Buckle, determination system, and determination method

Abstract

The buckle includes a main body portion connectable with a tongue plate connected to an automobile safety belt, and further includes a buckle switch for detecting whether the tongue plate is connected to the main body portion, a sensor for detecting a change in tension of the safety belt, a detection unit for detecting a vital sign including respiration or a pulse based on the change in tension detected by the sensor, and a determination unit for determining whether an object on an automobile seat is a passenger or a child seat based on a detection state of the buckle switch and the vital sign.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to buckles, a determination system, and a determination method. Background Technology

[0002] The known conventional technology is to determine that the child seat is attached to the seat when the tongue plate on the seat belt is inserted into the buckle and the seat belt is detected to be tightened to or beyond a predetermined tension (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Previous technical documents [Patent Literature]

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-95060. Summary of the Invention The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, if the installation tension of the child seat does not meet or exceeds the specified tension, the child seat may be misjudged.

[0005] This disclosure provides a buckle, a determination system, and a determination method that can accurately determine whether an object on a seat is a passenger or a child seat. The means used to solve technical problems

[0006] This manual provides the following technical solutions: The buckle, comprising a main body portion connectable to a tongue plate attached to a vehicle seatbelt, is characterized by further comprising... A buckle switch is used to detect whether the tongue plate is connected to the main body. Sensors are used to detect changes in seatbelt tension. The detection unit is used to detect vital signs based on tension changes detected by the sensor, including respiration or pulse. The determination unit is used to determine whether the object on the car seat is a passenger or a child seat based on the detection status of the buckle switch and the vital signs.

[0007] The determination system includes a buckle connectable to the seatbelt tongue of a car and a determination device for being in different positions from the buckle, characterized in that... The buckle includes a buckle switch and a sensor. The buckle switch is used to detect whether the tongue plate is connected to the buckle, and the sensor is used to detect changes in the tension of the seat belt. The determination device includes a detection unit and a determination unit. The detection unit is used to detect vital signs based on the tension changes detected by the sensor. The vital signs include breathing or pulse. The determination unit determines whether the object on the car seat is an occupant or a child seat based on the detection status of the buckle switch and the vital signs.

[0008] The determination method is characterized by comprising the following steps: Check whether the tongue plate on the vehicle's seat belt is connected to the buckle; Detect changes in seat belt tension; Vital signs, including breathing or pulse, are detected based on changes in seatbelt tension. Based on the detected buckle connection status and vital signs, determine whether the object on the vehicle seat is an occupant or a child seat. Invention Effects

[0009] Based on this disclosure, it is possible to determine with a high degree of accuracy whether the object on the seat is a passenger or a child seat. Simple illustration Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing a seatbelt device. Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the buckle system of the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is the first determination method table used by the determination unit. Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the first determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 5 This is the table of the second determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the second determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 7 This is the third determination method table used by the determination unit. Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the third determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 9 This is the fourth determination method table used by the determination unit. Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the fourth determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 11 This is the external front view of the buckle in the first embodiment. Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view of the buckle cross section AA. Figure 13 It's an exploded view of the buckle. Figure 14 This is an exploded view of the buckle component. Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view of the seatbelt tension detection device when the tongue plate is not inserted. Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view of the seat belt tension detection device after the tongue plate is inserted. Figure 17This is a cross-sectional view of a seatbelt tension detection device when a load is applied to the seatbelt. Figure 18 This is a system block diagram of the buckle in the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The following is a description of the embodiments.

[0011] Figure 1 An embodiment of a seatbelt device is shown. The seatbelt device 1 is an embodiment of an on-board device installed in a vehicle. The seatbelt device 1 includes a seatbelt 4, a retractor 3, a shoulder anchor 6, a tongue plate 7, and a buckle 8.

[0012] Seat belt 4 is one embodiment of a seat belt used to restrain an occupant 11 sitting in car seat 2. It is a strip of material that is retractably wrapped around a retractor 3. Seat belts are also called webbing, and the anchor plate 5 at the end of seat belt 4 is secured to seat 2 or the vehicle body near seat 2.

[0013] The retractor 3 is one embodiment of the winding device. When the vehicle is subjected to an acceleration exceeding a predetermined value, such as in the event of a vehicle collision, the seat belt 4 is pulled out from the retractor 3, which is fixed to the seat 2 or the vehicle body near the seat 2.

[0014] The shoulder anchor 6 is a type of seat belt insertion device. This component guides the seat belt 4 from the retractor 3 to the shoulder of the passenger 11. The shoulder anchor 6 is fixed to the seat 2 or the vehicle body near the seat 2.

[0015] The tongue plate 7 is a type of seat belt insertion device, which is a component that is slidably connected to the seat belt 4 guided by the shoulder anchor 6.

[0016] The buckle 8 is a component that is detachably connected to the tongue plate 7 and can be fixed to the vehicle body near the seat 2 or seat 2.

[0017] The buckle 8 has a main body 8a and a retainer 8b. The main body 8a is the part that is detachably connected to the tongue plate 7, and the retainer 8b is a support component that supports the main body 8a of the buckle 8. The retainer 8b can be fixed to the seat 2 or the vehicle body near the seat 2.

[0018] When the tongue plate 7 is connected to the buckle 8, the portion of the seat belt 4 between the shoulder anchor 6 and the tongue plate 7 is the shoulder strap portion 9, used to restrain the chest and shoulders of the occupant 11. When the tongue plate 7 is connected to the buckle 8, the portion of the seat belt 4 between the anchor plate 5 and the tongue plate 7 is the lap belt portion 10, used to restrain the waist of the occupant 11.

[0019] Figure 2 A block diagram of a buckle system according to a first embodiment is shown. In the first embodiment, Figure 2The buckle 8 shown is equipped with a buckle switch 13, a sensor 20, a detection unit 30, a judgment unit 70, and an output unit 80.

[0020] The buckle switch 13 is one embodiment of a connection detection method, used to detect the connection between the tongue plate 7 and the main body 8a of the buckle 8. The buckle switch 13 detects whether the seatbelt 4 is being worn by detecting whether the tongue plate 7 and the buckle body 8a are connected. The buckle switch 13 detects a state where the tongue plate 7 is not connected to the main body 8a as a state where the seatbelt 4 is not connected (seatbelt 4 is not worn). On the other hand, the buckle switch 13 detects a state where the tongue plate 7 and the main body 8a are connected as a state where the seatbelt 4 is connected (seatbelt 4 is worn).

[0021] Sensor 20 detects the tension (hereinafter also referred to as "tension F") generated in the seat belt 4 and outputs an output signal that varies according to the detected tension F. When the seat belt 4 is connected to the passenger 11, the tension F of the seat belt 4 changes because the chest and abdominal movements caused by the body movements and breathing of the passenger 11 are transmitted to the seat belt 4. The change in tension F of the seat belt 4 is transmitted to the tongue plate 7 and then to the buckle 8. Sensor 20 can be mounted on the main body 8a of the buckle 8 or on the retainer 8b of the buckle 8.

[0022] Sensor 20 can detect deformation or displacement caused by changes in the tension F of the seat belt 4. For example, sensor 20 can be a strain sensor to detect changes in the load input from the seat belt 4 to the buckle 8 via the tongue 7, or a capacitance sensor to detect changes in capacitance caused by changes in the tension F of the seat belt 4. When the tension F of the seat belt 4 changes, the buckle 8 itself, connected to the seat belt 4 via the tongue 7, will displace. Therefore, sensor 20 can be a device that detects the displacement of the buckle 8 itself as a change in the tension F of the seat belt 4. For example, a non-contact sensor that detects the relative distance to a reflecting object by emitting or receiving light waves or radio waves.

[0023] The detection unit 30 detects vital signs, i.e., breathing or pulse, based on the tension F changes detected by the sensor 20. For example, the detection unit 30 detects vital signs, i.e., breathing or pulse, by detecting the periodicity of the signal component representing the tension F change in the output signal of the sensor 20. If periodicity exists, it is assumed that the periodic movement of the breathing or pulse of the passenger 11 wearing the seatbelt 4 is detected by the sensor 20 as a tension change. The detection unit 30 extracts the frequency component corresponding to the vital signs from the signal component representing the tension F change detected by the sensor 20 using a filter, thereby detecting vital signs. The period of the breathing signal is approximately 3-6 seconds, and the period of the pulse signal is approximately 0.5-1 second.

[0024] The detection unit 30 can detect the magnitude of the signal component representing the change in tension F from the output signal of the sensor 20. The detection unit 30 detects the magnitude of the signal component representing the change in tension F by detecting the magnitude of the signal component representing the change in tension F. This is because the magnitude of the signal component corresponds to the magnitude of tension F.

[0025] The determination unit 70 determines whether the object on the vehicle seat 2 is a passenger seat or a child seat based on the detection status of the buckle switch 13 and the vital signs detected by the detection unit 30. The detailed determination method is described below. A child seat, also known as a CRS (Child Restraint System), is an infant restraint system. Child seats are not only suitable for infants but also for school-aged children.

[0026] The detection unit 30 and the determination unit 70 are integrated circuits comprising one or more computers (especially microcomputers). The detection unit 30 and the determination unit 70 can be implemented by different integrated circuits or integrated into a single integrated circuit. A computer has a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), and memory. Each function of the detection unit 30 and the determination unit 70 is implemented by the processor according to a program stored in memory. Each function of the detection unit 30 and the determination unit 70 can be implemented by an FPGA (FPGA programmable gate array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0027] Output unit 80 outputs the determination result of determination unit 70 (whether it is a passenger seat or a child seat) to an external device with buckle 8 via wired or wireless means. The external device performs predetermined control based on the determination result. For example, if the determination result indicates that the object on seat 2 is a passenger, the external device determines that the airbag needs to be deployed; if the determination result indicates that the object on seat 2 is a child seat, the external device determines that the airbag does not need to be deployed.

[0028] The output unit 80 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 70 to the outside of the buckle 8 through signal, light, sound, vibration or any combination thereof.

[0029] Figure 3 This is the first determination method table used by the determination unit. Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the first determination method used by the determination unit. [Empty] indicates that there is no object on seat 2, and [CRS] indicates that it is a child seat.

[0030] In step S11, the determination unit 70 determines whether the buckle switch 13 detects the connection between the tongue plate 7 and the main body 8a; if the buckle switch 13 does not detect the connection, the determination unit 70 determines that the buckle 8 is not in use (step S15); on the other hand, if the buckle switch 13 detects the connection, the determination unit 70 further determines whether the detection unit 30 detects vital signs (step S12).

[0031] If the detection unit 30 detects vital signs, the determination unit 70 determines that the object on the seat 2 is in the state of a passenger riding in the vehicle (step S13); on the other hand, if the detection unit 30 does not detect vital signs, the determination unit 70 determines that the object on the seat 2 is in the state of a child seat being used (step S14).

[0032] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the determination method shown, if the connection between the tongue plate 7 and the main body 8a is detected by the buckle switch 13, and vital signs are detected by the detection unit 30, then the determination unit 70 determines that the object is an occupant. If the connection between the tongue plate 7 and the main body 8a is detected by the buckle switch 13, and vital signs are not detected by the detection unit 30, then the object is identified as a child seat. Therefore, by using vital signs to determine whether an object on the seat 2 is a passenger or a child seat, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether an object on the seat 2 is a passenger or a child seat.

[0033] Figure 5 This is the table of the second determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the second determination method used by the determination system. In the second determination method, the parts that are the same as those in the first determination method are omitted.

[0034] If the connection status between the tongue plate 7 and the main body 8a is detected by the buckle switch 13 in step S11, the determination unit 70 will make a determination based on whether the detection unit 30 detects vital signs (step S12). If vital signs are not detected by the detection unit 30, the determination unit 70 will make a determination based on whether the magnitude of the seat belt tension F detected by the sensor 20 by the detection unit 30 is higher than the set threshold (step S16).

[0035] In step S16, if the tension F is higher than the set threshold (step S14), the determination unit 70 determines that the object on the seat 2 is a child seat (child seat usage state). This is because if the child seat is correctly fixed to the seat 2 by the seat belt 4 connected to the buckle 8, its seat belt tension F will be relatively large. On the other hand, if the tension F is lower than the set threshold, the determination unit 70 determines that the seat belt is in an incorrect usage state (step S17). This is because if the child seat is not correctly fixed to the seat 2 by the seat belt 4 connected to the buckle 8, the tension F will be relatively small.

[0036] Incorrect use of the seat belt in step S17 includes: the child seat is not properly secured, an object other than the child seat is secured to the seat 2, the false tongue plate 7 is connected to the buckle 8, the seat belt 4 is clamped, and the seat belt 4 is loose.

[0037] If the determination unit 70 determines in step S17 that the seat belt is in an incorrect usage state, the output unit 80 can output an alarm, which can make the occupant aware of the incorrect usage state and urge them to eliminate the incorrect usage state.

[0038] Figure 7 This is the table of the third determination method used by the determination unit. Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the third determination method used by the determination unit. In the third determination method, the parts that are the same as those in the first and second determination methods are omitted.

[0039] In step S18, the determination unit 70 makes a determination based on whether the seat sensor 90 on the seat 2 detects the presence of an object on the seat 2.

[0040] Seat sensor 90 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The seat sensor 90 is installed on the seat cushion (seat) or seat rail of the seat 2. The detection result of the seat sensor 90 is input to the judgment unit 70 in the buckle 8 via wired or wireless communication. The seat sensor 90 outputs different output signals depending on whether there is an object on the seat 2.

[0041] Seat sensor 90 is a weight sensor that detects the weight applied to seat 2 through strain or capacitance. If there is no object on seat 2, or the object on seat 2 is relatively light, the load applied to seat 2 will be lower than a set load value, and it will be detected as no object. If there is an occupant or child seat on seat 2, the load applied to seat 2 will be higher than the set load value, and an object will be detected.

[0042] exist Figure 8In step S18, if the seat sensor 90 does not detect the presence of an object, the determination unit 70 will determine that the seat 2 is in an empty passenger state (step S19); on the other hand, if the seat sensor 90 detects the presence of an object, the determination unit 70 will further determine whether the object on the seat 2 is a passenger or a child seat (steps S11 to S15). Based on the detection results of the seat sensor 90, it can be determined whether the seat is in an empty passenger state.

[0043] Figure 9 This is the fourth determination method table used by the determination unit. Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the fourth determination method used by the determination unit. The fourth determination method is to combine the third determination method ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 Steps S18 and S19 in the second example are applied to the second example. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The method described in the fourth example achieves the same effect as the second and third examples.

[0044] The following will introduce specific embodiments of the buckle. For ease of understanding, the proportions of the parts in the diagram may differ from the actual proportions. Deviations in parallel, perpendicular, orthogonal, horizontal, vertical, up-down, and left-right directions are permissible without affecting the implementation effect. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions represent directions parallel to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions are orthogonal to each other. The XY plane, YZ plane, and ZX plane represent virtual planes parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis directions, Y-axis and Z-axis directions, and Z-axis and X-axis directions, respectively.

[0045] Figure 11 This is the external front view of the buckle in the first embodiment. Figure 12 This is a sectional view of the buckle cross section AA. The X-axis direction represents the width direction of the buckle 8; the Y-axis direction represents the height direction of the buckle 8 when it is installed on the vehicle; and the Z-axis direction represents the thickness direction of the buckle 8.

[0046] Figure 13 It's an exploded view of the buckle. Figure 14 This is an exploded view of the buckle component. For example... Figure 13 and 14 As shown, the buckle 8 (main body 8a) includes a buckle body 8c, a circuit board 16, an upper cover 12, a lower cover 14, a lever 40, and a leaf spring 50.

[0047] The buckle body 8c is a sub-assembly that connects to the tongue plate 7 attached to the seat belt 4. The buckle body 8c has a button 31 that accepts pressure from an occupant's finger to disconnect the buckle 8 from the tongue plate 7, and a buckle base 37 for securing the button 31 and other components of the buckle body 8c. The buckle body 8c has an insertion port 15 into which the tongue plate 7 is inserted.

[0048] The upper cover 12 is a plastic component that covers the buckle body 8c, exposing the button 31. The upper cover 12 clamps the buckle body 8c between the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 14. In this embodiment, a lever 40 is mounted on the upper cover 12. The lever 40 has a pivot 41 extending along the X-axis direction, supported on the upper cover 12, and the pivot 41 is rotatable about the upper cover 12.

[0049] In this embodiment, the circuit board 16 is configured as follows: Figure 2 As shown (including sensor 20, Hall sensor 13a with buckle switch 13, detection unit 30, determination unit 70 and output unit 80).

[0050] The lower cover 14 is one embodiment of the housing, with the circuit board 16 fixed on its inner surface. The lower cover 14 is a plastic component that covers the circuit board 16.

[0051] The upper cover 12 and the lower cover 14 are the outer shells of the buckle 8, which house the buckle body 8c, the circuit board 16, the lever 40, and the leaf spring 50. In this embodiment, the outer shell of the buckle 8 consists of two parts, the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 14, for housing these components, but it can also consist of three or more parts.

[0052] When the buckle 8 is attached to the vehicle, the upper cover 12 faces the other side of the occupant who is wearing a seatbelt and is connected to the buckle 8 via the tongue plate 7, while the lower cover 14 faces the occupant.

[0053] Figure 15 , Figure 16 and Figure 17 A cross-sectional view of the seatbelt tension detection device is shown. When the tongue plate 7 is inserted into the buckle 8, the tip of the tongue plate 7 contacts the ejector 33. The ejector 33, pushed by the contact with the end of the tongue plate 7, moves in the direction of insertion of the tongue plate 7, causing the latch 34 to rotate and the slider 32 to descend. The rotating latch 34 engages with the tongue plate 7, and the slider 32 moves below the locking pin 35 (see...). Figure 16 ).

[0054] Insertion port 15 is the gap between button 31 and lever 40, and the opening height e of insertion port 15 (see...) Figure 15 The height of the gap is determined by the shape of the lever 40 and the leaf spring 50, such that the opening height e of the insertion port 15 when the lever 40 is in its initial position is slightly less than the thickness d of the tongue plate 7. Therefore, in Figure 16When the tongue plate 7 is inserted into the insertion port 15, the lever 40 rotates slightly clockwise around the pivot 41 under the push of the tongue plate 7's point of action P2, and the leaf spring 50 is pushed by the slightly rotated lever 40. The elastic force of the leaf spring 50 pushed by the lever 40 inhibits the tongue plate 7 from wobbling between the button 31 and the lever 40. Therefore, a small change in the seat belt tension F can be accurately transmitted to the sensor 20 through the tongue plate 7, the lever 40, and the leaf spring 50. Thus, the sensor 20 can detect small changes in tension F with high precision.

[0055] exist Figure 17 In the process, the load (tension F) applied to the tongue plate 7 at the force point P1 pushes the tongue plate 7 against the upper surface of the lever 40 at the point of application P2, with the upper wall 37a of the buckle base 37 as the fulcrum P3. At the point of application P2, the lever 40, with the tongue plate 7 pressing down, rotates clockwise around the pivot 41 and pushes the leaf spring 50. The leaf spring 50 bears the load and transmits the force to the sensor 20, while simultaneously deflecting itself. The lower wall 37b of the buckle base 37 has a stop 38, which restricts the movement of the tongue plate 7 towards the lower wall 37b. When the tongue plate 7 contacts the stop, its movement towards the lower wall 37b stops. The stop limits the force applied to the sensor 20 through the lever 40 and the leaf spring 50, thus protecting the sensor 20 from excessive load due to impact.

[0056] Figure 18 This is a system block diagram of the buckle according to the second embodiment. The structure, function, and effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. For the sake of clarity in the above description, the description of the second embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0057] In the first embodiment (see...) Figure 2 The determination unit 70 and the output unit 80 are disposed in the buckle 8, while in the second embodiment (see Figure 18 The determination unit 70 and the output unit 80 are located in separate devices at different positions from the buckle 8. Figure 18 The determination system 100 shown may include a buckle 8, a determination unit 70 and an output unit 80, and may also be equipped with a seat sensor 90.

[0058] In the second embodiment, the buckle 8 includes a buckle switch 13, a sensor 20, and a detection unit 30. The determination unit 70 and the output unit 80 are implemented by a determination device, such as an electronic control unit (ECU) installed in the vehicle. According to the second embodiment, the determination device (determination unit 70) outside the buckle 8 can determine with high precision whether an object on the vehicle seat 2 is a passenger seat or a child seat.

[0059] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes and modifications, such as combinations or substitutions with some or all of the other embodiments, are possible.

[0060] Seat 2 can be either the front or rear seats of the vehicle. Figure 18 In this process, the detection unit 30 can be located in another device at a different position from the buckle 8. This other device can be the same as the determination unit 70 or a different device.

[0061] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-109330, filed on June 30, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Symbol Explanation 1. Seat belt device 4. Seat belt 7. Tongue plate 8. Buckle 8a. Main body 8b. Cage 8c. Buckle body 12. Top cover 13. Buckle switch 13a. Hall sensor 14. Bottom cover 15. Insertion port 16. Circuit board 20. Sensors 30. Detection Unit 38. Stop 40. Lever 41. Pivot 50. Leaf spring 70. Judgment Unit 80. Output Unit 90. Seat sensors 100. Judgment System

Claims

1. A buckle, comprising a main body portion connectable to a tongue plate attached to a vehicle seatbelt, characterized in that, Also includes A buckle switch is used to detect whether the tongue plate is connected to the main body. Sensors are used to detect changes in seatbelt tension. The detection unit is used to detect vital signs based on tension changes detected by the sensor, including respiration or pulse. The determination unit is used to determine whether the object on the car seat is a passenger or a child seat based on the detection status of the buckle switch and the vital signs. When the buckle switch detects a connection and the detection unit does not detect any vital signs, the determination unit determines the usage status of the child seat based on the seat belt tension detected by the sensor.

2. The buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the buckle switch detects a connection and the detection unit detects the vital signs, the determination unit determines that the object is an occupant.

3. The buckle according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the buckle switch detects a connection, the detection unit does not detect any vital signs, and the seat belt tension detected by the sensor is higher than a set threshold, the determination unit determines that the object is a child seat.

4. The buckle according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the buckle switch detects a connection, the detection unit does not detect the vital signs, and the seat belt tension detected by the sensor is lower than a set threshold, the determination unit determines that the seat belt is in an incorrect usage state.

5. The buckle according to claim 4, characterized in that, Incorrect use of seat belts includes child seats not being properly secured.

6. A buckle comprising a main body portion connectable to a tongue plate attached to a vehicle seatbelt, characterized in that, Also includes: The seats are also equipped with seat sensors; A buckle switch is used to detect whether the tongue plate is connected to the main body. Sensors are used to detect changes in seatbelt tension. The detection unit is used to detect vital signs based on tension changes detected by the sensor, including respiration or pulse. The determination unit is used to determine whether the object on the car seat is a passenger or a child seat based on the detection status of the buckle switch and the vital signs. The determination unit can determine whether the seat sensor detects the presence of the object. When the seat sensor detects the presence of an object, the buckle switch detects a connection, and the detection unit does not detect any vital signs, the determination unit determines the usage status of the child seat based on the seat belt tension detected by the sensor.

7. The buckle according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the seat sensor does not detect the presence of an object, the determination unit determines that the seat is in a flight attendant state.

8. A determination system, comprising a buckle connectable to a vehicle seatbelt tongue and a determination device positioned at a different location from the buckle, characterized in that, The buckle includes a buckle switch and a sensor. The buckle switch is used to detect whether the tongue plate is connected to the buckle, and the sensor is used to detect changes in the tension of the seat belt. The determination device includes a detection unit and a determination unit. The detection unit is used to detect vital signs based on the tension changes detected by the sensor. The vital signs include breathing or pulse. The determination unit determines whether the object on the car seat is an occupant or a child seat based on the detection status of the buckle switch and the vital signs. When the buckle switch detects a connection and the detection unit does not detect any vital signs, the determination unit determines the usage status of the child seat based on the seat belt tension detected by the sensor.

9. The determination system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The seat is also equipped with a seat sensor. The determination unit determines whether the object is an occupant or a child seat based on whether the seat sensor detects the presence of the object.

10. A determination method, characterized in that, The determination system applied to any one of claims 8-9 includes the following steps: Check whether the tongue plate on the vehicle's seat belt is connected to the buckle; Detect changes in seat belt tension; Vital signs, including breathing or pulse, are detected based on changes in seatbelt tension. Based on the detected buckle connection status and vital signs, determine whether the object on the vehicle seat is an occupant or a child seat; Specifically, when the buckle switch detects a connection and the detection unit does not detect any vital signs, the determination unit judges the usage status of the child seat based on the tension of the seat belt detected by the sensor.

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