Load limiting device for a seat belt
First Claim
1. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint having seat belt webbing attached to a structural part of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a container that is a cylinder defining a flow path for a fluid, an actuator that is a piston arranged within the container and operable to act on the fluid, and a restriction in the flow path of the fluid, either the piston or cylinder is attached to an end of the belt webbing and the other is attached to the structural part of the vehicle, wherein the actuator is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the webbing from a vehicle occupant, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a portion of the load on the webbing, and a feedback pipe external to the cylinder to feed fluid under pressure from a high pressure side of the piston to a low pressure side of the piston.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant'"'"'s torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.
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Citations
9 Claims
- 1. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint having seat belt webbing attached to a structural part of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a container that is a cylinder defining a flow path for a fluid, an actuator that is a piston arranged within the container and operable to act on the fluid, and a restriction in the flow path of the fluid, either the piston or cylinder is attached to an end of the belt webbing and the other is attached to the structural part of the vehicle, wherein the actuator is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the webbing from a vehicle occupant, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a portion of the load on the webbing, and a feedback pipe external to the cylinder to feed fluid under pressure from a high pressure side of the piston to a low pressure side of the piston.
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6. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint having seat belt webbing attached to a structural part of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a container defining a flow path for a fluid, an actuator arranged within the container and operable to act on the fluid, the actuator is a rotary paddle mounted for rotation in a housing containing the fluid, and a restriction in the flow path of the fluid, wherein the actuator is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the webbing from a vehicle occupant, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a portion of the load on the webbing.
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7. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint having seat belt webbing attached to a structural part of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a container defining a flow path for a fluid, an actuator arranged within the container and operable to act on the fluid, the actuator is an array of rotary paddles mounted for rotation in a housing containing the fluid, and a restriction in the flow path of the fluid, wherein the actuator is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the webbing from a vehicle occupant, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a portion of the load on the webbing.
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8. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint having seat belt webbing attached to a structural part of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a container defining a flow path for a fluid, an actuator arranged within the container and operable to act on the fluid, the actuator is a vane member mounted for rotation in a housing containing the fluid, and a restriction in the flow path of the fluid, wherein the actuator is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the webbing from a vehicle occupant, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a portion of the load on the webbing.
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9. A load limiting device for use with a vehicle safety restraint having seat belt webbing attached to a structural part of a vehicle, the load limiting device comprising a container defining a flow path for a fluid, an actuator arranged within the container and operable to act on the fluid, the actuator is an array of vane members mounted for rotation in a housing containing the fluid, and a restriction in the flow path of the fluid, wherein the actuator is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the webbing from a vehicle occupant, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a portion of the load on the webbing.
Specification