At least one analog load sensor, such as a force sensitive resistor is situated between upper and lower seat structures to generate a signal correlating with weight placed upon the seat. A vehicle has multiple seats fitted with sensors. Weight related information is communicated to a processor and an optional display, along with seatbelt latch sensor outputs to communicate to an operator if any seats are occupied without seatbelt latched. A weight force threshold for each seat is adjustable in one embodiment to customize the system to accommodate occupants of different weights and non-occupant loads of different weights. Loading information for the vehicle, such as total weight of occupants and/or objects on the seats and location of these loads upon the vehicle can be calculated and utilized to ensure that gross vehicle weight rating and load center of gravity and related parameters are within acceptable ranges.

The subject disclosure relates to techniques for detecting proper use of a seatbelt in a vehicle. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for receiving, from a sensor, image data of one or more portions of a seatbelt. The process can further include steps for determining a length of the seatbelt that is dispensed based on the image data and determining if the seatbelt is buckled in front of a passenger's body based on the length of the seatbelt that is dispensed. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

A system for providing an alarm indicating a non-fastening state of a seatbelt of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a seatbelt part provided in a seat of the vehicle; a first controller connected in communication to the seatbelt part and configured to determine whether a buckle of the seatbelt part is fastened and a first sensor module connected to the first controller. The first sensor module includes a first transmitter configured to transmit a buckle fastening signal when the buckle is fastened. A second sensor module includes a first receiver that is configured to receive the buckle fastening signal from the first sensor module. A second controller is connected in communication to the second sensor module, and is configured to receive the buckle fastening signal and output an alarm indicating whether the seatbelt is fastened.

An ejector element with a trigger for a belt buckle sensor includes a plate-shaped ejector body and a trigger blade of a magnetic and/or metallic material for producing a change in a magnetic field of a Hall sensor or an inductive sensor. The ejector element is distinguished by the fact that the trigger blade is connected in one piece to the ejector body, wherein the one-piece connection between the trigger blade and the ejector body is produced by an injection-molding process.

A buckle includes a main body part that can be coupled to a tongue that is attached to a seatbelt of a vehicle; a communication substrate to which one end of a wire harness is coupled, the wire harness passing through an opening formed on a buckle surface of the buckle; a holder configured to support the communication substrate; and a cover configured to cover the main body part, the communication substrate, and the holder. The cover includes a rib that prevents the holder from moving in an opening direction of the opening.

A buckle switch-and a microcontroller are provided. A power supply is connected to the buckle switch, which switches the connection with the power supply between a connected state and a disconnected state. The microcontroller is connected with the buckle switch and includes a removal switch input port and a removal control port. The removal switch input port detects the state of the buckle switch. The removal control port is connected to the buckle switch-via a pull-down resistance and controls whether the pull-down resistance operates. The microcontroller controls the removal control port such that the pull-down resistance does not operate when the buckle switch is in the connected state and such that the pull-down resistance does operate when the buckle switch is in the disconnected state.

There are provided a buckle switch that detects an insertion of a tongue into a buckle of a seatbelt and an ejection of the tongue from the buckle, a signal transmitting section that wirelessly transmits a signal showing a state of the buckle switch, and an attaching detection control unit that controls the signal transmitting section such that the signal transmitting section transmits different signals that correspond to a first time lasting from the insertion of the tongue into the buckle until the ejection of the tongue from the buckle or a second time lasting from the ejection of the tongue from the buckle until the insertion of the tongue into the buckle.

A safety alert system includes a child seat that may be positioned within a vehicle. The child seat has a plurality of belts and each of the belts may restrain a child in the child seat. A remote unit may be retrofitted to a dome light of the vehicle. The remote unit generates an alarm sequence when a door of the vehicle is opened. A base unit is removably coupled to the belts on the child seat and the base unit is in electrical communication with the remote unit. The base unit emits an audible alarm when the remote unit generates the alarm sequence. Thus, the base unit may prevent the child from being inadvertently left unattended in the vehicle.

A seat belt buckle (1) and a belt tongue (2) which can be inserted into the seat belt buckle (1). An RFID responder (3) is arranged in or on the belt tongue (2) and an RFID reading unit (4) is arranged in the seat belt buckle (1) and is designed in such a way that a coupling between the RFID reading unit (4) and the RFID transponder (3) is only possible if the belt tongue (2) is inserted into the seat belt buckle (1).

A thick film polymer membrane switch can be positioned within a seat belt buckle. The switch can detect if the seat belt buckle is fastened or unfastened. In one approach, an apparatus includes a housing having a cavity, an insertion member moveable within the cavity, a connector positioned within the cavity, and a switch positioned within the cavity, wherein movement of the insertion member causes the connector to connect or disconnect from the switch. In some approaches, the switch includes a first conductive element formed adjacent a first layer of flexible film, and a second conductive element formed adjacent a second layer of flexible film, wherein the first and second layers of flexible film are separated by a gap.