Self-locking safety belt reeling device with a shock-absorbing device

• US 5,255,868 A
• Filed: 03/06/1992
• Issued: 10/26/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoflug GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik
• Original Assignee: Autoflug GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik
• Inventors: Reulein, Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FULTON, CHRISTOPHER W
• Application Number:
  US07/847,902
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 242/107, 242/107.3, 297/475, 297/470, 297/480, 280/805, 280/807, 280/806
• US Class Current: 242/372
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/446 with external control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence

Abstract

A self-locking safety belt reeling device comprising a reeling arbor disposed in a belt housing is further provided with a spring housing attached to the belt housing. A return spring and a shock-absorbing spring are arranged inside the spring housing whereby the return spring has a greater spring force than he shock-absorbing spring. A coupling wheel with a wheel shaft is rotatable supported inside the spring housing for coupling the return spring to the shock-absorbing spring such that, in a first operational state, the return spring and the shock-absorbing spring together function as a reeling spring, and, in a second operational state, only the shock-absorbing spring functions as the reeling spring. The coupling wheel is actuatable as a function of a reeling state of the safety belt. A rotational oil damper with a spindle is connected to the spring housing and the spindle is fixedly connected to the wheel shaft of the coupling wheel to prevent sudden shock during the reeling process.

Claims

1. A self-locking safety belt reeling device with a reeling arbor disposed in a belt housing, said safety belt reeling device further comprising:

a spring housing connected to said belt housing;

a return spring and a shock-absorbing spring both arranged inside said spring housing, said return spring having a greater spring force than said shock-absorbing spring;

a coupling wheel having a wheel shaft and being rotatably supported inside said spring housing for coupling said return spring to said shock-absorbing spring such that, in a first operational state, said return spring and said shock-absorbing spring together function as said reeling spring, and, in a second operational state, only said shock-absorbing spring functions as a reeling spring, said coupling wheel being actuatable as a function of a reeling state of said safety belt reeling device; and

a rotational oil damper having a spindle and a damper housing, said oil damper being connected to said spring housing and said spindle being fixedly connected to said wheel shaft.

2. A self-locking safety belt reeling device according to claim 1, wherein said damper housing is connected to an outer wall of said spring housing, with said spindle penetrating said damper housing and said spring housing.

3. A self-locking safety belt reeling device according to claim 1, wherein said oil damper is positioned inside said spring housing.

4. A self-locking safety belt reeling device according to claim 3, wherein said coupling wheel further comprises an axial projection extending axially in a direction of said wheel shaft and said spring housing has a bearing means engaging said wheel shaft, said axial projection surrounding at a distance said bearing means, said return spring being connected to said axial projection and said oil damper being positioned in an annular space defined between said axial projection and said bearing means.

5. A self-locking safety belt reeling device according to claim 4, wherein said oil damper further comprises a radial transmission member connected to said spindle for connecting said spindle to said wheel shaft in a form-locking manner.