ADJUSTABLE PASSENGER RESTRICTION SYSTEM CARRIER FOR ONE VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle seating system comprises a seat with a seat surface and a backrest, the latter having a first end that is pivotally connected to the seat surface and a second end. A belt guide system is attached adjacent to the second end. The belt guide system includes a guide mechanism that can be carried in a vehicle. The guide mechanism comprises a guide rail with a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section extending between the first and second ends. A sliding element is arranged on the guide rail. The sliding element is slidable between the first and second end sections. An actuator is operatively connected to the sliding element. The actuator can be operated to move the sliding element between the first and second end sections. A belt guide is attached to the sliding element.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of passenger restraint systems for vehicles and, more particularly, to an adjustable passenger restraint system carrier for a vehicle.

[0002] Many passenger cars, particularly those manufactured after 1968, are equipped with passenger restraint systems. Originally, these vehicles were equipped with lap belts. In some cases, an additional, separate shoulder belt could also be present. The use of lap belts has been shown to reduce deceleration injuries. As vehicle seating evolved, so too did the restraint systems. A combined lap and shoulder belt with a retractor that reacted to deceleration forces was developed and installed in vehicles. The combined lap and shoulder belt further reduced deceleration injuries.

[0003] In addition to passive restraint systems such as lap and shoulder belts, supplementary restraint systems such as airbags were introduced as additional safety systems for seated passengers. While passive and supplementary restraint systems have been proven to be effective in protecting seated passengers, they are less effective for reclined passengers.

[0004] In a reclined position, the shoulder belt may not be in the correct position, e.g., hovering over the passenger. A shoulder belt that is not in the correct position in this way may allow excessive forward movement of the passenger during sudden deceleration. Thus, there remains a need to protect passengers who may be in a reclined position. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system that can adapt restraint configurations to accommodate not only seated passengers in an upright position, but also passengers who may be in a reclined, highly reclined, or sleeping position. SUMMARY

[0005] A vehicle seating system according to one non-limiting example includes a seat having a seat bottom and a backrest having a first end pivotally connected to the seat bottom and a second end. A belt guiding system is mounted adjacent the second end. The belt guiding system includes a guide mechanism that can be carried in a vehicle. The guide mechanism includes a guide rail having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. A shuttle slider is disposed on the guide rail. The shuttle slider is slidable between the first end portion and the second end portion. An actuator is operatively connected to the shuttle slider. The actuator is operable to translate the shuttle slider between the first end portion and the second end portion.A belt guide is attached to the change slide.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described in this document, a backrest position sensor is coupled to the backrest that detects an angular displacement of the backrest from the vertical.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a control device is operatively connected to the actuator and the backrest sensor, wherein the actuator moves the shuttle slider in response to movement of the backrest between the first end portion and the second end portion detected by the backrest sensor.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the belt guide is pivotally mounted to the change slide.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the guide rail is linear.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat is highly reclinable so that the backrest can be tilted relative to the seat surface by at least 35° from the vertical.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end is pivotable upwardly by at least 20° from the horizontal.

[0012] A vehicle, according to one non-limiting example, includes a body having a passenger compartment and a vehicle seating system disposed within the passenger compartment. The vehicle seating system includes a seat having a seat bottom and a backrest having a first end pivotally connected to the seat bottom and a second end. A belt guide system is mounted adjacent the second end of the seat bottom. The belt guide system includes a guide mechanism carried in a vehicle. The guide mechanism includes a guide rail having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. A shuttle slider is disposed on the guide rail. The shuttle slider is slidable between the first end portion and the second end portion. An actuator is operatively connected to the shuttle slider.The actuator is operable to move the shuttle valve between the first end section and the second end section. A belt guide is attached to the shuttle valve.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a backrest position sensor is coupled to the backrest that detects an angular displacement of the backrest from the vertical.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a control device is operatively connected to the actuator and the backrest sensor, wherein the actuator moves the shuttle slider in response to movement of the backrest between the first end portion and the second end portion detected by the backrest sensor.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the belt guide is pivotally mounted to the change slide.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the guide rail is linear.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat is highly reclinable such that the seat back can be tilted relative to the seat surface by at least 35° from the vertical.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat includes a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end is pivotable upwardly by at least 20° from the horizontal.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the body includes a plurality of support members including an "A" pillar, a "B" pillar, and a "C" pillar, with the belt routing system mounted to the "C" pillar.

[0020] A method for adjusting a seatbelt guide element comprises detecting a change in the position of a seatback. The seatback moves from a first position to a second position. The method further comprises moving the seatbelt guide from a first anchoring position corresponding to the first position of the seatback to a second anchoring position corresponding to the second position of the seatback.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, moving the seat belt anchor includes operating an electric motor.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, operating the electric motor includes rotating a lead screw to translate the seat belt anchor from the first anchoring position to the second anchoring position.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, detecting the change in position of a backrest includes detecting a change in the angle of the backrest.

[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, detecting the change in position of a backrest includes detecting the backrest in a highly reclined position.

[0025] The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further features, advantages and details are included by way of example only in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a left side view of a vehicle with an adjustable passenger restraint system carrier according to a non-limiting example; Fig. 2 is a left side view of a passenger seat with the adjustable passenger restraint system carrier coupled to a belt routing system, according to one non-limiting example; Fig. 3 a left side view of the passenger seat Fig. 2 without the belt guiding system according to a non-limiting example; Fig. 4 a left side view of the passenger seat and the adjustable passenger restraint system carrier Fig. 2 during a transition from an upright configuration to a highly reclined configuration according to a non-limiting example; Fig. 5 a left side view of the passenger seat and the adjustable passenger restraint system carrier from Fig. 4 in the highly reclined configuration according to a non-limiting example; and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the belt guide system coupled to the adjustable passenger restraint system carrier, according to a non-limiting example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference characters designate like 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 (common, dedicated, or group), and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described function.

[0028] A vehicle according to a non-limiting example is in Fig. 1 is generally designated 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. Additional structural supports (not separately identified) are also provided. The structural supports 24 extend between a passenger compartment floor 32 and a roof 33. Disposed within the passenger compartment 20 are a plurality of seats, one of which is designated 34. The seats 34 may include outboard seats (e.g., seats located adjacent to a door, for example) and midline seats (e.g., seats located between outboard seats).

[0029] According to a non-limiting example set out in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the seat 34 includes a seat bottom 38 with a leg rest 40 and a backrest 42 with a headrest 46. The backrest 42 is pivotally connected to the seat bottom 38. The seat bottom 38 includes a seating surface 48, and the backrest 42 includes a support surface 56 having a first end 58 pivotally connected to the seat bottom 38 and a second end 60 supporting the headrest 46. As will be explained in more detail herein, the backrest 42 can pivot about the first end 58 between a first or upright position ( Fig. 2) and a second or strongly reclined position ( Fig. 5). It should be noted at this point that the highly reclined position describes a condition in which the backrest 42 is inclined more than 35° from the vertical, the seat 38 can pivot upward more than 20° from the horizontal, and the legrest 40 is raised and extends outward from the seat 38.

[0030] A passenger restraint system in the form of a safety belt 64 is provided adjacent the seat 34. The safety belt 64 includes a first end portion 68 fixedly attached, for example, to the "C" pillar 30, a second end portion 70 connected to the seat bottom 38, and an intermediate portion 72. The intermediate portion 72 extends between the first end portion 68 and the second end portion 70. The first end portion 68 includes a retractor 74 coupled, by way of non-limiting example, to the "C" pillar 30. A buckle 78 is slidably supported on the intermediate portion 72. The buckle 78 is selectively connected to a belt deployer 80 disposed adjacent the seat 34.In one non-limiting example, the intermediate portion 72 extends through an adjustable passenger restraint system support 82 disposed in the form of a belt guide 84 adjacent the second end 60 of the seatback 42.

[0031] In one non-limiting example, the belt guide 84 is connected to a belt guide system 90, which is mounted, for example, on the “C” pillar 30, as shown in Fig. 1. As described in more detail herein, the belt guide system 90 includes a guide mechanism 94 that moves the belt guide 84 between a forward position, Fig. 2, and a rear position, Fig. 5, when the backrest 42 moves between the upright and the fully reclined position. Referring to Fig. 6, the guide mechanism 94 includes a guide rail 98 having a first end portion 102, a second end portion 104, and an intermediate portion 106 extending between the first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104. The guide rail 98 is shown as substantially linear. However, it should be understood that the shape of the guide rail may vary. A shuttle slider 112 connected to the belt guide 84 is displaceable between the first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104.

[0032] In one non-limiting example, the shuttle valve 112 is supported by a lead screw 116 having a plurality of threads 118. The lead screw 116 is connected to an actuator, which may be an electric motor 130. The electric motor 130 rotates the lead screw 116 to translate the shuttle valve 112 between the first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104. While the use of an electric motor-driven lead screw to move the shuttle valve is shown here, a variety of mechanisms may be employed to translate the guide member as the backrest 42 moves between the upright and fully reclined configurations.

[0033] With further reference to Fig. 6, the belt guide system 90 is connected to a control device 140, which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 142, a non-volatile memory module 144, and a shuttle control module 146. The control device 140 receives signals from a seat actuator 148, as well as from a first limit switch 154, a second limit switch 156, and a seat position sensor 160 attached to the seat 34. In operation, a user can move the seat 34 from the upright position, Fig. 2, in the heavily reclined configuration, Fig. 5, by activating the seat actuator 148. At this time, a signal may be transmitted from the seat actuator 148 to the controller 140 indicating that the backrest 42 is moving. When the backrest 42 stops moving, the controller 140 receives a signal from the seat position sensor 160 indicating that the backrest 42 is in the fully reclined position.

[0034] The control device 140 signals the shuttle control module 146 to move the shuttle 112 from the first end section 102 to the second end section 104 of the guide rail 98. The movement of the shuttle 112 is limited by the first limit switch 154 and the second limit switch 156. The shuttle 112 then positions the belt guide 84 from a first position ( Fig. 4) into a second position ( Fig. 5). In the second position, the seat belt 64 is brought closer to a resting passenger to limit sliding off the seat 34 during sudden deceleration. When the seat 34 is returned to the upright position, the belt guide system 90 moves the changeover slider 112 and the belt guide 84 back to the first end portion 102.

[0035] In one non-limiting example, the belt guide system 90 may reposition the belt guide 84 between the first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104 depending on the seat angle. The changeover slider position 112 may be adjusted based on the seat angle sensed by the seat position sensor 160 or based on user settings stored in the non-volatile memory module 144. In one non-limiting example, the belt guide system 90 maintains the seat belt 64 in a selected position to limit sliding off the seat 34 during sudden deceleration, regardless of the seatback angle.

[0036] The terms "a" and "an" do not imply a limitation of quantity, but denote the presence of at least one of the stated elements. The term "or" means "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When reference is made throughout this specification to "an aspect," this means that a particular element (e.g., a feature, structure, step, or property) described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one of the aspects described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. It is understood that the described elements in the various aspects may be combined in any suitable manner.

[0037] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is described as lying "on" another element, it may lie directly on top of the other element, or there may be intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is described as lying "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0038] Unless otherwise stated herein, all examination standards are the most recent standard in effect on the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, on the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the examination standard appears.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, 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.

[0040] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalent elements may be substituted without departing from the scope thereof. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

[1] Vehicle seating system comprising: a seat having a seat surface and a backrest having a first end pivotally connected to the seat surface and a second end; a belt guiding system mounted adjacent to the second end, the belt guiding system comprising: a guide mechanism capable of being carried in a vehicle, the guide mechanism comprising a guide rail having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end; a changeover slide arranged on the guide rail, which is displaceable between the first end section and the second end section; an actuator operatively connected to the shuttle valve, the actuator operable to move the shuttle valve between the first end portion and the second end portion; and a belt guide attached to the change slide. [2] The vehicle seat system of claim 1, further comprising a seat back position sensor coupled to the seat back and detecting an angular displacement of the seat back from the vertical. [3] The vehicle seat system of claim 2, further comprising a controller operatively connected to the actuator and the seatback position sensor, wherein the actuator moves the shuttle slider in response to movement of the seatback between the first end portion and the second end portion detected by the seatback position sensor. [4] The vehicle seat system of claim 1, wherein the belt guide is pivotally mounted on the change slider. [5] The vehicle seat system of claim 1, wherein the guide rail is linear. [6] A vehicle seat system according to claim 1, wherein the seat is highly reclinable such that the backrest can be inclined relative to the seat surface by at least 35° from the vertical. [7] The vehicle seat system of claim 6, wherein the seat base has a front end and a rear end, the front end being pivotable upwardly by at least 20° from the horizontal. [8] Vehicle comprising: a body with a passenger compartment; a vehicle seating system disposed in the passenger compartment, the vehicle seating system comprising: a seat having a seat surface and a backrest having a first end pivotally connected to the seat surface and a second end; and a belt guide system mounted adjacent to the second end of the seat base, the belt guide system comprising: a guide mechanism capable of being carried in a vehicle, the guide mechanism comprising a guide rail having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end; a changeover slide arranged on the guide rail, which is displaceable between the first end section and the second end section; an actuator operatively connected to the shuttle valve, the actuator operable to move the shuttle valve between the first end portion and the second end portion; and a belt guide attached to the change slide. [9] The vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a backrest position sensor coupled to the backrest and detecting an angular displacement of the backrest from the vertical; and a control device operatively connected to the actuator and the backrest position sensor, wherein the actuator moves the shuttle slider in response to movement of the backrest between the first end portion and the second end portion detected by the backrest position sensor. [10] A method for adjusting a seat belt guide, comprising: Detecting a change in position of a backrest, wherein the backrest moves from a first position to a second position; and Moving the seat belt guide from a first anchoring position corresponding to the first position of the backrest to a second anchoring position corresponding to the second position of the backrest.

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