VEHICLE SEATBELT USAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND TRANSMITTING A SEATBELT WARNING SIGNAL

摘要

~ A seatbelt usage sensing apparatus for use with a vehicle which includes a seat assembly, an occupant sensor, a seatbelt sensor, and a warning signal generator. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be occupied by a seat occupant in an occupied configuration. The seat assembly also includes a seatbelt assembly which has a seatbelt webbing and a seatbelt fastening member. The seatbelt assembly is moveable between fastened and unfastened configurations. In the unfastened configuration, the seatbelt fastening member is removed from secure engagement with the seatbelt webbing. The warning signal generator can generate and transmit a seatbelt warning signal when the occupant sensor determines that the seat cushion is in the occupied configuration and the seatbelt sensor determines that the seatbelt assembly is in the unfastened configuration. The seatbelt warning signal is transmitted substantially exterior relative to an interior seating compartment of the vehicle.