PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11414046-B1
Application Number: US-202017123498-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Safety belt positioning and presentation systems

Abstract:
A safety belt presentation system includes a safety belt presentation track extending from a first position to a second position spaced from the first position, a latch that includes a tongue disposed between a first side of the latch and second side of the latch and a first coupling portion, and a driving mechanism that includes a second coupling portion configured to releasably couple the first coupling portion of the latch. The driving mechanism is configured to control the latch to move from the first position to the second position along the safety belt presentation track when the first and second coupling portions are coupled.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A safety belt presentation system, comprising:
 a safety belt presentation track extending from a first position to a second position spaced from the first position; 
 a latch of a buckle, the latch including:
 a tongue disposed between a first side of the latch and second side of the latch; and 
 a first coupling portion disposed on the first side of the latch; and 
 
 a driving mechanism that includes a second coupling portion configured to releasably couple the first coupling portion of the latch, 
 wherein the driving mechanism is configured to control the latch to move from the first position to the second position along the safety belt presentation track when the first and second coupling portions are coupled. 
 
     
     
       2. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling portion includes a first magnet. 
     
     
       3. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 2 , wherein the second coupling portion includes a second magnet having a magnetic pole opposite a magnetic pole of the first magnet. 
     
     
       4. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue includes a sensor configured to identify contact with the tongue. 
     
     
       5. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 4 , wherein the second coupling portion is configured to release the first coupling portion in response to receiving a signal indicative of contact with the tongue from the sensor. 
     
     
       6. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism includes a sensor configured to identify when the first and second coupling portions are decoupled. 
     
     
       7. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 6 , wherein the driving mechanism is configured to control the second coupling portion to move from the second position to the first position along the safety belt presentation track in response to the sensor identifying that the first and second coupling portions are decoupled. 
     
     
       8. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety belt presentation track is disposed in a vehicle door. 
     
     
       9. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 1 , wherein the safety belt presentation track is disposed in one of a vehicle seat and a vehicle arm rest. 
     
     
       10. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a strap control mechanism disposed between the first and second sides of the latch, the strap control mechanism configured to control movement of a shoulder strap in respect to the tongue. 
 
     
     
       11. A safety belt presentation system, comprising:
 a latch comprising a first coupling portion coupling a first side of the latch to a first side of a safety belt presentation track; and 
 a driving mechanism disposed on a second side of the safety belt presentation track, the driving mechanism configured to traverse the second side of the safety belt presentation track, and the driving mechanism including a second coupling portion configured to engage the first coupling portion of the first side of the latch, 
 wherein the latch is configured to move from a hidden position disposed behind a surface of a seat to a presentation position spaced from the hidden position and accessible to an occupant in response to the driving mechanism traversing the second side of the safety belt presentation track. 
 
     
     
       12. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 11 , wherein the first coupling portion includes a first magnet having a first magnetic pole and wherein the second coupling portion includes a second magnet having a second magnetic pole opposite the first magnetic pole. 
     
     
       13. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 12 , wherein the latch further comprises a tongue disposed between the first side of the latch and a second side of the latch. 
     
     
       14. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 13 , wherein the tongue includes a sensor configured to identify contact with the tongue, and wherein the second coupling portion of the driving mechanism is configured to release the first coupling portion of the latch in response to receiving a signal indicative of contact with the tongue from the sensor. 
     
     
       15. The safety belt presentation system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a low friction component disposed on the first side of the safety belt presentation track such that the first side of the latch is configured to traverse the first side of the safety belt presentation track along the low friction component.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/109,902, filed on Aug. 23, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/560,281, filed on Sep. 19, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The application relates generally to safety belt systems for vehicles. More particularly, described embodiments relate to safety belt positioning and presentation systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Existing occupant safety systems for traditional, one- two- or three-row vehicles, such as restraints including safety belts, can reduce the risk of injury during a collision. Safety belts typically include a strap, such as a shoulder strap or a lap strap, and a buckle. The buckle typically includes a latch and a receiver. An occupant of a vehicle may sit in a vehicle seat and reach for the latch. The occupant may then pull on the latch to draw a portion of the strap away from the vehicle seat so that the occupant can insert the latch into the receiver, thereby, securing the strap around the occupant&#39;s body. 
     Safety belts typically include one or more anchors that secure the safety belts to the vehicle seat and that provide directional guidance for positioning the strap on the occupant&#39;s body as the latch is inserted into the receiver. The one or more anchors are typically stationary and disposed at predetermined positions on the vehicle seat. Accordingly, if the safety belt secures the occupant to the vehicle seat in an undesirable manner, the occupant cannot adjust the location or position of the one or more anchors in order to adjust how the strap is positioned on the occupant&#39;s body. Additionally, it may be difficult to locate the latch. For example, the latch may become lodged between portions of the vehicle seat and may be difficult to locate or retrieve in order to operate the safety belt. Accordingly, new approaches to safety belt positioning and presentation systems are desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosed embodiments a safety belt positioning system that includes a first anchor that is disposed adjacent an upper portion of a seat back and that is selectively positionable between a first position on a first axis and a second position along the first axis. The system further includes a second anchor disposed adjacent a lower portion of the seat back. The second anchor is selectively coupled to the first anchor. The system further includes a third anchor disposed adjacent the lower portion of the seat back, the third anchor being selectively coupled to the second anchor and separated by a distance on a second axis from the second anchor. The first anchor, the second anchor, and the third anchor are jointly positionable when the second anchor is coupled to the first anchor and when the third anchor is coupled to the second anchor. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a safety belt presentation system that includes a buckle portion that includes a tongue disposed between a first side of the buckle portion and a second side of the buckle portion. The first buckle portion further includes a strap control mechanism disposed between the first side of the first buckle portion and the second side of the buckle portion. The strap control mechanism controls movement of at least a portion of a shoulder strap. The buckle portion further includes a first coupling portion coupling the buckle portion to a safety belt presentation track. The system further includes a driving mechanism adapted to traverse the safety belt presentation track. The driving mechanism includes a second coupling portion engaging the first coupling portion. The buckle portion moves from a first position to a second position in response to the driving mechanism traversing the safety belt presentation track. 
     Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a system that includes a first anchor that is disposed adjacent an upper portion of a seat back and that is selectively positionable between a first position on a first axis and a second position along the first axis. The system further includes a second anchor disposed adjacent a lower portion of the seat back. The second anchor is selectively coupled to the first anchor. The system further includes a third anchor disposed adjacent the lower portion of the seat back, the third anchor being selectively coupled to the second anchor and that is separated by a distance on a second axis from the second anchor. The system further includes a buckle portion that includes a tongue disposed between a first side of the buckle portion and a second side of the buckle portion. The buckle portion further includes a first coupling portion coupling the buckle portion to safety belt presentation track. The system further includes a driving mechanism adapted to traverse the safety belt presentation track. The driving mechanism includes a second coupling portion engaging the first coupling portion. The buckle portion moves from a first position to a second position in response to the driving mechanism traversing the safety belt presentation track. The first anchor, the second anchor, and the third anchor are jointly positionable when the second anchor is coupled to the first anchor and when the third anchor is coupled to the second anchor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1F  generally illustrate a motion diagram of a safety belt positioning system according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  generally illustrates a rear view of the safety belt positioning system of  FIGS. 1A-1F . 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  generally illustrate a motion diagram of a safety belt presentation system according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  generally illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the safety belt presentation system of  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example of a computing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to advances in safety belt positioning and presentation systems suitable for use in vehicles. Improved safety belt positioning and presentation systems include selectively positionable safety belt anchors and a safety belt presenter. The safety belt anchors are selectively positionable vertically and horizontally relative to a seat back of a vehicle seat. Additionally, or alternatively, the safety belt anchors are jointly positionable and independently positionable with respect to one another. The use of these features allows for an occupant of the vehicle to adjust a position of a safety belt strap such that the safety belt strap is desirably positioned on the occupant&#39;s body when the safety belt is in operation. The safety belt presenter is adapted to retain a safety belt latch and to transition the safety belt latch from a first position to a second position such that the safety belt latch is presented to the occupant of the vehicle for use in operating the safety belt. The use of these features allows for an occupant of the vehicle to adjust a position of a safety belt strap such that the safety belt strap is desirably positioned on the occupant&#39;s body when the safety belt is in operation and to consistently and easily locate the safety belt latch for use in operating the safety belt. 
       FIGS. 1A-1F  generally illustrate a motion diagram of a safety belt positioning system  100  according to the principles of the present disclosure. The safety belt positioning system  100  may be disposed within a vehicle (not shown). The safety belt positioning system  100  may include a first or shoulder anchor  102 , a second or lap anchor  104 , and a third or buckle anchor  106 . The shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  cooperatively operate to anchor a safety belt strap  108  (which may be referred to as a shoulder strap) to a vehicle seat  110  within the vehicle. Additionally, or alternatively, the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  cooperatively operate to guide the safety belt strap  108  as the safety belt strap  108  is drawn away from the vehicle seat  110  by an occupant of the vehicle and positioned on the occupant&#39;s body as the occupant operates the safety belt positioning system  100 . 
     The safety belt positioning system  100  includes a buckle that comprises a first buckle portion or a safety belt latch  112  and second buckle portion or a safety belt receiver  114 . The safety belt receiver  114  is coupled or attached to a portion of the buckle anchor  106 . The safety belt latch  112  is adapted to be inserted into the safety belt receiver  114 . The occupant may engage the safety belt latch  112  by gripping a portion of the safety belt latch  112 . The occupant may move the safety belt latch  112  toward the safety belt receiver  114 . As the safety belt latch  112  is moved toward the safety belt receiver  114 , a portion of the safety belt strap  108  is drawn from an aperture  116  of the shoulder anchor  102  as the safety belt strap  108  is released from a safety belt retainer (not shown) disposed on or near the shoulder anchor  102 . 
     The occupant may then insert the safety belt latch  112  into the safety belt receiver  114 . The safety belt receiver  114  is adapted to retain the safety belt latch  112  and to secure the safety belt latch  112  within the safety belt receiver  114 . As the safety belt latch  112  is inserted into the safety belt receiver  114 , the safety belt strap  108  is positioned on the occupant&#39;s body. When the safety belt strap  108  is positioned on the occupant&#39;s body and the safety belt latch  112  is secured within the safety belt receiver  114 , the safety belt strap  108  acts as a restraint while the occupant is in the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder anchor  102  is disposed on, near, or is otherwise adjacent an upper portion  122  of a seat back  118  of the vehicle seat  110 . The shoulder anchor  102  may be coupled or attached to a bracket disposed on a rear side of the seat back  118 . As described, the shoulder anchor  102  is adapted to anchor a portion of the safety belt strap  108  to the vehicle seat  110  and to guide a portion of the safety belt strap  108  as the safety belt strap  108  is positioned on the occupant&#39;s body. 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder anchor  102  is selectively positionable along a first axis A. The first axis A may include a vertical axis, an axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to a side  120  of the seat back  118 , or another suitable axis. The shoulder anchor  102  may be selectively positionable between a first position and a second position along the first axis A. For example, the first position may be located at or near the seat back  118  and the second position may be located at a distance above the seat back  118  along the first axis A. The shoulder anchor  102  is adapted to be positionable at any suitable position between the first position and the second position along the first axis A. 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder anchor  102  is selectively positionable along a second axis B in either or both of a first direction and a second direction along the second axis B. The second axis B may include a horizontal axis, an axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to the upper portion  122  of the seat back  118 , or another suitable axis. In some embodiments, the second axis B is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first axis A. The shoulder anchor  102  may be selectively positionable between a first position and a second position along the second axis B. For example, the first position may be located at or near the seat back  118 , as described above. The second position may be located at a distance in the first direction or the second direction along the second axis B away from the first position. The shoulder anchor  102  is adapted to be positionable at any suitable position between the first position and the second position along the second axis B. 
     In some embodiments, the lap anchor  104  is disposed between a lower portion  124  of the seat back  118  and a seat bottom  126  at a location along the second axis B. The lap anchor  104  is coupled or attached to a bracket disposed on the rear side of the seat back  118 . As described, the lap anchor  104  is adapted to anchor a portion of the safety belt strap  108  to the vehicle seat  110  and to guide a portion of the safety belt strap  108  as the safety belt strap  108  is positioned on the occupant&#39;s body. 
     In some embodiments, the lap anchor  104  is selectively positionable along a third axis C in either or both of a first direction and a second direction along the third axis C. The third axis C may include a horizontal axis, an axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to a lower portion  124  of the seat back  118 , or another suitable axis. In some embodiments, the third axis C is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first axis A and parallel or substantially parallel to the second axis B. 
     The lap anchor  104  may be selectively positionable between a first position and a second position along the third axis C. The first position may be located along the third axis C at or near a first side  128  of the seat bottom  126 , as is generally illustrated. However, the first position may be located at any suitable location along the third axis C. The second position may be located at a distance in the first direction or the second direction along the third axis C away from the first position. The lap anchor  104  is adapted to be positionable at any suitable position between the first position and the second position along the third axis C. 
     In some embodiments, the buckle anchor  106  is disposed between the lower portion  124  of the seat back  118  and a seat bottom  126  at a location along the third axis C. The buckle anchor  106  is disposed along the third axis C at a distance from the lap anchor  104 . The buckle anchor  106  is coupled or attached to a bracket disposed on the rear side of the seat back  118 . As described above, the safety belt receiver  114  is coupled or attached to the buckle anchor  106 . The buckle anchor  106  is adapted to anchor the safety belt receiver  114  to the vehicle seat  110  and to anchor the safety belt strap  108  to the vehicle seat  110  when the safety belt latch  112  is inserted into the safety belt receiver  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the buckle anchor  106  is selectively positionable along the third axis C in either or both of the first direction and the second direction. For example, the buckle anchor  106  may be selectively positionable between a third position and a fourth position along the third axis C. The third position may be located along the third axis C at a distance from the lap anchor  104  in either the first direction or the second direction. The fourth position may be located at a distance in the first direction or the second direction along the third axis C between the third position and the lap anchor  104 . The buckle anchor  106  is adapted to be positionable at any suitable position between the third position and the fourth position along the third axis C. 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and/or the buckle anchor  106  are jointly and/or independently positionable along the second axis B and the third axis C, respectively. The shoulder anchor  102  may be selectively mechanically coupled to and decoupled from the lap anchor  104 . The lap anchor  104  may be selectively mechanically coupled to and decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 . For example, the safety belt positioning system  100  may include a support structure disposed on the rear side of the vehicle seat  110 . An example of a support structure is generally illustrated in  FIG. 2  and is be described in detail below. The support structure may include a plurality of rails, brackets, latches, levers, other suitable support components, or a combination thereof. As described above, the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  are coupled or attached to respective brackets disposed on the rear side of the vehicle seat  110 . 
     The bracket associated with the shoulder anchor  102  may be coupled or attached to a first support structure portion on a first rail, the bracket associated with the lap anchor  104  may be coupled or attached to a second support structure portion on a second rail, and the bracket associated with the buckle anchor  106  may be coupled or attached to a third support structure portion on the second rail. 
     In some embodiments, a cross member of the support structure is adapted to selectively couple and decouple the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104 . For example, the cross member may extend between the first support structure portion and the second support structure portion. The cross member may be disposed on the rear side of the vehicle seat  110  parallel or substantially parallel to the first axis A. The cross member may be adapted to engage and disengage one or both the first support structure portion and the second support structure portion. When the cross member engages the first support structure portion and the second support structure portion, the shoulder anchor  102  is coupled to the lap anchor  104 . Conversely, when the cross member disengages at least one of the first support structure portion and the second support structure portion, the shoulder anchor  102  is decoupled from the lap anchor  104 . 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the second support structure portion and the third support structure portion are adapted to selectively couple and decouple the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106 . For example, the second rail may extend between the second support structure portion and the third support structure portion. The second rail may be disposed on the rear side of the vehicle seat  110  parallel or substantially parallel to the second axis B and or the third axis C. One or both of the second support structure and the third support structure may be adapted to engage and disengage a portion of the second rail. When the second support structure portion and the third support structure portion engage a portion of the second rail, the lap anchor  104  is coupled to the buckle anchor  106 . Conversely, when at least one of the second support structure portion and the third support structure portion disengage from a portion of the second rail, the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 . 
     When the shoulder anchor  102  is coupled to the lap anchor  104  and the lap anchor  104  is coupled to the buckle anchor  106 , the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  are jointly positionable along the second axis B and the third axis C, respectively. For example, as the shoulder anchor  102  is selectively positioned along the second axis B, as described above, the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106  are jointly positioned along the third axis C. Additionally, or alternatively, as the lap anchor  104  is selectively positioned along the third axis C, as described above, the buckle anchor  106  is jointly positioned along the third axis C and the shoulder anchor  102  is jointly positioned along the second axis B.  FIG. 1A  generally illustrates the shoulder anchor  102  in a first position P 1  along the second axis B, the lap anchor  104  in a first position P 2  along the third axis C, and the buckle anchor  106  in a first position P 3  along the third axis C.  FIG. 1B  generally illustrates the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  jointly translated a predetermined distance from the first positions P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 , respectively, to second positions P 1 ′, P 2 ′, and P 3 ′ respectively. The predetermined distance may include any suitable distance. For example, the second positions P 1 ′, P 2 ′, and P 3 ′ may be at a distance of 18 inches from the first positions P 1 , P 2 , and P 3  such that the occupant may be secured at a different location on the vehicle seat  110 . 
     When the shoulder anchor  102  is decoupled from the lap anchor  104 , the shoulder anchor  102  is selectively positionable independently of the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106 . For example, as described above, the shoulder anchor  102  is selectively positionable in either or both of the first and second directions along the second axis B.  FIG. 1C  generally illustrates the shoulder anchor  102  independently positioned from the first position P 1  (generally illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) to the second position P 1 ′, while the lap anchor  104  is positioned in the first position P 2  and the buckle anchor  106  is positioned in the first position P 3 . 
     When the shoulder anchor  102  is decoupled from the lap anchor  104  and the lap anchor  104  is coupled to the buckle anchor  106 , the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106  are jointly positionable independently of the shoulder anchor  102 . For example, as described above, the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106  are selectively positionable in either or both of the first and second directions along the third axis C.  FIG. 1D  generally illustrates the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106  jointly positioned from the first positions P 2  and P 3 , respectively, to the second position P 2 ′ and P 3 ′ along the third axis C, respectively. The lap anchor  104  and buckle anchor  106  are jointly positioned independently of the shoulder anchor  102 , which is generally illustrated in the first position P 1  in  FIG. 1B . 
     When the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 , the buckle anchor  106  is selectively positionable independently of the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104 . For example, a distance between the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106  is adjustable when the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 . As described above, the buckle anchor  106  is selectively positionable in either or both of the first direction and the second direction along the third axis C.  FIG. 1E  generally illustrates the buckle anchor  106  positioned, independently of the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104 , from the first position P 3  (generally illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) to the second position P 3 ′, while the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are in the first positions P 1  and P 2 , respectively. 
     When the shoulder anchor  102  is coupled to the lap anchor  104  and the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 , the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are jointly positionable along the second axis B and the third axis C, respectively, independently of the buckle anchor  106 . For example, the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  may be positioned in either or both of the first and second directions along the second axis B and the third axis C, respectively, from positions along the second axis B and the third axis C, respectively, to other positions along the second axis B and the third axis C, respectively. 
     In some embodiments, when the shoulder anchor  102  is coupled to the lap anchor  104  and the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 , the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  may be jointly positionable to a hidden position, as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 1F . For example, the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  may be jointly positioned such that the safety belt strap  108  is disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the side  120  of the seat back  118 . Additionally, or alternatively, the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are selectively pivotable. For example, the shoulder anchor  102  may be pivotable about an attachment pin that couples or attaches the shoulder anchor  102  to the bracket, as described above, and the lap anchor  104  may be pivotable about an attachment pin that couples or attaches the lap anchor  104  to the bracket, as described above. 
     The shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  may be pivotable between an operating position and a hidden position. When the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are in the operating position, the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  face forward relative to the seat back  118 , as is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E . When the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are in the hidden position, as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 1F , the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  may be pivoted such that the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  face away from the side  120  of the seat back  118 . The shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  may be positioned in the hidden position when the safety belt positioning system  100  is not in use by the occupant of the vehicle. Additionally, or alternatively, the safety belt positioning system  100  may be positioned in the hidden position to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the vehicle seat while the safety belt positioning system  100  is not in use by the occupant of the vehicle. 
     While only limited examples are illustrated, it should be understood that the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  are selectively positionable in positions other than those illustrated and/or described herein. The shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  may be positioned along the first axis A, the second axis B, and the third axis C, respectively, to accommodate an occupant&#39;s particular posture, to accommodate an occupants seating position, to allow the occupant to reposition the safety belt strap  108  on the occupant&#39;s body to provide a more comfortable fit for the occupant while maintaining safety features of the safety belt strap  108 , for other suitable reasons, or a combination thereof. For example, various occupants may have varying postures. The shoulder anchor  102  may be positioned along the second axis B to accommodate a posture of a particular occupant. In another example, an occupant may desire a more comfortable placement of the safety belt strap  108  on the occupant&#39;s body. The occupant may adjust a position of the lap anchor  104  and/or the buckle anchor  106  in order to position the safety belt strap  108  in a more comfortable position on the occupant&#39;s body. 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  may be positioned and/or pivoted by the occupant of the vehicle engaging and/or actuating one or more of the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106 . In some embodiments, the occupant of the vehicle may position and/or pivot one or more of the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  by actuating one or more switches of a plurality of switches  129  disposed within the vehicle, by interacting with an interface disposed within the vehicle, or a combination thereof. For example, the plurality of switches  129  may disposed on a side of the seat bottom  126 , or any suitable location within the vehicle. The plurality of switches  129  may be in electrical communication with respective ones of the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106 . Actuating one or more switches of the plurality of switches  129  causes respective ones of the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  to be positioned or pivoted. In some embodiments, a control unit, as described in detail below, associated with the vehicle may selectively position the shoulder anchor  102 , the lap anchor  104 , and the buckle anchor  106  in response to input from the occupant of the vehicle, predefined positioning instructions, sensor data, or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 2  generally illustrates a rear view of the safety belt positioning system  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1F . As described above, the safety belt positioning system  100  may include a support structure disposed on a rear side of the vehicle seat  110 . An example support structure  200 , as is generally illustrated, may include a first rail  202  and a second rail  204 . The first rail  202  may include features similar to those described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1F  and the second rail  204  may include features similar to those described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1F . The shoulder anchor  102  may be coupled or attached to the first rail  202  by a bracket or bracket structure  206 , the lap anchor  104  may be coupled or attached the second rail  204  by a bracket or bracket structure  208 , and the buckle anchor  106  may be coupled or attached to the second rail  204  by a bracket or bracket structure  210 . 
     In some embodiments, the support structure  200  includes a cross member  212 . The cross member  212  is disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the first axis A and extends between the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 . 
     The cross member  212  is adapted to couple and decouple the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 . For example, the cross member  212  includes a first coupling member  214 . The first coupling member  214  may be disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the cross member  212  and may be selectively positionable between a first position on the cross member  212  and a second position on the cross member  212 . When the first coupling member  214  is in the first position on the cross member  212 , the first coupling member  214  engages a portion of the first rail  202  and a portion of the second rail  204 . When the first coupling member  214  is in the second position, the first coupling member  214  engages at most one of the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 . 
     When the first coupling member  214  is in the first position (e.g., the first rail  202  is coupled to the second rail  204 ), the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are coupled, as described above. When the first coupling member  214  is in the second position (e.g., the first rail  202  is decoupled from the second rail  204 ), the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are decoupled, as described above. The cross member  212  may be selectively positioned along the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 . When the first coupling member  214  is the in the first position, the cross member  212  may be moved or positioned along the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 . As the cross member  212  is positioned along the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 , the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  are jointly positioned along the second axis B and the third axis C, as described above. Conversely, when the first coupling member  214  is in the second position, as the cross member  212  is positioned along the first rail  202  and the second rail  204 , the shoulder anchor  102  is positioned along the second axis B independently of the lap anchor  104 , as described above. 
     In some embodiments, the support structure  200  includes a second coupling member  216  disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the second rail  204 . The second coupling member  216  is adapted to couple and decouple the bracket structure  208  and the bracket structure  210 . For example, when the second coupling member  216  is in a first position along the second rail  204 , the bracket structure  208  is coupled to the bracket structure  210 . When the bracket structure  208  is coupled to the bracket structure  210 , the lap anchor  104  and the buckle anchor  106  are jointly positionable along the third axis C, jointly with or independently of the shoulder anchor  102 , as described above. 
     When the second coupling member  216  is in a second position along the second rail  204 , the bracket structure  208  is decoupled from the bracket structure  210 . When the bracket structure  208  is decoupled from the bracket structure  210 , the buckle anchor  106  is positionable along the third axis C independently of the lap anchor  104  and the shoulder anchor  102  and the lap anchor  104  is positionable along the third axis C independently of the buckle anchor  106  and the shoulder anchor  102 . The support structure  200  may include additional, fewer, or different components than those described herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the bracket structure  208  and the bracket structure  210  are adapted to engage and/or disengage a portion of the second rail  204 . For example, the bracket structure  208  may engage a portion of the second rail  204  and the bracket structure  210  may disengage a portion of the second rail  204 . When the bracket structure  208  engages a portion of the second rail  204  and the bracket structure  210  disengages a portion of the second rail  204 , the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 , and the buckle anchor  106  is positionable along the third axis C independently of the lap anchor  104  and the shoulder anchor  102 . Additionally, or alternatively, when the bracket structure  208  disengages the second rail  204  and the bracket structure  210  engages the second rail  204 , the lap anchor  104  is decoupled from the buckle anchor  106 , and the lap anchor  104  is positionable along the third axis C independently of the buckle anchor  106  and the shoulder anchor  102 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  generally illustrate a motion diagram of a safety belt presentation system  300  according to the principles of the present disclosure. The safety belt presentation system  300  may be disposed within a vehicle and is adapted to present a portion of a buckle, such as a latch, to an occupant of the vehicle for use in operating a safety belt within the vehicle. For example, the occupant may enter the vehicle and attempt to locate the latch for use in operating the safety belt. The latch may be lodged behind a portion of the vehicle seat and may be difficult to locate. The safety belt presentation system  300  may be utilized to allow the occupant of the vehicle to consistently and easily locate the latch for use in operating the safety belt. Additionally, or alternatively, the safety belt presentation system  300  may hide the latch when the occupant is no longer using the safety belt in order to provide for an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the vehicle seat when the safety belt is not in use by the occupant. 
     The safety belt presentation system  300  includes a safety belt system  302 , a safety belt presentation track  304 , and a control  306 . The safety belt system  302  includes a shoulder anchor  102 , a safety belt strap  108  (which may be referred to as a shoulder strap), and a buckle that includes a first buckle portion or a latch  308  and second buckle portion or a safety belt receiver  114 . 
     The latch  308  is disposed on a portion of the safety belt strap  108 . The latch  308  includes a tongue  310  that is adapted to be received and retained by the safety belt receiver  114 . The tongue  310  is disposed between a first side  312  of the latch  308  and a second side  314  of the latch  308 . In some embodiments, the first side  312  of the latch  308  is adapted to couple the latch  308  to a first side of the safety belt presentation track  304 . The safety belt presentation track  304  may be disposed in a portion  305  of a vehicle door, a seat associated with the vehicle, an arm rest associated with the vehicle, or other suitable location within the vehicle. 
     The control  306  may include a motor or other suitable control device. The control  306  is adapted to selectively position the latch  308  along the safety belt presentation track  304 . For example, the control  306  may receive instructions and/or be controlled by a control unit, as is described in detail herein. The control  306  may drive a driving mechanism, as is described in detail herein, disposed on a second side the safety belt presentation track  304 . The driving mechanism may be adapted to engage at least a portion of the latch  308 . As the control  306  drives the driving mechanism, the driving mechanism traverses at least a portion of the safety belt presentation track  304 . As the driving mechanism traverses at least a portion of the safety belt presentation track  304 , the latch  308 , when coupled to the safety belt presentation track  304 , may follow the driving mechanism such that the latch  308  is positioned from a hidden position P 5 , as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 3A , to an intermediate position P 5 ′, as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 3B . The latch  308  continues along the safety belt presentation track  304  to a presentation position P 5 ″, as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 3C . As the latch  308  traverses the safety belt presentation track  304 , a portion of the safety belt strap  108  is drawn out away from the shoulder anchor  102  through the aperture  116 . The control  306  may position the latch  308  at suitable positions between the hidden position P 5  and the presentation position P 5 ″ in response to instructions received from the control unit. 
       FIG. 4  generally illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the safety belt presentation system  300  of  FIGS. 3A-3C  according to the principles of the present disclosure. The portion of the safety belt presentation system  300  includes the latch  308 , the tongue  310 , the first side  312  of the latch  308 , and the second side  314  of the latch  308 . In some embodiments, the latch  308  includes a strap control mechanism  316 . The strap control mechanism  316  may include a low friction rod or member disposed between the first side  312  of the latch  308  and the second side  314  of the latch  308 . The strap control mechanism  316  is adapted to control and/or guide movement of a portion of the safety belt strap  108  as the latch  308  traverses the safety belt presentation track  304  and/or as the latch  308  is drawn toward or away from the safety belt receiver  114 . 
     The first side  312  of the latch  308  includes a first coupling portion  318 . The first coupling portion  318  may be enclosed by the first side  312  of the latch  308  or a portion of the first coupling portion  318  may be exposed on an exterior of the first side  312  of the latch  308 . The first coupling portion  318  may include any suitable coupling portion, for example, the first coupling portion  318  may include a magnet having a first magnetic pole, an iron member, a steel member, or a combination thereof. The first coupling portion  318  is adapted to engage a portion of the first side of the safety belt presentation track  304 . 
     A driving mechanism  320  is disposed on the second side of the safety belt presentation track  304  and includes a second coupling portion  322 . The second coupling portion  322  is adapted to engage the first coupling portion  318  such that the latch  308  engages the first side of the safety belt presentation track  304  and is coupled to the second coupling portion  322 . The second coupling portion  322  may include any suitable coupling portion, for example, the second coupling portion  322  may include a magnet having a second magnetic pole that is opposite the first magnetic pole of the first coupling portion  318 , an iron member, a steel member, or a combination thereof. The driving mechanism  320  may include a retaining portion  324 . The retaining portion  324  is adapted to retain at least a portion of the second coupling portion  322 . For example, when the second coupling portion  322  includes a magnet, the retaining portion  324  may include an iron member. The second coupling portion  322  is magnetically attracted to and retained on the retaining portion  324 . 
     In some embodiments, a first magnetic value of the first coupling portion  318  and a second magnetic value of the second coupling portion  322  may be selected to provide a desirable retention and/or release of the latch  308  to and from the safety belt presentation track  304 . For example, the first magnetic value and the second magnetic value may be selected such that as the latch  308  transitions between the hidden position P 5  and the presentation position P 5 ″, a force applied on the latch  308  by the safety belt strap  108  does not cause the first coupling portion  318  to disengage from the second coupling portion  322 . Additionally, or alternatively, the first magnetic value and the second magnetic value may be selected such that when the occupant retrieves the latch  308  when the latch  308  is in the presentation position P 5 ″, the occupant can remove the latch  308  from the safety belt presentation track  304  with a desired amount of force (e.g., the first coupling portion  318  can be disengaged from the second coupling portion  322  with the desired amount of force). 
     The driving mechanism  320  is in electrical communication with a control, such as, the control  306 , described with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . The control  306  may provide electrical and/or mechanical power to the driving mechanism  320 . The driving mechanism  320  traverses the safety belt presentation track  304  using the power provided by the control  306 . As described above, the control  306  may drive the driving mechanism  320  in response to instructions received from the control unit. For example, the control unit may determine whether to present the latch  308  to the occupant of the vehicle. The control unit may monitor sensors associated with a vehicle door, weight sensors in a vehicle seat associated with the safety belt presentation system  300 , or other suitable sensors and/or information, or a combination thereof. The control unit, based on signals received from the monitored sensors and/or other information, instructs the control  306  to present the latch  308  to the occupant (e.g., by transitioning the latch  308  from the hidden position P 5  to the presentation position P 5 ″). 
     The occupant may then disengage the latch  308  from the first side of the safety belt presentation track  304  in order to insert the latch  308  into the safety belt receiver  114 . The control unit may then instruct the control  306  to return the driving mechanism  320  to the hidden position. For example, the driving mechanism  320  includes one or more sensors  321 . The one or more sensors  321  may be adapted to sense whether the first coupling portion  318  is coupled to the second coupling portion  322 . The control unit may receive one or more signals from the one or more sensors  321 . The control unit may determine whether the first coupling portion  318  is disengaged or decoupled from the second coupling portion  322  based on the one or more signals. When the control unit determines that the first coupling portion  318  is disengaged or decoupled from the second coupling portion  322 , the control unit instructs the control  306  to return the driving mechanism  320  to the hidden position. 
     In some embodiments, the control unit may selectively release the latch  308  from the safety belt presentation track  304  in response to the occupant touching the tongue  310  of the latch  308 . For example, the tongue  310  may include one or more sensors  311 . The sensors  311  may include capacitance sensors, touch sensors, other suitable sensors, or a combination thereof. The one or more sensors  311  may be adapted to sense when an occupant of the vehicle touches the tongue  310  while the first coupling portion  318  is engaged by the second coupling portion  322 . The one or more sensors  311  may send signals to the control unit that indicate whether the occupant is touching the tongue  310 . The control unit may instruct a release component of the driving mechanism  320  to disengage or decouple the first coupling portion  318  from the second coupling portion  322 . The release component may include a component that retracts the second coupling portion  322  away from the first coupling portion  318  such that a magnetic force between the first coupling portion  318  and the second coupling portion  322  is reduced until the first coupling portion  318  is disengaged or decoupled from the second coupling portion  322 . As a result, the latch  308  may be released from the safety belt presentation track  304 . 
     When the occupant removes the safety belt strap  108 , the occupant may release the latch  308  from the safety belt receiver  114 . The latch  308  may be retracted by a force applied on the latch  308  by the safety belt strap  108 . The first coupling portion  318  may be engaged by the second coupling portion  322  as the latch  308  is retracted to a location near the second coupling portion  322 . The latch  308  may be coupled to the second coupling portion  322  and returned to the hidden position P 5 . 
     In some embodiments, the safety belt presentation track  304  includes a low friction component  326  disposed on the first side of the safety belt presentation track  304 . For example, as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the low friction component  326  is disposed on a portion of the first side of the safety belt presentation track  304  such that the latch  308  traverses the safety belt presentation track  304  along the low friction component  326 . This may provide for a smooth (e.g., due to a relatively low surface friction of the low friction component  326 ) transition from the hidden position P 5  to the presentation position P 5 ″. The low friction component  326  may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), other suitable low friction materials, or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example of a computing device  500 . The computing device  500  can be a single computing device or a system that includes multiple computing devices working cooperatively. As an example, the computing device  500  can be a vehicle-based computing device such a control unit or a vehicle ECU. Alternatively, the computing device  500  can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, or a mobile device such as a smart phone. 
     In the example where the computing device  500  is a control unit, the control unit can be operable to send commands to various components of the safety belt positioning and presentation systems in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit can send commands to anchors, support structures, controls, driving mechanisms, etc. in order to cause positioning of the anchors and/or presentation of a portion of a safety belt buckle. That is, the control unit can send commands to implement various safety belt positioning and/or presentation systems described herein. 
     In the illustrated example of  FIG. 5 , the computing device  500  includes a processor  502 , a memory device  504 , a storage device  506 , one or more input devices  508 , and one or more output devices  510  which are interconnected by a bus  512 . The computing device  500  can also include a bus interface  514  for connecting peripheral devices to the bus  512 . 
     The processor  502  can be any type of device that is able to process or manipulate information, including devices that are currently known and devices that may be developed in the future. As an example, the processor  502  can be a conventional central processing unit (CPU). Although the illustrated example shows a single processor, multiple processors can be used instead of a single processor. 
     The memory device  504  can be used to store information for immediate use by the processor  502 . The memory device  504  includes either or both of a random-access memory (RAM) device and a read only memory (ROM) device. The memory device  504  can be used to store information, such as program instructions that can be executed by the processor  502 , and data that is stored by and retrieved by the processor  502 . In addition, portions of the operating system of the computing device  500  and other applications that are being executed by the computing device  500  can be stored by the memory device during operation of the computing device  500 . 
     The storage device  506  can be used to store large amounts of data persistently. As examples, the storage device  506  can be a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. 
     The input devices  508  can include any type of device that is operable to generate computer interpretable signals or data in response to user interaction with the computing device  500 , such as physical interaction, verbal interaction, or non-contacting gestural interaction. As examples, the input devices  508  can include one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-sensitive panel with or without an associated display, a trackball, a stylus, a microphone, a camera, or a three-dimensional motion capture device. 
     The output devices  510  can include any type of device that is able to relay information in a manner that can be perceived by a user. As examples, the output devices  510  can include one or more of an LCD display screen, an LED display screen, a CRT display screen, a printer, an audio output device such as a speaker, or a haptic output device. In some implementations, the output devices  510  include a display screen and the input devices  508  include a touch sensitive panel that is integrated into the display screen to define a touch-sensitive display screen. 
     The bus  512  transfers signals and/or data between the components of the computing device  500 . Although depicted as a single bus, it should be understood that multiple or varying types of buses can be used to interconnect the components of the computing device  500 . The bus interface  514  can be any type of device that allows other devices, whether internal or external, to connect to the bus  512 . In one implementation, the bus interface  514  allows connection to a controller area network (CAN) bus of a vehicle.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20201216
Publication Date: 20220816
Grant Date: 20220816
Priority Date: 20170919
Inventors: Charopoulos, Philipp
SATAS, LUKAS
BAKER, JOHN J.
FOLKS, JONATHON R.
KOOKER, ANDREW W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60R2022/1818", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/207", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/1806", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/207", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/266", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/201", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/208", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/201", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/266", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/1806", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/208", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/688", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/1818", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/201", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R22/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2022/207", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0248", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0228", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/02246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0228", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0248", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 74066963