Occupant restraint system and method of conditioning the temperature thereof

Abstract

An occupant restraint system 100 in a vehicle. The system has a housing 108 with a thermally-insulated cavity 109 that contains a temperature-conditioning unit 106, such as a heater, fan, or heat sink

Description

Field of Invention

[001] The invention relates to an occupant restraint system in a vehicle and a method of conditioning the temperature of the occupant restraint system. Background of Invention

[002] To improve user comfort, it is desirable to heat the touch points in an interior of a vehicle when the ambient temperature is cold, or cool such touch points when the ambient temperature is warm. A touch point is the seat belt.

[003] To heat the seat belts, various methods have been invented that incorporate a heating element in the seat belt itself. The heating element may be in the form of thin strips or wires of electrically resistive material. Sensors to sense the temperature of the belt may also be incorporated in the belt. Thus, to incorporate the heating element and possibly sensors in the seat belt, the seat belt has to be constructed using special materials and construction methods, which substantially increase manufacturing and engineering costs. Electric power to heat the belt is provided by various connectors incorporated at either ends of the belt. The temperature of the seat belt is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU). This ECU may provide a user with the ability to choose a desired temperature or heating level and to turn the heating on and off. However, when such seat belt wears out, the heating elements may be exposed and may cut or burn the user. The heating performance can also be reduced due to damaged heating elements. Additionally, adding elements in or on the belt increases the mass and thickness of the belt. Consequently, the belt may become less flexible, less comfortable and less aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, as the electrical and sensor connections are provided on the seat belt, they are subject to similar wear and tear as the seat belt itself. As electrical connections are more delicate than the seat belt, they may be more prone to mechanical stress and / or insufficient electrical contact after some use or prolonged use of the belt. Flexible connections also lead to increased manufacturing and engineering costs.

[004] Another existing way of controlling the temperature of the seat belt is to inject air of an appropriate temperature from the aircon system into both ends of the seat belt in the longitudinal direction, thereby doing away with heating elements in the seat belt. Yet another existing method is to provide air to each panel of the seat belt by ducts which trace the length of the panels. However, these existing methods also result in an increased mass and thickness of the seat belt, and therefore decreased flexibility, comfort and aesthetic pleasure.

[005] There is therefore a need to provide a seat belt construction that overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the problem(s) described above and other disadvantages. Summary

[006] It is an object to provide an occupant restraint system that improves user comfort. It is an object to provide an occupant restraint system that can be temperature conditioned.

[007] To accomplish these and other objects, there is provided, in an aspect, an occupant restraint system in a vehicle, the system comprising: a strap retractor assembly; a retractable restraining strap coupled to the strap retractor assembly; a temperature conditioning element; and a housing, wherein the housing comprises an interior cavity configured to house the strap retractor assembly and the temperature conditioning element, wherein the interior cavity is thermally insulated.

[008] Advantageously, the disclosed system provides temperature conditioning of the retractable restraining strap without affecting the construction or material of the strap itself. The retractable restraining strap may advantageously be temperature conditioned regardless of wear and tear of the strap itself. As there are no changes to the construction or material of the strap itself or the strap retractor assembly, testing of the disclosed system during manufacturing to meet safety regulations may not be affected. Manufacturing and engineering costs associated with temperature conditioning may advantageously be reduced.

[009] Advantageously, thermal insulation of the interior cavity and the components located therein, including a part of the retractable restraining strap, may enable the strap to be cooled or heated. Thus, the disclosed system may provide temperature conditioning of the strap in any season of the year.

[010] The space within the interior cavity may substantially be filled with thermally insulating material. The space in the interior cavity that is not occupied with components of the system may substantially be filled with thermally insulating material. The thermally insulating material may substantially surround the strap retractor assembly, the temperature conditioning element, and any other component housed in the housing. When the temperature conditioning element is in operation, heat energy produced may be contained or substantially contained by the thermally insulating material. The heat energy produced may be contained or substantially contained within the interior cavity. The heat energy produced may be trapped or substantially trapped within the interior cavity.

[011] Additionally, or alternatively, the housing may provide the thermal insulation. The housing may be surrounded by or wrapped with thermally insulating material. The housing may comprise thermally insulating material. The housing itself may be made of or may include thermally insulating material or thermally insulating elements. Heat energy produced by the temperature conditioning element may be contained or substantially contained by the housing or the thermally insulating material of the housing. The heat energy produced may be trapped or substantially trapped by the housing or the thermally insulating material of the housing.

[012] The housing may house a part of the retractable restraining strap that is coupled to the strap retractor assembly. A part of the retractable restraining strap may be arranged outside the housing. The housing may comprise a strap opening for the strap to extend out from the housing, thereby enabling a user to pull on the exposed strap and unwind a length of strap suitable for the user’s body from the strap retractor assembly. The housing may comprise at least one opening configured as an air vent. The housing may comprise at least one air vent, for example one or two or more air vents. The at least one air vent may allow the heat energy produced to be directed to the part of the retractable restraining strap outside the housing. An opening may be configured to take in air and another opening may be configured to vent out air. The at least one air vent may direct the temperature-conditioned air from the interior cavity to the part of the retractable restraining strap outside the housing. The at least one opening may or may not include the strap opening. Advantageously, the part of the retractable restraining strap outside the thermally insulated housing may also be temperature conditioned. The provision of the at least one air vent is advantageous for occupant restraint systems where a significant portion of the retractable restraining strap lies outside the housing. A significant portion may not necessarily mean a large portion, or a majority of the retractable restraining strap lies outside the housing. A significant portion may refer to any part of the strap that is likely for a user to touch.

[013] The temperature conditioning element may comprise a heater, Peltier device, fan, heat exchanger, heat sink, combinations thereof, or other components that provide heating, cooling or heat dissipation. The temperature conditioning element may be electronically connected to a control unit of the vehicle. The occupant restraint system may further comprise a temperature sensor housed in the interior cavity. The temperature sensor may provide feedback to an electronic system that controls the disclosed occupant restraint system and its temperature conditioning function, such as the control unit of the vehicle. The control unit may be a dedicated electronic control unit (ECU) for the occupant restraint system. The occupant restraint system may comprise the control unit. The control unit may be an ECU configured or additionally configured to control the occupant restraint system, such as a body control unit, safety control unit, or other electronic or computing systems.

[014] In another aspect, there is provided a method of conditioning the temperature of an occupant restraint system in a vehicle, the method comprising: powering on a control unit of the vehicle, the control unit being electronically connected to a temperature conditioning element of the occupant restraint system; determining a temperature of an interior cavity formed by a housing of the occupant restraint system, wherein the housing is configured to house the temperature conditioning element and a strap retractor assembly of the occupant restraint system, the strap retractor assembly being coupled to a retractable restraining strap, and wherein the interior cavity is thermally insulated; activating, by the control unit, the temperature conditioning element to heat or cool, in order to adjust the temperature of the interior cavity to a predetermined temperature.

[015] The temperature of the interior cavity, and therefore at least part of the retractable restraining strap coupled to the strap retractor assembly, may be adjusted or conditioned during or shortly after powering up of the control unit. The temperature of the retractable restraining strap may be conditioned before a user uses the occupant restraint system. The temperature of the retractable restraining strap may be conditioned before a user touches the strap. The strap, being a user’s touch point, may advantageously be temperature conditioned, thereby improving the comfort of the user.

[016] The step of powering on the control unit of the vehicle may comprise remotely powering on the control unit of the vehicle. The control unit may be remotely powered on upon a trigger, for example, but not limited to, upon activation by a user via a smartphone or upon the user crossing a predetermined distance between him and the vehicle. Advantageously, the strap may be temperature-conditioned remotely, in anticipation of use by the user.

[017] The step of powering on the control unit may be part of a procedure to power on the vehicle. The step of powering on the control unit may comprise or may be comprised in a step of remotely powering on the vehicle. The step of powering on the control unit may comprise remotely powering on the vehicle.

[018] The occupant restraint system may be one disclosed herein. The temperature conditioning element of the occupant restraint system may be one as disclosed herein. The housing of the occupant restraint system may be one as disclosed herein. The housing may comprise at least one opening configured as an air vent. In such scenarios, the method may further comprise activating the temperature conditioning element to vent temperature-conditioned air out of the interior cavity through the at least one opening. Advantageously, part of the retractable restraining strap that may be arranged outside the housing may also be temperature conditioned. Brief Description of Drawings

[019] Fig. 1 shows an illustration of an occupant restraint system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[020] Fig. 2a shows an illustration of housing 108 being positioned near the top of a vehicle seat 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2b shows an illustration of housing 108 being positioned at a bottom side of vehicle seat 200 according to another embodiment of the invention.

[021] In the figures, like numerals denote like parts. Detailed Description

[022] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description of this invention will be provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling a person skilled in the art to understand the invention for various exemplary embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The detailed description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Modifications and equivalents will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art and are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[023] Fig. 1 shows an illustration of an occupant restraint system 100 in a vehicle (not shown) according to an embodiment of the invention. The occupant restraint system 100 comprises a strap retractor assembly 104. The occupant restraint system 100 further comprises a retractable restraining strap 102 coupled to the strap retractor assembly 104. The occupant restraint system 100 further comprises a temperature conditioning element 106. The occupant restraint system 100 further comprises a housing 108. The housing 108 comprises an interior cavity 109 configured to house the strap retractor assembly 104 and the temperature conditioning element 106. The interior cavity 109 is thermally insulated, as indicated by the dotted background of 108 in Fig. 1.

[024] The occupant restraint system 100 may provide safety to an occupant of the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation. The occupant restraint system 100 may restrain the occupant by means of the retractable restraining strap 102 in cooperation with the strap retractor assembly 104. The retractable restraining strap 102 may cooperate with the strap retractor assembly 104 according to means known to a person of skill in the art. The retractable restraining strap 102 may cooperate with the strap retractor assembly 104 by means of the coupling between the retractable restraining strap 102 and the strap retractor assembly 104. Typically, a strap retractor assembly, such as assembly 104, may comprise a retractor spool sprocket used to wind a length of the retractable restraining strap 102 therearound. The retractable restraining strap 102 may be coupled to the strap retractor assembly 104 by a retractor spool sprocket comprised in the strap retractor assembly 104. The retractable restraining strap 102 may usually be freely wound and unwound around the strap retractor assembly 104 or the retractor spool sprocket as the strap 102 is used by the user. The retractor spool sprocket may comprise a mechanism that engages the retractable restraining strap 102 upon a trigger, such as, but not limited to, an acceleration or deceleration more than a predetermined threshold. In such scenarios, the strap 102 may not be freely wound and unwound, but may be locked in place, thereby providing restraint to the occupant. Alternatively, the mechanism to lock the strap 102 during such scenarios may be provided in the strap buckle, as is known in the art.

[025] The retractable restraining strap 102 may comprise one or more straps arranged to provide safety to the occupant during certain scenarios, such as those described above. The retractable restraining strap 102 may comprise a seat belt. The occupant restraint system 100 may comprise a seat belt system. The seat belt may be one as regulated by relevant authorities of a jurisdiction. The retractable restraining strap 102 may be a three-point belt.

[026] Part of the strap 102 (102a) may be coupled to the strap retractor assembly 104 and therefore may be housed in the housing 108. Part 102b of strap 102 may extend outside of the housing 108 for the user to access.

[027] The occupant restraint system 100 may provide safety to an occupant sitting in a seat of the vehicle. The occupant restraint system 100 may prevent the occupant from being thrown from the seat during a trigger, such as during an impact when the deceleration is more than a predetermined threshold. The housing 108 may be mounted near a seat of the vehicle, such that a user may access part 102b while being seated on the seat. The housing 108 may be mounted near the top or bottom of the vehicle seat. Fig. 2a shows an illustration of housing 108 being positioned near the top of a vehicle seat 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the housing 108 may be mounted on a pillar of the vehicle body, for example a B-pillar of the vehicle body. Strap 102b extends out of housing 108 for easy access. Alternatively, the housing 108 may be mounted on the vehicle seat itself, for example on a side of the vehicle seat, such as on a top side or bottom side of the vehicle seat. Fig. 2b shows an illustration of housing 108 being positioned at a bottom side of vehicle seat 200 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, strap 102b extends out of housing 108 and may be provided through a guide near the shoulder region of a user for easy access. Yet alternatively, the housing 108 may be mounted to any vehicle structure as long as its positioning provides suitable access of the strap 102 to the occupant.

[028] The interior cavity 109 of housing 108 is thermally insulated. The interior cavity 109 of housing 108 may be filled with suitable thermally insulating material. Examples include, but are not limited to, glass wool, fibreglass, mineral wool, polyurethane foam, or synthetic polymeric materials such as plastics. Insulation, such as glass wool, may be added into interior cavity 109. The walls (not shown) of housing 108 may include thermally insulating material, such as fibreglass or other fibres, like plastic fibres or natural fibres, or foam. The walls of housing 108 may be made by injection molding of plastic material. The plastic material may provide at least some thermal insulation. Additives, such as fibreglass, may be included in the plastic material to enhance thermal insulation. The housing 108 may be wrapped with any suitable thermally insulating material. The thermal insulation of interior cavity 109 helps to concentrate heat energy onto strap 102a. Strap 102a and the temperature conditioning element 106 may be thermally insulated from space outside the interior cavity 109. The thermal insulation may provide a physical barrier between the interior cavity 109 and the air in the vehicle cabin, so that the temperature in the interior cavity 109 can be conditioned using a reasonable amount of energy, without much influence from the temperature of the vehicle cabin. Thus, the temperature of the space outside interior cavity 109 may advantageously not affect the temperature of interior cavity 109. The thermal insulation advantageously provides energy efficiency for the disclosed occupant restraint system and its temperature conditioning system. The thermal insulation advantageously aids to retain the temperature of the interior cavity 109 and the components located therein, including a part of the retractable restraining strap 102, such as 102a, for a longer duration.

[029] The temperature conditioning element 106 provides the heat energy, whether positive or negative heat energy, to condition the temperature of strap 102. The temperature conditioning element 106 may comprise one or more of a heater, Peltier device, fan, heat exchanger, heat sink, or other components that provide heating, cooling or heat dissipation. In an example, the temperature conditioning element 106 comprises a Peltier device and a fan. In another example, for cooling of strap 102, the temperature conditioning element 106 may comprise a heat exchange arrangement, such as a heat sink, to dissipate heat to the air outside of interior cavity 109. The temperature conditioning element 106 may be electronically connected to a control unit 114 of the vehicle. The control unit 114 may comprise hardware, such as electrical circuits, that drive the operation of the temperature conditioning element 106. The control unit 114 may comprise software or instructions stored in non-transitory memory of the control unit that drives the operation of the temperature conditioning element 106. The occupant restraint system 100 may comprise the control unit 114. The occupant restraint system 100 may be incorporated or integrated into a system of the vehicle. The occupant restraint system 100 or control unit 114 may be connected to a system of the vehicle or a vehicle area network, such as Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), FlexRay, Ethernet, or any other communication standard for vehicle area networks. The control unit 114 may be incorporated or integrated into an ECU of the vehicle, such as a body control unit, body control module, body ECU, body computing unit, safety control unit, safety control module, safety ECU, safety computing unit, or other electronic or computing systems.

[030] The occupant restraint system 100 may further comprise a temperature sensor 110 housed in the interior cavity 109. The temperature sensor 110 may be provided in the interior cavity 109 at any suitable location to sense the temperature of the interior cavity 109 and therefore the temperature of strap 102a. The temperature sensor 110 may be a standalone sensor that senses temperature of the thermally insulated interior cavity 109. The sensor 110 may be any sensor that provides an indication of the temperature in the thermally insulated interior cavity 109, for example a thermocouple. The sensor 110 may provide an indication of the temperature of strap 102a in interior cavity 109. The temperature sensor 110 may or may not be surrounded by the thermally insulating material in interior cavity 109.

[031] The housing 108 may comprise a strap opening 112 fora length of strap 102 to extend out from the housing (strap 102b) for user access. Strap opening 112 may double up as an air vent to direct the heat energy from the interior cavity 109 to strap 102b. Strap opening 112 may comprise a pair of louvres to direct heat energy, such as in the form of hot air or cool air, onto strap 102b. Alternatively, strap opening 112 may be a vent configured for air intake, while a second opening (not shown) may be configured to vent out air. In any scenario, the at least one opening may comprise louvres. Temperature conditioning element 106 may provide a force to direct the heat energy in interior cavity 109 towards the air vent. For example, where the temperature conditioning element 106 comprises a fan, the fan may blow the hot or cool air through the opening and onto strap 102b. The airvent(s) may be provided in scenarios where strap 102b extends outside housing 108 for a length, for example in the embodiments shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b. In other scenarios where most of the strap 102 is located in the interior cavity 109, for example wound up in strap retractor assembly 104 when not in use, such as in occupant restraint systems for rear seats of automobiles, the thermally insulated interior cavity 109 may provide the temperature conditioning needed.

[032] Use of the disclosed occupant restraint system 100 shall now be described in accordance with embodiments of the invention and with reference to the figures. In embodiments, there is provided a method of conditioning the temperature of an occupant restraint system 100 in a vehicle (not shown). The method comprises powering on a control unit 114 of the vehicle. The control unit 114 may be one as disclosed herein. The control unit 114 is electronically connected to temperature conditioning element 106 of the occupant restraint system 100. The method comprises determining a temperature of interior cavity 109 formed by housing 108 of the occupant restraint system 100. The housing 108 is configured to house the temperature conditioning element 106 and strap retractor assembly 104 of the occupant restraint system 100. The strap retractor assembly 104 is coupled to a retractable restraining strap 102. The interior cavity 109 is thermally insulated. The retractable restraining strap 102, strap retractor assembly 104, temperature conditioning element 106, housing 108, and interior cavity 109 may be as described herein. The method comprises activating, by the control unit 114, the temperature conditioning element 106 to heat or cool, in order to adjust the temperature of the interior cavity 109 to a predetermined temperature.

[033] The predetermined temperature may be set by the user. The predetermined temperature may be pre-set and stored in the non-transitory memory of the control unit 114. The control unit 114 may be configured to allow a user to overwrite the pre-set temperature as desired. The predetermined temperature may be, for example, a comfortable temperature for occupying a cabin of the vehicle.

[034] The temperature of the interior cavity 109 may be determined by a temperature sensor 110 housed in the interior cavity 109. The temperature sensor 110 may obtain temperature readings upon a trigger, for example at predetermined time intervals or upon activation by the user or upon the user crossing a predetermined distance between him and the vehicle or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the temperature of the interior cavity 109 may be determined by any other suitable temperature sensor in the vehicle or from the user.

[035] Powering on or start-up of the control unit 114 may power the temperature conditioning element 106. The control unit 114 may be remotely powered on. A user may not need to physically switch on a button or control located on control unit 114 in order to power it on. The control unit 114 may be capable of wirelessly communicating with a remote device, such as a user’s smartphone or a remote server. The control unit 114 may comprise a wireless communication module. The control unit 114 may be connected to or may be an ECU comprising a wireless communication module.

[036] The control unit 114 or ECU disclosed herein may comprise one or more computers, for example, an embedded system or a general computing device. The computer may comprise one or more computer-readable storage media or memory modules, which may comprise transitory and non-transitory memory. The computer-readable storage media may encompass any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The computer-readable storage media or memory may include transitory processor-readable media such as random access memory (RAM) or cache memory. The computer-readable storage media or memory may include non-transitory processor-readable media such as read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, etc. The memory is in electronic communication with processor(s) of the computer. Computer-readable instructions may reside in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Computer-readable instructions may be implemented as a program or a code that can be read by the processor. The disclosed method may be implemented as a program or a code that can be read by respective processor(s) of the vehicle. The instructions may comprise one or more of the steps disclosed herein. When executed by a processor of the vehicle, the computer-readable instructions may cause the processor to execute at least some steps of the method disclosed herein. Exemplary processor(s) of the computer include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, programmable gate arrays, systems-on-chip (SoC), programmable SoCs, or other suitable devices. The term "processor" may include a combination of processing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration suitable for the disclosed computer.

[037] When a vehicle is turned off and / or parked for a sufficient amount of time, the interior temperature or temperature of the cabin of the vehicle may be comparable with the ambient temperature outside the vehicle. The vehicle and its systems, including control unit 114 and temperature conditioning element 106, may be turned off or may not be operational. The control unit 114 and / or the temperature conditioning element 106 may be in low-power mode or sleep mode. When a user wants to use the vehicle, the user may power on the vehicle and / or its systems. The user may remotely power on the vehicle and / or its systems to prepare of the journey. The powering on of the vehicle and / or its systems may include powering on the climate control system of the vehicle. The powering on of the vehicle and / or its systems may include powering on the seat adjustment system and mirror adjustment system. The powering on of the vehicle and / or its systems may include powering on the temperature conditioning systems, including the temperature conditioning system of the disclosed occupant restraint system 100. After powering on, the vehicle and / or its system(s) may be initialized. After the step of powering on, the method may comprise initializing hardware components, such as electronic connections, the temperature sensor 110 and the temperature conditioning element 106. During or after initialization of the temperature sensor 110, the temperature of the interior cavity 109 may be determined. A difference between the determined temperature and the predetermined temperature may be obtained. The method may comprise calculating the difference between the measured temperature and the predetermined temperature. The activating step may comprise operating one of the temperature conditioning elements 106, such as a heater and / or Peltier device, to heat or cool the interior cavity 109. For example, during cold weather, the temperature conditioning element 106 will provide heating to strap 102 and / or 102a; during hot weather, the temperature conditioning element 106 will provide cooling to strap 102 and / or 102a. The activating step may comprise adjusting a heating or cooling profile depending on the difference obtained. The rate at which the temperature conditioning element 106 provides heating or cooling may depend on the difference obtained. The rate may be dependent on the amount of time available between the interior cavity 109 achieving the predetermined temperature, or an acceptable range around the predetermined temperature, and when the user arrives at the vehicle or a pre-set time that the user wants to use the vehicle. Adjusting the temperature of the interior cavity 109 to achieve the predetermined temperature may comprise: activating the temperature conditioning element 106 to vent temperature-conditioned air out of the interior cavity 109 through at least one opening of the housing 108 configured as an air vent, such as opening 112. Activating the temperature conditioning element 106 to vent air may comprise operating one of the temperature conditioning elements 106, such as a fan, to direct air out of the interior cavity 109 through the at least one opening. Strap 102 and / or strap 102b may thus be heated or cooled. Thus, by the time the user is ready to drive off, the strap 102 would be at a comfortable temperature. The user may then wear the retractable restraining strap 102 as usual, without having to feel discomfort from a strap that is too cold or too hot due to the ambient temperature. Once the retractable restraining strap 102 is worn, it will gradually equalize with the temperature of the user’s body without causing any discomfort. During the journey, the temperature conditioning system of the disclosed occupant restraint system 100 may maintain the interior cavity 109 at an optimum temperature, such as the predetermined temperature. The time t that the thermally insulated interior cavity 109 is able to retain the optimum temperature may be calculated. The activating step may be undertaken only when the duration that the system 100 is powered off or in low-power mode or sleep mode, is less than time t. The system 100 may be able to save energy, yet strap 102 may be kept at optimum temperature, even during short stops or when the control unit 114 may be powered off for a short time or may be in low-power mode or sleep mode for a short time, as the thermally insulated interior cavity 109 is able to retain the optimum temperature for longer than such time.

Claims

1. An occupant restraint system in a vehicle, the system comprising:a strap retractor assembly;5 a retractable restraining strap coupled to the strap retractor assembly;a temperature conditioning element; anda housing, wherein the housing comprises an interior cavity configured to house the strap retractor assembly and the temperature conditioning element, wherein the interior cavity is thermally insulated,10 wherein the temperature conditioning element is configured to cool theinterior cavity to a predetermined temperature.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein space within the interior cavity is substantially filled with thermally insulating material.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the thermally insulating material substantially surrounds the strap retractor assembly and the temperature conditioning element.20 4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the housing is surrounded bythermally insulating material.

5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises thermally insulating material.

6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature conditioning element comprises a heater, Peltier device, fan, heat exchanger, heat sink, or combinations thereof.30 7. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a temperature sensorhoused in the interior cavity.

8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises at least one opening configured as an air vent.

9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the temperature conditioning 5 element is electronically connected to a control unit of the vehicle.

10. A method of conditioning the temperature of an occupant restraint system in a vehicle, the method comprising:powering on a control unit of the vehicle, the control unit being10 electronically connected to a temperature conditioning element of theoccupant restraint system;determining a temperature of an interior cavity formed by a housing of the occupant restraint system, wherein the housing is configured to house the CO temperature conditioning element and a strap retractor assembly of theC\J15 occupant restraint system, the strap retractor assembly being coupled to aGO retractable restraining strap, and wherein the interior cavity is thermallyinsulated;activating, by the control unit, the temperature conditioning element to cool, in order to adjust the temperature of the interior cavity to a 20 predetermined temperature.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of powering on comprises remotely powering on the control unit of the vehicle.25 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the step of powering on comprisesremotely powering on the vehicle.

13. The method of any one of claims 10-12, wherein the temperature conditioning element comprises a heater, Peltier device, fan, heat 30 exchanger, heat sink, or combinations thereof.

14. The method of any one of claims 10-13, wherein the housing comprises at least one opening configured as an air vent, and wherein the method further comprises: activating the temperature conditioning element to vent 5 temperature-conditioned air out of the interior cavity through the at least oneopening.COCM

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