Disclosed are a rear occupant protection apparatus and a control method thereof for controlling a seat belt, or an airbag, based on the state of a rear occupant and a vehicle driving environment to safely protect the rear occupant. The rear occupant protection apparatus includes a first monitoring unit configured to monitor a state of a rear occupant, a second monitoring unit configured to monitor a surrounding situation of a subject vehicle, and a controller configured to control the first and second monitoring units, wherein the controller controls the first and second monitors units to monitor the state of the rear occupant and the surrounding situation of the subject vehicle when the rear occupant wears a seat belt, and controls the seat belt seat belt worn by the rear occupant based on at least one of the state of the rear occupant or the surrounding situation of the subject vehicle.

A state detection sensor includes a housing and a position sensing component mounted in the housing. The position sensing component is being configured to provide position data in response to detecting the presence or position of vehicle structure relative to the sensor. The state detection sensor also includes an analog input component mounted in the housing. The analog input component is configured to provide external analog sensor data in response to an analog signal received from an external analog sensor to which the analog input component can be operatively connected. The state detection sensor further includes a component configured to communicate the position data and the external analog sensor data via a serial bus.

A restraint system for an occupant seat mounted in a motor vehicle includes a processor to produce at least one control signal to control either or both of an electronically controllable unit to disable or impede operation of the motor vehicle and a notification device to produce a notification unless, in sequence, a first sensor produces a first signal indicating detection of an occupant being seated in the occupant seat followed by at least one second sensor producing least one second signal indicating that a rotatable shaft of a web retractor coupled to a web of a restraint harness has rotated by at least a threshold amount followed by a third sensor producing a third signal indicating that a tongue of the restraint system is engaged with a buckle of the restraint system.

Disclosed are a rear occupant protection apparatus and a control method thereof for controlling a seat belt, or an airbag, based on the state of a rear occupant and a vehicle driving environment to safely protect the rear occupant. The rear occupant protection apparatus includes a first monitoring unit configured to monitor a state of a rear occupant, a second monitoring unit configured to monitor a surrounding situation of a subject vehicle, and a controller configured to control the first and second monitoring units, wherein the controller controls the first and second monitors units to monitor the state of the rear occupant and the surrounding situation of the subject vehicle when the rear occupant wears a seat belt, and controls the seat belt seat belt worn by the rear occupant based on at least one of the state of the rear occupant or the surrounding situation of the subject vehicle.

A detection system for vehicle includes a reader and a first detector. The reader is provided in a vehicle, transmits and receives radio signals, and transmits transmission signals including at least radio signals for supplying electric power. The first detector is driven by the radio signals for supplying electric power included in the transmission signals when receiving the transmission signals and can transmit first response signals output in response to the transmission signals to the reader. The first detector is disposed in a sitting area on a seat where the first response signals transmitted to the reader are blocked. The reader determines a sitting state of a passenger based on whether the first response signals are received in response to the transmission signals.

A state detection sensor includes a housing and a position sensing component mounted in the housing. The position sensing component is being configured to provide position data in response to detecting the presence or position of vehicle structure relative to the sensor. The state detection sensor also includes an analog input component mounted in the housing. The analog input component is configured to provide external analog sensor data in response to an analog signal received from an external analog sensor to which the analog input component can be operatively connected. The state detection sensor further includes a component configured to communicate the position data and the external analog sensor data via a serial bus.

A switch assembly for a vehicle seat belt buckle comprising a switch housing defining an interior and a pocket, a cable extending into the interior and including hook-shaped ends extending around posts in the interior of the switch housing. In one embodiment, the interior of the switch housing includes first and second posts positioned in a co-linear and spaced apart relationship and the hook-shaped ends face each other and extend around the first posts and abut against the second posts. In one embodiment, the Hall Effect sensor is positioned in the pocket of the switch housing in an inclined relationship.

A switch assembly for a vehicle seat belt buckle comprising a switch housing defining an interior and a pocket, a cable extending into the interior and including hook-shaped ends extending around posts in the interior of the switch housing. In one embodiment, the interior of the switch housing includes first and second posts positioned in a co-linear and spaced apart relationship and the hook-shaped ends face each other and extend around the first posts and abut against the second posts. In one embodiment, the Hall Effect sensor is positioned in the pocket of the switch housing in an inclined relationship.

A system for determining when an occupant in a motor vehicle seat and restrained by a seatbelt restraint system has improper posture. The system and method include: a seatbelt buckle sensor, a seatbelt payout sensor, an occupant posture sensor. Moreover, a control module executes code to: determine the presence of the seatbelt latchplate in the seatbelt buckle, determine whether the difference between the first seatbelt payout length when the seatbelt is buckled and the second seatbelt payout length is greater than a seatbelt payout length threshold, compare the image of the occupant to at least one of a stored image and a posture zone when the seatbelt payout length threshold is exceeded, and determine whether the occupant has improper posture based on the comparison of the captured image of the occupant and the at least one of the stored image and the posture zone.

A vehicle includes a vehicle control module and restraint control module operably coupled to the vehicle control module. A seating assembly is operable between a folded position and an unfolded position. A user-interface includes a microphone. The microphone receives a user command to adjust a seating position of the seating assembly and sends a request signal to the vehicle control module. The vehicle control module controls a seating position adjustment based on a start signal from the restraint control module.