Retractor with electro-rheological lock

Details Retractor with electro-rheological lock Retractor with electro-rheological lock

1987-12-21

1989-03-28

Jillions, John M.

Winding, tensioning, or guiding

Strand tensioning device

Tortuous course

188267, B60R 2240

Patent

active

048156744

ABSTRACT:
According to the present invention a seat belt reel is mounted on a housing by a reel shaft. A locking mechanism for the reel includes a housing of electrically conductive material mounted on the retractor housing and defining a closed cavity communicating with the end of the reel shaft. A disc shaped electrode is located in the cavity of the housing and is attached on the end of the reel shaft by an electrically insulating connector. An electro-rheological fluid fills the cavity to fill the space between the electrode and the housing. An electrical circuit including an inertia sensor and a high voltage source applies a voltage differential between the electrode and the housing upon the occurrence of a vehicle deceleration condition so that the electro-rheological fluid changes to a solid to fix the electrode to the housing and thereby lock the reel shaft against rotation to fix the length of the seat belt.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2417850 (1947-03-01), Winslow
patent: 2685947 (1954-08-01), Votrian
patent: 3144921 (1964-08-01), Martinek
patent: 3240295 (1966-03-01), Martinek et al.
patent: 4444298 (1984-04-01), Stangroom
patent: 4664236 (1987-05-01), Stangroom
Automotive Engineering, Nov. 1985, vol. 93, No. 11, pp. 75-79 entitled, "ER Fluid Devices Near Commercial Stage".
Automotive Industries, p. 28, date unknown, entitled, "Inventors: Got a Use for Liquid that Turns Solid".

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