System and method for seat belt control

Abstract

A system is provided for utilizing belt movement information in a motorized seat belt (MSB) control system algorithm to achieve better levels of comfort and safety. The MSB control system algorithm controls execution of multiple modes including a no friction mode, a stowage mode, a slack reduction mode, an out of position warning mode, a medium pull-back mode, and a high pull-back mode. The MSB control system algorithm also controls execution of a low power mode initiated after the other vehicle modules are put to sleep to provide the ability to stow the seat belt after the vehicle has been turned off for some period of time. The MSB control system algorithm also controls belt monitoring functions defined based on a buckle switch state that indicates the buckled or unbuckled state of the seat belt. Belt monitoring consists of belt movement being converted to counts based on a resolution provided by a belt movement sensor.

1 . A seat belt system, the system comprising:
 a seat belt;   a retractor capable of retracting the seat belt; and   a controller operably coupled with the retractor to control movement of the seat belt, wherein the controller is configured   (a) to receive a command to enter a stop mode;   (b) to switch off a first set of components of the controller to enter a low power mode of operation;   (c) after expiration of a first time period, to switch on a first component of the first set of components to check for expiration of a second time period;   (d) to monitor for movement of the seat belt;   (e) if no belt movement is detected, repeating (b)-(d) until expiration of the second time period; and   (f) if no belt movement is detected before expiration of the second time period, to switch off the first set of components of the controller to enter a sleep mode of operation.   
     
     
         2 . A method of transitioning a seat belt controller to a sleep mode, the method comprising:
 (a) receiving a command to enter a stop mode;   (b) switching off a first set of components of the seat belt controller to enter a low power mode of operation;   (c) after expiration of a first time period, switching on a first component of the first set of components to check for expiration of a second time period;   (d) monitoring for movement of a seat belt;   (e) if no belt movement is detected, repeating (b)-(d) until expiration of the second time period; and   (f) if no belt movement is detected before expiration of the second time period, switching off the first set of components of the seat belt controller to enter a sleep mode of operation.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein (c)-(d) further comprise, after expiration of the first time period, switching on the first set of components of the seat belt controller and monitoring for movement of the belt monitor during a third time period, wherein (b)-(d) is repeated after expiration of the third time period without detection of belt movement. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second time period is approximately ten minutes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first time period is less than approximately 350 milliseconds. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising, if belt movement is detected before expiration of the second time period, switching on the first set of components of the seat belt controller to enter a full awake mode of operation. 
     
     
         7 . A seat belt system, the system comprising:
 a buckle;   a seat belt including a tongue, wherein the tongue is capable of engaging with the buckle;   a retractor, wherein the retractor is capable of retracting the seat belt under control of an actuator; and   a controller capable of communicating with the actuator to control movement of the seat belt, wherein the controller is configured   (a) to determine a buckle status of the seat belt;   (b) if the determined buckle status is buckled, to define a buckled value based on a first position of the seat belt;   (c) to define a plurality of thresholds based on the defined buckled value;   (d) to monitor movement of the seat belt to determine a seat belt position;   (e) to compare the determined seat belt position to the plurality of thresholds; and   (f) to perform an action based on the comparison of (e).   
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling a seat belt, the method comprising:
 (a) determining a buckle status of a seat belt;   (b) if the determined buckle status is buckled, defining a buckled value based on a first position of the seat belt;   (c) defining a plurality of thresholds based on the defined buckled value;   (d) monitoring movement of the seat belt to determine a seat belt position;   (e) comparing the determined seat belt position to the plurality of thresholds; and   (f) performing an action based on the comparison of (e).   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the action is at least one of stowing the seat belt, sending a warning to a seat occupant, and reducing a slack in the seat belt. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 (g) attempting to reduce a slack in the seat belt;   (h) determining a first seat belt position after (g);   (i) comparing the determined first seat belt position to a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is defined as the buckled value plus an extraction value;   (j) if the determined first seat belt position is less than the first threshold, replacing the defined buckled value with the determined first seat belt position; and   (k) re-defining the plurality of thresholds based on the replaced buckled value.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 (l) if the determined first seat belt position is greater than the first threshold, repeating (g)-(k).   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (m) repeating (l) a predetermined number of times unless the determined first seat belt position is less than the first threshold; and   (n) if the determined first seat belt position is greater than the first threshold after (m), replacing the defined buckled value with the determined first seat belt position.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of thresholds comprises a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is defined as the buckled value plus an extraction value, and further wherein an extraction of the seat belt across the first threshold starts a warning pulse timer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a retraction of the seat belt across the first threshold stops the warning pulse timer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, after expiration of the warning pulse timer, initiating a haptic warning to a user of the seat belt. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of thresholds comprises a first threshold, wherein the first threshold is defined as the buckled value plus an extraction value, and further wherein a retraction of the seat belt across the first threshold starts a slack reduction timer.