US 12,275,370 B2
System and method for determining whether a seatbelt buckle extender is used in conjunction with a seatbelt
Scott D. Thomas, Novi, MI (US); and Sean Taylor Coughlin, Shelby Township, MI (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/365,016.
Prior Publication US 2025/0042355 A1, Feb. 6, 2025
Int. Cl. B60R 22/48 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 22/48 (2013.01) [B60R 2022/4825 (2013.01); B60R 2022/4866 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a first webbing payout sensor configured to detect a first webbing payout of a seatbelt associated with a vehicle seat, the first webbing payout being a first length of webbing extended from a retractor of the seatbelt;
an occupant detection module configured to identify a state of the vehicle seat, the occupant detection module identifying an occupied state when an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat and an unoccupied state when the vehicle seat is free from an occupant; and
a seatbelt wear condition module in communication with the first webbing payout sensor and the occupant detection module and configured to identify whether a seatbelt buckle extender is used in conjunction with the seatbelt based on the first webbing payout and the state of the vehicle seat identified by the occupant detection module,
wherein the seatbelt buckle extender comprises:
a second length of webbing;
a tongue or latch plate at a first end of the second length of webbing to selectively connect the seatbelt buckle extender to a seatbelt buckle; and
a buckle at a second opposite end of the second length of webbing to selectively connect the seatbelt buckle extender to a tongue or latch plate of the seatbelt.