Force sensing seat belt sensor assembly
US12228467B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60W2540/221
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seat belt sensor assembly comprises a force sensor coupled to a seat belt webbing. The seat belt sensor assembly utilizes force readings from the force sensor indicating a force level above or below a predetermined threshold to determine if an action needs to be taken to control a vehicle system. Such vehicle systems could include, but are not limited to, an autonomous driving control system, an occupant health system, and a motorized seat belt retractor system. Controlling the vehicle systems could include, but is not limited to, sending audio, visual, and/or haptic warnings to vehicle occupants, including, in one embodiment, that the occupant's respiration rate is indicative of a dangerous health condition. The seat belt sensor assembly may be used in combination with a camera-based occupant monitoring system. In one embodiment, the occupant monitoring system can be used to selectively activate/deactivate discrete activation zones of the force sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.