Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Reeling device – With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-06-05
Jillions, John M. (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Reeling device
With spring motor
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241173
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a belt retractor for a safety belt restraint system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The locking catch serves to lock the belt spool in the frame in the case of need, so that the safety belt held on the belt spool can not be withdrawn further from the belt retractor. The locking catch is mounted on the frame usually by means of bearing pins which are constructed in one piece with the locking catch. The high loads which are introduced into the frame by the locking toothing via the locking catch with the belt spool locked, are not transferred through the bearing pin, however; these forces are introduced into the frame by the end of the locking catch facing away from the locking toothing resting against the frame.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention consists in providing a belt retractor in which the mounting of the locking catch is achieved at a more favorable cost.
This is achieved by a belt retractor comprising a frame in which a belt spool is rotatably mounted, which spool is provided at at least one of its axial ends with a locking toothing, and comprising at least one locking catch which can be guided into the locking toothing of the belt spool and has a bearing pin at one end. The locking catch is provided with a bore. The bearing pin is formed by a wire pin which is arranged in the bore and onto which the locking catch is pressed. With this construction, a range of advantages can be achieved. The locking catch itself is now a substantially two-dimensional part. This makes it possible to construct the locking catch for example as a profiled part, i.e. starting from a bar, the outer circumference of which corresponds to the outer contour of the locking catch and which is cut into a plurality of discs which each form a locking catch. Alternatively, it is also possible to construct the locking catch as a diecast metal part. In each case, the wire pin is inserted as a separate part into the locking catch. The locking catch is pressed onto the wire pin. This makes it possible to connect the locking catch with the wire pin by means of a particularly simple processing step. Preferably, provision can be made that the wire pin is provided with axial grooves in the region of the bore of the locking catch. This increases the holding force of the wire pin in the bore of the locking catch.
If, according to a possible embodiment, only a single locking catch is used in order to lock the belt spool, the wire pin projects over the two outer faces of the locking catch. This makes it possible to mount the locking catch precisely on the frame.
If, according to a possible different embodiment, two locking catches are used which can be guided into two locking toothings which are separated from each other and which each are arranged at an axial end of the belt spool, the wire pin can extend continuously from the one locking catch to the other, the pin projecting over the outer faces, facing away from each other, of the locking catches. The locking catches can then be mounted precisely by means of the two ends of the wire pin, the wire pin being able to additionally serve for transferring the guiding movement of a locking catch into the locking toothing to the other locking catch. In fact, usually only one locking mechanism arranged on a side of the belt retractor is used, which introduces the guiding movement of the locking catches on a side of the frame.
Alternatively, it is also possible that the bore is constructed so as to be profiled and the wire pin is provided with a complementary profile in the region of the bore. In this way, a connection is achieved with an interlocking fit between the wire pin and the locking catch, which is particularly advantageous when two locking catches are used on one wire pin, which both have to be guided into the locking toothings of the belt spool by means of a locking mechanism acting only on one side.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the end of the locking catch facing away from the locking toothing is provided with a recess into which a cross-piece of the frame engages. This construction ensures that the locking catch is supported securely and reliably in the frame even when it introduces high loads from the belt spool into the frame, without being able to slip.
According to a possible further development, provision can be made that on the exterior of the frame a guide plate is arranged which, together with a collar guides the locking catch, which collar separates from the locking toothing a region of the belt spool provided to receive the safety belt. The guide plate assists the precise guidance of the locking catch, so that the latter can be guided precisely into the locking toothing under all circumstances.
Preferably, provision is made that the belt retractor has two locking catches which are made of different materials. One locking catch should be made of a light metal such as aluminum or magnesium, and the other should be made of steel or a zinc diecast part, that is, an extremely sturdy material. Usually, the catches have previously always been constructed of steel, something which however increases the weight and the inertia during the guiding-in process. Making one catch from a more lightweight material may distinctly reduce the inertial mass of the unit consisting of the locking catches and the bearing pins.
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Jillions John M.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
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