Trunk seat belt system

Abstract

A seat includes a seat base including a first side and a second side and a seatback including a first side and a second side. The seatback is pivotable between an upright configuration and a highly inclined configuration. A torso seatbelt system is disposed at the seating system. The torso seatbelt system includes a retractor mechanism positioned adjacent one of the seat base and the seat back. A quantity of flexible webbing includes a first end anchored at the retractor mechanism, and a second end. An optional anchor may be connected to the second end of the amount of flexible webbing. The selectable anchor is selectively disposed at a first position at the seat base when the seat back is in the upright seating configuration, and the selectable anchor is selectively disposed at a second position at the seat back when the seat back is in the highly inclined seating configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject disclosure relates to the field of vehicle restraint systems, and more particularly to torso seat belt systems for vehicles. Background Art

[0002] Many passenger cars, especially those manufactured after 1968, are equipped with passenger restraint systems. Initially, vehicles were equipped with lap belts. In some cases, an additional, separate shoulder belt was also provided. The use of lap belts was shown to reduce deceleration injuries. As vehicle seating systems evolved, improvements in restraint systems began to appear. A combined lap belt and shoulder belt was developed and incorporated into vehicles. The combination harness further reduced deceleration injuries.

[0003] In addition to passive restraint systems such as lap belts and shoulder belts, supplemental restraint systems such as airbags are added to further enhance the safety of seated passengers. Airbags inflate quickly when, for example, a sudden deceleration is sensed. Airbags protect against interactions between passengers and vehicle surfaces. While passive and supplemental restraint systems have been shown to be effective in protecting seated passengers, they are currently ineffective for reclined passengers. Therefore, there remains a need to protect passengers who may be in a reclined position. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system that can adjust the restraint configuration to accommodate not only seated passengers in an upright position, but also passengers who may be in a highly reclined or sleeping position. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to a non-limiting example, a seat system for a vehicle includes a seat base and a seat back, the seat base having a seating surface including a first side and a second side, and the seat back is connected to the seat base. The seat back has a support surface including a first side portion and a second side portion. The seat back can pivot between an upright seating configuration and a highly tilted seating configuration. A torso safety belt system is arranged at the seat system. The torso safety belt system includes a retractor mechanism positioned adjacent to one of the seat base and the seat back. The retractor mechanism includes a spool and a first connector, which can be fixedly mounted in the vehicle. A certain amount of flexible webbing includes a first end anchored at the spool, and a second end. An optional anchor can be connected to the second end of the certain amount of flexible webbing. When the seat back is in the upright seating configuration, the optional anchor is selectively arranged at a first position at the seat base, and when the seat back is in the highly tilted seating configuration, the optional anchor is selectively arranged at a second position at the seat back.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the optional anchor is a translatable anchor, the seating system includes a motor connected to the translatable anchor, the motor being selectively activated to shift the translatable anchor between a first position and a second position.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat sensor is configured to detect a position of a seat back.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the guide rail has a first end segment arranged at one of the first side and the second side and a second end segment arranged at a corresponding one of the first side and the second side, and the translatable anchor can be selectively shifted along the guide rail between the first end segment and the second end segment.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, a controller is operably connected to the motor and the seat sensor, and the controller operates the motor to shift the translatable anchor between the first end section and the second end section of the guide rail when the seat back pivots between the first position and the second position.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat includes a frame including a first frame portion disposed at the seat base and a second frame portion disposed at the seat back, with the rail connected between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the second end of the flexible webbing includes a buckle, and the optional anchor includes a buckle receiver selectively connectable to the buckle.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, an optional anchor includes a pre-tensioner.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, an optional anchor includes a first anchor disposed at a first side of the seat base and a second anchor disposed at a first side of the seat back.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a first buckle receiver is disposed at a second side of the seat base and a second buckle receiver is disposed at a second side of the seat back, and a second end of the flexible webbing includes a buckle that is connectable to the first buckle receiver when the seat back is in the upright seating configuration and that is connectable to the second buckle receiver when the seat back is in the highly reclined seating configuration.

[0014] According to a non-limiting example, a vehicle includes a vehicle body that partially defines a passenger compartment and a seat arranged in the passenger compartment. The seat includes a seat base and a seat back, the seat base having a seating surface including a first side and a second side, and the seat back is connected to the seat base. The seat back has a support surface including a first side portion and a second side portion. The seat back can pivot between an upright seating configuration and a highly reclined seating configuration. A torso safety belt system is arranged at the seat. The torso safety belt system includes a retractor mechanism positioned adjacent to one of the seat base and the seat back. The retractor mechanism includes a reel and a first connector that can be fixedly mounted in the vehicle. A certain amount of flexible webbing includes a first end anchored at the reel, and a second end. An optional anchor can be connected to the second end of the certain amount of flexible webbing. When the seat back is in the upright seating configuration, the optional anchor is selectively arranged at a first position at the seat base, and when the seat back is in the highly reclined seating configuration, the optional anchor is selectively arranged at a second position at the seat back.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the optional anchor is a translatable anchor, the seating system includes a motor coupled to the translatable anchor, the motor being selectively activated to shift the translatable anchor between a first position and a second position.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat sensor is configured to detect a position of a seat back.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the guide rail has a first end segment arranged at one of the first side and the second side and a second end segment arranged at a corresponding one of the first side and the second side, and the translatable anchor can be selectively shifted along the guide rail between the first end segment and the second end segment.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, a controller is operably connected to the motor and the seat sensor, and the controller operates the motor to shift the translatable anchor between the first end section and the second end section of the guide rail when the seat back pivots between the first position and the second position.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat includes a frame including a first frame portion disposed at the seat base and a second frame portion disposed at the seat back, with the rail connected between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the second end of the flexible webbing includes a buckle, and the optional anchor includes a buckle receiver selectively connectable to the buckle.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, an optional anchor includes a pre-tensioner.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, an optional anchor includes a first anchor disposed at a first side of the seat base and a second anchor disposed at a first side of the seat back.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a first buckle receiver is disposed at a second side of the seat base, a second buckle receiver is disposed at a second side of the seat back, and a second end of the flexible webbing includes a buckle, the buckle is connected to the first buckle receiver when the seat back is in the upright seating configuration, and the buckle is connected to the second buckle receiver when the seat back is in the highly reclined seating configuration.

[0024] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a left side view of a vehicle including a torso seat belt system according to a non-limiting example;

[0027] Figure 2 is a left side view of a seated occupant restrained by a torso seat belt system arranged in a first configuration according to a non-limiting example;

[0028] Figure 3 According to non-limiting examples Figure 2 a left side view of a seated passenger with the torso seat belt system in a second configuration;

[0029] Figure 4 According to non-limiting examples Figure 2 A front view of seated passengers;

[0030] Figure 5 According to non-limiting examples Figure 3 A front view of seated passengers;

[0031] Figure 6 is a left side view of a pretensioner of a torso seat belt system in a first configuration according to a non-limiting example;

[0032] Figure 7 is a left side view of a pretensioner in a second configuration according to a non-limiting example;

[0033] Figure 8is a front view of a seat system including a seat base, a seat back, and a torso belt system according to another non-limiting example; and

[0034] Fig. 9 According to non-limiting examples Figure 8 Partial view of the seat back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals represent identical or corresponding components and features. As used herein, the term module refers to a processing circuit, which may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a (shared, dedicated or group) processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[0036] According to a non-limiting example, the vehicle Figure 1 The vehicle 10 is generally indicated at 10. The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. The body 12 partially defines a passenger compartment 20 having a plurality of structural supports 24. The structural supports 24 include an "A" pillar 26, a "B" pillar 28, and a C pillar 30. There are also additional structural supports (not separately labeled). The structural supports 24 extend between a passenger compartment floor 32 and a roof 33. A plurality of seats are arranged in the passenger compartment 20, one of which is indicated at 34. The seats 34 may include outer seats (e.g., seats arranged adjacent to a door) and intermediate seats (e.g., seats disposed between the outer seats).

[0037] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the non-limiting example shown, the seat 34 includes a seat base 38 including a base frame 40 and a seat back 42 including a back frame 44 and a headrest 46. The seat back 42 is pivotally connected to the seat base 38 by a hinge 47. The seat base 38 includes a seating surface 48 including a first side 50 and a second side 52 ( Figure 4 The seat back 42 includes a first side portion 58 and a second side portion 60 ( Figure 4 ) support surface 56. As will be described in detail herein, the seat back 42 can be in the upright position ( Figure 2 ) and height tilt ( Figure 3 In this regard, it should be understood that the term highly reclined position 4 describes a state in which the seat back 42 is tilted more than 35° from the vertical direction and the seat base 38 can be pivoted upward more than 20° from the horizontal direction.

[0038] In a non-limiting example, the vehicle 10 includes a torso belt system 64 disposed at the seat 34. As will be described in detail herein, the torso belt system 64 can accommodate a user seated in the seat 34 in an upright position or a highly reclined position. The torso belt system 64 includes a retractor 66 disposed at the seat back 42. Depending on the seat position, the retractor 66 can be mounted at various locations in the passenger compartment 20. For example, the retractor 66 can be mounted to the "B" pillar 28 or the "C" pillar 30 for the outer seats.

[0039] The retractor 66 includes a spring-biased spool 68. The spool 68 also includes a locking mechanism (not shown). The retractor 66 includes a first connector 70 that defines a first anchor 73 of the torso belt system 64. A first optional anchor 75 is mounted to the first side 50 of the seat base 38 and, as will be described in more detail herein, can transition to and from the first side 58 of the seat back 42. A webbing guide 76 can be mounted to an upper portion (not separately labeled) of the seat back 42. For an exterior rear seat configuration, the webbing guide 76 can be connected to, for example, a "C" pillar 30. At this point, it should be understood that the term "selectable anchor" describes an anchor having selectable anchor points.

[0040] A flexible webbing 78 is disposed on the reel 68. The flexible webbing 78 includes a first end 80 fixedly connected to the retractor 66, a second end 82 coupled to the first optional anchor 75, and an intermediate portion 84. The intermediate portion 84 includes a buckle 87, Figure 4 , the buckle 87 is connected to a second optional anchor 88 disposed at the second side 52 of the seat base 38. The second optional anchor 88 can take the form of a buckle receiver 86 connected to the buckle 87. The intermediate portion 84 can be routed through the buckle 87. In a non-limiting example, the flexible webbing 78 includes a shoulder belt portion 90 extending from the retractor 66 to the second optional anchor 88 and a lap belt / torso belt portion 92 extending between the first optional anchor 75 and the second optional anchor 88.

[0041] As will be described in more detail herein, the first selectable anchor 75 and the second selectable anchor 88 are shiftable between a first position in which the lap belt portion 90 extends across the occupant's knees and a second position in which the lap belt portion 90 extends across the occupant's knees. Figure 2 and Figure 4 , in the second position the lap belt portion 90 extends across the torso of the occupant, Figure 3 and Figure 5 The first optional anchor 75 is displaced along a track 94 mounted in the vehicle 10 . The second optional anchor 88 may include a similar track (not shown). The track 94 is mounted at the first side 50 of the seat bottom 38 and the first side 58 of the seat back 42 .

[0042] In a non-limiting example, the guide rail 94 is mounted between the base frame 40 and the backrest frame 44. Of course, the guide rail 94 can also be mounted between the passenger compartment floor 32 and the "B" pillar 28, or directly to the "B" pillar 28. The guide rail 94 includes a first end section 96 disposed at the base frame 40, a second end section 98 disposed at the backrest frame 44, and an intermediate section 100. As will be described in detail herein, when the seat back 42 is pivoted between the upright configuration and the highly reclined configuration, the first optional anchor 75 is displaced along the intermediate section 100 between the first end section 96 and the second end section 98. In this manner, the lap belt portion 90 is positioned across the occupant's knees when in the upright configuration, and across the occupant's torso when in the highly reclined configuration, so as to better restrain the occupant in a reclined position during a sudden deceleration event.

[0043] In a non-limiting example, the first optional anchor 75 can be connected to the pretensioner 104, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown. The pretensioner 104 includes a first selectable anchor 75. A member 106 is connected to the second end 82 of the flexible webbing 78. The member 106 is also coupled to a tether 108 that is selectively retracted by the pretensioner 104 and can generate a preload on the second end 82 of the flexible webbing 78 at the onset of sudden deceleration. The pretensioner 104 can cooperate with the retractor 66 to limit occupant excursion in the event of sudden deceleration of the vehicle 10.

[0044] exist Figure 2 and Figure 6 In the non-limiting example shown, the first optional anchor 75 is connected to a motor 110. The motor 110 displaces the optional anchor 75 along the guide rail 94 between the first end section 96 and the second end section 98 based on the angle of the seat back 42. A seat sensor 112 is connected to the seat back 42. The seat sensor 112 detects the angle of the seat back 42 in real time. In the non-limiting example, the vehicle 10 includes a controller 130 connected to the motor 110 and the seat sensor 112, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6 The controller 130 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 132 , a non-volatile memory 136 , and an anchor control module 139 .

[0045] If activated, the controller 130 receives a position signal from the seat sensor 112 related to the change in the seat back angle. The controller 130 signals the anchor control module 139 to activate the motor 110 and displace the first optional anchor 75 along the guide rail 94. In a non-limiting example, the controller 130 can be selected to operate autonomously, that is, without specific input, the anchor control module 139 displaces the first optional anchor 75 based on the sensed seat position. In another non-limiting example, the actuator 144 can be manually manipulated to displace the first optional anchor 75. In addition, the user can store preset lap belt portion positions specific to the user's body geometry in the non-volatile memory 136. At this point, it should be understood that the controller 130 can also be connected to the second optional anchor 88.

[0046] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the non-limiting example shown, the position of the torso belt system 64 can be manually selected. In addition to the first selectable anchor 75 and the second selectable anchor 88, the torso belt system 64 also includes a webbing guide member 200 mounted to the first side 58 of the seat back 42 and a second buckle receiver 210 mounted to the second side 60 of the seat back 42. In the upright position, the lap belt portion 90 of the flexible webbing 78 extends between the selectable anchor 75 and the buckle receiver 87.

[0047] In the highly reclined position, the lap belt portion 90 can be rerouted. That is, the buckle 85 can be disengaged from the second optional anchor 88 and connected to the second buckle receiver 210, and the intermediate portion 84 can be routed through the webbing guide member 200, thereby effectively displacing the first optional anchor 75 upward along the seat back 42. Alternatively, the webbing guide member 200 can be replaced by another optional anchor (not shown), and the first optional anchor 75 can be disconnected and subsequently reconnected to the second optional anchor position. At this point, it should be understood that in place of the second buckle receiver 210, an additional webbing guide (not shown) can be arranged on the second side 60 of the seat back 42, so that the lap belt portion can be simply manually displaced upward and rerouted to extend through the torso of the occupant. In addition, although shown in conjunction with the outer seats, the torso belt system can also be used in conjunction with the intermediate seat position.

[0048] In this regard, it should be understood that the non-limiting examples described herein represent a system for adjusting the position of a lap belt based on the seat back angle to better restrain a reclining occupant. That is, the system adjusts the position of the lap belt to accommodate a reclining or highly reclining occupant. The lap belt may not be as effective for an occupant in such a position. Shifting the lap belt upward to the occupant's torso better restrains a reclining occupant.

[0049] The terms "a" and "an" do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "or" means "and / or". References to "aspects" throughout the specification mean that a particular element (e.g., a feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in conjunction with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.

[0050] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0051] Unless stated to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most current standards in effect as of the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standards appear.

[0052] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0053] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A seat system for a vehicle, comprising: a seat base including a seating surface having a first side and a second side, and a seat back connected to the seat base, the seat back having a support surface including a first side portion and a second side portion, the seat back being pivotable between an upright seating configuration and a highly reclined seating configuration; as well as A torso safety belt system, which is arranged at the seat system, and the torso safety belt system comprises: a retractor mechanism positioned adjacent one of the seat bottom and the seat back, the retractor mechanism comprising a spool and a first connector, the first connector being fixedly mountable in a vehicle; a quantity of flexible webbing including a first end anchored at the reel, and a second end; and an optional anchor connectable to the second end of the quantity of flexible webbing, the optional anchor being selectively disposed in a first position at the seat base when the seat back is in the upright seating configuration and in a second position at the seat back when the seat back is in the highly reclined seating configuration.

2. The seating system of claim 1 , wherein the optional anchor is a translatable anchor, the seating system comprising a motor connected to the translatable anchor, the motor being selectively activated to shift the translatable anchor between a first position and a second position. 3 . The seat system of claim 2 , further comprising a seat sensor configured to detect a position of the seat back.

4. The seating system according to claim 3 further includes a guide rail having a first end section arranged at one of the first side and the second side and a second end section arranged at a corresponding one of the first side and the second side, and the translatable anchor is capable of selectively shifting between the first end section and the second end section along the guide rail.

5. The seating system of claim 4 further comprising a controller operably connected to the motor and the seat sensor, the controller operating the motor to shift the translatable anchor between the first end section and the second end section of the guide rail when the seat back pivots between the first position and the second position.

6. The seat system of claim 4, wherein the seat includes a frame including a first frame portion disposed at the seat base and a second frame portion disposed at the seat back, the guide rail being connected between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.

7. The seating system of claim 1 wherein the second end of the flexible webbing includes a buckle and the selectable anchor includes a buckle receiver selectively connectable to the buckle.

8. The seating system of claim 1, wherein the selectable anchors include a first anchor disposed at a first side of the seat base and a second anchor disposed at a first side of the seat back.

9. The seating system of claim 8 further comprising a first buckle receiver disposed at a second side of the seat base and a second buckle receiver disposed at a second side of the seat back, the second end of the flexible webbing comprising a buckle connected to the first buckle receiver when the seat back is in the upright seating configuration, and the buckle connected to the second buckle receiver when the seat back is in the highly reclined seating configuration.

10. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body that partially defines a passenger compartment; The seat system of claim 1, arranged in the passenger compartment.

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