SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE BELT PATHWAY

Abstract

A system for detecting the seat belt path in a seat belt system (10) of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a seat belt retractor (12) for releasably holding a length of a seat belt webbing (14); a guide loop (16) for changing the direction of the safety belt webbing (14); a seat belt locking device (18) which slidably engages with the seat belt webbing (14), wherein a lap belt section (44) of the seat belt webbing (14) is defined as the section of the seat belt webbing (14) which extends between a connecting end (42) of the seat belt webbing (14) and the seat belt locking device (18), and a shoulder belt section (46) of the seat belt webbing (14) is defined as the section of the seat belt webbing (14) which extends between the guide loop (16) and the seat belt locking device (18); a seat belt buckle (20) attached to the motor vehicle for releasable engagement of the seat belt locking mechanism (18); a seat belt buckle sensor (22) for detecting the presence of the seat belt locking mechanism (18) in the seat belt buckle (20); a first RFID tag (26) attached to the lap belt section (44) of the seat belt webbing (14) of the seat belt; a second RFID tag (28) which is attached to the shoulder strap section (46) of the safety belt webbing (14) an RFID reader (30) attached to a structural element of the motor vehicle for detecting the presence of the first RFID tag (26) and the second RFID tag (28) on the seat belt webbing (14); and a control module (31) for determining the seat belt routing based on whether the seat belt is closed and on the detection of the first RFID tag (26) and the second RFID tag (28) by the RFID reader (30); wherein the first RFID tag (26) has a first RFID that is associated with the first RFID tag (26), and the second RFID tag (28) has a second RFID that is associated with the second RFID tag (28); wherein the first RFID tag (26) is detected when the first RFID tag (26) is less than a first distance (D a ) is away from the RFID reader (30); wherein the second RFID tag (28) is detected when the second RFID tag (28) is less than a second distance (D b ) is away from the RFID reader (30).

Description

introduction

[0001] The present disclosure relates to seat belt systems and methods for detecting seat belt webbing routing.

[0002] Seatbelt systems for restraint of occupants in a motor vehicle generally use seatbelt retractors. The seatbelt retractors have a spool around which a seatbelt webbing is wound. The seatbelt webbing can be unwound from the spool by a vehicle occupant and secured around the vehicle occupant by inserting a latch, which is coupled to the seatbelt webbing, into a seatbelt buckle. When not in use, the seatbelt retractor, with the aid of a spring, retracts the seatbelt webbing into the seatbelt. In addition, seatbelt systems employ a sensor in the seatbelt buckle to detect whether an occupant is buckled. If the occupant is not buckled, the occupant is warned to prompt them to fasten their seatbelt.

[0003] DE 10 2015 208 807 A1 describes a method for detecting a correctly fastened vehicle seat belt. The method comprises a step of reading the position of a marking unit attached to the vehicle seat belt and a step of determining whether the vehicle seat belt is correctly fastened if the position of the marking unit is in a predetermined relationship to a target position of the marking unit when the vehicle seat belt is correctly fastened.

[0004] DE 10 2016 217 480 A1 describes a method for monitoring the interior of a vehicle. The vehicle interior has at least one RFID transponder. In the method, a readout signal is first transmitted to read the RFID transponder. In response to the transmission, a response signal from the RFID transponder is measured to obtain a measured value.

[0005] Finally, using the measured value, a degree of coverage representing the RFID transponder coverage is determined in order to monitor the vehicle interior.

[0006] US 2009 / 0 160 616 A1 describes a seatbelt monitoring system. The seatbelt monitoring system includes a seatbelt system. The seatbelt system has a first portion with a seatbelt webbing and a tongue. The seatbelt system also includes a buckle. A radio frequency device is associated with the first portion. The seatbelt monitoring system further includes a radio frequency receiver that detects either a signal from the radio frequency device or a specific spatial relationship between the radio frequency device and a second radio frequency device located near the buckle of the seatbelt system.

[0007] US 10 137 856 B1 describes a seat belt system including a seat belt configured to restrain the waist and torso of an occupant. The seat belt may also include a clutch configured to selectively connect a portion of a vehicle and the seat belt. The system also includes a reel configured to receive at least a portion of the seat belt, and a tension sensor connected to the clutch and / or the seat belt and configured to generate a signal indicative of the tension of the seat belt. The system may also include a retraction sensor connected to the seat belt and configured to generate a signal indicative of the length of seat belt retracted from the reel.The system may also include an occupant detector configured to determine, based at least in part on the signals indicating tension and length, whether an occupant has properly worn the seat belt such that the seat belt restrains the occupant.

[0008] DE 10 2018 108 275 A1 describes a device for detecting seat belt wear for a seat belt system of a motor vehicle. The device comprises at least a first transceiver unit for electromagnetic waves, as well as a transponder and a control unit. The first transceiver unit is arranged in front of or behind the seating position of a vehicle occupant, viewed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and is connected to the control unit for signal transmission. The transponder is arranged on a belt webbing of the seat belt system assigned to the vehicle seat and is designed to receive and automatically respond to scanning signals from the transceiver unit. The control unit is designed to detect, based on output signals from the first transceiver unit, whether the vehicle occupant has correctly fastened the seat belt. Furthermore, a method for detecting seat belt wear is described.

[0009] While today's seat belt systems serve their purpose, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved system and method for securing vehicle occupants with a seat belt that is capable of determining the seat belt path and transmitting a message to the vehicle occupant when an inappropriate seat belt path is detected. Description of the invention

[0010] According to the invention, a system for determining the seat belt path of a seat belt system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system includes a seat belt retractor for releasably receiving a length of seat belt webbing, a guide loop for changing the direction of the seat belt webbing, a seat belt lock slidably engaged with the seat belt webbing, wherein a lap belt portion of the seat belt webbing is defined as the portion of the seat belt webbing extending between a terminal end of the seat belt webbing and the lock, and a shoulder belt portion of the seat belt webbing is defined as the portion of the seat belt webbing extending between the guide loop and the lock, a seat belt buckle attached to the motor vehicle for releasably engaging the lock,a seatbelt buckle sensor for detecting the presence of the latch in the seatbelt buckle, a first RFID tag attached to the seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt, an RFID reader attached to a structural element of the motor vehicle for detecting the presence of the first RFID tag on the seatbelt webbing, and a control module for determining the seatbelt routing based on whether the seatbelt is fastened and on the detection of the first RFID tag by the RFID reader. The first RFID tag is attached to the lap belt portion of the seatbelt webbing. A second RFID tag is attached to the shoulder belt portion of the seatbelt webbing. The first RFID tag has a first RFID identifier associated with the first RFID tag, and the second RFID tag has a second RFID identifier associated with the second RFID tag.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, the RFID reader is mounted on an interior roof of the motor vehicle.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, an occupant sensor is provided for determining the presence of an occupant on the vehicle seat.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to determine whether the first RFID is detected.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to determine whether the second RFID is detected.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to take an action if the first RFID is not detected.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the action is an acoustic or visual warning to the vehicle occupant.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to determine whether the first and second RFID tags are recognized.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to detect the presence of the first RFID tag.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to determine that the seat belt is on the lap of an occupant when the presence of the first RFID tag is detected.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the control module executes instructions to determine that the seat belt is on the shoulder of an occupant when the presence of the second RFID tag is detected.

[0021] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description contained herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat and safety belt system according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 is a side view of a vehicle interior illustrating the different positions of the first and second RFID tags relative to the occupant and the vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining proper and improper seat belt routing according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed description

[0023] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0024] With reference to Fig. 1 shows a seatbelt system 10 for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The seatbelt system 10 includes a seatbelt retractor 12, a seatbelt webbing 14, a guide loop 16, a latch 18, a seatbelt buckle 20, a seatbelt buckle sensor 22, an occupant sensor 24, a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 26, a second RFID tag 28, an RFID tag reader 30, and a control module 31. The seatbelt retractor 12 is attached to a structural element of the motor vehicle near a vehicle seat 32. For example, the seatbelt retractor 12 is bolted to the base of the B-pillar 34 or another component of the vehicle. Alternatively, the seatbelt retractor 12 may be integrated into and rigidly connected to the base of the seat 32 of the motor vehicle.A frame 36 of the seat belt retractor 12 is configured to rotatably support a spool 38 for free rotation within the seat belt retractor 12.

[0025] A spring (not shown) is operatively attached to the retractor frame 36 at one end of the spring and to the spool 38 at another end of the spring to retract the seat belt webbing 14 onto the spool 38 and into the retractor 12. The seat belt webbing 14 is at least partially wrapped around the spool 38 to contain the seat belt webbing 14 in the retractor 12 when the seat belt system 10 is not in use. When the seat belt system 10 is in use, the seat belt webbing 14 is unwound from the spool 38 and pulled out of the retractor 12 by a vehicle occupant. The seat belt webbing 14 is typically made of a woven fabric material such as nylon or polyester.

[0026] The guide loop 16 is fixedly attached to the motor vehicle, generally at the top of the B-pillar 34 of the motor vehicle. A slot 40 is provided in the guide loop 16 to receive and slidably receive the seat belt webbing 14. The seat belt webbing 14 extends generally upwardly from the retractor 12 along the B-pillar 34 and is threaded or guided through a guide loop 16, with the seat belt webbing 14 directed downwardly toward the base of the seat 32 and attached at a terminal end 42 to a component of the motor vehicle or to the seat 32. A lap belt portion 44 of the seat belt webbing is defined as the length of seat belt webbing extending between the terminal end 42 of the seat belt webbing 14 and the latch 18.A shoulder belt portion 46 of the seat belt webbing is defined as the length of the seat belt webbing extending between the guide loop 16 and the latch 18.

[0027] The latch 18 includes a slot 48 through which the seat belt webbing 14 is threaded to slidably connect the latch 18 to the seat belt webbing 14. The latch 18 is located on the seat belt webbing 14, generally between the guide loop 16 and the terminal end 42 of the seat belt webbing 14. The seat belt buckle 20 is configured to releasably engage or snap the latch 18. Typically, the latch 18 is pushed into a slot 49 in the seat belt buckle 20. After the latch 18 is fully inserted into the buckle 20, the latch 18 is locked or snapped into the seat belt buckle 20. A button 50 on the seat belt buckle 20 is pressed to release the latch 18 from the buckle 20.

[0028] The seatbelt buckle sensor 22 is provided in the seatbelt buckle 20. The seatbelt buckle sensor 22 is configured to detect the presence of the latch 18. The seatbelt buckle sensor 22 transmits a control signal to the control module 31. The control module 31 includes a control algorithm that receives the control signal from the seatbelt buckle sensor 22 and determines whether the latch 18 is present in the seatbelt buckle 20.

[0029] An occupant sensor 24 is provided in the vehicle seat 32 or adjacent to the vehicle seat 32. The occupant sensor 24 detects the presence of the occupant using various means, such as one or more pressure pads, weight pads, load cells, resistance pads, and biometric sensors. The occupant sensor 24 sends a control signal to the control module 31. The control module 31 includes a control algorithm that receives the control signal from the occupant sensor 24 and determines whether an occupant is present in the seat 32.

[0030] The first RFID tag 26 is attached to the lap belt portion 44 of the seat belt webbing 14. The second RFID tag 28 is attached to the shoulder belt portion 46 of the seat belt webbing 14. The RFID tag reader 30 is attached to an interior surface 52 of the vehicle roof 54. Digital data encoded in the RFID tags 26, 28 is captured by the RFID reader 30 via radio waves emitted by the RFID reader 30.

[0031] The RFID tags 26, 28 are either passive, active, or battery-assisted passive (BAP). The active RFID tag has a built-in battery and periodically sends an ID signal to the RFID reader 30. The BAP RFID tag has a small battery on board and is activated in the presence of the RFID reader 30. The passive RFID tag has no battery and is therefore more cost-effective and smaller than a BAP RFID tag. The passive RFID tag uses the radio energy transmitted by the RFID tag reader 30 to transmit an RFID signal back to the RFID tag reader 30.

[0032] The RFID tags 26, 28 are read-only and have pre-assigned serial numbers used as identifiers. The RFID tags 26, 28 include three parts: an integrated circuit that stores and processes information and modulates and demodulates radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted by the reader 30; a means for receiving direct current from the incoming read signal; and an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. The RFID tag information is stored in non-volatile memory. The RFID reader 30 transmits a coded radio signal to interrogate the RFID tags 26, 28. The RFID tags 26, 28 receive the coded radio signal and then respond with the RFID identifier associated with either the first RFID tag 26 or the second RFID tag 28. The RFID identifier is a unique tag serial number assigned to the RFID tag.Since the RFID tags 26, 28 have individual serial numbers, the control module 31 can distinguish between the tags 26, 28 that are within range of the RFID reader 30 and read the tags 26, 28 simultaneously.

[0033] The control module 31 includes a control algorithm that receives the control signal from the seat belt buckle sensor 22, occupant sensor 24, and RFID tag reader 30 and determines whether an occupant in the vehicle seat 34 is properly buckled. A properly buckled occupant is determined by the control module 31 when the occupant sensor 24 detects the presence of an occupant, the seat belt buckle sensor 22 detects the presence of the latch 18, and the RFID reader 30 receives a signal from the first RFID tag 26 and the second RFID tag 28. An improperly buckled occupant is determined by the control module 31 when the occupant sensor 24 detects the presence of an occupant, the seat belt buckle sensor 22 detects the presence of the latch 18, and the RFID reader 30 does not receive a signal from one or both of the first and second RFID tags 26, 28.

[0034] With reference to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram is shown illustrating the positions of the first RFID tag 26 and the second RFID tag 28 relative to the RFID reader 30 and the occupant on the vehicle seat 32 according to the present invention. A properly buckled occupant will be determined by the control module 31 when the first RFID tag 26 is located on the lap of an occupant, or, in other words, when the first RFID tag 26 is between the RFID reader 30 and the vehicle occupant as indicated by reference numeral P a and the second RFID tag 28 is arranged in front of the chest or torso of an occupant, or, in other words, the second RFID tag 28 is arranged between the RFID reader 30 and the vehicle occupant as indicated by reference symbol P b is positioned as shown in Fig. 2. When the first RFID tag 26 is on the lap of an occupant, the first RFID tag 26 is at a distance D afrom the RFID reader 30. If the second RFID tag 28 is in front of the chest or upper body of an occupant, the second RFID tag 28 is at a distance D b from the RFID reader 30.

[0035] An improperly buckled occupant will be determined by the control module 31 when the RFID tag 26 is positioned under the lap of an occupant, or, in other words, the RFID tag 26 is between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle seat 32, as indicated by reference symbol P c in Fig. 2, and / or the second RFID tag 28 is positioned behind the chest or torso of an occupant, or, in other words, the second RFID tag 28 is located between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle seat 32, as indicated by reference symbol P d in Fig. 2. When the first RFID tag 26 is located under the lap of an occupant, the first RFID tag 26 is located at a distance Dc from the RFID reader 30. If the second RFID tag 28 is located behind the chest or upper body of an occupant, the second RFID tag 28 is at a distance D d from the RFID reader 30.

[0036] The distance D a is smaller than the distance D c . So if the first RFID tag 26 is at a distance D a from the RFID reader 30, the RFID reader 30 detects the presence of the first RFID tag 26. However, if the first RFID tag 26 is at a distance D c from the RFID reader 30, the RFID reader 30 does not detect the presence of the first RFID tag 26.

[0037] The distance D b is smaller than the distance D d . So if the second RFID tag 28 is at a distance D b from the RFID reader 30, the RFID reader 30 detects the presence of the second RFID tag 28. However, if the second RFID tag 28 is at a distance Dd from the RFID reader 30, the RFID reader 30 does not detect the presence of the second RFID tag 28.

[0038] The second RFID 28 tag can also be attached to reference P s be positioned. At position P s in Fig. 2. The vehicle occupant has placed the shoulder portion of the seat belt webbing from the occupant's shoulder or under the occupant's arm. At position P s the second RFID tag 28 is placed at a distance D s from the RFID reader 30. At a distance D s the RFID reader 30 will not recognize the second RFID tag 28 and the control module 31 will determine that the seat belt webbing 14 is incorrectly routed.

[0039] Now with reference to Fig.3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 100 for detecting seat belt routing in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, the method 100 is configured to determine a properly buckled occupant, i.e., a properly routed seat belt webbing 14, and an improperly buckled occupant, i.e., an improperly fastened seat belt webbing 14. The method 100 begins at block 102. At block 104, a determination is made as to whether an occupant is in the vehicle seat. If, at block 104, a determination is made that the occupant is in the vehicle seat, then the method 100 proceeds to block 106. However, if a determination is made that no occupant is in the vehicle seat, the method 100 proceeds to block 108, where the RFID reader 30 enters the sleep state or is turned off.At block 106, a determination is made as to whether the seatbelt is fastened. If a determination is made at block 106 that the seatbelt is fastened, the method 100 proceeds to block 110. At block 110, the RFID reader 30 wakes up, and the method 100 proceeds to block 112. However, if a determination is made at block 106 that the seatbelt is not fastened, the method 100 proceeds to block 108. At block 108, the RFID reader 30 enters the sleep state or is powered down.

[0040] At block 112, a determination is made as to whether the first and second RFID tags 26, 28 are detected by the RFID reader 30. If, at block 112, a determination is made that the first and second RFID tags 26, 28 are detected by the RFID reader 30, then the method continues to block 114. At block 114, a determination is made that the occupant is properly buckled. However, if, at block 112, a determination is made that the first and second RFID tags 26, 28 are not detected by the RFID reader 30, then the method continues to block 116. At block 116, a determination is made that the occupant is improperly buckled, and the method 100 outputs a message to the vehicle occupant. The message is either audible or visual and alerts the occupant of an improperly or inappropriately buckled occupant. After block 114 or block 116, the method 100 continues with block 118.At block 118, the status of the seat belt history, i.e., whether the occupant is properly or improperly buckled, is transmitted to the vehicle local area network. After block 118, the method continues to block 120. At block 120, a determination is made as to whether the data transmitted to the vehicle LAN is that the status of the seat belt history is that the occupant is improperly buckled. If, at block 120, a determination is made that the data transmitted to the vehicle LAN is that the occupant is improperly buckled, the method 100 continues to block 122. At block 122, a message is output to the occupant that their seat belt is not properly buckled. If, at block 120, it is determined that the data transmitted to the vehicle LAN is that the occupant is properly buckled, the method 100 continues to block 124.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, a single RFID reader 30 is configured to read or detect RFID tags attached to adjacent seatbelts of adjacent seats. Thus, the seatbelt routing of more than one occupant can be detected using one RFID reader. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an RFID reader 30 is provided for each seatbelt and vehicle seat to read or detect the RFID tags attached to each seatbelt.

Claims

[1] A system for detecting the seat belt path in a seat belt system (10) of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: a seat belt retractor (12) for releasably receiving a length of seat belt webbing (14); a guide loop (16) for changing a guide direction of the seat belt webbing (14); a seat belt latch (18) slidably engaged with the seat belt webbing (14), wherein a lap belt portion (44) of the seat belt webbing (14) is defined as the portion of the seat belt webbing (14) extending between a terminal end (42) of the seat belt webbing (14) and the seat belt latch (18), and a shoulder belt portion (46) of the seat belt webbing (14) is defined as the portion of the seat belt webbing (14) extending between the guide loop (16) and the seat belt latch (18); a seat belt buckle (20) attached to the motor vehicle for releasably engaging the seat belt lock (18); a seat belt buckle sensor (22) for detecting the presence of the seat belt lock (18) in the seat belt buckle (20); a first RFID tag (26) attached to the lap belt portion (44) of the seat belt webbing (14) of the seat belt; a second RFID tag (28) attached to the shoulder strap portion (46) of the seat belt webbing (14) an RFID reader (30) attached to a structural element of the motor vehicle for detecting the presence of the first RFID tag (26) and the second RFID tag (28) on the seat belt webbing (14); and a control module (31) for determining the seat belt path based on whether the seat belt is fastened and on the detection of the first RFID tag (26) and the second RFID tag (28) by the RFID reader (30); wherein the first RFID tag (26) has a first RFID associated with the first RFID tag (26), and the second RFID tag (28) has a second RFID associated with the second RFID tag (28); wherein the first RFID tag (26) is detected when the first RFID tag (26) is less than a first distance (D a ) is away from the RFID reader (30); wherein the second RFID tag (28) is detected when the second RFID tag (28) is less than a second distance (D b ) away from the RFID reader (30). [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader (30) is mounted on the interior roof of the motor vehicle. [3] The system of claim 1, further comprising an occupant sensor (24) for determining the presence of an occupant on the vehicle seat (32). [4] The system of claim 1, wherein the control module (31) executes instructions to determine whether the first RFID is detected. [5] The system of claim 4, wherein the control module (31) executes instructions to determine whether the second RFID is recognized. [6] The system of claim 5, wherein the control module (31) executes instructions to take an action if the first RFID is not detected. [7] The system of claim 6, wherein the action is to trigger an audible or visual warning to the vehicle occupant.

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