Energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter

• US 20040090107A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chris Cintos De SeguranムA Ltda.
• Original Assignee: Chris Cintos De SeguranムA Ltda.
• Inventors: Mitropoulos, Christos Argyrios
• Granted Patent: US 7,128,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/472
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/286 using deformation of material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/341 comprising energy-absorbing means

Abstract

ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER is a device (1) to be applied to any model of seatbelt (C), consisted of laminated plate (2) provided with convenient number of folds (3) arranged parallel among themselves and transversally in relation to the longitudinal axle of plate and/or of additional element (4) provided with convenient number of turns (5). These folds and turns, when submitted to a certain traction strength, resulting from strong collision or sudden deceleration of the vehicle, are gradually unfolded and/or unrolled, causing a gradual increase in the length of referred plate (2) and of referred element (4), respectively. The seatbelt additional displacement, necessary and required to attend and gradually absorb the sudden deceleration of vehicle is provided by the own retractor body (R) of seatbelt, more specifically by the energy absorbing device (1) installed therein.

Claims

1. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER to be applied to any seatbelt (C) model. Such device (1) is characterized by consisting of a laminated plate (2) conveniently fastened to the retractor body (R) of seatbelt, presenting predetermined resistance and malleability characteristics and provided with convenient number of folds (3) arranged parallel among themselves and transversally in relation to the longitudinal axle of plate. The folds that, when submitted to a certain traction strength resulting from strong collision or sudden deceleration of vehicle, are gradually unfolded, causing a gradual increase in the length of referred plate (2).

2. ) energy absorbing device with torso displacement limiter according to vindication 1, characterized by such laminated plate (2), to be made of appropriate metal material, preferably treated steel.

3. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindication 1, characterized by such laminated plate (2) to be fastened to the retractor body (R) of seatbelt (C) by welding, riveting, or any other convenient fastening mean or to become integral part of the retractor body.

4. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindication 1, characterized by the folds (3) of such laminated plate (2) presenting variable section, format and number, depending on the vehicle model, complying with the body deceleration requirements and the displacement limits for each model of vehicle.

5. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindication 1, such device (1) is characterized by consisting of an additional element (4), wired type and with restraint effect, conveniently installed in the retractor body (R), having predetermined resistance and malleability characteristics and provided with convenient number of turns (5) that, when submitted to a certain traction strength resulting from strong collision or sudden deceleration of vehicle, are gradually unfolded, causing a gradual increase in the length of referred element (4).

6. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindications 1 and 5, characterized by such additional element (4) made of appropriate metal material, preferably treated steel.

7. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindications 1 and 5, characterized by the turns (5) of referred element (4) presenting variable section, format and number, depending on the model of vehicle, complying with the body deceleration requirements and the displacement limits for each model of vehicle.

8. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindication 1, characterized by being installed in any model of seatbelt, becoming integral part of the set, already in its production line.

9. ) ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE WITH TORSO DISPLACEMENT LIMITER according to Vindication 1, characterized by the seatbelt additional displacement, necessary and required to attend and gradually absorb the sudden deceleration of vehicle provided by the own retractor body (R) of seatbelt, more specifically by the energy absorbing device installed therein, consisted of the laminated plate (2) provided with folds (3) and/or of the additional element (4) provided with turns (5).