Method of optimizing threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle

1. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a refractor and an airbag, the method comprising:

defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value;

determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;

selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met; and

wherein the one or more factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when a predefined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat remains above a predetermined adult load for at least a predetermined minimum time.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined adult load is 100 pounds and the predetermined minimum time is 30 seconds.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the predetermined speed range is 0-10 kilometers per hour.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seat-load range.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the seat-load range is approximately between 20 and 38 pounds.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether the locking feature in the retractor remains in the first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the predefined minimum locking time is 10 seconds.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the airbag suppression system is pressure-based such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed when a pressure on the vehicle seat is above the first value.

11. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, an airbag, a seat belt webbing and a retractor, the method comprising:

defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that the airbag is suppressed above the first value;

determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;

selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met;

wherein the factors include:

determining whether a locking feature in the retractor is in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing, the locking feature being configured to enter the first state when the seat belt webbing is fully extended;

determining whether an adult classification has been made with high confidence;

determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range;

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seatload range; and

determining whether the locking feature in the retractor remains in the first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said determining whether an adult classification has been made with high confidence includes determining whether the load applied to the vehicle seat remains above a predetermined adult load for at least a predetermined minimum time.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the locking feature is configured to enter the first state when the seat belt webbing is fully extended.

14. A method of optimizing an airbag suppression threshold for an airbag suppression system in a vehicle having a vehicle seat, a seat belt webbing, a retractor and an airbag, the method comprising:

defining a first value as the airbag suppression threshold such that deployment of the airbag is suppressed above the first value;

determining one or more factors indicative of a presence of a child restraint seat in the vehicle seat;

selectively setting the airbag suppression threshold to a predefined second value when each of the factors are met;

wherein the factors include determining whether a locking feature in the retractor remains in a first state configured to prevent withdrawal of the seat belt webbing for at least a predefined minimum locking time; and

wherein the predefined minimum locking time is about 10 seconds.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat remains above a predetermined adult load for at least a predetermined minimum time.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined adult load is 100 pounds and the predetermined minimum time is 30 seconds.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether a speed of the vehicle is within a predetermined speed range.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the factors include:

determining whether a load applied to the vehicle seat is within a predetermined seat-load range.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the seat-load range is approximately between 20 and 38 pounds.