IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0483271
(2006-07-07)
|
등록번호 |
US-7806357
(2010-10-26)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
46 |
초록
A retractor includes a pretensioner whereby load limitation disturbances are minimized or eliminated to provide a synchronized and smooth transition between the different structures resisting the rotation of the spool.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A retractor for a seat belt restraining system for restraining an occupant of an automobile having a sensor detecting a potential impact event, the retractor comprising: a spool receiving a portion of the seat belt; a first force limiting element connected to the spool;
The invention claimed is: 1. A retractor for a seat belt restraining system for restraining an occupant of an automobile having a sensor detecting a potential impact event, the retractor comprising: a spool receiving a portion of the seat belt; a first force limiting element connected to the spool; a locking mechanism operatively connected to the spool through the first force limiting element, the locking mechanism including a blocking element for engaging the first force limiting element and resisting rotation of the spool, the blocking element engaging the first force limiting element upon a small rotation of the spool to pay out seatbelt; a second force limiting element connected to the spool; a pretensioner having a drive mechanism operatively connected to the spool through the second force limiting element such that activation of the pretensioner rotates the spool to wind-up the seatbelt when connected through the second force limiting element; and a clutch positioned between the spool and the drive mechanism for controlling force transmission between the spool and the drive mechanism, the clutch selectively engaging the drive mechanism, relative rotation between the drive mechanism and the spool actuating the clutch to disconnect the drive mechanism from the second force limiting element. 2. The retractor of claim 1, wherein the clutch includes a clutch lever engaged with and driven by the spool. 3. The retractor of claim 2, wherein the clutch includes a clutch palm connected to the clutch lever, the clutch palm selectively engaging the drive mechanism, and wherein the relative rotation between the drive mechanism and spool causes the clutch palm to disengage the drive mechanism. 4. The retractor of claim 3, wherein the clutch lever and clutch palm are rigidly connected, and wherein the relative rotation between the drive mechanism and spool rotates the clutch lever to effect rotation of the clutch palm for disengagement of the drive mechanism. 5. The retractor of claim 4, wherein the clutch palm rotates about 5 to 10 degrees before disengagement with the drive mechanism. 6. The retractor of claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism includes a pinion rotated upon activation of the drive mechanism, and wherein the clutch palm selectively engages the pinion. 7. The retractor of claim 6, wherein the pinion includes an interior bore, the interior bore defining a shoulder positioned to engage the clutch palm. 8. The retractor of claim 3, wherein the clutch includes a clutch body interconnecting the clutch lever and the clutch palm. 9. The retractor of claim 8, wherein the second force limiting element includes a toothed coupling connecting the second force limiting element to the end cap, and wherein the clutch body is received between adjacent teeth of the coupling. 10. The retractor of claim 8, wherein the clutch body defines a pivot axis of the clutch, and wherein the pivot axis is parallel a rotational axis of the spool. 11. The retractor of claim 3, wherein the clutch palm is longitudinally spaced away from the clutch lever. 12. The retractor of claim 2, wherein the spool includes a channel, and wherein clutch lever extends through the channel. 13. The retractor of claim 12, wherein the channel and clutch lever extend radially. 14. The retractor of claim 2, wherein the clutch lever is connected to the spool for rotation therewith in both the retraction and protraction directions. 15. The retractor of claim 1, further comprising an end cap fixedly connected to the second force limiting element, the end cap including an opening sized to receive the clutch and permit rotation of the clutch. 16. The retractor of claim 1, wherein the small rotation of the spool to pay out webbing and cause engagement of the spool and blocking element effects disengagement of the drive mechanism and spool. 17. A method for restraining an occupant of an automobile having seat belt securing the occupant and a sensor detecting a potential impact event, the method comprising: providing a retractor having a pretensioner, a spool, a first force limiting element, a second force limiting element, and a locking mechanism, the spool receiving a portion of the seat belt, the first force limiting element operatively connecting the spool and locking mechanism, the pretensioner having a drive mechanism, the second force limiting element operatively linking the spool and drive mechanism; providing a clutch positioned between the second force limiting element and the drive mechanism for controlling force transmission between the spool and the drive mechanism, the clutch including a clutch lever positioned to be driven by the spool and a clutch palm for engaging the drive mechanism; activating the drive mechanism of the pretensioner to rotate the spool and wind up the seat belt; blocking the rotation of the drive mechanism of the pretensioner; and activating the locking mechanism to resist rotation of the spool through the first force limiting element, the locking mechanism including a blocking element fixing an end of the first force limiting element upon a small rotation of the spool to pay out the seat belt, the small rotation of the spool driving the clutch lever and rotating the clutch palm to disengage the drive mechanism from the second force limiting element. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second force limiting element is loaded to permit the small rotation of the spool and the blocking element to fix an end of the first force limiting element. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second force limiting element and pretensioner do not resist rotation of the spool upon activation of the clutch.
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