomfort.

[0007] Additionally, the belt’s anchoring system and retractor were modified to accommodate the new belts. Summary of the invention

[0008] In order to achieve the stated objectives and avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages, the present invention discloses a comfortable restraint system comprising a safety belt consisting of a textile strip, a permanent anchoring device for fastening one end of the belt with a means for connecting a fastening tongue, a detachable anchoring device for accommodating a connecting plate containing a fastener through which the belt passes, and a retractor for accommodating the other, unused end of the safety belt.

[0009] The novelty of the invention is that the safety belt comprises a chamber longitudinally attached on each side edge of the textile strip and pneumatically connected to a compression system located in a permanent anchoring device.

[0010] Thus, the permanent anchoring device comprises a connector outlet and the chamber has at one of its ends an adapter coupled to the connector outlet so that the chamber is pneumatically connected to the compression system.

[0011] The restraint system is intended to be placed in a vehicle comprising an electronic braking system controlled by a control unit, the purpose of which is to synchronize the restraint system with the electronic braking system so that the restraint system is also controlled by the control unit. In this way, the air extraction flow of the chamber can be proportional to the braking intensity.

[0012] The comfortable restraint system preferably includes a pressure relief mechanism which, when extended, reduces the pressure of the belt on the user's body, thereby separating the belt from the user's body. The pressure relief mechanism may be synchronized with the electronic braking system so that the folding is proportional to the braking intensity and the pressure relief mechanism does not have to return to its folded position to fully conform the belt to the user's body, but only partially.

[0013] The chamber is preferably constructed in the form of a tube with a high degree of flexibility and, for example, made of polyurethane so that it can quickly adapt to different forms (expanded or contracted), and the chamber is attached to the textile strip by means of a lining covering it, which lining is preferably sewn to the textile strip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to complete the description of the present invention and to help make the features of the present invention more easily understood, according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention (which includes a set of drawings), the following drawings are shown by way of illustration and not limitation:

[0015] - Figure 1 A front view of the comfort restraint system of the present invention is shown, positioned in a vehicle seat.

[0016] - Figure 2 A side view of a restraint system of the present invention is shown, the restraint system incorporating a pressure relief mechanism.

[0017] - Figure 3 A view showing the permanent anchoring means of the belt and the ends of the belt before coupling is shown, showing the fixed anchoring tongues of the belt and the pneumatic connector for supplying air to the chamber.

[0018] - Figure 4 Shown is a view of the safety belt (which passes through the fastener of the strap) and the anchoring device (where the strap's strap is inserted).

[0019] - Figure 5 A cross section of a safety belt is shown, showing the textile strip and the air chambers on both sides thereof.

[0020] The following provides a list of reference numbers used in the drawings:

[0021] 1. Seat belt.

[0022] 2. Permanent anchoring device.

[0023] 3. Removable anchoring device.

[0024] 4. With retractor.

[0025] 5. Air chamber.

[0026] 6. Textile strips with straps.

[0027] 7. Connector outlet.

[0028] 8. Anchor tongue.

[0029] 9. Adapter.

[0030] 10. Fasteners for connecting plates.

[0031] 11. With connecting plate.

[0032] 12. Pressure relief mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The invention relates to a comfortable restraint system comprising a safety belt (1) by means of which a contact-free zone is created between the user's body and the safety belt (1), which allows the continuous pressure of the safety belt (1) to be reduced.

[0034] As in Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the comfortable restraint system of the present invention is constructed by means of a safety belt (1), a permanent anchorage (2), a detachable anchorage (3) and a retractor (4) for rolling up the belt (1). Each of the components is described in detail below.

[0035] Figure 3 Shown is a permanent anchorage (2) of a restraint system and one of the ends of a safety belt (1) which is intended to be fastened to the permanent anchorage (2). The other end of the belt (1) is fastened to a retractor (4).

[0036] As can be seen, the belt (1) consists of a textile strip (6) and chambers (5) attached longitudinally on each side edge of the textile strip (6). Each of the chambers (5) ends at an adapter (9) and is linked to the textile strip (6) by a sewn lining for covering it, for example, the two chambers (5) are completely integrated into the textile strip (6) and constitute a safety belt (1) that does not actually differ in flexibility or width relative to known safety belts. In addition, the textile strip (6) ends at an anchoring tongue (8).

[0037] The permanent anchoring device (2) is firmly attached to the vehicle chassis. It comprises an opening for inserting the anchoring tongue (8) of the belt (1) and a connector outlet (7) for connecting an adapter (9) to thereby supply the chamber (5) of the belt (1) with air.

[0038] The interior of the permanent anchoring device (2) is not shown, considering that it contains elements known in the prior art. As important elements, it contains a system for mechanically fastening the anchoring tongue (8) of the belt (1) and a compression system with a proportional valve responsible for supplying air to and extracting it from the chamber (5).

[0039] It must be taken into account that the fastening of the anchoring tongue (8) to the permanent anchoring device (2) and the connection of the adapter (9) to the connector outlet (7) are both pre-established in the vehicle and are not elements accessible to the user. As for the anchoring tongue (8), it is firmly fixed to the interior of the permanent anchoring device (2) and is therefore also not accessible to the user of the vehicle. As for the adapter (9), it is firmly connected to the chamber (5) and to the connector outlet (7), preferably by means of welding, so that it is not connected in a releasable manner and cannot therefore be manipulated by the user.

[0040] Thus, by fastening the adapter (9) to the connector outlet (7), the safety belt (1) is pneumatically connected to the permanent anchorage (2), so that air can be supplied to or extracted from the chamber (5) as required by means of a compression system.

[0041] Figure 5 A cross section of the safety belt (1) is shown, where it can be seen that the chamber (5) is preferably formed by means of a hollow tube made of a highly flexible material so that it can quickly assimilate dimensional changes caused by the inflow or outflow of air. This material can be polyurethane, for example.

[0042] on the other hand, Figure 4 A removable anchoring device (3) is shown, which is intended to receive the strap's plate (11) when the user puts on the strap (1). The plate (11) is linked to a fastener (10) through which the strap (1) passes, so that the strap can be adapted to the user being restrained. The fastener (10) has dimensions greater than those in the prior art, since it must be able to slide over the chamber (5) of the strap (1) once said chamber is expanded.

[0043] The retractor of the belt (4) is not shown in detail in the figure, as it is known in the prior art. One end of the belt (1) is housed in the retractor (as mentioned above) and is fixed to a rotatable shaft, on which the belt is reeled, as it is housed inside the retractor (4), so as to house the unused portion. However, the retractor (4) of the present invention differs from the known retractors in that it requires a system that prevents the chamber (5) from being introduced into the retractor (4) when it is expanded. Therefore, the device that can be used to prevent this effect consists of rollers locked to the belt (1) on either side of the belt, so that the belt (1) is compressed between the rollers but can slide between the rollers, thereby preventing air from entering the chamber (5) beyond the position of the rollers.

[0044] In addition, the system may include Figure 2 The electromechanical pressure relief mechanism (12) is shown in FIG. The pressure relief mechanism (12) is responsible for slightly separating the belt (1) from the user's body so that it reduces pressure when the belt (1) does not need to fit very tightly. The pressure relief mechanism (12) can be located near the retractor (4), in an area of ​​the seat close to the retractor (4), or in a position where the belt (1) can be separated vertically relative to the user's body.

[0045] The pressure relief mechanism (12) may be formed of a plate with the ability to rotate about a hinge so that the mechanism can be folded or extended to move the strap closer to or away from the user's body. The plate contains holes through which the strap (1) passes, so that when the plate is extended the plate also separates the strap (1) from the user's body, thereby relaxing the pressure of the strap (1) on the user.

[0046] Having described the components of the comfortable restraint system of the present invention, it can be understood that if the compression system blows air in, the chamber (5) is filled and the contact of the belt (1) on the user's body occurs only in the outer area of ​​the belt (1) (the area of ​​the chamber (5)), while the inner area formed by the textile strip (6) remains free and provides a space that does not come into contact with the user's body, thereby reducing the pressure on the user's body and the heat generated by the contact, which leads to better comfort for the user.

[0047] As regards the operation of the restraint system, it must be mentioned that it is governed by the vehicle's control unit which is responsible for collecting the necessary information about the state and behavior of the vehicle by means of sensors.

[0048] With the help of the information collected by the control unit, the braking activity is always driven based on the current demand by the electronic braking system included in the vehicle and thus controls the percentage of braking obtained by each of the vehicle's wheels every day. In this way, by actuating the vehicle's brake pedal, the braking intensity can be controlled, making it more or less intense and based on demand.

[0049] In this way, the electronic braking system is synchronized with the restraint system of the invention mainly by means of a compression system responsible for supplying and extracting air to and from the chamber (5) of the belt (1). This means that the air extraction flow of the chamber (5) is proportional to the braking intensity.

[0050] As for the operation of the restraint system, once the vehicle user puts on the belt (1), fastens the plate (11) in the detachable anchoring device (3) and starts the vehicle's engine without activating the brakes, both the belt (1) itself and the pressure relief mechanism (12) are activated. In this case, the compression system is activated and the chamber (5) is supplied with air by means of a proportional valve, the chamber expands to allow the belt (1) to be slightly separated from the user's body, and if the pressure relief mechanism (12) is included, it is activated to provide a slight gap between the belt and the user's body.

[0051] On the other hand, by actuating the brake pedal, the command sent to the compression system is to extract air from the chamber (5), so that the belt (1) is immediately tightened to the driver's body, the system understanding that restraint may be required. In this case, the amount of air extracted can vary according to the braking intensity and in a proportional manner to the braking intensity, as previously described.

[0052] In the same way, the pressure relief mechanism (12) is also synchronized with the electronic brake system so that when in the extended position (which carries the least pressure on the user's body), if the brake pedal is actuated, the pressure relief mechanism (12) collapses to tighten the belt to the user's body. The collapse is preferably proportional to the braking intensity.

[0053] Furthermore, the restraint system can also be synchronized with adaptive cruise control, i.e. a method by which the speed the user wants to drive is automatically controlled and which, by means of a radar system, also automatically controls the distance of the vehicle relative to the vehicle in front of it and, if necessary, slows the vehicle down to maintain said safe distance.

[0054] Finally, it must be considered that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described herein. A person skilled in the art may implement other configurations based on this description. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A comfort restraint system in a vehicle comprising an electronic braking system controlled by a control unit and comprising: A safety belt (1) consisting of a textile strip (6); a permanent anchoring device (2) comprising means for coupling an anchoring tongue (8) attached to one end of the textile strip (6); a detachable anchoring device (3); and a retractor (4) for the safety belt (1), wherein: - the safety belt (1) comprises a chamber (5) longitudinally attached on each side of the textile strip (6), and - the permanent anchoring device (2) comprises a connector outlet (7) for supplying compressed air via a compression system, and - each of the chambers (5) comprises an adapter (9) intended to be connected to a connector outlet (7), so that the chamber (5) is pneumatically connected to the compression system with a proportional valve, the compression system being responsible for supplying air to the chamber (5) and extracting air from the chamber (5), the compression system being regulated by the vehicle control unit, The restraint system is characterized in that it is synchronized with the electronic brake system so that the amount of air extracted from the chamber (5) is proportional to the braking intensity.

2. The comfortable restraint system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises a pressure relief mechanism (12) which, when stretched, reduces the pressure of the strap (1) on the user's body.

3. The comfortable restraint system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pressure relief mechanism (12) is synchronized with the electronic braking system so that the pressure relief mechanism collapses in proportion to the braking intensity, thereby partially adjusting the pressure of the belt (1) on the user's body.

4. The comfortable restraint system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chamber (5) is constructed in the form of a tube with a high degree of flexibility, so that the chamber can be quickly adapted to different forms depending on whether the chamber is expanded or contracted.

5. The comfortable restraint system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The chamber (5) is made of polyurethane.

6. The comfortable restraint system according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each chamber (5) is linked to the textile strip (6) by a lining covering the chamber.

7. The comfortable restraint system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lining is sewn to the textile strip (6).

Images