A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

An autonomous driving controller includes: a processor to collect driving data when a vehicle is traveling and calculate a steering override reference value, which is a criterion of determining an override mode, based on the collected driving data; and a storage to store the collected driving data and a set of instructions executed by the processor to calculate the steering override reference value. In particular, the processor controls autonomous driving by varying the steering override reference value based on the collected driving data or information regarding a driver of the vehicle.

A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A shoulder belt and a lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The system includes a sensor module associated with the shoulder belt and the lap belt. The sensor module generates signals indicative of at least one parameter associated with the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The system also includes a controller that receives the signals indicative of the at least one parameter associated with the seat back, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt. The controller analyzes the received one or more signals, and determines whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the occupant, based on the analysis.

A vehicle includes a seatbelt retractor. The seatbelt retractor includes a housing. The seatbelt retractor includes a spool having a first end and a second end each rotatably supported by the housing. The spool is elongated on an axis from the first end to the second end. The seatbelt retractor includes a torsion bar having a first end fixed to the first end of the spool and a second end operatively engaged with the housing. The torsion bar has a central cavity. The seatbelt retractor includes a heating filament disposed in the central cavity.

A control method for an electric seatbelt retractor and an electric seatbelt retractor including a spindle (2) and a seatbelt (3) wound thereon, and an electric motor (4) driving the spindle (2) via a rotor (3) in pull-in or in pull-out direction when activated, and a sensor device (10) detecting the movement of the spindle (2), wherein a spring (11) is provided, which is arranged between the spindle (2) and the rotor (3) enabling a relative movement of the spindle (2) to the rotor (3) or to a retractor-fixed part, wherein the electric motor (4) is controlled by a signal of the sensor device (10) generated by the relative movement of the spindle (2) to the rotor (3) or a retractor-fixed part with torsional tensioning or expanding the spring (11).

A source of illumination is positioned on a vehicle facing rearwardly. Multi-function controls include a first control and a second control. The first control illuminates the source of illumination and provides a first signal when a driver depresses a brake pedal. The second control illuminates the source of illumination and provides a second signal when an occupant of the vehicle is not using a seat belt. The second signal is an indicator signal adapted to be read by an automatic license plate reader. The indicator signal is chosen from the class consisting of an alpha-numeric signal and a sequencing pattern signal. The alpha-numeric signal is created by light shining through a translucent panel with opaque alpha-numeric markings. The sequencing signal is created by a light turning on and off.

A seat belt retractor including a spool and a measurement mechanism for determining a measure of the amount of seat belt webbing unwound from the spool. The measurement mechanism includes cycloidal gear transmission. A sensor is provided for detecting movement of a magnet mounted on a sensing gear and a controller may be provided for determining a measure indicating the amount of rotation of the spool and the amount of webbing withdrawal based on the movement of the magnet.

A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system for a motor vehicle seat. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupancy sensor, an automatic locking retractor sensor and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in a seatbelt buckle. Further, the method includes sensing a seatbelt payout length. Additionally, the method includes comparing the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Moreover, the method includes determining seatbelt routing based on whether seatbelt latchplate is present in the seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt payout length is greater than the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

A system and method for detecting seatbelt routing in a motor vehicle safety restraint system. The system includes a seatbelt buckle sensor, an occupant sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, and a control module. The method includes sensing a presence of a seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle. Further, the method determines whether the seatbelt is buckled. Additionally, the method includes sensing a presence of occupant in a vehicle seat. Moreover, the method further includes determining whether the occupant is detected in the vehicle seat. The method senses a seatbelt payout length and compares the seatbelt payout length to a first seatbelt payout length threshold. Thereafter, the method determines seatbelt routing based on whether the seatbelt is buckled, an occupant is present, and a seatbelt payout length has exceeded the first seatbelt payout length threshold.

A method for sensing the webbing extension of a seat belt (12) from a webbing retractor (10) of a vehicle includes sensing the position of the magnet (18) by means of the magnetic field sensor (20) by the control unit (22). The control unit (22) detects when the magnet (18) has completed a full turn. The control unit (22) deposits the number of the full turns in a memory (26). The control unit (22) determines the webbing extension by way of number of the full turns and the position of the magnet (18). A webbing retractor (10) for a seat belt (12) has a magnet (18).