Belt tensioner for a safety belt system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016288769-A1
Application number	US-201415034899-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2014
Priority date	Nov 8, 2013
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A belt tensioner for a seat belt system comprises a pinion (10) pivoted about an axis of rotation A which is adapted to be coupled to a best reel of a belt retractor, a drive unit a force transmission element ( 12 ) and a guide means. By activating the drive unit the force transmission element ( 12 ) is moved along the guide means so that it engages in the pinion ( 10 ). The guide means Includes a portion ( 16 ) which is deformable in a direction x perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the pinion ( 10 ) and to the direction of movement y of the force transmission element ( 12 ).

First claim

1 - 11 . (canceled)

12 . A belt tensioner for a seat belt system, comprising:
a pinion ( 10 ) pivoted about an axis of rotation A which is adapted to be coupled to a bait reel of a belt retractor, a drive unit, a force transmission element ( 12 ) and a guide means, wherein the force transmission element ( 12 ) is moved along the guide means by activation of the drive unit so that it engages in the pinion ( 10 ), and wherein the guide means includes a guide portion ( 16 ) which is adapted to be deformed in a direction x perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the pinion ( 10 ) and to the direction of movement y of the force transmission element ( 12 ).

13 . The belt tensioner according to claim 12 , wherein the deflectable guide portion ( 16 ) is arranged in an area of the guide means in which the force transmission element ( 12 ) engages in the pinion ( 10 ).

14 . The belt tensioner according to claim 12 , wherein the guide portion ( 16 ) is part of a pressure cylinder ( 14 ) in which the force transmission element ( 12 ) is accommodated.

15 . The belt tensioner according to claim 14 , wherein the guide portion ( 16 ) rests on a housing wall ( 18 ), wherein the guide portion ( 16 ) is spaced from an indentation ( 22 ) of the housing wall ( 18 ) by a gap ( 20 ).

16 . The belt tensioner according to claim 15 , wherein the width of the gap ( 20 ) in the direction x is not larger than the thickness of the guide portion ( 16 ) in said direction.

17 . The belt tensioner according to claim 15 , wherein the indentation ( 22 ) has a front edge ( 24 ) related to the direction of movement y of the force transmission element ( 12 ) about which edge the guide portion ( 16 ) is bent during deformation thereof.

18 . The belt tensioner according to claim 12 , wherein the guide portion ( 16 ) rests on a housing wall ( 18 ), wherein a central part of the guide portion ( 16 ) faces a recess of the housing wall ( 18 ).

19 . The belt tensioner according to claim 18 wherein in the area of the recess an elastic support for the guide portion ( 18 ) is provided.

20 . The belt tensioner according to claim 12 , wherein the force transmission element ( 12 ) is made of substantially deformable, preferably elastomeric material.

21 . The belt tensioner according to claim 12 , wherein the teeth of the pinion ( 10 ) dig into the material of the force transmission element ( 12 ) during force transmission.

22 . The belt tensioner according to claim 12 , wherein the force transmission element includes at least one integral portion the length of which is a multiple of its diameter.

Assignees

• Trw Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Landbeck Adrian
• Waidmann Alexander
• Hofmann Bernd

Classifications

• B60R2022/468

  characterised by clutching means between actuator and belt reel · CPC title

• B60R22/4676

  comprising energy-absorbing means operating between belt reel and retractor frame · CPC title

• B60R22/4633

  Linear actuators, e.g. comprising a piston moving along reel axis and rotating along its own axis · CPC title

• B60R22/4628 Primary

  characterised by fluid actuators, e.g. pyrotechnic gas generators (actuating a cable B60R22/4619) · CPC title