BELT RETRACTOR

• US 20100243782A1
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hufschmied, Frank, Bedak, Nizam, Biller, Joachim
• Application Number:
  US12/729,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20100243782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 242/374
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/289 Energy-absorption curves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/468 characterised by clutching means between actuator and belt reel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4676 comprising energy-absorbing means operating between belt reel and retractor frame

Abstract

A belt retractor (10) comprises a belt reel (12), an adaptive belt limiter (20) and a belt tensioner (22). The force limiter (20) is arranged between the belt reel (12) and the belt tensioner (22) and is operated with a high characteristic during tensioning.

Claims

1. A belt retractor (10) comprising a belt reel (12), an adaptive force limiter (20) and a belt tensioner (22), characterized in that the force limiter (20) is disposed between the belt reel (12) and the belt tensioner (22) and that during a tensioning operation the force limiter (20) is operated with a high characteristic (26).

2. A belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that a coupling (24) is disposed between the belt tensioner (22) and the force limiter (20).

3. A belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the force limiter (20) is switchable and, after completion of a tensioning operation, can be changed from the high characteristic (26) to a lower characteristic (28).

4. A belt retractor according to claim 3, characterized in that the force limiter (20) has a deforming element, especially a torsion rod.

5. A belt retractor according to claim 3, characterized in that the force limiter (20) has a cutting insert.

6. A belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the force limiter (20) includes a viscous fluid.

7. A belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the force limiter includes a cross-linked elastomer which is shorn under load.

8. A belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that a control is provided which produces a signal for controlling the force limiter (20).

10. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that, if the sensor signal is provided, the force limiter (20) is switched to a lower characteristic (28) immediately after completion of the tensioning operation.

9. A method of tensioning a seat belt by means of the following steps:

a belt tensioning means (22) is activated while a force limiter (20) is at a high characteristic (26);

after completion of the tensioning operation the force limiter (20) is switched to a lower characteristic (28) if an appropriate sensor signal is provided.