Helical pretensioner
First Claim
1. A pretensioner mechanism for use with a seatbelt retractor, the retractor having a rotatable member configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon, the pretensioner mechanism comprising:
- a movable member slidably coupled to the rotatable member of the retractor;
a first plurality of engageable motion transmission elements, first ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a portion of the rotatable member, second ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a first portion of the movable member, the second ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements being configured for operative engagement with the first ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements;
a stationary member secured to the retractor along a path of slidable movement of the movable member; and
a second plurality of engageable motion transmission elements, first ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a second portion of the movable member, second ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a portion of the stationary member, the second ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements being configured for sliding engagement with the first ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements, at least one plurality of the first plurality of motion transmission elements and the second plurality of motion transmission elements having a helical configuration for producing relative rotation between first ones and second ones of the at least one plurality of motion transmission elements upon sliding engagement therebetween, wherein activation of the pretensioner produces a sliding movement of the movable member, thereby producing simultaneous sliding engagement between the first ones and the second ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements and sliding engagement between the first ones and the second ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements, and wherein simultaneous sliding engagement of the first plurality of motion transmission elements and sliding engagement of the second plurality of motion transmission elements produce a rotation of the rotatable member with respect to the stationary member, thereby pretensioning a seatbelt webbing wound on the rotatable member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) is housed inside the retractor spool (16). The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), and a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and complementary helical splines (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Helical splines (29) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (28) extend along a portion of the stationary member (20) for slidingly engaging the splines (29) on the second portion of the movable member (22). Activation of the pretensioner mechanism (10) produces a sliding movement of the movable member (22), thereby producing simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines. Simultaneous sliding engagement between the complementary groups of helical splines produces a rotation of the spool (16) with respect to the stationary member (20), thereby pretensioning a seatbelt webbing wound on the spool (16).
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A pretensioner mechanism for use with a seatbelt retractor, the retractor having a rotatable member configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon, the pretensioner mechanism comprising:
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a movable member slidably coupled to the rotatable member of the retractor;
a first plurality of engageable motion transmission elements, first ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a portion of the rotatable member, second ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a first portion of the movable member, the second ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements being configured for operative engagement with the first ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements;
a stationary member secured to the retractor along a path of slidable movement of the movable member; and
a second plurality of engageable motion transmission elements, first ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a second portion of the movable member, second ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements extending along a portion of the stationary member, the second ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements being configured for sliding engagement with the first ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements, at least one plurality of the first plurality of motion transmission elements and the second plurality of motion transmission elements having a helical configuration for producing relative rotation between first ones and second ones of the at least one plurality of motion transmission elements upon sliding engagement therebetween, wherein activation of the pretensioner produces a sliding movement of the movable member, thereby producing simultaneous sliding engagement between the first ones and the second ones of the first plurality of motion transmission elements and sliding engagement between the first ones and the second ones of the second plurality of motion transmission elements, and wherein simultaneous sliding engagement of the first plurality of motion transmission elements and sliding engagement of the second plurality of motion transmission elements produce a rotation of the rotatable member with respect to the stationary member, thereby pretensioning a seatbelt webbing wound on the rotatable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A seatbelt assembly comprising:
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a seatbelt;
a belt retractor coupled to an end portion of the seatbelt, the retractor having a rotatable member configured for winding the seatbelt thereon; and
a pretensioner mechanism coupled to the belt retractor to tension the seatbelt in the event of a collision, the pretensioner mechanism including at least one motion transmission element having a helical configuration. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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a safety belt system assembly including a seatbelt, a belt retractor coupled to an end portion of the seatbelt, the retractor having a rotatable member configured for winding the seatbelt thereon; and
a pretensioner mechanism coupled to the belt retractor to tension the seatbelt in the event of a collision, the pretensioner mechanism including at least one motion transmission element having a helical configuration. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification