Dual spool retractor seat belt system

• US 20060208124A1
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Clute, Gunter K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,401,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/374
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/026 at least two ends of the belt being retractable after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1818 Belt guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/3424 Multi-spool or multi-belt retractors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4614 one pretensioner acting on a plurality of belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4642 the gas directly propelling a flexible driving means, e.g. a plurality of successive masses, in a tubular chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4619 Transmission of tensioning power by cable, e.g. using a clutch on reel side
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4628 characterised by fluid actuators, e.g. pyrotechnic gas generators actuating a cable B60R22/4619
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4633 Linear actuators, e.g. comprising a piston moving along reel axis and rotating along its own axis

Abstract

A dual spool retractor for a motor vehicle seat belt system. The dual spool retractor includes shoulder belt and lap belt spool assemblies engaging with the shoulder belt and lap belt portions of the seat belt webbing. The dual spool retractor incorporates a gas driven pretensioner system incorporating a common gas generator connection for both the shoulder belt spool assembly and the lap belt spool assembly. Both spool assemblies are caused to undergo pretensioning retraction energized by a single gas generator.

Claims

1. A seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle occupant restraint system of the type having a shoulder belt, a lap belt, and a latch plate between the upper and lower belt portions engageable with a buckle, the assembly comprising:

a retractor frame adapted to be mounted to the motor vehicle,

a shoulder belt spool assembly affixed to the frame and connected with the shoulder belt and having a rotatable shoulder belt spool with the shoulder belt wound on the shoulder belt spool for stowing and paying out the shoulder belt,

a lap belt spool assembly affixed to the frame and connected with the lap belt and having a rotatable lap belt spool with the lap belt wound on the lap belt spool for stowing and paying out the lap belt, and

a spool control mechanism affixed to the frame for controlling both the shoulder belt spool and the lap belt spool.

2. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the spool control mechanism comprises a pretensioner system having a single gas source communicating with an upper pretensioner and a lower pretensioner, the upper pretensioner coupled to the shoulder belt spool assembly for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt and the lower pretensioner coupled to the lap belt spool assembly for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

3. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein the upper pretensioner includes an upper pretensioner tube which conducts gas from the gas source to a first pretensioner sprocket coupled with the shoulder belt spool and wherein gas flowing in the upper tube interacts with the first pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the shoulder belt spool for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt.

4. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 3 further comprising a plurality of balls positioned in the upper tube which are forced to move in the upper tube in response to the gas from the gas source to engage with the first pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the shoulder belt spool for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt.

5. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein the lower pretensioner includes a lower pretensioner tube which conducts gas from the gas source to a second pretensioner sprocket coupled with the lap belt spool and wherein gas flowing in the second gas duct interacts with the second pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the lap belt spool for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

6. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a plurality of balls positioned in the lower tube which are forced to move in the lower tube in response to the gas from the gas source to engage with the second pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the lap belt spool for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

7. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the shoulder belt further includes an inflatable belt section.

8. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the seat belt retractor assembly is adapted to be mounted to a “

B”

pillar of the motor vehicle.

9. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the retractor frame forms a slit through which the lower lap belt passes.

10. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein the upper and lower pretensioners comprise a cable wrapped around an upper spool assembly pulley and around a lower spool assembly pulley and affixed to a plunger within a cylinder, and the gas flowing from the gas generator urges the plunger to move within the cylinder, thereby pulling the cable and causing the pulleys to rotate, causing the upper and lower spool assemblies to provide pretensioning rotation.

11. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein the upper and lower pretensioners comprise a rack engaging an upper spool pinion gear coupled with the upper spool assembly and engaging a lower spool pinion gear coupled with the lower spool assembly, and the rack coupled to a plunger in a cylinder, and wherein the gas from the gas generator urges the plunger to move in the cylinder causing the rack to rotate the pinions thereby rotating the upper and lower spool assemblies for pretensioning rotation.

12. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein the upper pretensioner comprises a first rack engaging an upper spool pinion gear coupled with the upper spool assembly and the lower pretensioner comprises a second rack engaging a lower spool pinion gear coupled with the lower spool assembly and the first and second racks coupled to a plunger in a cylinder, and wherein the gas generator produces gas which urges the plunger to move in the cylinder causing the first and second racks to rotate the upper and lower spool pinions thereby rotating the upper and lower spool assemblies for pretensioning rotation.

13. A seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle occupant restraint system of the type having a shoulder belt, a lap belt, and a latch plate between the upper and lower belt portions engageable with a buckle, the assembly comprising:

a retractor frame adapted to be mounted to the motor vehicle,

a shoulder belt spool assembly affixed to the frame and connected with the shoulder belt and having a rotatable shoulder belt spool with the shoulder belt wound on the shoulder belt spool for stowing and paying out the shoulder belt,

a lap belt spool assembly affixed to the frame and connected with the lap belt and having a rotatable lap belt spool with the lap belt wound on the lap belt spool for stowing and paying out the lap belt, and

a pretensioner system having a single gas source communicating with an upper pretensioner and a lower pretensioner, the upper pretensioner coupled to the shoulder belt spool assembly for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt and the lower pretensioner coupled to the lap belt spool assembly for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

14. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the upper pretensioner includes an upper pretensioner tube which conducts gas from the gas source to a first pretensioner sprocket coupled with the shoulder belt spool and wherein gas flowing in the upper tube interacts with the first pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the shoulder belt spool for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt.

15. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a plurality of balls positioned in the upper tube which are forced to move in the upper tube in response to the gas from the gas source to engage with the first pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the shoulder belt spool for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt.

16. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lower pretensioner includes a lower pretensioner tube which conducts gas from the gas source to a second pretensioner sprocket coupled with the lap belt spool and wherein gas flowing in the second gas duct interacts with the second pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the lap belt spool for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

17. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 16 further comprising a plurality of balls positioned in the lower tube which are forced to move in the lower tube in response to the gas from the gas source to engage with the second pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the lap belt spool for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

18. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the shoulder belt further includes an inflatable belt section.

19. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the seat belt retractor is adapted to be mounted to a “

B”

pillar of the motor vehicle.

20. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the retractor frame forms a slit through which the lower lap belt passes.

21. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the upper and lower pretensioners comprise a cable wrapped around an upper spool assembly pulley and around a lower spool assembly pulley and affixed to a plunger within a cylinder, and the gas flowing from the gas generator urges the plunger to move within the cylinder, thereby pulling the cable and causing the pulleys to rotate, causing the upper and lower spool assemblies to provide pretensioning rotation.

22. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the upper and lower pretensioners comprise a rack engaging an upper spool pinion gear coupled with the upper spool assembly and engaging a lower spool pinion gear coupled with the lower spool assembly, and the rack coupled to a plunger in a cylinder, and wherein the gas from the gas generator urges the plunger to move in the cylinder causing the rack to rotate the pinions thereby rotating the upper and lower spool assemblies for pretensioning rotation.

23. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein the upper pretensioner comprises a first rack engaging an upper spool pinion gear coupled with the upper spool assembly and the lower pretensioner comprises a second rack engaging a lower spool pinion gear coupled with the lower spool assembly and the first and second racks coupled to a plunger in a cylinder, and wherein the gas generator produces gas which urges the plunger to move in the cylinder causing the first and second racks to rotate the upper and lower spool pinions thereby rotating the upper and lower spool assemblies for pretensioning rotation.

24. A seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle occupant restraint system of the type having a shoulder belt, a lap belt, and a latch plate between the shoulder and lap belts engageable with a buckle, the assembly comprising:

a retractor frame adapted to be mounted to the motor vehicle,

a shoulder belt spool assembly affixed to the frame and connected with the shoulder belt and having a rotatable shoulder belt spool with the shoulder belt wound on the shoulder belt spool for stowing and paying out the shoulder belt,

a lap belt spool assembly affixed to the frame and connected with the lap belt and having a rotatable lap belt spool with the lap belt wound on the lap belt spool for stowing and paying out the lap belt, and

a pretensioner unit having a single gas source communicating with an upper pretensioner tube and a lower pretensioner tube, the upper tube coupled to the shoulder belt spool assembly wherein the upper tube conducts gas from the gas source to a first pretensioner sprocket coupled with the shoulder belt spool and wherein gas flowing in the first gas duct interacts with the first pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the shoulder belt spool for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt, and the lower tube coupled to the lap belt spool assembly wherein the lower tube conducts gas from the gas source to a second pretensioner sprocket coupled with the lap belt spool and wherein gas flowing in the lower tube interacts with the second pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the lap belt spool for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

25. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 24 further comprising a plurality of balls positioned in the upper tube which are forced to move in the upper tube in response to the gas from the gas source to engage with the first pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the shoulder belt spool for winding the shoulder belt spool for pretensioning the shoulder belt.

26. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 24 further comprising a plurality of balls positioned in the lower tube which are forced to move in the lower tube in response to the gas from the gas source to engage with the second pretensioner sprocket to cause rotation of the lap belt spool for winding the lap belt spool for pretensioning the lap belt.

27. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 24 wherein the shoulder belt further includes an inflatable belt section.

28. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 24 wherein the seat belt retractor assembly is adapted to be mounted to a “

B”

pillar of the motor vehicle.

29. A seat belt retractor assembly in accordance with claim 24 wherein the retractor frame forms a slit through which the lower lap belt passes.