Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-04-17
Jillions, John M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216972
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a device for force limitation, which can be used in particular in a belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A force limitation device serves to make possible a movement between two components when a predetermined force or a predetermined torque is exceeded between them. The movement which then occurs can be converted for example into an additional path for deceleration for example of a vehicle occupant, whilst through the relative movement for example the belt webbing is released from a belt spool of a belt retractor.
Such force limitation devices are known in the most varied of embodiments. One problem in these force limitation devices consists in that under certain circumstances a characteristic of resistance over relative movement is desired, which drops. In the case of two components which are rotatable to each other, this means that it is desired that the torque necessary for the rotation of the two components relative to each other drops with a progressive angle of rotation. Such a characteristic can either not be achieved at all with the force limitation devices known hitherto or can only be achieved with a high structural expenditure.
The object of the invention therefore consists in providing a force limitation device which makes possible in a simple and reliable manner a characteristic of resistance over relative movement, which drops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This problem is solved by means of a device for force limitation, with an annular housing in which a guide path is formed, with a carrier arranged inside the housing concentrically therewith, which is rotatable relative to the housing, and with a traction means which is secured on the carrier, extends along a part of its length in the guide path and can be withdrawn from the guide path by rotation of the carrier relative to the housing and can be wound onto the the carrier. This construction is based on the basic principle that the resistance which counteracts a relative rotation between the housing and the carrier is made available by friction and deformation work of the traction means in the guide path. This resistance force is all the higher, the longer the part of the guide means is which is extending in the guide path. On relative rotation between the housing and the carrier, the traction means is, however, drawn out from the guide path so that the resistance force which is made available drops. In the extreme, the resistance force would drop to zero at the moment at which the traction means is drawn out completely from the guide path; however, this state can be prevented structurally, if it is not required.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4323205 (1982-04-01), Tsuge et al.
patent: 5618006 (1997-04-01), Sayles
patent: 5899399 (1999-05-01), Brown et al.
patent: 5924641 (1999-07-01), Keller et al.
patent: 5934597 (1999-08-01), Ludwig
patent: 5975451 (1999-11-01), Kawamoto
patent: 2200565 (1975-07-01), None
patent: 0768219 (1997-04-01), None
Jillions John M.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
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