Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-11-06
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With spring motor
C242S379000, C242S379100, C242S379200, C280S805000, C297S472000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311918
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for winding and unwinding a seat belt with an electric drive.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
A device of for winding and unwinding a seat belt is taught by DE 41 12 620 A1. With the known winder for seat belts, the belt reel is loaded by an electric motor such that, when the seat belt is applied, the application force exerted by the motive spring is lower than the retraction force exerted on the belt webbing on application of the seat belt, in particular when the belt webbing is brought back into the parking position. A spring spool in which the motive spring is mounted rotates on the belt retractor frame for this purpose and the electric motor acts on this spring spool. The restoring force of the motive spring can be increased or reduced by rotating the spring spool.
DE 43 32 205 teaches a device wherein a torque is transmitted to a belt reel of a belt winder loaded by a motive spring by an electric drive below a value which is critical for power tightening in order to pretighten a seat belt wound onto the belt reel. In particular, during abrupt braking which leads to a change of speed below a critical value, a feeling of security is imparted to the belted-in vehicle occupant. Below the limit of deceleration or acceleration that is critical for power tightening, pretightening of the belt is achieved by rotating the winding shaft in the belt winding direction. The torque required for this purpose is provided by an electric motor, in particular a direct-current motor. This electric motor can also be used to adjust comfort during application and wearing of the seat belt.
It is also known from DE 27 42 676 A1 and DE 41 12 620 A1 to rotate, using an electric drive (electric motor) acting as a servomotor, a rotatably mounted spring spool of the motive spring which is fixed by its outer end on the spring spool, in order to adjust the application force of the seat belt webbing in a comfortable manner, or to increase the spring force by rotation of the spring spool for rapid winding of the seat belt on removal of the seat belt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the present invention, the torque produced by the electric drive, in particular an electric motor (direct-current motor) can be transmitted via the motive spring that is wound to a blocking configuration onto the belt reel. This results from pretightening the seat belt. Furthermore, not only torques originating from the electric motor can be transmitted via the spring wound to a blocking configuration onto the belt reel, but also forces originating from the belt reel can be caused to act on energy absorbers, for example load limiters, via the spring wound to a blocking configuration. These energy absorbers or load limiters are preferably connected to the outer end of the spring. This can involve, for example, decelerating guidance of the webbing by means of which the outer end of the motive spring is guided, for example, around deflection points having a decelerating effect. Furthermore, the electric motor can act additionally, or solely, as an energy absorber. Decelerated forward movement of the belted-in vehicle occupant can thus be achieved when the belt reel is blocked.
The transmission of torque is preferably dampened during winding to a blocking configuration. A damping element can be provided in the flow of force between the electric drive and the belt reel for this purpose. The damping element is so designed that, by a change of form, it allows a rotational relative movement between a part of the motive spring, for example the spring arbor or the outer fixing point of the motive spring on a rotatable motive spring spool, and the belt reel during the winding of the motive spring to a blocking configuration. This relative movement preferably takes place within a specific rotational angle before attainment of the complete blocking position of the motive spring. Preferably the damping element is elastically deformable. The damping element can be the carrier of the load limiter that has a decelerating effect on the end of the motive spring.
Furthermore, the comfort to the vehicle occupant of the applied seat belt can be adjusted in a known manner by the electric drive by appropriate loading of the motive spring, in particular via the rotatable motive spring spool, as known, for example, from DE 27 42 676 or DE 41 12 620 A1. The traction force of the motive spring can also be increased in this way during belt retraction in the parking position after removal of the seat belt.
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Beauchaine Mark J
Breed Automotive Technology Inc.
Drayer Lonnie
Walsh Donald P.
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