Patent ID: 7002457
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A seat belt status monitor for use with a vehicle seat belt assembly having a seat belt buckle and tongue that can be inserted and removed from the seat belt buckle, the seat belt status monitor comprising: a mechanical sensing member located within the seat belt buckle, said mechanical sensing member being movable within the seat belt buckle during insertion of the tongue, wherein said mechanical sensing member moves from a first position to a second position during initial insertion of the tongue into the seat belt buckle and further moves from said second position back to said first position during continued insertion of the tongue into the seat belt buckle; a piezoelectric element positioned relative to said mechanical sensing member such that movement of said mechanical sensing member between said first and second positions imparts a mechanical force onto said piezoelectric element, wherein said piezoelectric element produces an electrical signal in response to the mechanical force; and a transmitter located within the buckle and connected to said piezoelectric element, wherein said transmitter emits a wireless signal in response to and powered by said electrical signal.