CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 62463631 , filed

2/25/2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It has been difficult to protect far-end occupants in a vehicle when it has oblique crash with others. During this kind of crash, the occupant often slips out of the shoulder belt, which effectively means that the occupant is not protected by the shoulder belt anymore. Once the occupant is no longer protected by the shoulder belt, the chance that the occupant's head will hit the mid- instrument panel greatly increases which leads to more severe injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A seatbelt system for vehicles for protection of an occupant in the vehicle which has a moveable unit mounted to a vehicle seat. The moveable unit utilizes an actuator to move a moveable member that is removably buckled to an end of an extension plate. The other end of the extension plate is attached to a buckle

_ I - used to removably attach a seat belt webbing. An actuator having a MCG is used to provide the necessary force to move the moveable u nit to a position that helps to safely restrain the occu pant in an oblique crash event. In one embodiment, a moveable routing member is used to move the webbing to an activated position to secu re the occu pant. I n another embodiment, a dynamic routing u nit is mou nted to an u pper back portion of the seat to secu re the occu pant.

[0004] Other featu res and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention wh ich refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of an advanced seatbelt system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the invention that shows the seatbelt system for veh icles before actuation of the movable u nit.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of the advanced seatbelt system for vehicles shown in figu re 1 after actuation of the moveable u nit.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing how to connect the actuator/ pretensioner and buckle.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a detailed cut-away view of a pretensioner according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a cut-way view of an advanced seatbelt system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the invention. [001 0] FIG. 6 is a perspective back-view of the advanced seatbelt system for vehicles shown in figure 5.

[001 1 ] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a dynamic routing unit shown in figure 6.

[001 2] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the individual parts of the dynamic routing unit shown in figu re 7.

[001 3] FIG. 9A is a cut-away front view of a moveable member in a locked position.

[001 4] FIG. 9B is a cut-away front view of the moveable member shown in figure 9A in an unlocked position.

[001 5] FIG. 1 0 is a cut-away side view of the moveable member shown in figu re 9.

[001 6] FIG. 1 1 is a perspective exploded view of the moveable member shown in figure 9.

[001 7] FIG. 1 1 A is a cut-away perspective view of the moveable member shown in figure 9.

[001 8] FIG. 1 1 B is a cut-away perspective exploded view of the moveable member shown in figure 9.

[001 9] FIG. 1 2 is a perspective cut-away view of the moveable member of a first stationary position mounted in a guide member.

[0020] FIG. 1 3 is a perspective view of the moveable member shown in figu re 9 in an activated random position.

[0021 ] FIG. 1 4 is a perspective view of the moveable member shown in figu re 9 in a second stationary position. [0022] FIG. 1 5 is a perspective view of an advanced seatbelt system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the invention that shows the seatbelt system for vehicles before actuation of the movable unit.

[0023] FIG. 1 6 is a perspective view of the advanced seatbelt system for vehicles shown in figure 1 5 after actuation of the moveable unit.

[0024] FIG. 1 7 is a perspective view of the advanced seatbelt system for vehicles shown in figure 1 5 in an un-buckled configuration.

[0025] FIG. 1 8 is a perspective view of an advanced seatbelt system for vehicles according to an embodiment of the invention that shows the seatbelt system for vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which refe re nee numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0027] For convenience and clarity in the description, a

coordinate system is shown with the x-direction extends towards the rear of the vehicle, y-direction towards the right side, and the z- direction is directed upward: (may tilt slightly to matching the orientation of the seat back).

[0028] Referring to figures 1 -4, a vehicle 1 1 0 is shown having a B— pillar 1 1 2 and a floor 1 1 4. There is a seat 21 0 mounted on floor 1 1 4. Seat 21 0 has a cushion portion 220 and a back portion 230.

[0029] The first embodiment has two separate seatbelts: a lap belt 30 and a shou lder belt 20. Lap belt 30 has a retractor 31 mounted on the outboard wing of seat 21 0. A tongue 33 connected by a webbing 32 to retractor 31 can be extended and then releasably engaged with a buckle 34 which is connected to inboard wing of 21 0 (or fixed to the floor close to this location) by a fastener 35 using an extension plate 36.

[0030] Shoulder belt 20 has a retractor 21 mou nted on B— pillar 1 1 2 , a webbing 22 routed by a D-ring 24 mou nted on upper portion of B-pillar 1 1 2 , with its free end connected by a tongue 27 releasably engaged to a buckle 25 , and an extension plate 28 is mounted by a fastener 26 to the lower end of a guide member 40 of a movable unit 60. Guide member 40 is fixed to the lower end of back portion 230. A movable unit 60 has a guide member 40, an actuator/ pretensioner 50, a moveable member 61 and a cable 80. Cable 80 may also be a strap or other suitable means to connect to extension plate 28 as is known in the art.

[0031 ] Moveable unit 60 is shown having a actuator/' pretensioner

50 mounted on the inboard side of back portion 230.

Actuator/ pretensioner 50 has a cylinder/channel 54 having a bore 55 where a piston 56 is allowed to move with in. Cylinder 54 also has a shou lder portion 53 at its lower end for engagement with a MGG (M icro Gas Generator) 52. Piston 56 can be solid, or can be a tu be closed at one end which has a bore 57 for covering main part of MGG 52. Cable 80 has a proximal end 82 which is fixed to back portion 230. Cable 80 is routed arou nd a moving profile 90 changing its direction 1 80 degrees. Moving profile 90 is fixed with respect to piston 56. Piston 56 may be solid, or may be a one-end-closed tu be having bore 57 for covering main part of MGG 52. Cable 80 is then routed down, having a distal end 84 attached to a wedge-shaped member 66 (Fig. 9).

[0032] Figu re 2 illustrates the condition after activation of moveable u nit 60 where shou lder belt 20 is moved to ensu re vehicle occu pant 1 0 is properly restrained when there is an oblique crash to the veh icle.

[0033] Referring now to figu res 5 th rough 8, seatbelt system for vehicles is shown having a dynamic routing u n it 300 mou nted at the u pper outer corner of back portion 230. The solid line indicates an u n- actuated condition showing shou lder belt 22 in a typical position and the dotted line indicates a condition after activation showing shou lder belt 22 in an activated position 23 to properly restrain vehicle occu pant 1 0 in an oblique crash. Buckle 25 and tongue 27 are the same as discu ssed above. Dynamic routing u n it 300 is similar to actuator/ pretensioner 50 discussed above Dynamic routing u n it 300 has a cylinder 320 and a MGG 352. Cylinder 320 has a slot 322 at an open end. A movable base member 31 0 has a piston 31 2 connected therein by a pin 31 4 which passes through 320. A routing member 340 is fixed with base member 31 0, and routing member 340 has a slot 342 for passage of webbing 22.

[0034] When an oblique crash is detected, MGG 352 will fire driving cylinder 320 including routing member 340 in an inward direction as shown by the arrow.

[0035] Now referring to figures 9 A and 9B and 1 0, 1 1 and 1 2- 1 4, moveable member 61 is shown having moveably and lockably deposed within guide member 40. An engagement portion 62 slides within an interior portion of gu ide member 40. Gu ide member 40 has a plurality of holes 42 to engage a locking pin 70. Guide member 40 has a C shaped section cut, meaning that it has a closed back facet and two opened front facets. Moveable member 61 has an extended portion 64. Extended portion 64 has a threaded portion 45 that is threadedly secured using a fastener 26 to affix moveable member 61 to extension plate 28. Moveable member 61 has a bore 65 internally disposed and closed at an upper end. A spring 76 is disposed within bore 65 and provides a biasing force to engage locking pin 70. A wedge-shaped member 66 fits within a wedge-shaped opening 72 formed in moveable member 61 . Locking member 70 engages with hole 42 in gu ide member 40.

[0036] Wedge-shaped member 66 is engaged with wedge- shaped opening 72. When wedge-shaped member 66 is moved inwards, biasing from spring 76 is overcome and locking pin 70 is moved u p to clear hole 42 in gu ide member 40, thu s allowing moveable member 61 to move to a another location. Extended portion 64 has an opening 67 to let wedge-shaped member 66 move within wedge-shaped opening 72.

[0037] When a vehicle has an oblique crash, or detects significant lateral acceleration in Y direction, a control system (not shown) triggers MGG 52 to fire and the high pressu re gas created by MGG 52 will drive piston 56 and moving profile 90 to move u p and pu ll wedge- shaped member 66 releasing locking pin 70 which forces moveable u nit 60 to an activated location and is connected to extension plate 28 and buckle 25 thereby protecting vehicle occu pant du ring a crash or other significant acceleration event.

[0038] Figu res 1 1 A and 1 1 B, depict another embodiment having a movable member 461 . A moveable member 461 is shown being moveably and lockably deposed within gu ide member 40 (hidden at Fig. 1 1 , 1 1 A and 1 I B). An engagement portion 462 slides with in an interior portion of gu ide member 40. Gu ide member 40 has a plu rality of holes 42 to engage a locking pin 470. Moveable mem ber 461 has an extended portion 464. Extended portion 464 has a threaded portion 445 that is threadedly secu red using a fastener 426 to affix moveable member 461 to extension plate 28. Moveable member 461 has a bore 465 internally disposed and closed at an u pper end. A spring 476 is disposed within bore 465 and provides a biasing force to engage locking pin 470. A wedge-shaped member 466 has a wedge- shaped portion 468 that fits with in a wedge-shaped opening 472 formed in moveable member 461 . Locking member 470 engages with hole 42 in guide member 40.

[0039] Wedge shaped portion 468 of wedge-shaped member 466 moveably engages with wedge-shaped opening 472. Wedge-shaped member 466 also has a connection portion 469 that connects with cable 480. When wedge-shaped member 466 is moved u pwardly along the z-coordinate, biasing from spring 476 is overcome and locking pin 470 is moved u p to clear hole 42 in gu ide member 40, thus allowing moveable member 461 to move to a another location. Extended portion 464 has an opening 467 to let wedge portion 468 move within wedge-shaped opening 472.

[0040] When the lower end of shoulder belt 20 is moved to an upper location in a crash situation, shoulder belt 20 is much less likely to slip off from the shoulder of vehicle occupant 1 0 there by increasing the protection offered by a safety restraint system thus equipped.

[0041 ] Referring to figures 1 5-1 7, another embodiment is shown using a conventional 3-point seatbelt 420 having a retractor 421 and D-Ring 24 and anchor point 450 but with a movable routing member 225 , which is near a buckle 425 when in an un-deployed condition. Once the vehicle detects an oblique crash, MGG 52 is triggered which moves moveable routing member 225 to a snugged position by actuator/ pretensioner 50 thereby moving shoulder belt 420 to a snugged position which helps to secu re the occu pant in an

acceleration event. [0042] A switch, or sensor (not shown) may be added at an appropriate location on moveable routing member 225. This switch/ sensor confirms that shou lder belt 420 is properly routed through moveable routing member 225 , otherwise the engine will be disabled, or a warning signal activated. Fig. 1 7 shows the routing of this second embodiment when there is no occupant.

[0043] Referring now to figure 1 8, a seatbelt system for vehicles is shown in an embodiment where an extension member 436 rotates to snug a shoulder belt 455 as shown by the dotted lines. Shoulder belt 455 is removably inserted in a buckle 465 as is known in the art. A lap belt 460 is conventional. In operation moveable u nit 60 operates as discussed above but rotates extension member 436 around pivot point 470 to move shoulder belt 455 to the proper position.

[0044] Said pretensioner 50 can be substituted by other automatic actuators, for instance, by a solenoid.

[0045] Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.