Pretensioner belt for a vehicle seat base

Abstract

A vehicle seat includes a seat base including a frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat cushion supported by the frame, a flexible webbing member including a first end fixedly connected to one of the front end and the rear end and a second end supported at the other of the first end and the second end, the tensioning device is connected to the flexible webbing member at the second end. The tensioning device is selectively activated to adjust tension in the flexible webbing member and reduce compressibility of the seat cushion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle supplemental restraint systems, and more particularly, to a pretensioner strap disposed in a vehicle seat bottom. Background Art

[0002] Many passenger vehicles, particularly those manufactured after 1968, are equipped with passenger restraint systems. Initially, vehicles were equipped with lap belts. In some cases, separate shoulder belts were provided. The use of lap belts has been shown to reduce deceleration injuries. As vehicle seating systems evolved, improvements in restraint systems also began to emerge. A combination harness consisting of a lap belt, shoulder belt, and a retractor that responds to deceleration forces was developed and incorporated into vehicles. The combination harness further reduced deceleration injuries.

[0003] While effective in reducing injuries, collision forces are complex and out-of-position occupant excursions persist. For example, forces can act on the occupant by exerting a compressive force on the seat base. The compressive force, combined with forward motion, can cause the occupant's pelvis to slide beneath the lap belt or submarine. This out-of-position condition results in undesirable force transfer to the occupant. Therefore, there is a need for an occupant restraint system that limits forward excursion of the occupant's pelvis. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a non-limiting example, a vehicle seat includes a seat base including a frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat cushion supported by the frame, a flexible webbing member, and a tensioning device connected to the flexible webbing member at a second end, the flexible webbing member including a first end fixedly connected to one of the front end and the rear end and a second end supported at the other of the first end and the second end. The tensioning device is selectively activated to adjust tension in the flexible webbing member and reduce the compressibility of the seat cushion.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, a webbing support is mounted at the second end of the seat base, a first end of the flexible webbing member is fixedly connected to the front end of the seat base, and a second end of the webbing member passes through the webbing support.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the flexible webbing member extending along the lower surface.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the flexible webbing member extending along the upper surface.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, with the flexible webbing member extending through the seat cushion between the lower surface and the upper surface.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, a tensioning device controller is connected to the tensioning device, the tensioning device controller selectively tensioning the flexible webbing member to reduce compressibility of the seat cushion.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, a load limiting device is coupled to the tensioning device, the load limiting device limiting an amount of tension applied to the flexible webbing member by the tensioning device.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the tensioning device includes one of a pretensioner, a pneumatic tensioner, an electric tensioner, and a hydraulic tensioner.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, a tactile alert system is coupled to the tensioning device, the tactile alert system applying rapid tension changes to the flexible webbing member.

[0013] According to a non-limiting example, a vehicle includes a vehicle body including a passenger compartment and a seat arranged in the passenger compartment. The seat includes a seat base including a frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat cushion supported by the frame, a flexible webbing member including a first end fixedly connected to one of the front end and the rear end and a second end supported at the other of the first end and the second end, a tensioning device connected to the flexible webbing member at the second end, the tensioning device being selectively activated to adjust tension in the flexible webbing member and reduce the compressibility of the seat cushion.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, a webbing support is mounted at the second end of the seat base, a first end of the flexible webbing member is fixedly connected to the front end of the seat base, and a second end of the webbing member passes through the webbing support.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the flexible webbing member extending along the lower surface.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the flexible webbing member extending along the upper surface.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, with the flexible webbing member extending through the seat cushion between the lower surface and the upper surface.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, a tensioning device controller is connected to the tensioning device, the tensioning device controller selectively tensioning the flexible webbing member to reduce compressibility of the seat cushion.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, a load limiting device is coupled to the tensioning device, the load limiting device limiting an amount of tension applied to the flexible webbing member by the tensioning device.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the tensioning device includes one of a pretensioner, a pneumatic tensioner, an electric tensioner, and a hydraulic tensioner.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, a tactile alert system is coupled to the tensioning device, the tactile alert system applying rapid tension changes to the flexible webbing member.

[0022] According to a non-limiting example, a method of adjusting tension in a vehicle seat cushion includes detecting a driving condition and tightening a flexible webbing member passing through a seat base to adjust the compressibility of the seat cushion.

[0023] In addition to one or more features described herein, detecting the driving condition includes receiving feedback from a crash sensor.

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

[0025] Additional 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 pretensioner disposed in a vehicle seat bottom according to a non-limiting example;

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a vehicle seat including a seat base with a pretensioner strap according to a non-limiting example;

[0028] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional front view of a vehicle seat according to a non-limiting example, the vehicle seat including a pretensioner belt disposed between upper and lower surfaces of a seat cushion;

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional front view of a vehicle seat according to a non-limiting example, the vehicle seat including a pretensioner belt disposed on a lower surface of a seat cushion;

[0030] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional front view of a vehicle seat according to a non-limiting example, the vehicle seat including a pretensioner belt disposed on an upper surface of a seat cushion;

[0031] Figure 6 is a top view of a pretensioner band according to a non-limiting example;

[0032] Figure 7 is a top view of a pretensioner band according to another non-limiting example;

[0033] Figure 8 is a top view of a pretensioner band according to yet another non-limiting example; and

[0034] Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a tensioning device controller associated with a pretensioner band, according to a non-limiting example. 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 indicate identical or corresponding parts 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 processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuits, 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 includes a passenger compartment 20 within which a plurality of seats, such as 22, are arranged. The seats 22 are positioned behind an instrument panel 26. A steering wheel 30 is disposed between the seats 22 and the instrument panel 26. The seats 22 include seat bases 32 ( Figure 2 ) and a seat back 34 supporting a headrest 36. When the occupant is in the seat 22, a seat belt 38 ( Figure 2 ) extends through the seat bottom 32. The seat belt 38 also includes a shoulder belt portion (not shown). A pretensioner controller 40 is coupled to the seat 22. As will be described in detail herein, the pretensioner controller adjusts the compressibility of the seat bottom 32.

[0037] refer to Figure 2, the seat 22 includes a frame 46 having a front end 48 and a rear end 50. A seat cushion 54 is supported on the frame 46. A flexible webbing member 58 extends across the frame 46. That is, the flexible webbing member 58 extends between the front end 48 and the rear end 50. The flexible webbing member 58 includes a first end 60, which, in the non-limiting example shown, is fixedly connected to the frame 46 at the front end 48. The flexible webbing member 58 also includes a second end 62 and an intermediate portion 64 extending between the first end 60 and the second end 62. The second end 62 passes over the rear end 50 through a webbing support 68. A tensioning device 70 is connected to the second end 62. The tensioning device 70 is connected to the tensioning device controller 40 and can take various forms, including an electrically operated tensioner, a pneumatically operated tensioner, a hydraulically actuated tensioner, and a tensioner that can operate on inflation gas.

[0038] exist Figure 3 In the non-limiting example shown and continuing with reference to Figure 2 , the seat cushion 54 includes an upper surface 78 and a lower surface 80. The flexible webbing member 58 passes through the seat cushion 54 between the upper surface 78 and the lower surface 80. Figure 4 In another non-limiting example shown, the flexible webbing member 58 extends along the lower surface 80 . Figure 5 Depicted is the flexible webbing member 58 extending along the upper surface 78 according to another non-limiting example. As will be described in more detail herein, during normal driving, the flexible webbing member 58 ( Figure 2 ) is not perceptible to the driver. However, during certain driving situations (e.g., a collision), in a non-limiting example, the tensioning device 70 is actuated to adjust the compressibility of the seat cushion 54 by pulling on the second end 62 of the flexible webbing member 58 to create tension. The tension in the flexible webbing member 58 reduces the compression caused by the occupant.

[0039] Figure 6 The flexible webbing member 58 is depicted according to a non-limiting example. The middle portion 64 includes a support region 88 having a width greater than the width of other portions of the flexible webbing member 58. Figure 7 A first flexible webbing member 58a and a second flexible webbing member 58b are depicted extending from the front end 48 through the rear end 50. In a non-limiting example, the first flexible webbing member 58a and the second flexible webbing member 54b include corresponding support areas 88a and 88b. Figure 8 , the flexible webbing member 58 is shown extending between a first side 95 and an opposing second side 97 of the seat base 32. Regardless of the orientation, pulling the second end 62 of the flexible webbing member 58 will create tension that reduces the compression caused by an occupant sitting in the seat 22.

[0040] Now refer to Figure 9 , to describe a tensioning device controller 40 according to a non-limiting example. The tensioning device controller 40 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 106, a memory module 108, an anti-submarine control module 110, and a tactile feedback control module 112. The tensioning device controller 40 is coupled to a first vehicle state sensor 114, a second vehicle state sensor 116, and a third vehicle state sensor 118. The vehicle sensors 114, 116, and 118 are arranged to detect various vehicle driving conditions, including, for example, lane departure, impact associated with a collision, and pre-crash sensing and the presence of passengers (including the driver). For example, the first vehicle state sensor 114 may take the form of a collision sensor, the second vehicle state sensor may detect inconsistencies in driving accuracy, such as lane departure, which may indicate driver fatigue, and the third vehicle state sensor 118 may take the form of a seat occupancy sensor that detects the presence and weight of an occupant in the seat 22.

[0041] According to one non-limiting example, if a crash signal is received via the first vehicle status sensor 114, the anti-submarine control module 110 will activate the tensioning device 70 to generate tension in the flexible webbing member 58. In this non-limiting example, the anti-submarine control module 110 will activate the tensioning device 70 at the beginning of the crash pulse. The tension in the flexible webbing member 58 will limit the distance the occupant can sink into the seat cushion 54.

[0042] The anti-dive control module 110 can rely on data stored in the memory module 108 and data received from the seat occupancy sensor 120 to determine the load to apply to the flexible webbing member 58 to generate tension. In another non-limiting example, a load limiter 122 can be placed between the tensioning device 70 and the second end 62 of the flexible webbing member 58. The tension generated in the flexible webbing member 58 by the tensioning device 70 will limit the seat's potential dive, or the distance an occupant may sink into the seat cushion 54 due to impact forces. By reducing occupant dive, the occupant's hips are substantially prevented or limited from deflecting beneath the lap belt portion 39, thereby causing a dive condition.

[0043] According to another non-limiting example, the tensioning device 70 can operate in combination with the haptic feedback control module 112 to provide input to the driver in the seat 22. In a non-limiting example, if the haptic feedback control module 112 receives a signal from the second vehicle state sensor 116 indicating that the driver is showing signs of fatigue, the tensioning device can be activated to transmit a rapid, low-tension signal into the seat cushion 54. The rapid, repetitive low-tension signal will notify the driver that it may be time to rest. If a continuous signal is received from the second vehicle state sensor 116, the haptic feedback control module 112 can increase the duration and amplitude of the rapid, repetitive low-tension signal.

[0044] At this point, it should be understood that the non-limiting examples presented herein describe methods and systems for reducing dive during a crash and also for providing tactile feedback to the driver. In the event of a crash, tension is applied to a flexible webbing member extending along or through the seat cushion. This tension reduces the compressibility of the seat cushion, thereby reducing the likelihood that an occupant might dive under the lap belt. The tension can also be applied to the flexible webbing member in a pulsed manner to provide tactile feedback to the driver. At other times, the flexible webbing member is not perceptible to the seat occupant.

[0045] 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 this 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] Unless otherwise indicated 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the basic scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, comprising: a seat base, the seat base comprising a frame having a front end and a rear end; a seat cushion supported by the frame; a flexible webbing member including a first end fixedly connected to one of the front end and the rear end and a second end supported at the other of the first end and the second end; as well as A tensioning device is connected to the flexible webbing member at the second end, the tensioning device being selectively activated to adjust tension in the flexible webbing member and reduce the compressibility of the seat cushion.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising a webbing support member, the webbing support member being mounted at the second end of the seat base, the first end of the flexible webbing member being fixedly connected to the front end of the seat base, and the second end of the flexible webbing member passing through the webbing support member.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein: The seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and the flexible webbing member extends along the lower surface.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein: The seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and the flexible webbing member extends along the upper surface.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein: The seat cushion includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and the flexible webbing member extends through the seat cushion between the lower surface and the upper surface. 6 . The vehicle seat of claim 1 , further comprising a tensioner controller connected to the tensioner, the tensioner controller selectively tensioning the flexible webbing member to reduce the compressibility of the seat cushion.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6, further comprising a load limiting device coupled to the tensioning device, the load limiting device limiting the amount of tension applied to the flexible webbing member by the tensioning device.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device comprises one of a pretensioner, a pneumatic tensioner, an electric tensioner, and a hydraulic tensioner.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a tactile alert system coupled to the tensioning device, the tactile alert system applying a rapid tension change to the flexible webbing member.

10. A vehicle comprising: a main body including a passenger compartment; and The seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is arranged in the passenger compartment.

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