★ ★ ★

The present invention relates to a system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle.

In particular, the present invention relates to a system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, of the type comprising servomechanisms, sensors and electronic control units.

The technical sector is the safety of means of transportation, being such means road vehicles, boats or airplanes .

Technically, a seat belt, in its automatic three-point version for motor vehicles, consists of a strip wrapped at one end around a spring winder, placed at the bottom on one side of a seat, and anchored at the opposite end to a fixed interlocking element. In the middle of the path between the winder and the interlocking element placed at the opposite side of the user's seat with respect to the position of the winder, the strip comes out of a slot positioned in another constraint element. This latter element is often vertically adjustable and is placed at the height of the passenger's shoulders, and is manually pulled by said passenger by acting on a metallic tongue up to the aforementioned interlocking element. In this way the strip, bound in three points, wraps the torso and the life of the occupant on the seat preventing, following sudden decelerations or impacts, the passenger's body from being projected forward with the risk of potentially serious injuries. This effect is ensured by the stopping action of the winder implemented by a pretensioner included among the components of the mechanical adjustment system of the seat belts.

The disadvantage of this system is that it leaves the occupant on the seat complete discretion as to whether or not to wear the belt, with the aggravating circumstance of the possible forgetfulness of performing such an action.

As is known, systems for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle exist to overcome all or part of these limitations. Such systems allow to reduce the number of manual operations and the relative physical effort, to a more or less marked extent according to the solutions adopted, necessary to extract, adjust, fasten and release the aforementioned seat belts.

A first known technical solution is described by the patent application US4763750A whose subject is a seatbelt assembly for automatically releasing a vehicle occupant from the restraint of a seatbelt or plurality of belts. The seatbelt assembly includes a first restraining webbing, a second restraining webbing, a buckle, a retractor and a sensor. The first restraining webbing automatically fastens an occupant to a seat in a vehicle, and the first restraining webbing is positioned at one of first and second positions. The second restraining webbing is manually operated to fasten an occupant to the seat. Sensors and the ECU are provided to determine when the occupant is getting out of the vehicle, and for providing a signal to the actuator so as to release the occupant from the restraint of the seat belt.

Still, the patent application US6293588B1 discloses an advanced automobile passenger restraint and deceleration system, the design of which is centered on retractable belts comprised of a unique, two-part combination of a single lap belt and dual shoulder belt restraints with the lap belt retractors automatically electrically locking upon application of restraint for firmly-located, tension-free lap belt comfort. Such a belt system features a padded body-centered, abdominal-force-distributing and fastening plate consisting of two halves, each half being attached to one shoulder belt and to one half of the lap belt with the two halves snapping together to apply said belt restraint system with one simple manual action The patent application US2012326486A1 describes an apparatus which automatically locks and unlocks seat belts of a driver seat and of a passenger seat of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a belt-locking bar having one end coupled to a hinge portion provided at the center of a connection portion between the first and second housings, a movable block, a retractor, a chest protecting belt having one end connected to the movable block, an abdomen protecting belt and a controller for managing the rotation of the belt-locking bar.

The subject of the Italian patent RM2010A000415, in addition, is a motorized fastening device for the safety belts of a transportation vehicle, of the type comprising a band that unwinds from a winder fixedly positioned on one side of a seat and that passes through a regulator permanently positioned on the same side of the seat on which is placed a winder. The device comprises also a tab, a housing of a tongue and an anchor of the end of the band, placed in a fixed manner near the winder.

A further example of a known system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle is disclosed in the patent application US4896742A whose subject is a method for checking an automatic seat belt of a car. The method includes the step of interconnecting a seat belt mechanism with an automobile door to operate the mechanism when opening and closing the door, so that the seat belt safety lock is automatically tightened when the door is closed, and loosened when the door is opened.

Still, the patent application US4938502A describes an automatic attachment and release system of a vehicle seat belt comprising a rail equipped with first and second passages of a guide, a guide cable adapted to run through the first passages, a connector and a cam fixed to the cable to a predetermined mutual distance, a slider configured to slide through the second passages and to engage the connector and the cam, a seat belt fastened to the slider through a buckle, and a fastening device to hold the slider in a locking position of the seat belt.

Finally, the patent application US5692781A disclose a restraint safety system consisting of an assembly with an abdominal belt and a shoulder belt that move simultaneously inside two guides, a position guide for a rotating belt, a position guide for an extensible belt designed to hold or release a passenger seated in a vehicle. The simultaneous movements of the abdominal belt, the shoulder belt and the position guide for the belt are predetermined by the movements of the vehicle wheel, the door, the motor and an independent manual switch.

However, the systems for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle currently known are impractical, in the sense that they often require structural changes to vehicle mechanics and suffer the lack of control systems to remedy potentially emergency or risky situations for vehicle occupants.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, whether it be a road, sea or air vehicle, that is practical, efficient and convenient to implement, thus having characteristics so as overcome the limitations that still affect the currently known technical solutions, with reference to the known technique.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle able to be actuated also manually, thanks to manual release mechanisms useful to bypass the system management logic in case of emergencies.

According to the present invention a system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle is provided, as defined in claim 1.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows an internal side section view of a first embodiment of a system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, with a first mechanical element of the system highlighted, according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows an external side section view of a second mechanical element of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, according to the invention;

- figure 3 shows an internal side section view of some components of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, with a three-point seat belt fastened, according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows an internal side section view of a third mechanical element of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, according to the invention;

- figure 5 shows an internal side section view of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, with a detail of the third mechanical element of the system highlighted, according to the invention;

- figure 6 shows an internal side section view of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle, with a three-point seat belt fastened, according to the invention;

- figure 7 shows an external side section view of the system for the automatic actuation of safety belts of a vehicle with a second mechanical element of the system highlighted, according to the invention;

- figure 8 shows an internal side section view of the system for the automatic actuation of safety belts of a vehicle in a first position, according to the invention;

- figure 9 shows an internal side section view of the system for the automatic actuation of safety belts of a vehicle in a second position, according to the invention;

- figure 10 shows a top view of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle in a second position, according to the invention;

- figures 11a and lib show internal side section views of a second embodiment of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle in a first and in a second position respectively, according to the invention.

With reference to these figures and, in particular, to figure 1, a system 100, 200 for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle is shown, according to the invention .

The system 100, 200 for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle according to the invention is able to be mounted in a vehicle 50, 60 provided with at least a seat 51, 61, in correspondence to an external side of which, and below it, is mounted a winder 52b, 62b of a seat belt 52, 62. In correspondence to the external side of the seat 51, 61 there is also a pillar of the vehicle 50, 60 on an upper portion of which is placed a fixing element 53,

63, having the profile of a cam and provided with an opening. On an internal side, opposite to the external side, of the seat 51, 61, a first interlocking element 54,

64 is positioned in correspondence to the base of the seat 51, 61. The first interlocking element 54, 64 is able to house and lock a first metallic tongue 52c, 62c. In addition, said first interlocking element 54, 64 is placed into a housing fixed to a lower portion of the vehicle 50, 60 near the base of the seat 51, 61 and provided with a first electrical lock 108, 208.

More in detail, the system 100, 200 for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle comprises a plurality of mechanical elements, particularly a first, a second and a third mechanical element 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b,

202c mounted in a cockpit of the vehicle 50, 60. Each one of the aforementioned mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c is able to be moved by means of a corresponding servomechanism, and is configured to move a seat belt 52, 62.

The seat belt 52, 62 comprises a strip 52a, 62a configured to slide around the winder 52b, 62b, to go through the opening of the fixing element 53, 63 and to be fixed by means of the first metallic tongue 52c, 62c in the first interlocking element 54, 64.

The system 100, 200 for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle comprises also:

a supporting element 113, 213 fixed to an upper portion of a pillar of the vehicle 50, 60 in correspondence to the fixing element 53, 63, over said supporting element

113, 213 being able to roll the strip 52a, 62a;

- a plurality of sensors mounted in the vehicle 50, 60 and able to generate a plurality of electrical signals ;

- an electronic control unit 101, 201 mounted in the vehicle 50, 60, connected to the plurality of sensors and able to receive and process electrical signals coming from said sensors.

In particular, according to the invention, the electronic control unit 101, 201 is configured for the bidirectional data transmission with an electronic engine control unit (ECU) , mounted in the vehicle 50, 60, and for actuating the servomechanisms configured to move the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c.

According to an aspect of the invention and as better visible in figure 1, the plurality of mechanical elements comprises a first mechanical element 102a, 202a consisting of a skid, for example a metallic skid, having a hook- shaped end able to slide into a fixed, and preferably metallic, upper rail 109, 209. The upper rail 109, 209 according to the invention is placed in correspondence to an upper portion of the cockpit, on the external side of the seat 51, 61, and has a first end, identified in figure 1 as "A", placed in correspondence to the fixing element 53, 63 and to the supporting element 113, 213, and a second end, identified in figure 1 as "B", placed in correspondence to an upper end portion near a front glass 55, 65 of the vehicle 50, 60. According to the invention, the first mechanical element 102a, 202a is able to hook and make the strip 52a, 62a slide between the first end "A" and the second end "B" of said upper rail 109, 209.

According to another aspect of the invention and as better visible in figure 2, the plurality of mechanical elements comprises a second mechanical element 102b, 202b consisting of an arm, preferably a metallic arm, able to be moved between a first approximately horizontal position and a second approximately vertical position, hinged at a first end to a pin 110, 210 placed in a lower portion of the vehicle 50, 60 in correspondence to the external side of the seat 51, 61. The second mechanical element 102b, 202b is configured to slide along a lower rail, preferably a metallic rail, placed in a lower portion of the vehicle 50, 60 in correspondence to the external side of the seat 51, 61. The second mechanical element 102b, 202b, in addition, comprises at a second end, opposite to the first end, a metallic eyelet 104, 204 able to fix the strip 52a, 62a, in particular an abdominal portion of the seat belt 52, 62, and a second metallic tongue 105, 205 placed in correspondence to the metallic eyelet 104, 204 and able to be housed into a second interlocking element 107, 207. The second interlocking element 107, 207 is anchored to the base of the seat 51, 61 on the external side of said seat 51, 61 and is provided with a second electrical lock 106, 206.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second end of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b has a section smaller than the section of its remaining portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second end of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b is made of a material having a mechanical resistance lower than the mechanical resistance of the remaining portion of said second mechanical element 102b, 202b.

According to an aspect of the invention and as better visible in figure 4, the plurality of mechanical elements comprises a third mechanical element 102c, 202c consisting of a sliding semi-rigid element removably placed between the housing provided with the first electrical lock 108, 208 and the first interlocking element 54, 64. In use, the aforementioned sliding semi-rigid element is able to be inserted and extracted by said housing by means of the corresponding servomechanism.

According to another aspect of the invention, in use, the first metallic tongue 52c, 62c is housed in the first interlocking element 54, 64.

The system 100, 200 is configured to be automatically moved, by means of a management logic loaded in the electronic control unit 101, 201, between a first position, or opening position, and a second position, or closing position .

The opening position corresponds to that suitable for allowing a user, i.e. an occupant on the seat 51, 61, to access the cockpit of the vehicle 50, 60 and allow him to sit on said seat. In the opening position, the first mechanical element 102a, 202a and the strip 52a, 62a are positioned at the second end "B" of the upper rail 109,

209, the second mechanical element 102b, 202b is placed in a vertical position and in a front portion of the lower rail, so as not to obstruct the access of a user. Finally, in the opening position the third mechanical element 102c, 202c is extracted from the housing provided with the first electrical lock 108, 208 and is extended to its maximum length . The closing position corresponds to that in which a user is seated on the seat 51, 61 and the seat belt 52, 62 is completely worn. In this closing position, the first mechanical element 102a, 202a and the strip 52a, 62a are positioned at the first end "A" of the upper rail 109, 209, the second mechanical element 102b, 202b is placed in a horizontal position and in a rear portion of the lower rail, so as to bring the seat belt 52, 62 closer to the user, that is, the occupant on the seat 51, 61. Finally, in the closing position the third mechanical element 102c, 202c is placed between the housing provided with the first electrical lock 108, 208 and the first interlocking element 54, 64 and is contracted to its minimum length.

In use, when the door of the vehicle 50, 60 is unlocked, operated either by manually acting on a door handle or, in the case of a road vehicle also by means of an IR remote control, for example provided with an anti theft device, the electronic control unit 101, 201 issues the sequential movement of the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c towards the opening position by actuating the servomechanisms, each of them related to and acting on the corresponding mechanical element 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c.

In detail, according to the invention, when the door is unlocked, the electro-actuated movement of the first mechanical element 102a, 202a causes the hooking of said first mechanical element 102a, 202a to the strip 52a, 62a and their movement from the first end "A" to the second end "B", while the subsequent electro-actuated movement of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b causes, by rotation of the arm around the pin 110, 210 and in the direction of the upper portion of the cockpit of the vehicle 50, 60, the disengagement of the second metallic tongue 105, 205 from the second electrical lock 106, 206. Subsequently, the electro-actuated movement of the third mechanical element 102c, 202c causes the longitudinal excursion, as a consequence of the distension in the direction of the upper portion of the cockpit of the vehicle 50, 60 of said third mechanical element 102c, 202c, of the first interlocking element 54, 64, of the strip 52a, 62a and of the first metallic tongue 52c, 62c housed into said first interlocking element 54, 64.

Advantageously according to the invention, the electro-actuated sequential movements of the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c facilitate the entrance of a user into the cockpit on the seat 51, 61, be said user a driver or a passenger.

Advantageously according to the invention, the presence of the supporting element 113, 213 allows to reduce the obstruction of the strip 52a, 62a following the movement from the first end "A" to the second end "B", facilitating the entrance into the vehicle 50, 60 thanks to the conformation of said supporting element 113, 213 which allows the crossing of the strip 52a, 62a on an external edge of said supporting element 113, 213. At the same time, the supporting element 113, 213 supports the strip 52a, 62a so as to compensate for the difference of the relative heights between the supporting element 53, 63 and the upper rail 109, 209.

According to an aspect of the invention, the supporting element 113, 213 is a means, e.g. a plastic or a metallic means, consisting of a single element or multiple retractable elements, for example elements that can be opened and folded out like a fan.

Advantageously according to the invention, the realization of the supporting element 113, 213 by means of a plurality of retractable elements, on the surface of a pillar of the vehicle 50, 60, allows to reduce the visual impact of said supporting element 113, 213 while ensuring a high mechanical functionality.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electronic control unit 101, 201 is an electronic board, i.e. a PCB, equipped with a dedicated calculation unit, for example a microcontroller on an Arduino or similar board having I/O ports able for connecting the plurality of sensors and an electronic engine control unit of vehicle 50, 60, i.e., in the case of a car, the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) , interfaced through the widespread, in the automotive sector, CAN bus.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system 100, 200 comprises an electromagnet 103, 203 able to block the movement of the winder 52b, 62b.

Advantageously according to the invention, the electromagnet 103, 203 allows to block the winder 52b, 62b and to loosen the tensioning state of the strip 52a, 62a following the passage of said strip 52a, 62a from the first end "A" to the second end "B" by means of the electro- actuated movement of the first mechanical element 102a, 202a, facilitating the boarding of the vehicle 50, 60.

According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of the sensors included in the group consisting of:

- a sensor configured to detect the state of the power supply of the system 100, 200;

- a sensor configured to detect the opening of a door of a vehicle 50, 60;

- a sensor configured to detect the fastening of the seat belt 52, 62;

- a sensor configured to detect the state of the ignition of the engine of the vehicle 50, 60; - a sensor configured to detect the movement of the wheels of the vehicle 50, 60,

- a tilt sensor configured to detect the rollover of the vehicle 50, 60;

- a sensor configured to detect the activation of the airbags of the vehicle 50, 60;

- an inclinometer;

- a weight sensor mounted in the seat 51, 61 of the vehicle 50, 60 able to detect the presence of a user on said seat 51, 61.

Advantageously according to the invention, the plurality of sensors allows to acquire a set of analog and digital signals related to the operating status of the vehicle 50, 60 and of the system 100, 200, and to transmit them to the electronic control unit 101, 201.

Advantageously according to the invention, the weight sensor allows to detect the presence of a user on the seat 51, 61 of the vehicle 50, 60.

In detail, according to the invention, following the detection of the presence of a user on the seat 51, 61, the electronic control unit 101, 201 issues the sequential movement from the opening position to the closing position of the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c , 202a, 202b, 202c, each of them actuated by its own servomechanism, with the consequent sequential returning movement of the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c to the first position prior to the unlocking of a vehicle door 50, 60, carried out manually or, for example in a car, by acting on the remote control of the anti-theft device or of a generic door unlocker.

Advantageously according to the invention, the sequential movement carried out by the servomechanisms of the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c, with the seat 51, 61 occupied by the user, allows the automatic positioning of the strip 52a, 62a of the seat belt 52, 62 around a shoulder of the user, by means of the movement towards the closing position of the first mechanical element 102a, 202a and of the third mechanical element 102c, 202c, and around the abdomen of said user, by means of the movement towards the closing position of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b.

According to an aspect of the invention, following the detection of the presence of a user on the seat 51, 61 and the positioning in the closing position of the mechanical elements 102a, 102b, 102c, 202a, 202b, 202c, the electronic control unit 101, 201 powers off both the servomechanisms suitable for moving the aforementioned mechanical elements and the electromagnet 103, 203.

Advantageously according to the invention, powering off the servomechanisms allows the user who occupies the seat 51, 61 to manually fine-tune the shoulder and abdominal sections of the strip 52a, 62a.

Advantageously according to the invention, the longitudinal sliding of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b in the lower rail mounted on a lower portion of the vehicle 50, 60 at the external side of the seat 51, 61, allows to adapt the manual excursion of the seat 51, 61, carried out by a user who wants to adjust its position with the seat belt 52, 62 fastened, with respect to the length, not variable, of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b.

According to another aspect of the invention and as shown in figures 5 and 6, the system 100, 200 provides for a longitudinal sliding along a further lower rail, preferably a metallic rail, positioned below at the internal side of the seat 51, 61 and actuated by the servomechanism related to the third mechanical element 102c, 202c, of the housing provided with the first electrical lock 108, 208, and of said third mechanical element 102c, 202c and first interlocking element 54, 64.

Advantageously according to the invention, this longitudinal electro-actuated sliding, that follows the electrical or manual unlocking of a door of the vehicle 50, 60, which in turn is subsequent to the extension of the third mechanical element 102c, 202c to a maximum programmable length of time, facilitates the boards of a user, if said user wears clothing, such as skirts, which makes positioning on said seat 51, 61 uncomfortable.

According to another aspect of the invention, as better visible in figure 7, the second mechanical element 102b, 202b, actuated by its servomechanism managed according to the logic of the electronic control unit 101, 201, consists of an arm including two elements hinged at an intermediate point of said arm and with a lower end sliding in a lower rail, preferably metallic, placed in a lower portion of the vehicle 50, 60 at the external side of the seat 51, 61.

Advantageously according to the invention, the aforementioned two-element embodiment of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b allows to minimize the overall dimensions of said second mechanical element 102b, 202b, with respect to the embodiment with a single rigid element, in particular in a vehicle 50, 60 characterized by limited space at its front portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system 100, 200 comprises a first manual unlocking system of the first electrical lock 108, 208, when a rollover of the vehicle 50, 60 is detected through the tilt sensor, that comprises a first cable placed into a first compartment in correspondence to the first interlocking element 54, 64 and configured to come out automatically from the first compartment, according to the logic of the electronic control unit 101, 201, and for a mechanical unlocking. Alternatively, a button powered by a dedicated battery is configured for a manual electrical unlocking of said first electrical lock 108, 208, In both cases, the first manual unlocking system includes a calibrated clutch configured for a progressive release in case of a rollover of the vehicle 50, 60.

Advantageously according to the invention, in case of an unexpected event, for example a rollover of the vehicle

50, 60, when the system 100, 200 is mounted in a car, the first manual unlocking system, allowing the manual mechanical or electrical unlocking of the first electrical lock 108, 208, avoids that the user gets trapped on the seat 51, 61 with the seat belt 52, 62 fastened.

In use, advantageously according to the invention, the actuation of the first cable made by the user on the seat

51, 61 in case of a rollover of the vehicle 50, 60 involves also the detachment of the third mechanical element 102c, 202c, with consequent separation of the first interlocking element 54, 64 and of the strip 52a, 62a housed therein, so as to facilitate the disengagement from the aforementioned strip 52a, 62a.

A further advantage of the system 100, 200 according to the invention is that the action of the calibrated clutch avoids to the user on the seat 51, 61 a sudden kickback, in the event of a manual electrical or mechanical unlocking of the first electrical lock 108, 208, accompanying said unlocking with a gradual release of the seat belt 52, 62. This gradual release, in fact, is calibrated on the weight of the occupant on the seat 51, 61 detected by the weight sensor.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system 100, 200 comprises a second manual unlocking system of the first electrical lock 108, 208 and of the second electrical lock 106, 206, that comprises a second cable placed into a second compartment placed externally to the cockpit of the vehicle 50, 60 in a portion of the vehicle platform near the base of the seat 51, 61. Such a second manual unlocking system comprises also a third cable placed into a third compartment placed at the base of the seat 51, 61 in correspondence to the external side of said seat 51, 61.

In particular, the second cable is configured to exit automatically from the second compartment according to an issue managed by the logic of the electronic control unit 101, 201 in the event of a rollover of the vehicle 50, 60, detected by the tilt sensor, and to be actuated by an external operator who is outside the cockpit, for example a fireman, in the event of an impediment or discomfort of the occupant on the seat 51, 61. The third cable, positioned in the third compartment inside the vehicle 50, 60 and configured to automatically come out, according to the logic of the electronic control unit 101, 201 in the event of an emergency such as an accident, is designed to be actuated by an external operator in the event of an impediment or discomfort of the occupant on the seat 51, 61 and in the event of a vehicle 50, 60 not overturned.

In use, the actuation of one of the two cables of the second manual unlocking system of the first electrical lock 108, 208 and of the second electrical lock 106, 206 causes, in addition to said unlocking, the detachment of the third mechanical element 102c, 202c with consequent separation of the first interlocking element 54, 64 and of the strip 52a, 62a housed therein, so as to facilitate the disengagement from the aforementioned strip 52a, 62a.

Advantageously according to the invention, and similarly to what described about the first manual unlocking system, the action of the calibrated clutch avoids to the user on the seat 51, 61 a sudden kickback, in case of manual release of the first electrical lock 108, 208 and of the second electrical lock 106, 206 by means of the second cable of the second manual unlocking system, following a rollover of the vehicle 50, 60. Advantageously according to the invention, the second end of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b characterized by a section smaller than the section of the remaining portion of said second mechanical element 102b, 202b, or made of a material having a mechanical resistance lower than that of the remaining portion of said second mechanical element 102b, 202b allows, in case of emergency, an external operator such as a fireman to break the second end comprising the second metallic tongue 105, 205, particularly when fastened to the second interlocking element 107, 207.

Advantageously according to the invention, the manual unlocking of the first electrical lock 108, 208 and of the second electrical lock 106, 206, together with the possibility of mechanically separating the second end of the second mechanical element 102b, 202b comprising the metallic eyelet 104, 204 and the second metallic tongue 105, 205 with suitable tools, for example a wrench or a hammer, in the event of an emergency, allows the occupant on the seat 51, 61 to be released from the strip 52a, 62a.

According to another aspect of the invention, the detachment of the third mechanical element 102c, 202c is issued by the electronic control unit 101, 201 after a programmable time interval and following the activation of the airbags of the vehicle 50, 60. Advantageously according to the invention, the system 100, 200 is able to be applied to a vehicle 50, 60 both during the assembly of the same vehicle 50, 60 in an assembling line and after the commissioning of the same vehicle 50, 60.

Another advantage of the system 100, 200 according to the invention is that it comprises unlocking mechanical means, e.g. means comprising springs, able to activate manually the second mechanical element 102b, 202b and the third mechanical element 102c, 202c when the electronic control unit 101, 201 or the servomechanisms are subject to faults. Such unlocking mechanical means are useful also in case of interruption of power supply to said electronic control unit 101, 201 or to said servomechanisms, typically in the event of depletion of the charge of the main battery of the vehicle 50, 60.

Another advantage of the system 100, 200 according to the invention is that its use does not require modifications to the chassis of the vehicle 50, 60 on which the system 100, 200 is mounted.

A further advantage of the system 100, 200 according to the invention is that it is suitable to be used in convertible road vehicles equipped with side pillars.

According to a second embodiment and as shown in figure 11, the system 200 according to the invention, applied to a vehicle 60, comprises a seat belt 62 characterized by four fixing points and electrically actuated according to the movements issued by the logic of the electronic control unit 201, similarly to the first embodiment. According to this second embodiment, the strip 62a of the seat belt 62 consists of a first portion similar to that described in the first embodiment, to which a second portion configured to encircle the opposite shoulder, with respect to that encircled by the first portion, is added. The first portion of the strip 62a encircles also the abdomen of the user, similarly to the first embodiment.

According to this second embodiment, the system 200 comprises a further pillar 212, placed near the internal side of the seat 61 where, below the pillar, a further winder, not shown in the figure, is mounted. The pillar comprises at an upper portion a fastening element 211 having the profile of a cam and provided with an opening into which the second portion of the strip 62a is able to slide between the fastening element 211 and the metallic eyelet 204. The metallic eyelet 204 is placed at an upper end of the second mechanical element 202b and constrains the second portion of the strip 62a, in addition to the first portion of said strip 62a and as seen in the first embodiment . In use, according to this second embodiment, the electro-actuated movements of the second mechanical element 202b between the opening and closing positions cause, in addition to what described in the first embodiment, the sliding of the second portion of the strip 62a between the fastening element 211 and the metallic eyelet 204, allowing, in the opening position, the sliding forward of said strip 62a. In closing position, with the second mechanical element 202b in an approximately horizontal position, as seen in the first embodiment, the positioning of the second section of the strip 62a on the shoulder opposite to that encircled by the first portion, is performed .

Advantageously according to the invention, the system 200 allows a high containment action of the body of the occupant on the seat 61, useful in case of strong accelerations such as those concerning competition road vehicles, or airliner and military aerial vehicles.

Therefore, the system 100, 200 for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle according to the invention allows to increase the level of passive safety in road, sea or aerial vehicles.

A further advantage of the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle is that it is inexpensive . In addition, the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle according to the invention is efficient and easy to apply.

Finally, the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle according to the invention allows to make the fastening of the seat belts of a vehicle practical and efficient, preventing the risk of forgetting to wear said belts.

It is finally clear that the system for the automatic actuation of seat belts of a vehicle described and illustrated herein can be subject to modifications and variations without departing from the protective scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.