Abstract: A system includes an in-cabin sensor, a seatbelt routing zone module, and a seatbelt routing classification module. The in-cabin sensor is operable to generate an image of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The seatbelt routing zone module is configured to generate a seatbelt routing zone based on at least one of a size of the occupant in the image and a shape of the occupant. The seatbelt routing classification module is configured to determine whether a seatbelt is routed properly around the occupant based on whether the seatbelt is at least partially within the seatbelt routing zone.

Abstract: A method for controlling a passenger restraint system aboard a motor vehicle includes receiving, via a controller, biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) indicative of vulnerability characteristics of a passenger seated in an interior of the motor vehicle. In response to the biometric vulnerability classifier signal(s) and a detected vehicle event requiring an actuation of the passenger restraint system, the method includes automatically adjusting an actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system via the controller. A motor vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle interior, a passenger restraint system positioned in the vehicle interior; and a controller operable for controlling the actual capacity setting of the passenger restraint system in accordance with the method. The passenger restraint system may include a seatbelt, a seat, and one or more airbag systems.

Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt monitoring system for monitoring seatbelts of a plurality of seats comprising: i) a buckle sensor for each seat configured to determine whether a seatbelt is buckled into a buckle attachment of each seat; ii) a seatbelt webbing payout sensor for each seat configured to determine an amount of seatbelt webbing that is unwound from a seatbelt retractor associated with each seat; and iii) a seatbelt monitor control module coupled to the buckle sensor and the seatbelt webbing payout sensor and configured to receive buckle state data from the buckle sensor for each seat and seatbelt payout data from the seatbelt webbing payout sensor for each seat. The seatbelt monitor control module is further configured to determine if a first seatbelt is unbuckled or not properly worn and, if so, to determine if a second seatbelt is buckled or properly worn when the first seatbelt is unbuckled or not properly worn.

Abstract: A knee bolster assembly for a vehicle seat includes a knee bolster moveably mounted in proximity to the vehicle seat, the knee bolster selectively moveable between a first position, wherein a passenger is able to enter and exit the vehicle seat, and a second position, wherein the knee bolster is positioned directly in front of a seating surface of the vehicle seat, such that legs of a passenger seated within the vehicle seat are positioned between the seating surface of the vehicle seat and the knee bolster, the knee bolster adapted to prevent an occupant of the vehicle seat from sliding forward off the vehicle seat and restrict any hyper-extending of their lower legs due to forward inertia, and an energy absorbing device adapted to absorb energy when knees or legs of a passenger within the vehicle seat impact the knee bolster.

Abstract: Vehicle behavioral monitoring includes determining a measure of distraction of the operator of a target vehicle, characterizing the type or category of distraction, determining level of risk that the target vehicle poses, and invoking various responses including host vehicle notifications and evasive actions and external notification and information sharing.

Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.

Abstract: A system includes a seat belt routing module and a user interface device (UID) control module. The seat belt routing module is configured to: determine a routing of a seat belt relative to an occupant in a vehicle seat based on input from a webbing payout sensor; and determine the seat belt routing based on an input from an in-cabin sensor. The in-cabin sensor includes at least one of a camera, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, and a lidar sensor. The UID control module is configured to control a user interface device to indicate that the seat belt is being worn improperly when: the seat belt routing determined using at least one of the webbing payout sensor and the in-cabin sensor is improper; and the seat belt routing determined using the webbing payout sensor corresponds to the seat belt routing determined using the in-cabin sensor.

Abstract: A system includes an in-cabin sensor, a seatbelt routing zone module, and a seatbelt routing classification module. The in-cabin sensor is operable to generate an image of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The seatbelt routing zone module is configured to generate a seatbelt routing zone based on at least one of a size of the occupant in the image and a shape of the occupant. The seatbelt routing classification module is configured to determine whether a seatbelt is routed properly around the occupant based on whether the seatbelt is at least partially within the seatbelt routing zone.

Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle including a first seat section configured to support a lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a second seat section configured to support an upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and a torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a third seat section configured to support the torso and head portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the first direction and the upper leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction. The adjustable seat also comprising a fourth seat section configured to support the lower leg portion of the passenger when the passenger is sitting facing the second direction.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.

Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner for a motor vehicle includes a cam that rotates, a cable with a first end and a second end, a section of the cable positioned on an outer portion of the cam. Upon deployment the cam rotates and guides the first end from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: An occupant classification system comprises a capacitive sensor configured to measure capacitance. The capacitive sensor is at least partially arranged between a seat frame and at least one of a seat cover and a seat cushion of a seat. A sensor is configured to measure at least one of weight and pressure on the seat. The sensor is at least partially arranged between a vehicle structure and a component of the seat. A controller is configured to generate an occupant classification based on the measured capacitance and the at least one of the measured weight and the measured pressure on the seat.

Abstract: A child restraint seat sensing device for a vehicle including a structural element at least partially defining a volume, wherein the structural element is located in a vehicle passenger seat between a seat base and seat back or is located behind the vehicle passenger seat, a stationary anchor in the vehicle, wherein the stationary anchor is located within the volume defined by the structural element, and a sensor mounted to the structural element, wherein the sensor is configured to detect whether a child restraint seat connector is attached to the stationary anchor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when a child safety system is present in a passenger seat in a vehicle and restrained, including at least one of: a) two lower anchors each including a lower anchor sensor, or b) an upper anchor including an upper anchor sensor; an occupancy sensor; a seatbelt buckle sensor; a microprocessor control system in communication with at least one of the sensors. The microprocessor control system includes executable code to: provisionally determine whether the child safety system is detected in the passenger seat; determine whether at least one of: a) a strap is connected to each lower anchor and b) a tether is connected to the upper anchor; determine whether the seatbelt is buckled; and verify the presence of a child safety system in the passenger seat. Executable code can also be included to detect strap and tether tension.

Abstract: An anchor attachment detection sensor for a vehicle including an anchor including an anchor attachment loop bar; a slide mount defining an opening, wherein the slide mount is positioned aft of the anchor attachment loop bar; a slide positioned in the opening of the slide mount, a plate secured to a first end of the slide, a spring, wherein the spring biases the plate against the anchor attachment loop bar; and a sensing device configured to transmit a control signal having a value, wherein the value of the control signal is based on a displacement of a portion of the slide.

Abstract: Vehicle behavioral monitoring includes determining a measure of distraction of the operator of a target vehicle, characterizing the type or category of distraction, determining level of risk that the target vehicle poses, and invoking various responses including host vehicle notifications and evasive actions and external notification and information sharing.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt monitoring system for monitoring seatbelts of a plurality of seats comprising: i) a buckle sensor for each seat configured to determine whether a seatbelt is buckled into a buckle attachment of each seat; ii) a seatbelt webbing payout sensor for each seat configured to determine an amount of seatbelt webbing that is unwound from a seatbelt retractor associated with each seat; and iii) a seatbelt monitor control module coupled to the buckle sensor and the seatbelt webbing payout sensor and configured to receive buckle state data from the buckle sensor for each seat and seatbelt payout data from the seatbelt webbing payout sensor for each seat. The seatbelt monitor control module is further configured to determine if a first seatbelt is unbuckled or not properly worn and, if so, to determine if a second seatbelt is buckled or properly worn when the first seatbelt is unbuckled or not properly worn.