Safety belt system for persons using a wheelchair in a vehicle, vehicle with such a safety belt system, and method for operating a safety belt system

Abstract

A safety belt system (40) for wheelchair users, the safety belt system (40) comprising: a stanchion (40) having a first and a second end (58, 60); a linear actuator (64) fixedly connected relative to the stanchion (40), the linear actuator (64) comprising a shuttle (66), the shuttle (66) being displaceable between the first end (58) and the second end (60) of the stanchion (40); a safety belt (78) carried by the stanchion (40), the safety belt (78) comprising a buckle (92), a lap portion, and a shoulder portion, the lap portion being connected to the shuttle (66); anda controller (94) operatively connected to the linear actuator (64), the controller (94) selectively raising the shuttle (66) to raise the lap portion of the safety belt (78) toward the second end portion (60) of the stanchion (40) to accommodate a wheelchair user.

Description

INITIATIONThe present invention relates to the art of vehicles and more particularly to a vehicle seatbelt system for persons using a wheelchair, to a vehicle having such a seatbelt system and to a method of operating a seatbelt system.There are a number of ways for wheelchair users to use a vehicle depending on the degree of obstruction. The persons may enter the vehicle through the front driver's door or the passenger's door and store the wheelchair either by themselves or with assistance therein. Other persons may use a lift system that lifts them and their wheelchair into the vehicle. These persons then place their wheelchair in a driver or passenger position.Once the person is on the driver or passenger seat, he secures himself with a seat belt. To do this, the person grasps the seat belt, pulls the webbing over his own body, and connects a buckle to an anchor.US 2020 / 0 010 046 A1 discloses, for example, a height-adjustable lap belt. From DE 40 27 906 A1, a height adjuster for seat belts can be seen which is designed exclusively for changing the height of the shoulder belt section.Certain wheelchair users have difficulty in handling the seatbelt components. This makes handling and putting on a seat belt a challenge. In some cases, the challenge is so great that the seat belt cannot be fastened without assistance. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a seatbelt system that is suitable for persons using a wheelchair and, for example, cannot use one or both hands freely.The invention is therefore based on the object of meeting this desire.SUMMARYThis object is achieved with a seat belt system having the features of claim 1, with a vehicle having the features of claim 8 and with a method having the features of claim 10.The seat belt system according to the invention comprises a stanchion having a first end and a second end and a linear actuator which is fixedly connected relative to the stanchion. The linear actuator comprises a boat. The boat is slidable between the first and second ends of the stanchion. A seatbelt is worn by the stanchion. The seatbelt includes a buckle, a lap portion, and a shoulder portion. The pool section is connected to the boat. A controller is operatively connected to the linear actuator. The controller selectively raises the boat to raise the lap portion of the seatbelt toward the second end of the stanchion to receive a wheelchair user.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, optionally, a strap guide is disposed above the second end of the stanchion, and a fixed anchor is spaced from the stanchion that selectively receives the buckle, wherein the pelvis portion extends between the shuttle and the fixed anchor, and the shoulder portion extends between the strap guide and the fixed anchor.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, optionally, a lift ring is connected to the shuttle, with the seatbelt passing through the lift ring.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the linear actuator optionally includes a motor and a scroll, wherein the shuttle is operatively connected to the scroll.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a tensioner is optionally disposed at the first end of the stanchion, the seatbelt being connected to the tensioner.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seatbelt optionally includes a first end portion operatively connected to the tensioner, a second end portion connected to an anchor, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, optionally, the intermediate portion passes through the lift ring, the strap guide, and the stanchion for anchoring, with the buckle disposed between the lift ring and the strap guide.The vehicle according to the invention comprises a structure comprising a floor, at least one support structure fixedly connected relative to the floor, and a seat belt system. The seatbelt system includes a stanchion having a first end and a second end and a linear actuator fixedly connected relative to the stanchion. The linear actuator comprises a boat. The boat is slidable between the first and second ends of the stanchion. A seatbelt is worn by the stanchion. The seatbelt includes a buckle, a lap portion, and a shoulder portion. The pool section is connected to the boat. A controller is operatively connected to the linear actuator. The controller selectively raises the boat to raise the lap portion of the seatbelt toward the second end of the stanchion to receive a wheelchair user.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, optionally, a strap guide is disposed above the second end of the stanchion, and a fixed anchor is spaced from the stanchion that selectively receives the buckle, wherein the pelvis portion extends between the shuttle and the fixed anchor, and the shoulder portion extends between the strap guide and the fixed anchor.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, optionally, a lift ring is connected to the shuttle, with the seatbelt passing through the lift ring.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the linear actuator optionally includes a motor and a scroll, wherein the shuttle is operatively connected to the scroll.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a tensioner is optionally disposed at the first end of the stanchion, the seatbelt being connected to the tensioner.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seatbelt optionally includes a first end portion operatively connected to the tensioner, a second end portion connected to an anchor, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, optionally, the intermediate portion passes through the lift ring, the strap guide, and the stanchion for anchoring, with the buckle disposed between the lift ring and the strap guide.The method according to the invention for operating a seatbelt system in a vehicle configured to receive a wheelchair user comprises according to one example raising a lap belt portion of a seatbelt of the seatbelt system, receiving the wheelchair user between a support structure and a seatbelt anchor, and lowering the lap belt portion of the seatbelt.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, raising the lap belt portion optionally includes signaling the seatbelt system to raise the lap belt portion upon disabling the vehicle.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, lowering the lap belt portion optionally of the seatbelt includes activating the vehicle.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, raising the lap belt portion optionally includes operating a motor connected to a linear actuator.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, operating the engine optionally includes translating a boat carrying a lift ring that receives the lap belt portion.In addition to one or more of the features described herein, raising the lap belt portion optionally includes raising the lap belt portion to a defined height selected by the user.The foregoing 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 DRAWINGSOther features, advantages and details are set forth, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, wherein the detailed description refers to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a left side view of a vehicle with a seatbelt system for wheelchair users, according to an example; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seatbelt system for wheelchair users mounted in the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to an example; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seatbelt system for wheelchair users in a stowed configuration, according to an example; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seatbelt system of FIG. 3 ready to receive a person in a wheelchair, according to an example; and FIG. 5 is a disassembled view of the seatbelt system of FIG. 3, according to an example.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following description is merely exemplary in nature. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to processing circuitry that 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, combinatorial logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.A vehicle according to one example is generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The vehicle 10 includes a frame 12 (FIG. 2 ) that supports a body 14. A plurality of wheels 16 are connected to the frame 12. The structure 14 defines a passenger compartment 20. The frame 12 includes a first support structure member 30 defining an "A" pillar 32 and a second support structure member 34 defining a "B" pillar 36. The structure 14 is connected to the first support structure element 30, the second support structure element 34, and other structural elements (not separately identified) of the frame 12.In an example illustrated in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 includes a seatbelt system 40 configured to accommodate people in wheelchairs. The seatbelt system 40 includes a strap portion 42 and an anchor portion 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the anchor portion 44 includes a first anchor 46 that supports a buckle receiver 48. The buckle receiver 48 is secured to a raised bracket 50. A wheelchair ramp (not separately identified) is disposed between the strap portion 42 and the anchor portion 44. The wheelchair ramp supports or locks a wheelchair 52 in the passenger compartment 20 In the example shown, the wheelchair ramp secures the wheelchair 52 in a rider position behind the steering member 28.With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and with continued reference to FIG. 2, the strap portion 42 includes a cover 54 that extends over a stanchion 56 that is secured to the second support structure member 34. The stanchion 56 includes a first end 58 and a second end 60. the first end 58 is disposed adjacent a floor (not separately labeled) of the passenger compartment 20. The stanchion 56 supports or houses a linear actuator 64 (FIG. 4 ) extending between the first end 58 and the second end 60. The linear actuator 64 includes a shuttle 66 that moves between the first end 58 and the second end 60. That is, the linear actuator 64 takes the form of a worm 68 (FIG. 5 ) connected to a motor 70. The motor 70 rotates the worm 68, thereby moving the shuttle 66 between the first end 58 and the second end 60. Boat 66 includes a protrusion (not shown) that sits in a slot 71 formed in stanchion 56. In this way, the protrusion prevents the shuttle 66 from rotating as it moves between the first end 58 and the second end 60 of the stanchion 56.In one example, a tensioner assembly 72 is fixedly mounted to the first end 58 of the stanchion 56 and forms a first anchor 74. the tensioner assembly 72 includes a tensioner 76 having a spool (not shown) that supports a seatbelt 78. A second anchor 80 is disposed adjacent the tensioner 76. A first strap guide 82 is attached to the second support structure member 34 directly above the second end 60 of the stanchion 56. A second strap guide 84 is attached to the second support structure member 34 above the first strap guide 82. In one example, the first belt guide 82 may be a fixed belt guide, while the second belt guide 84 may be a movable belt guide. Movable is understood to mean that the second belt guide 84 can be rotated and / or raised relative to the second carrier structure element 34. In addition to the first strap guide 82 and the second strap guide 84, a lift ring 85 attached to the shuttle 66 guides the seatbelt 78 between a stowed position (FIG. 3 ) and a deployed position (FIG. 2 ) receiving configuration.In one example, the seatbelt 78 includes a first end portion 87 coupled to the tensioner 76, a second end portion 89 coupled to the second anchor 80, and an intermediate portion 91. the intermediate portion 91 extends between the first end portion 87 and the second end portion 89. In one example, the seatbelt 78 extends from the tensioner 76 through the lift ring 85 and to the second strap guide 84. the seatbelt 78 extends through the second strap guide 84, through the first strap guide 82, and along the stanchion 56 to the second anchor 80. A buckle 92 is disposed on the intermediate portion 91 and is interposed between the lift ring 85 and the second strap guide 84, with this arrangement permitting the shuttle 66 to shift the lift ring 85 and the seatbelt 78 upwardly, in Fig. 4, to prepare for receiving a person in a wheelchair, as will be discussed in more detail herein.A controller 94 is connected to the linear actuator 64, as in FIG. 4. the controller 94 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 96 and a non-volatile memory 98, and a belt position module 100. The controller 94 may also include one or more sensors 103 that detect when a person in a wheelchair enters the vehicle 10, and limit switches 105 and 106 that define the end points for the movement of the boat 66. The protrusion on boat 66 may cooperate with limit switches 105 and 106 to signal controller 94 that the upward (limit switch 105) and / or downward (limit switch 106) travel limits are reached. In one example, the non-transitory memory 98 may include a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by, for example, the CPU 96, translate the intermediate portion 91 of the seatbelt 78 with the shuttle 66 between a powering configuration (FIG. 2 ) and a configuration accommodating the person in a wheelchair (FIG. 4 ).In one example, when a person in a wheelchair enters the vehicle 10, the belt position module 100 signals the motor 70 to actuate the linear actuator 64 that causes the shuttle 66 to move the lift ring 85 toward the second end 60 of the stanchion 56 as in FIG. 4. In one example, the belt position module 100 may be signaled by a first actuator 108 that may take the form of a door switch, a fob-based switch, or a switch / sensor in the passenger compartment 20, or simply by disabling the vehicle from prior use. In this position, a portion 120 of the intermediate portion 91 of the seatbelt 78 extending between the buckle 92 and the lift ring 85 is raised, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, thereby providing unobstructed access to the wheelchair ramp.The extent to which the lift ring 85 is lifted may be preset at the factory as determined by the limit switch 105 or programmed into the non-volatile memory 98. The wheelchair may be locked in position and the belt position module 100 signals the motor 70 to actuate the linear actuator 64 that causes the shuttle 66 to move the lift ring 85 towards the first end 58 of the stanchion 56 as in FIG. 2. the belt position module 100 may be signaled by activation of the sensor 103, a second actuator, activation of the vehicle 10, and the like. When the lift ring 85 returns to the first end 58 of the stanchion 56, the person is securely secured in the wheelchair without the need to manually manipulate the seatbelt 78 and / or the buckle 92.

Claims

A seatbelt system (40) for wheelchair riders, the seatbelt system (40) comprising: a stanchion (40) having first and second ends (58, 60); a linear actuator (64) fixedly connected relative to the stanchion (40), the linear actuator (64) comprising a shuttle (66), the shuttle (66) being slidable between the first end (58) and the second end (60) of the stanchion (40); a seatbelt (78) supported by the stanchion (40), the seatbelt (78) comprising a buckle (92), a pelvis portion, and a shoulder portion, the pelvis portion being connected to the shuttle (66); and a controller (94) operatively connected to the linear actuator (64), the controller (94) selectively raising the boat (66) to raise the lap portion of the seatbelt (78) toward the second end portion (60) of the stanchion (40) to receive a wheelchair user.The seatbelt system (40) of claim 1, further comprising a strap guide (84) positioned above the second end portion (60) of the stanchion (40) and a fixed anchor (80) spaced from the stanchion (40) and selectively receivable by the buckle (92), wherein the lap portion extends between the shuttle (66) and the fixed anchor (80) and the shoulder portion extends between the strap guide (84) and the fixed anchor (80).The seatbelt system (40) of claim 2, further comprising a lift ring (85) connected to the shuttle (66), the seatbelt (78) passing through the lift ring (85).The seatbelt system (40) of claim 2, wherein the linear actuator (64) comprises a motor (70) and a worm (68), and the shuttle (66) is operatively connected to the worm (68).The seatbelt system (40) of claim 3, further comprising a tensioner (76) disposed at the first end (58) of the stanchion (40), the seatbelt (78) being connected to the tensioner (76).The seatbelt system (40) of claim 5, wherein the seatbelt (78) comprises a first end portion (87) operatively connected to the tensioner (76), a second end portion (89) connected to an anchor (80), and an intermediate portion (91) extending between the first end (58) and the second end (60).The seatbelt system (40) of claim 6, wherein the intermediate portion (91) extends through the lift ring (85), the strap guide (84), and the stanchion (40) to the anchor (80), and the buckle (92) is disposed between the lift ring (85) and the strap guide (84).A vehicle (10) comprising: a structure (14) comprising a floor, at least one support structure fixedly connected relative to the floor, and a seatbelt system (40) comprising: a stanchion (40) fixedly connected relative to the at least one support structure, the stanchion (40) having a first end (58) along the floor and a second end (60) spaced from the floor along the at least one support structure; a linear actuator (64) fixedly connected relative to the stanchion (40), the linear actuator (64) comprising a boat (66), the boat (66) being slidable between the first end (58) and the second end (60) of the stanchion (40); a seatbelt (78) worn by the stanchion (40), the seatbelt (78) comprising a buckle (92), a pelvis portion, and a shoulder portion; and a controller (94) operatively connected to the linear actuator (64), the controller (94) selectively raising the shuttle (66) to raise the pelvis portion of the seatbelt (78) toward the second end portion (60) of the stanchion (40) to receive a wheelchair user.The vehicle (10) of claim 8, further comprising a strap guide (84) positioned above the second end portion (60) of the stanchion (40) and a fixed anchor (80) spaced from the stanchion (40) and selectively receivable by the buckle (92), wherein the pelvis portion extends between the shuttle (66) and the fixed anchor (80) and the shoulder portion extends between the strap guide (84) and the fixed anchor (80).A method of operating a seatbelt system (40) in a vehicle (10) configured to receive a wheelchair user, the method comprising: raising a lap belt portion of a seatbelt (78) of the seatbelt system (40); receiving the person in the wheelchair between a support structure and a seatbelt anchor; and lowering the lap belt portion of the seatbelt (78).

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