Force-limiting device and seat belt system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11135995-B2
Application number	US-201716465607-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 1, 2017
Priority date	Dec 2, 2016
Publication date	Oct 5, 2021
Grant date	Oct 5, 2021

Abstract

A force-limiting device, especially for a seat belt system (10) in a vehicle, has a force transducer (20) interacting with webbing (14) for which a normal webbing path is provided. The force transducer (20) includes a webbing track (30) that in a non-force-limiting position extends in parallel to the normal webbing path and in a force-limiting position extends inclined relative to the normal webbing path so that the force transducer (20) in the force-limiting position sets a predetermined extension force (F) required to move the webbing (14) vis-à-vis the force transducer (20) in a direction of belt extension (R).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A force-limiting device for a seat belt system ( 10 ) in a vehicle, comprising a force transducer ( 20 ) interacting with webbing ( 14 ) for which a normal webbing path is provided, wherein the force-transducing member ( 20 ) has a webbing track ( 30 ) that in a non-force-limiting position extends in parallel to the normal webbing path and in a force-limiting position extends inclined relative to the normal webbing path so that the force transducer ( 20 ) in the force-limiting position sets a predetermined extension force required for moving the webbing ( 14 ) vis-à-vis the force transducer ( 20 ) in a direction of webbing extension (R), wherein the force transducer ( 20 ) has at least two movable parts ( 22 ) which have a substantially identical structure and which are disposed in series in the webbing extension direction (R), and wherein at each movable part ( 22 ) at least a portion of the webbing track ( 30 ) is configured, the movable parts being rotatable or pivotable about an axis of rotation (A) to the force-limiting position, and wherein the axis of rotation (A) is aligned to the direction of webbing extension (R) and in parallel to a surface area of the webbing ( 14 ).

2. The force-limiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the webbing track ( 30 ) is formed in at least one through-hole ( 26 ).

3. The force-limiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable part ( 22 ) is moved from the non-force-limiting position to the force-limiting position by an angle (α) from 30° to 180° about its axis of rotation (A).

4. The force-limiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable part ( 22 ) is biased into the force-limiting position and a blocking device ( 42 ) which keeps the movable part ( 22 ) in the non-force-limiting position is provided.

5. The force-limiting device according to claim 4 , wherein an actuator ( 44 ) interacting with the blocking device ( 42 ) is provided.

6. The force-limiting device according to claim 4 , wherein a spring element ( 40 ) producing the bias is provided.

7. The force-limiting device according to claim 4 , wherein the force transducer ( 20 ) is designed so that the bias can be variably adjusted.

8. The force-limiting device according to claim 4 , wherein a pyrotechnical actuator interacting with the blocking device ( 42 ) is provided.

9. The force-limiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable parts ( 22 ) are moved about the respective axes of rotation (A) in different directions of rotation.

10. The force-limiting device according to claim 9 , wherein meshing teeth ( 34 ) are provided on an outer face ( 24 ) of the movable parts ( 22 ).

11. A seat belt system comprising a belt retractor ( 12 ) which winds up and unwinds the webbing ( 14 ) and comprising the force-limiting device ( 18 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the webbing ( 14 ) extends through the webbing track ( 30 ) and in the force-limiting position of the force transducer ( 20 ) the webbing ( 14 ) extends at an angle vis-à-vis the normal path.

12. The seat belt system according to claim 11 , wherein the force transducer ( 20 ) is disposed at a distance from the belt retractor ( 12 ) in the direction of webbing extension (R) ahead of the belt retractor ( 12 ) or in the direction of webbing extension (R) ahead of a belt deflection ( 16 ).

13. The seat belt system according to claim 11 , wherein the force transducer ( 20 ) is configured so that the predetermined extension force can be adjusted.

14. The seat belt system according to claim 13 , wherein an angle of inclination of the webbing track ( 30 ) can be adjusted.

15. The seat belt system according to claim 11 , wherein the force transducer ( 20 ) is disposed at a distance from the belt retractor ( 12 ) in the direction of webbing extension (R) ahead of the belt retractor ( 12 ) between the belt retractor ( 12 ) and a belt deflection ( 16 ).

16. The seat belt system according to claim 11 , wherein the force transducer ( 20 ) is configured so that the predetermined extension force can be adjusted depending on at least one of a height, a weight or a position of a vehicle occupant, a vehicle velocity, a vehicle deceleration and a webbing extension characteristic.

17. The force-limiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation (A) is perpendicular to the direction of belt extension (R).

18. The force-limiting device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable part ( 22 ) is moved from the non-force-limiting position to the force-limiting position by an angle (α) from about 90° to 150°, about its axis of rotation (A).

Assignees

• Trw Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Schaub Swen
• Muecke Christian
• Gargallo Simon
• Burkhardtsmaier Günter
• Gentner Bernd
• Gross Oliver
• Kramer Simon
• Pregitzer Andreas
• Wahl Marco
• Seiler Malke
• Bedak Nizam

Classifications

• B60R22/34

  Belt retractors, e.g. reels (anchoring devices {, e.g. guide loops} , with means to tension the belt in an emergency B60R22/195) · CPC title

• B60R21/01

  Electrical circuits for triggering {passive} safety arrangements, {e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners,} in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents {(electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343)} · CPC title

• B60R22/185 Primary

  with stopping means for acting directly upon the belt in an emergency, e.g. by clamping or friction {(B60R22/195 takes precedence; combined with the retractor B60R22/42)} · CPC title

• B60R2021/01265

  Seat belts · CPC title

• B60R22/1954

  characterised by fluid actuators, e.g. pyrotechnic gas generators (actuating a cable B60R22/1952) · CPC title