Patent Publication Number: US-2022234538-A1

Title: Pet restraint system for a vehicle

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle restraint systems, and more particularly relates to a restraint system for restraining a pet within the passenger cabin of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Automotive vehicles are commonly used to transport pets, such as dogs, cats and other animals. When traveling in a vehicle, pets may often travel without cages or other restraint devices, such that the pet is generally free to move about the passenger compartment of the cabin interior. It may be desirable to provide for enhanced restraint of the pet, particularly when the vehicle experiences dynamic motion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a pet restraint system for a vehicle is provided. The pet restraint system for a vehicle includes a leash configured to connect to a restraint device on a pet, a retractor device coupled to the leash and configured to be secured to a support structure on the vehicle, a sensor for detecting an expected condition of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the retractor device to retract or lock the leash based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle. 
     Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the sensor includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, a steering sensor, a collision sensor, and a navigation sensor;   the sensor includes a route sensor for sensing a condition of the roadway upon which the vehicle travels;   a wearable device comprising one of a collar and a harness configured to be worn on the pet and to connect to the leash;   an imaging device for capturing images of a pet or harness;   the controller determines whether the wearable device is a collar or harness and controls the retractor device based on the determined collar or harness;   the controller may determine an agitated pet based on the images and further control the retractor device based on a detected agitated pet;   a leash sensor for detecting the connection of the leash onto the pet restraint device;   the leash is configured to connect to a fixed tether on the vehicle;   the leash is configured to connect to a seat belt buckle; and   the expected condition of the vehicle comprises dynamic motion of the vehicle.       

     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a pet restraint system for a vehicle is provided. The pet restraint system for a vehicle includes a leash configured to connect to a restraint device on a pet, a wearable device comprising one of a collar and a harness configured to be worn on the pet and connected to the leash, a retractor device coupled to the leash and configured to be secured to a support structure on the vehicle, a sensor for detecting an expected condition of the vehicle experiencing dynamic motion, and a controller for controlling the retractor to retract or lock the leash based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle. 
     Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the sensor includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, a steering sensor, a collision sensor, and a navigation sensor;   the sensor comprises a route sensor for sensing a condition of the roadway upon which the vehicle travels;   the pet restraint system further comprises an imaging device for capturing images of a pet;   the controller determines whether the wearable device is a collar or harness and controls the retractor device based on the determined collar or harness;   the controller may determine an agitated pet based on the images and further control the retractor based on a detected agitated pet;   a leash sensor for detecting the connection of the leash onto the pet restraint device;   the leash is configured to connect to a fixed tether on the vehicle; and   the leash is configured to connect to a seat belt buckle.       

     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a cabin interior of a vehicle containing a pet and a pet restraint system, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a portion of the cabin interior illustrating the pet restraint system, according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a portion of the cabin interior illustrating the pet restraint system, according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged perspective view of a leash and retractor device for tensioning and/or locking the leash, according to one example; 
         FIG. 4B  is an enlarged perspective view of a leash and retractor device for tensioning and/or locking the leash, according to another example; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the pet restraint system and related controls, according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for controlling the pet restraint system, according to one example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; 
     however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a pet restraint system for a vehicle. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point. 
     The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other. 
     As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the cabin interior  14  of a wheeled motor vehicle  10  is generally illustrated configured with passenger seating and accommodations for transporting living beings such as people and pets. The cabin interior  14  is generally defined by a vehicle body  12  and may contain various features and trim components within the vehicle body  12 . The cabin interior  14  is shown having an arrangement of passenger seats including a first or front row of driver and passenger seats  16 A and  16 B and a second or rear row of seats shown as bench or split bench seat  16 C. The vehicle  10  may also possess additional rows of seating as in the case of a large SUV, van or bus. The vehicle body  12  further defines a floor  18  upon which the seating is assembled. It should be appreciated that the vehicle  10  may be a motor vehicle, such as a wheeled car, truck, SUV, van or bus, for example, or an airplane, train, boat or other vehicle. 
     The vehicle  10  is further shown containing a pet  25 , such as a dog, shown sitting on the rear seat  16 C for travel as a passenger within the cabin interior  14  of the vehicle  10 . It should be appreciated that the vehicle  10  may transport any of a number of living beings, including one or more pets such as dogs and cats, for example. The pet  25  may be located on one of the seats, the floor, a cargo area or elsewhere in the vehicle  10 . The pet  25  is shown wearing a collar  28  which is equipped with a connector ring  29  configured to receive a connector clip  24  on a leash  22 . The pet  25  is also shown wearing a harness  30  which is equipped with a connector ring  29  configured to receive the connector clip  24  on the leash  22 . The leash  22  may be connected to one or the other or both of the collar  28  and harness  30 . It should be appreciated that the pet  25  may be positioned at any of a number of locations within the cabin interior  14  of the vehicle  10  and may move about in the cabin interior  14 . 
     The vehicle  10  is equipped with a pet restraint system  20  which is shown in one configuration in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. The pet restraint system  20  includes the leash  22  configured to connect to a wearable restraint device such as the collar  28  or harness  30  worn on the pet  25 . The leash  22  has the connector clip  24  provided at one end configured to releasibly connect to the connector ring  29  on the collar  28  or the harness  30  worn on the pet  25 . The leash  22  may be in the form of a strap, rope, wire or other flexible restraint member that is capable of being retracted into a retractor device. 
     The pet restraint system  20  also includes a retractor device  26  coupled to the leash  22  and configured to be secured to a support structure on the vehicle  10 . The support structure may include one or more fixed anchors, such as a child seat anchor  32  also referred to as an ISOFIX anchor connector, a seat belt buckle  34 , and other fixed structures, such as anchors  36  shown located proximate to the upper side of the seat back of rear seat  16 C. The retractor device  26  receives at least a portion of the leash  22  and may actively retract the leash  22  by power rolling the leash  22  onto a roller using an electric motor to thereby shorten the extended length of the leash  22  extending from the retractor device  26 . The retractor device  26  may, in addition or alternatively, actively lock or latch onto the leash  22  to prevent the leash  22  from being pulled outward and extended in length from the retractor device  26 . By retracting the leash  22  into the retractor device  26  or locking the leash  22  to prevent the leash  22  from extending in length, the pet  25  may thereby be restrained. It should be appreciated that the leash  22  and retractor device  26  may be removably installed onto the vehicle  10 , according to one embodiment or may be fixedly connected to the vehicle  10 , according to another embodiment. 
     The pet restraint system  20  further includes one or more sensors for detecting an expected condition of the vehicle  10 . The one or more sensors may include at least one of an acceleration sensor, a steering sensor, a collision sensor, and a navigation sensor, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor. The one or more sensors may provide an indication of an expected condition of the vehicle  10 , such as current or expected dynamic motion of the vehicle  10  which may then be used to control the pet restraint system  20 . The sensors may also include a route sensor for sensing a condition of the roadway upon which the vehicle  10  travels or is expected to travel to provide an indication of the dynamic motion that the vehicle  10  is expected to experience when traveling on the current route. 
     The pet restraint system  20  further includes a controller for controlling the retractor device  26  to controllably tension or lock the leash  22  based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle  10 . The controller may include a dedicated or shared controller for receiving various inputs from the one or more sensors and providing an output to control the retractor device  26  based on the sensed signal(s) pursuant to a control routine. 
     The vehicle  10  may further be equipped with an imaging device, such as a camera  78 , which may capture images of the cabin interior  14 . The images captured by the camera  78  may be processed using image processing to identify the presence of a pet  25 , to identify the location of the pet  25  within the cabin interior  14 , and to monitor the pet  25  to determine if the pet  25  is agitated or otherwise moving about the cabin interior  14 . The controller may determine the presence of an agitated pet based on the captured images and also based on audible sounds, such as a dog barking, captured by a microphone  80 , and may further control the retractor device  26  based on the detected agitated pet. This may include detecting a pet  25  that is moving around the vehicle cabin interior  14  in an agitated manner or is trying to move into an undesired location within the cabin interior  14  of the vehicle  10  such as the front seats, in which case the controller may activate the retractor device  26  to restrain the pet  25 . The controller may further process the images to determine whether the leash  22  is connected to the collar  28  or the harness  30  on the pet  25  and may then select parameters for leash retraction based on which of the collar  28  and harness  30  is identified. Additionally, a sensor may be employed on the leash connector clip  24  to determine if the pet  25  is connected to the leash  22 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a single leash  22  and retractor device  26  are connected to an ISOFIX anchor connector  32  on the vehicle  10  proximate to a location between the rear seat base and seat back. When one or more sensors provide an indication of an expected condition of the vehicle  10  that may require retraction or locking of the leash  22 , the controller may control the retractor device  26  to retract the leash  22  within the retractor device  26  or to lock the leash  22  to prevent further extension of the leash  22  during the occurrence of the expected condition of the vehicle  10  or for a fixed time to thereby restrain the pet  25 . The retractor device  26  may be fixed to any of a number of positions or fixed structures on the vehicle  10  when using a single leash  22  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the pet restraint system  20  is shown employing a pair of leashes  22  and retractor devices  26  on opposite lateral sides of the pet  25 , according to another configuration. In this example, one of the two retractors  26  and leashes  22  is located on one side of the pet  25  and is shown connected to one seat belt buckle  34  proximate one end of the seat  16 C, while the other of the two retractor devices  26  and leashes  22  is located on the opposite lateral side of the pet  25  and connected to another seat belt buckle  34  proximate an opposite end of the seat  16 C. In this embodiment, the use of two leashes  22  and two retractor devices  26  on opposite lateral sides of the pet  25  may more evenly restrain the pet  25  in a central position on the seat  16 C. The retractor devices  26  are controlled by the controller responsive to one or more sensors to retract and/or lock the leashes  22  based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle  10 , particularly relating to the current or expected dynamic movement of the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pet restraint system  20  is illustrated employing a retractor device  26  connected to a fixed anchor at a location generally above the seat back of seat  16 C according to a further configuration. A pair of leashes  22  are looped through the ISOFIX seat anchor connectors  32  on opposite lateral sides of the pet  25 . One end of each of the two leashes  22  is then connected by the connector clip  24  on the connector ring  29  on the collar  28  and/or harness  30  worn on the pet  25 . The leashes  22  overlap at the retractor device  26  such that they are retracted together into the retractor device  26  or lock together based on a determined expected condition of the vehicle  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , one example of a retractor device  26  is illustrated. The retractor device  26  is shown having the leash  22  with the connector clip  24  on one end, and the opposite end and a substantial portion of the leash  22  overlappingly rolled upon onto a roller  40  within the retractor device  26 . An electric motor  42  drives the roller  40  with force in a counterclockwise motion to retract the leash  22  within the retractor device  26  or locks the roller  40  to prevent movement, particularly extension, of the leash  22 . The leash  22  may extend and unwind from the roller  40  within the retractor device  26  when retraction or locking of the retractor device  26  is not activated. The electric motor  42  may lock the leash  22  in position on the roller  40  by applying a suitable resistance force or activating a latch or other lock mechanism. The retractor device  26  has an electrical connector  44  shown having power line connector pins  46 A and  46 B that may supply power (e.g., 12V from vehicle battery) and ground, and a data line connector pin  46 C that may communicate data signals. Connector  44  may matingly engage an electrical connector on the vehicle  10  to provide electrical connection of pins  46 A- 46 C with corresponding power and data pins on the vehicle  10 . The data line  46  may then communicate with the controller. In this example, the retractor device  26  device is shown having a seat belt tongue  38  formed as a connector device to connect into a seat belt buckle which thereby fixedly supports the retractor device  26 . The retractor device  26  may be removed from the seat buckle by disengaging, e.g., unlatching, the tongue  38  from the buckle  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , a retractor device  26  is shown according to another example. In this example, the retractor device  26  employs a different configuration of a connector  48  which has a latching mechanism  50  configured to engage an anchor bar on the ISOFIX anchor connector. As such, connector  48  may connect to the ISOFIX anchor connector to provide support to a fixed structure on the vehicle  10 . The retractor device  26  may be unlatched from the anchor connector when not in use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the pet restraint system  20  is further illustrates showing the various inputs and outputs coupled to a controller  60 . The pet restraint system  20  includes the controller  60  shown as a micro control unit (MCU) which may include a microprocessor  62  and memory  64 . The controller  60  may employ other analog and/or digital control circuitry, according to other examples. Stored within memory  64  and executed by microprocessor  62  is a control routine  100 . The controller  60  receives various inputs from one or more sensors including navigation sensor  70 , acceleration sensor  72 , steering sensor  74 , and collision sensor  76 . The controller  60  may also receive images from the camera  78  and audio signals from a microphone  80 . Further, controller  60  may include route and scheduler data from sensor  82 . The controller  60  processes the various inputs and provides one or more outputs to the retractor device(s)  26  and may further provide a warning via the vehicle display  90  indicating the leash is being retracted or locked. The controller  60  controls the retractor device  26  to tension or lock the leash  22  based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle  10  as sensed by the various sensors. As such, as the vehicle experiences or is shortly expected to experience dynamic motion, the acceleration sensor  72 , steering sensor  74  and/or collision sensor  76  may provide a signal indicative of the desire or need to retract the leash. When the expected condition of the vehicle is about to experience certain maneuvers, such as one or more maneuvers sensed by the navigation system  70  which may include a global position system sensor (GPS) or a known route and schedule is sensed by a sensor  82 , the retractor device  26  may likewise be controlled to retract and/or lock the leash  22  to thereby provide a tension force on the leash  22  during such an event. 
     The controller  60  may further be configured to include wireless communication, such as a short range RF signal, e.g., Bluetooth®, to communicate wirelessly with the retractor device  26 . This may enable data to be shared between the controller  60  and the retractor device  26  without the need for a separate hardwired data line. It should be appreciated that other types of wired and wireless connections may be employed to communicate between the retractor device  26  and the controller  60 . Further, the pet  25  may be equipped with a wireless transceiver or transmitter on the collar  28  or harness  30  to communicate with the vehicle controller and/or retractor device to provide a signal that may be processed to monitor location of the pet  25 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the routine  100  for controlling the pet restraint system  20  is illustrated, according to one example. Routine  100  begins at step  102  and proceeds to step  104  to determine if the leash connector clip is connected onto the pet and, if not, places the system into standby, and returns to step  104 . The leash connector clip can be determined to be connected to the pet based on a sensor provided on the clip or by processing video images generated by a camera. If the leash connector clip is determined to be connected to a pet, routine  100  proceeds to step  108  to initialize the pet restraint system, and then to step  110  to determine if the leash is connected onto a collar on the pet. If the leash is determined to be connected onto a collar, routine  100  applies the collar acceleration settings in step  114 . Otherwise, routine  100  applies the harness acceleration settings in step  112 . It should be appreciated that the collar and harness acceleration settings may differ from one another to accommodate different allowable forces applied to the pet for collar and harness use. Next, routine  100  proceeds to step  116  to collect vehicle sensor data, which may include navigation, acceleration, steering and collision data as sensed by one or more sensors. Routine  100  then proceeds to step  118  to determine the status of the pet. This may be determined based on images from the camera, audio from the microphone or other sensors. The status may include the pet is quiet and laying down on the seat, or the pet is moving about in the cabin interior, or the pet is barking or making other noises indicative of any agitated pet. Next, at step  120 , routine  100  collects personal device information which may include travel route, travel schedule, and driving preferences from one or more controller devices, such a vehicle controller, a smartphone or other electronic device. 
     Routine  100  then proceeds to step  122  to determine an expected condition of the vehicle, such as whether a collision is imminent and, if so, applies settings to retract and thereby apply tension and/or latch or lock the leash for such an event at step  124 . Next, at decision step  126 , routine  100  determines if the vehicle is experiencing deceleration or acceleration and applies settings to tension and/or latch the leash for such an event. Next, at decision step  130 , routine  100  determines if the vehicle is driving or approaching a winding road, and, if so, applies settings to retract and thereby apply tension and/or latch the leash for such an event at step  132 . At decision step  134 , routine  100  determines if the pet is agitated as determined by the pet status and, if so, applies settings to retract and thereby apply tension and/or latch the leash for such an event at step  136 . At decision step  138 , routine  100  looks to see if there are user defined rules such as specific situations where the driver requests a desired leash length and/or a pretension force, and, if so, applies settings to retract and thereby apply tension and/or latch the leash for such an event at step  140 . Finally, at step  142 , routine  100  determines if the leash clip has been detached and, if so, returns to step  104 . Otherwise, routine  100  returns to step  114 . 
     Accordingly, the pet restraint system  20  advantageously controls the leash  22  on a pet  25  to retract and/or lock the leash  22  such as to provide tension on the leash based on determined expected conditions of the vehicle  10 . The pet  25  may thereby be restrained during travel. 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.