Magnetically controlled retractor
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- spool means for storing a seat belt wound on said spool means, said spool means being rotatable about an axis in belt withdrawal and belt retraction directions;
a ratchet wheel fixed for rotation with said spool means;
movable pawl means having a blocking position for blocking said ratchet wheel and said spool means against rotation in the belt withdrawal direction and a release position for permitting rotation of said ratchet wheel and said spool means in the belt withdrawal direction;
a permanent magnet attached to said pawl means for movement with said pawl means; and
magnetic control means for controlling movement of said permanent magnet and said pawl means between the release and blocking positions, said magnetic control means including a first magnetic biasing means for biasing said permanent magnet and said pawl means toward the blocking position, and a second magnetic biasing means for biasing said permanent magnet and said pawl means toward the release position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device (10) has a spool (20) for storing a seat belt (28) wound on the spool (20). The spool (20) is rotatable about an axis (22) in belt withdrawal (A) and belt retraction (B) directions. A ratchet wheel (24) is fixed for rotation with the spool (20). A movable pawl (32) has a blocking position for blocking the ratchet wheel (24) and the spool (20) against rotation in the belt withdrawal direction (A) and a release position for permitting rotation of the ratchet wheel (24) and the spool (20) in the belt withdrawal direction (A). A permanent magnet (46) is attached to the pawl (32) for movement with the pawl (32). A control means (30) controls movement of the permanent magnet (46) and the pawl (32) between the release and blocking positions. The magnetic control means (30) includes a first magnetic biasing means (58) for biasing the permanent magnet (46) and the pawl (32) toward the blocking position. The magnetic control means (30) also includes a second magnetic biasing means (52) for biasing the permanent magnet (46) and the pawl (32) toward the release position. The second magnetic biasing means (52) is preferably an electromagnet, and the flow of electrical energy to the electromagnet is controlled by an actuator mechanism (60) that may include an inertia sensor assembly (62) and a timer (86).
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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spool means for storing a seat belt wound on said spool means, said spool means being rotatable about an axis in belt withdrawal and belt retraction directions; a ratchet wheel fixed for rotation with said spool means; movable pawl means having a blocking position for blocking said ratchet wheel and said spool means against rotation in the belt withdrawal direction and a release position for permitting rotation of said ratchet wheel and said spool means in the belt withdrawal direction; a permanent magnet attached to said pawl means for movement with said pawl means; and magnetic control means for controlling movement of said permanent magnet and said pawl means between the release and blocking positions, said magnetic control means including a first magnetic biasing means for biasing said permanent magnet and said pawl means toward the blocking position, and a second magnetic biasing means for biasing said permanent magnet and said pawl means toward the release position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification