Latch sensing seatbelt buckle

Details Latch sensing seatbelt buckle Latch sensing seatbelt buckle

1999-05-12

2001-01-16

Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2736)

Communications: electrical

Land vehicle alarms or indicators

Internal alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of the...

C340S551000, C180S268000, C024S303000, C024S642000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06175304

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a seatbelt buckle. In particular, the present invention relates to a seatbelt buckle including a Hall effect device for sensing when the buckle is in a latched condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A seatbelt system for restraining a vehicle occupant typically includes seatbelt webbing, a lockable element on the webbing, and a seatbelt buckle. The lockable element on the webbing is inserted in the buckle when the webbing has been placed about a vehicle occupant. A latch mechanism in the buckle interlocks with the lockable element to secure the webbing about the occupant. Such a seatbelt system may also include a Hall effect device for indicating whether or not the lockable element is locked in the buckle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus comprises a lockable element made of a ferromagnetic material. A buckle receives and locks the lockable element in the buckle. The buckle comprises a base defining a passage into which the lockable element is insertable, and a latch moveable from a first position to a second position in which the latch locks the lockable element against movement in the passage. The latch is made of a ferromagnetic material.
The buckle also includes a Hall effect device which provides an output signal, the magnitude of which is dependent upon the flux density of a magnetic field acting on the Hall effect device. The buckle further includes a magnet fixed to the latch and moveable with the latch. The magnet creates a magnetic field of a first flux density that acts on the Hall effect device to cause the Hall effect device to provide a first output signal when the latch is in the first position. The magnet moves toward the Hall effect device when the latch moves to the second position. The magnet creates a magnetic field of a second flux density greater than the first flux density when the latch is in the second position to cause the Hall effect device to provide a second output signal greater than the first output signal.
The latch conducts the magnetic field of a first flux density, and the latch and the lockable element conduct the magnetic field of the second flux density. This causes the Hall effect device to have a first output when the latch is in the non-locking position, and to have a second, different output when the latch is in the locking position.


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