Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-27
2001-06-26
Jillions, John M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With spring motor
C280S806000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250579
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a belt winder for safety belts comprising a spindle for the winding up of the safety belt which can be latched with respect to a fixed base frame and comprising a force limiting element which can be latched with respect to the fixed base frame.
Belt winders of this kind are known in principle and enable a belt force limiting for the vehicle passenger in the event of an accident. In an accident the spindle latches with respect to the fixed base frame so that a further drawing out of the safety belt or a further rotation of the spindle respectively is not possible. When a force is further exerted on the belt band however the force limiting element is activated (a torsion bar is rotated) which is latched between the spindle and the base frame, through which energy is converted into mechanical deformation and heat.
The problem (object) lying at the basis of the invention is to further develop a belt winder of the initially named kind to such an extent that an individually controllable belt force limitation is possible.
This object is satisfied in particular in that at least one further force limiting element is provided which is in engagement with or can be brought into engagement with the spindle and which can be latched or is latched with respect to the fixed base frame.
Thus in accordance with the invention an additional force limiting element is additionally employed which can be coupled to the already present force limiting element or decoupled from the latter. In the case of heavy passengers the additional force limiting element can be additionally coupled on in the event of an accident, whereas a decoupling of the two elements is possible for a light passenger or in a less severe accident respectively. Thus in the framework of an “intelligent” energy management system in a belt winder the belt force acting on the passenger can be set individually in dependence on the size and weight of the passenger and the severity of the accident. For this, the size and/or the weight of the passenger can be detected (under certain circumstances already prior to the accident), whereupon the two elements can be coupled or decoupled after the occurrence of the accident in order to control the desired force behavior of the belt band.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the description, in the drawings and in the subordinate claims.
In accordance with a first advantageous embodiment a pyrotechnic device can be provided for the bringing into engagement or for the latching of the further force limiting element. With a pyrotechnic ignition charge the additional force limiting element (preferably a torsion bar) can be coupled to the belt winder or decoupled from the latter in a simple manner, with very short reaction times being possible. For the latching of the further force limiting element a stop or locking pawl can be provided which is preferably also pyrotechnically releasable. Through this the pawl is moved in a release of the pyrotechnic ignition charge so that the former enters into engagement with the further force limiting element and blocks the latter.
In accordance with a further embodiment the further force limiting element is provided at its one end with a gear which engages with a gear which is fastened to a spindle. In this embodiment the further force limiting element moves with the spindle in the normal case since a continuous coupling is provided. Alternatively, it is possible to couple the further force limiting element to the spindle only when this is required. In this case the other end of the element can be continuously latched with respect to the base frame.
A constructionally particularly favourable solution results when the further force limiting element is arranged outside the spindle, since in this case the space which is usually still available is used favourably.
It is particularly advantageous when a plurality of further force limiting elements is provided which can selectively be brought into engagement with the spindle. In this embodiment an individual adaptation to the greatest variety of passengers and accident situations is possible so that the belt force acting on the passenger can be adapted to the respective situation in the best possible manner.
Preferably a transmission which can be shifted is provided between the spindle and the further force limiting element. In this case a differing behavior of the belt winder can be set through shifting of the transmission. For this the transmission can have a two-armed lever, at the ends of which a gear is in each case arranged. Through pivoting of the lever in the one or in the other direction in each case a gear can thereby be coupled to the spindle with a different transmission ratio so that through this as well an adaptation to the actual circumstances is possible.
Torsion bars can preferably be used as force limiting elements.
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Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 097, No. 010, Oct. 31, 1997 & JP 09 164911 A (Nippon Seiko KK), Jun. 24, 1997.
Bannert Georg
Fleischmann Robert
Frank Richard
Hasse Hermann
Husung Christian
Foley & Lardner
Jillions John M.
Takata (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH
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