SEATBELT RELEASING ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

A seatbelt releasing assistive device comprises a T-shaped telescopic member 101 having a cushioned coating to acquire a grip an ultrasonic sensor detects a width of a palm of user, a rectangular flap 102 by a ball and socket joint 103 for engaging with latch and a buckle of seatbelt, an elongated rectangular plate 104 having a pair of clamps 105 for clamping onto buckle while a locking of the latch in buckle, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 to determine a presence of buckle in proximity to the latch, an L-shaped telescopic arm 107 having a gripper 108 for gripping a part of the seat belt and imparting a pulling movement, for a removal of the latch from the buckle and a microphone 109 that receives the command from the user regarding the locking and unlocking of the seat belt.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a seatbelt releasing assistive device that is capable of enabling the user to remotely control the locking and unlocking of the seatbelts in an automated manner, thereby reducing the chance of the human error and failures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Seatbelts are safety restraints installed in vehicles to secure the person accommodated on the seat during collision or sudden stop. They consist of straps made up from durable materials like nylon or polyester and are typically fastened with a buckle at the end. Their primary use is to secure the user accommodated on the seat from the forward thrown or ejected from the vehicle in the event of any crash, reducing the risk of injurie to the user. Additionally, they help in distributing the force of a collision across the strongest parts of the body.

[0003] Traditionally, the seatbelts were locked and unlocked manually by the user. For some people, such as the elderly, children, the blind and passengers carrying more articles, the seat belt is difficult to unlock and inconvenient to use, seriously affecting the rider's riding experience and consumes much time in the process. Thus, there exist a requirement to make an invention that is able to lock and unlock the seatbelts in an automated manner without involving human intervention.

[0004] CN206569041U discloses about an invention that has a safety belt unlocking device and vehicle that has it, safety belt unlocking device include seat belt lock, locking means and electromagnetism adsorption structure, and locking means has lock -in positions and deblocking location, and when locking means was in lock -in positions, locking means was suitable for the locking to fix seat belt lock, and the electromagnetism adsorption structure is suitable for and adsorbs locking means so that locking means removes deblocking location from lock -in positions when the circular telegram. According to the utility model discloses safety belt unlocking device, it is more convenient to operate when going by bus personnel's unblock safety belt, has promoted personnel's experience by bus. Although, CN'041 is able to provide the means to the user to lock and unlock the seatbelts by the magnetic adsorption structure. However, the invention is incapable of searching of the presence of the buckle near to the latches.

[0005] JP2000198414A discloses about an invention that the seat belt unlocking device comprises an engagement fitting to be connected to an outer belt inside a tightening tool, a support panel, a slip part provided on the support panel, a locking rod, a fork-shaped tip part with an inclined part formed thereon, an unlocking rod, a motor and a transmitter to be connected by a cord. The locking rod is provided with a rotary tip part, and when the inclined part is on the pressing position to press the rotary tip part, the locking rod is at the position to be disengaged from the engagement fitting. When the inclined part is at the detached position from the rotary tip part, the locking rod is at the position to be engaged with the engagement fitting. In the transmitter, the positive cord among two separated ones is further separated, one cord relays a sensor and a timer, and the other cord relays a switch. The motor disengages the belt manually by the switch, or automatically by the sensor. Although, JP'414 is able to unlock the seatbelts by disengaging the engagement fitting. However, the cited invention is incapable in locking the seatbelt by engaging the latch and the buckle of the seatbelt.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices many devices are present in the market as mentioned in the prior arts that helps the user in locking and unlocking the seatbelts but lacks in searching of the presence of the buckles near to the latches. Additionally, the present devices also lacks in locking and unlocking the seatbelts efficiently without human intervention by receiving the command from the user for the locking and unlocking of the seatbelts.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of locking and unlocking the seatbelts in an automated manner by receiving the commands from the user as well as providing the user an ease to have the control on the locking and unlocking of the device without human intervention thereby, decreasing the chance of human error.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of locking and unlocking the seatbelts in an automated manner thereby, providing ease to user by preventing the bending of the user.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of providing the user an ease to have the control on the locking and unlocking of the seatbelts without any human intervention thereby, decreases the chance of human error.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable to nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a seatbelt releasing assistive device that is capable of locking and unlocking the seatbelts in an automated manner thereby, providing ease to user by preventing the bending of the user as well as providing the user an ease to have the control on the locking and unlocking of the device without any human intervention thereby, decreasing the chance of human error.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an seatbelt releasing assistive device comprises a T-shaped telescopic member having a cushioned coating to acquire a grip on the member, an ultrasonic sensor provided on the member detects a width of a palm of the user, a rectangular flap attached to a bottom end of the T-shaped member, by a ball and socket joint, positioned parallel to a latch of a seatbelt, for engaging with the latch and a buckle of the seatbelt and an elongated rectangular plate attached with the telescopic member, above the rectangular flap, the plate having a pair of clamps for clamping onto the buckle.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the member to determine a presence of the buckle in proximity to the latch, an L-shaped telescopic arm having a gripper, attached with the telescopic member for gripping a part of the seat belt and imparting a pulling movement, for a removal of the latch from the buckle, a microphone provided on the member to receive the command from the use regarding unlocking and locking of the seatbelts and the computing unit to remotely control the functioning of the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a seatbelt releasing assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a seatbelt releasing assistive device that is capable of enabling the user to remotely control the locking and unlocking of the seatbelts in an automated manner, thus reducing the chance of the human error and failures.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 a perspective view of a seatbelt releasing assistive device is illustrated, comprising a T-shaped telescopic member 101, a rectangular flap 102 attached to a bottom end of the T-shaped member 101 by a ball and socket joint 103, an elongated rectangular plate 104 attached with the telescopic member 101 above the rectangular flap 102, having a pair of clamps 105, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 installed on the member 101, an L-shaped telescopic arm 107 having a gripper 108 attached with the telescopic member 101 and a microphone 109 provided on the member 101.

[0023] The proposed device includes a T-shaped telescopic member 101 having a cushioned coating that is accessed by a user to acquire a grip on the member 101. An ultrasonic sensor provided on the member 101 detects a width of a palm of the user. The ultrasonic sensor consists of a transducer that functions as both a transmitter and a receiver that works in collaboration to detect width of a palm of the user. The transducer typically contains a piezoelectric crystal or a similar material. When an electrical signal is applied to the crystal, it vibrates at a high frequency, typically in the ultrasonic range above 20 kHz. When the transducer is activated, it converts the electrical energy into mechanical vibrations or waves. These vibrations are transmitted as a focused beam of ultrasonic waves into the user's palm. The ultrasonic waves propagate outward in a cone-shaped pattern from the transducer.

[0024] The same transducer that emitted the ultrasonic waves now acts as a receiver. It detects the reflected waves that bounce back from the palm of the user and converts them back into electrical signals. The sensor measures the time it takes for the ultrasonic waves to travel from the sensor to the palm of the user. The ultrasonic sensor now starts a timer when the waves are emitted and stops it when the reflected waves are detected. The elapsed time is known as the 'time of flight' (TOF). Using the known speed of sound in the medium through which the waves are travelling, a microcontroller linked with the ultrasonic sensor detects the width of the user's palm.

[0025] Based on the detected width of the palm of the user, the microcontroller actuate the telescopic member 101 to extend or retract telescopic member 101 as per width of the palm. The telescopic member 101 used herein is powered by a pneumatic unit that comprises of a compressor filled with compressed air which controls the orientations such as extraction and retraction of the telescopic member 101. The pneumatic unit also includes air valves and piston attached with the telescopic member 101. The piston is coupled to the member 101 penetrating the compressed air released from the compressor over the telescopic member 101. The valves used herein, are air valves installed between the compressor and piston that upon actuation enables release of the compressed air through the piston that leads to extension/retraction of the telescopic member 101 as per the width of the palm of the user for the comfortable gripping.

[0026] Further, a rectangular flap 102 attached to a bottom end of the T-shaped member 101 by a ball and socket joint 103, positioned parallel to a latch of a seatbelt for engaging with the latch and a buckle of the seatbelt. The ball and socket joint 103 includes a motor, a ball shaped element and a socket. The ball move freely within the socket. The motor rotates the ball in various directions that is controlled by the microcontroller that further commands the motor to position the ball precisely. The microcontroller further actuates the motor to generate electrical current to rotate in the joint for providing movement to the rectangular flap 102 for engaging with the latch and the buckle of the seatbelt.

[0027] Continually, an elongated rectangular plate 104 attached with the telescopic member 101 above the rectangular flap 102, having a pair of clamps 105 for clamping onto the buckle while a locking of the latch in the buckle. The clamping unit is a fastening equipment used to hold or secure buckle tightly together to prevent movement or separation of the buckle and the latch. The clamping unit comprises a pair of curved clamps 105, to clamp the buckle while a locking of the latch. The clamping unit is monitored by the microcontroller to open/close the clamping unit by having a control over jaws present in the clamping unit. On the operation of the microcontroller the jaws of the clamping unit moves in the clockwise and anticlockwise direction and thus open or close to acquire the buckle while a locking of the latch in the buckle.

[0028] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 installed on the member 101 to determine a presence of the buckle in proximity to the latch. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the surrounding of the member 101. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 is real-time images of the surrounding of the member 101. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. On receiving the, images from the imaging unit 106, the microcontroller extract the image pf the buckle and determines the position of the presence of the buckle.

[0029] Based on the position of the buckle identified from the captured images, the microcontroller actuate the ball and socket joint 103 to align the flap 102 with the buckle and the clamps 105 to grip the buckle to lock a position of the latch with respect to the buckle. A wireless communication module is provided on the member 101 for enabling the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller to actuate the pair of clamps 105 and the associated components for locking the seatbelt. The communication module via a computing unit herein includes but not limited to a mobile and laptop that comprises a processor where the alert received from the microcontroller is stored to process and retrieve the output data in order to display in the computing unit. The microcontroller is wirelessly linked with the computing unit via a communication module which includes but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module. GSM (Global System for Mobile communication). The communication module acts as a medium between user and device that process the input given by the user and trigger the microcontroller to actuate the pair of clamps 105 to grip the buckle to lock the position of the latch with respect to the buckle, for a locking of the seat belt.

[0030] Further, a microphone 109 provided on the member 101 for receiving an audio command from the user regarding locking of the seat belt. The microphone 109 is an electronic unit that translates sound vibration in the air into an electronic signal and scribes them to the microcontroller. The microphone 109 consists of a diaphragm, magnet wrapped with a coil, wherein when the user provides voice commands regarding locking of the seat belt, then the sound wave hits the diaphragm. This cause the coil to move back and forth in the magnet's field, generating an electric current. The electric current is transmitted to the microcontroller to extract the information regarding the locking of the seat belts and actuate the ball and socket joint 103 to align the flap 102 with the buckle and the pair of clamps 105 to grip the buckle to lock the position of the latch with respect to the buckle.

[0031] Further, in case the audio command received by the microcontroller via the microphone 109 from the user regarding unlocking of the seat belt, the microcontroller actuates an L-shaped telescopic arm 107 having a gripper 108, attached with the telescopic member 101 for gripping a part of the seat belt and imparting a pulling movement, for a removal of the latch from the buckle. The telescopic arm 107 used herein is powered by the pneumatic unit that controls the extraction and retraction of the telescopic arm 107. The arm 107 comprises of three parts comprises of a shoulder, elbow and wrist. All these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arm 107 that allows the upper part of the arm 107 to move the lower section independently. Lastly, the wrist is at the tip of the upper arm 107 and attached to the end effector works as hand. Herein, the gripper 108 work as the end part for the arm 107 for gripping the part of the seat belt and imparting the pulling movement, for the removal of the latch from the buckle.

[0032] Lastly, a battery is associated with the device that powers all electrical and electronically operated components of the device. A battery is a device that converts chemical energy contained within its active materials directly into electric energy by means of an electrochemical oxidation and provides the power supply to other components.

[0033] The present invention works well in the following manner, where the T-shaped telescopic member 101 having the cushioned coating, to acquire the grip on the member 101. The ultrasonic sensor detects the width of the palm of the user to trigger the microcontroller that actuate the telescopic member 101 to extend or retract telescopic member 101 as per the detected width of the palm. The rectangular flap 102 is monitored by the ball and socket joint 103 that engage with the latch and the buckle of the seatbelt. The elongated rectangular plate 104 having the pair of clamps 105 for clamping onto the buckle while the locking of the latch in the buckle. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 determine the presence of the buckle in proximity to the latch that actuate the ball and socket joint 103 to align the flap 102 with the buckle and the clamps 105 that grip the buckle to lock a position of the latch with respect to the buckle.

[0034] Additionally, the L-shaped telescopic arm 107 having the gripper 108 that grip the part of the seat belt and imparts the pulling movement, for the removal of the latch from the buckle. The microphone 109 receives the audio command from the user regarding locking and unlocking of the seat belt from the user and the wireless communication module enables the user to remotely control and actuate the pair of clamps 105 to grip the buckle to lock the position of the latch with respect to the buckle, for a locking of the seat belt.

[0035] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A seatbelt releasing assistive device, comprising:

i) a T-shaped telescopic member 101 having a cushioned coating, for a user to acquire a grip on said member 101, wherein an ultrasonic sensor provided on said member 101 detects a width of a palm of said user to trigger a microcontroller to actuate said telescopic member 101 to extend or retract telescopic member 101 as per said detected width of said palm;
ii) a rectangular flap 102 attached to a bottom end of said T-shaped member 101, by a ball and socket joint 103, positioned parallel to a latch of a seatbelt, for engaging with said latch and a buckle of said seatbelt;
iii) an elongated rectangular plate 104 attached with said telescopic member 101, above said rectangular flap 102, said plate 104 having a pair of clamps 105 for clamping onto said buckle while a locking of said latch in said buckle;
iv) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 106 installed on said member 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images in a vicinity of said member 101, to determine a presence of said buckle in proximity to said latch to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said ball and socket joint 103 to align said flap 102 with said buckle and said clamps 105 to grip said buckle to lock a position of said latch with respect to said buckle; and
v) an L-shaped telescopic arm 107 having a gripper 108, attached with said telescopic member 101 for gripping a part of said seat belt and imparting a pulling movement, for a removal of said latch from said buckle.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microphone 109, linked with said microcontroller, provided on said member 101 for receiving an audio command from said user regarding locking of said seat belt to trigger, said microcontroller actuate said ball and socket joint 103 to align said flap 102 with said buckle and said pair of clamps 105 to grip said buckle to lock said position of said latch with respect to said buckle.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microphone 109 receives an audio command from said user regarding unlocking of said seat belt to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said L-shaped telescopic arm 107 and said gripper 108 to grip a part of said seat belt and imparting a pulling movement, for a removal of said latch from said buckle.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wireless communication module, linked with said microcontroller, is provided on said member 101 for enabling said user to remotely trigger said microcontroller, by connecting with a computing unit, to actuate said pair of clamps 105 to grip said buckle to lock said position of said latch with respect to said buckle, for a locking of said seat belt.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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