Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-23
2001-04-17
Nguyen, John Q. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With spring motor
C242S384300, C280S807000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216973
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a seat belt retractor, and particularly relates to an electrically lockable seat belt retractor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle seat belt retractor includes belt webbing wound on a spool of the retractor. A spool locking mechanism blocks withdrawal of seat belt webbing from the spool to help protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision. In some seat belt retractors, the spool locking mechanism is electrically actuated. To actuate the spool locking mechanism, a sensor senses a condition indicative of a vehicle collision and a controller sends an electrical signal to the retractor. In one known retractor, the electrical signal actuates an electromagnet which causes a pawl to move into engagement with a ratchet wheel on the retractor. In another known retractor, the actuation of an electromagnet creates a magnetic attractive force to restrain rotation of a magnetic disc and thereby to actuate the spool locking mechanism of the retractor.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,363,991, 5,206,557 and 5,642,015 disclose micro electro-mechanical transducers. These transducers are small devices which are capable of transforming a small electric current into mechanical motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a seat belt retractor comprising a seat belt webbing spool supported for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction and an opposite belt retraction direction. A member is supported for rotation relative to the spool. The retractor includes means for blocking rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction in response to relative rotation of the member and the spool. The retractor also includes an electrically actuatable clamp movable upon application of an electric current between a first condition not clamping the member and a second condition clamping the member and thereby restraining rotation of the member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4363991 (1982-12-01), Edelman
patent: 4729525 (1988-03-01), Rumpf
patent: 4854424 (1989-08-01), Yamatoh et al.
patent: 4895317 (1990-01-01), Rumpf et al.
patent: 5206557 (1993-04-01), Bobbio
patent: 5377802 (1995-01-01), Ide
patent: 5479061 (1995-12-01), Bobbio et al.
patent: 5642015 (1997-06-01), Whitehead et al.
patent: 5826683 (1998-10-01), Murata et al.
Nguyen John Q.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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