Variable level seatbelt energy management device
First Claim
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1. A seatbelt energy management device comprising:
- a resistance mechanism coupled to a seatbelt apparatus having a magnetorheological fluid,a permanent magnet having a first magnetic field which orients said magnetorheological fluid, increasing said magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity;
an electromagnet which generates a second magnetic field to cancel said first magnetic field of said permanent magnet to decrease said magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity, wherein resistance of said resistance mechanism is controlled by said magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity; and
a current generator to supply current to said electromagnet to generate said first magnetic field.
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Abstract
A seatbelt energy management device which includes a resistance mechanism coupled to a seatbelt apparatus having a magnetorheological fluid, a permanent magnet having a first magnetic field which orients the magnetorheological fluid to increase the magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity, an electromagnet which generates a second magnetic field to cancel the first magnetic field of the permanent magnet to decrease the magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity, where the resistance mechanism is controlled by the magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity.
34 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A seatbelt energy management device comprising:
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a resistance mechanism coupled to a seatbelt apparatus having a magnetorheological fluid, a permanent magnet having a first magnetic field which orients said magnetorheological fluid, increasing said magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity; an electromagnet which generates a second magnetic field to cancel said first magnetic field of said permanent magnet to decrease said magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity, wherein resistance of said resistance mechanism is controlled by said magnetorheological fluid'"'"'s viscosity; and a current generator to supply current to said electromagnet to generate said first magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A seatbelt restraint device comprising:
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a cylinder filled with a magnetorheological fluid, a piston having an orifice located within said cylinder, said piston slidingly coupled to the interior walls of said cylinder, wherein the movement of said piston causes said magnetorheological fluid to flow through said orifice; a member coupled to said piston for attachment to a seat belt attachment; a permanent magnet located adjacent to said orifice exerting a first magnetic field on said magnetorheological fluid, wherein the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid is increased and resistance to movement of said piston is increased; an electromagnet generating a second magnetic field in opposition to said first magnetic field, wherein the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid is decreased and said resistance to movement of said piston is decreased; and a current generator to supply current to said electromagnet to generate said second magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A seatbelt restraint device comprising:
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a cylinder filled with a magnetorheological fluid, an orifice located within said cylinder; a fluid pipe connecting a first end of said cylinder to a second end of said cylinder. a piston located within said cylinder and slidingly coupled to the interior walls of said cylinder, wherein the movement of said piston causes said magnetorheological fluid to flow through said orifice and said fluid pipe; a member coupled to said piston for attachment to a seat belt mechanism; a permanent magnet located adjacent to said orifice exerting a first magnetic field on said magnetorheological fluid, wherein the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid is increased and resistance to movement of said piston is increased; an electromagnet generating a second magnetic field in opposition to said first magnetic field, wherein the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid is decreased and said resistance to movement of said piston is decreased; and a current generator to supply current to said electromagnet to generate said second magnetic field.
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23. A seatbelt retraction device comprising:
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a spool of seatbelt webbing, a permanent magnet coupled to said spool of seatbelt webbing, immersed in a magnetorheological fluid inside a chamber, and exerting a first magnetic field; at least one electromagnet located adjacent said chamber exerting a second magnetic field in opposition to said first magnetic field, wherein the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid is controlled by the interaction of said first and second magnetic fields, said viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid controlling a force needed to rotate said permanent magnet and said spool of seatbelt webbing, wherein payout of said spool of seatbelt webbing may be controlled; a current generator to supply current to said electromagnet to generate said second magnetic field.
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Specification