Vehicle Reversible Restraint Activation Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems activate seat belts and restraints too early or too late, leading to unnecessary activations, discomfort, or inadequate protection during collisions, as they rely solely on collision detection timing without considering the current seat belt length and occupant position.
Innovation Solution
A method to control the activation time of a reversible restraint system in vehicles by determining the current length of the pulled-out seat belt, predicting the collision timing, and activating the system a selectable time period before the collision, with the activation time and force being functions of the seat belt length, to optimize the positioning of the occupant relative to the seat back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the restraint system is activated early based on collision detection, then the occupant is protected during collision, but the system may activate unnecessarily causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary retraction of the seat belt before the predicted collision time, allowing the occupant to be positioned close to the seat back in advance. This preliminary action ensures protection is ready when needed while avoiding sudden forceful retraction at the last moment that would cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation timing is made dynamic by continuously monitoring the pulled-out seat belt length and adjusting the predicted collision time accordingly. The system calculates a time period before predicted collision based on current belt length, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that optimizes both protection and comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the restraint system is activated late to avoid unnecessary activation, then comfort is maintained, but protection may be inadequate during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The system retracts the seat belt in advance of the predicted collision, performing the protective action before the actual collision occurs. This ensures the occupant is properly positioned and restrained when the collision happens, maintaining both comfort and protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the pulled-out seat belt length and uses this feedback to adjust the predicted collision time and activation timing. This closed-loop feedback ensures the system responds appropriately to actual occupant position and collision risk.
3Reliability
If the seat belt is retracted with high force to ensure protection, then the occupant is securely positioned, but the occupant experiences discomfort or minor injury
Solution Approach 1:
The seat belt retraction is performed in advance of the collision rather than suddenly at the moment of impact. This preliminary retraction allows the belt to be pulled in more gradually and with less force, securing the occupant without causing the discomfort or injury associated with sudden forceful retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the restraint system in advance by retracting the seat belt before collision, creating a cushioning effect that reduces the impact force on the occupant. This beforehand preparation ensures protection is in place while minimizing harmful forces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a time of activation of a restraint system in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a seat belt associated to a seat, the restraint system being a reversible restraint system, the method comprising the steps ofa) determining a current length (L) of pulled out seat belt,b) detecting a collision or an imminent collision involving the vehicle,c) predicting a time (T0) when the collision is predicted to affect a user of the seat belt,d) activating the reversible restraint system a selectable time period (Δ1) before the time (T0) when the collision is predicted to affect the user of the seat belt, wherein a length of the selectable time period (Δ1) is a function of the determined current length (L) of pulled out seat belt. The disclosure further relates to a safety arrangement of a vehicle.