Seatbelt Actuator for Non-Collision Deceleration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seatbelts do not effectively manage deceleration forces in vehicles caused by factors other than collisions, potentially leading to discomfort or injury due to the continued motion of occupants within the passenger compartment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a processor, communications device, and memory that receives deceleration information and controls an actuator to apply a force to the seatbelt, distinct from pretensioners, load limiters, and locking mechanisms, to limit forward movement and prevent injury or discomfort during non-collision-related decelerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seatbelts are used without additional actuators, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to manage deceleration forces during non-collision events is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seatbelt system is divided into functionally independent components: a pretensioner for initial tightening, a load limiter for force management, a locking mechanism for restraint, and a separate actuator for deceleration compensation. Each component handles a specific aspect of occupant protection, allowing the system to address non-collision deceleration events without requiring complete redesign of the entire seatbelt assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is configured to apply force to the seatbelt in advance of collision-related deceleration forces, based on detection of non-collision deceleration events. This preliminary action compensates for occupant motion before significant forward movement occurs, enhancing protection during events like sudden braking or rolling stops without waiting for collision forces to develop.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an actuator is added to apply force to the seatbelt during deceleration, then occupant safety and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves as an intermediary component that applies force to the seatbelt webbing itself rather than directly to the occupant or to the existing seatbelt mechanisms. This intermediary approach allows deceleration compensation to be achieved through the seatbelt medium, integrating the new function into the existing restraint system without requiring direct coupling with pretensioners, load limiters, or locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors deceleration parameters and adjusts the actuator force accordingly, applying force proportional to the detected deceleration event. This parameter-based control allows the actuator to provide appropriate compensation for varying deceleration magnitudes while maintaining compatibility with the existing seatbelt system's operational characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator applies force proportional to deceleration, then comfort during non-collision events is enhanced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses deceleration sensors to continuously monitor vehicle motion and provides feedback to the actuator control system. This feedback loop enables the actuator to adjust its force application in real-time based on actual deceleration events, ensuring comfortable and appropriate restraint during non-collision events while maintaining simple proportional control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A force to be applied to a seatbelt in response to a deceleration of a vehicle can be produced. Information about the deceleration of the vehicle can be received. A cause of the deceleration can be other than in response to a collision of the vehicle with an object. In response to a receipt of the information, a signal to control an actuator to produce the force can be produced. The actuator can be different from any of a pretensioner of a seatbelt assembly, a load limiter of the seatbelt assembly, and a locking mechanism of a retractor of the seatbelt assembly. A measure of the force can be proportional to a measure of the deceleration. The force can be sufficient to limit a forward movement of a person wearing the seatbelt to be less than a specific distance. The signal can be caused to be communicated to the actuator.