GM has filed a patent application for a new heated seat belt system designed to enhance the comfort of passengers.
The GM patent filing has been assigned application number US 11,673,496 B1 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on June 13th, 2023. The patent was originally filed on March 17th, 2022, and lists several U.S.-based engineers as the inventors, including Taeyoung Han, Shailendra Kaushik, Alok Warey, Chih-Hung Yen, and Bahram Khalighi.
The GM patent describes a heated seat belt system that includes thermally controlled technology integrated with a portion of the lap belt and a portion of the shoulder belt. The thermally controlled portions can include a porous sleeve connected to the seat ventilation system, of the vehicle ventilation system. Alternatively, the heated seat belt can incorporate heating fabric or thermoelectric elements.
“Vehicles are commonly operated at temperatures ranging from well below 0 degrees F to over 100 degrees F,” the GM patent states. “At these temperatures, it is desirable to provide alternative heating and cooling systems that allow a passenger to be comfortable regardless of the outdoor temperatures and that the alternative heating and cooling systems operate efficiently.”
Providing heating or cooling directly to the passenger via an element that is in contact with the passenger can be very effective and efficient, as demonstrated by the efficacy of technology like heated and ventilated seats, or heated and ventilated steering wheels. Greater efficiency is also highly desirable in light of the broader industry movement towards all-electric vehicles, which are particularly sensitive to power drains resulting from excessive cabin climate control usage.
Per previous GM Authority coverage, GM has filed to patent several other novel climate control systems as of late, including a heated sunroof roller shade system and a radiant surface heating system, as well as a climate control system capable of detecting and compensating for occupant clothing levels.
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Comments
Before people that get upset over GM patenting seemingly worthless technology, this will likely reduce the need for a driver using HVAC and saving valuable energy during colder months.
I doubt you could even feel that heated seatbelt through your coat in the winter. Because if you are conserving cabin heat you will need to leave your coat on. Another convenience of EV’s!
You can feel a heated seat with a heavy coat. I don’t see why it would be any different here.
Yes, because your coat is flattened by the weight of you against it and the seat. This all the air in the insulation is pressed out and it looses 80% of its insulation capacity. But on the non pressure side where your seat belt is, we’re talking about a smaller heat conduit and let’s be honest, superior seatbelts are not felt at all except in the event of a crash.
This is honestly an example of GM parenting something so ford doesn’t. Not exactly a brilliant feature
I’m working on a patent for instant water but I can’t figure out what to add to it.
My recipe calls for one cup of dry air and a cup of cool wet water. Then you slowly add the water to the air while stirring, ice is optional, then enjoy. This works every time. LOL, thanks for the chuckle.
It might save some use of heat in very mild weather but can’t see it doing much when truly cold or hot.
What a waste , the need to heat and cool the entire cabin will never change.
I can already see the recall notices !
Seems unnecessary and probably have a minimal effect. In the winter my coat stays on during the commute, but whatever.
I agree the announcement to patent heated seat belts is ridiculous.
In cold weather most people wear a sweater or coat.
Ah – but on the other hand it gives GM the excuse to raise the price again as an added option.
But history will prevail and there will be a shortage of chips.
How much money would GM save if they just got rid of staff that come up with useless ideas ?
You should probably be fired and audited, that makes too much sense. Had a conversation with an engineer at UPS today as they use some of my companies systems. Huge company, and when I suggested they go buy replacement USB cables from Amazon, he said they can’t do that. They’ve contracted out a whole software system for all expenditures so most purchases for small things get rejected. They probably have a 10million contract with this company to knock out several hundred thousand dollars in micro expenses. Big companies are always awful at these things.
Gm R&D, backassword.
How much a month is GM wanting to charge for this?
Rather have a cooled steering wheel for summer.
Would not heated seatbelts have a somewhat reduced life expectancy from the countless heat cycles, plausibly leading to greater amounts of failures?