Device for force limitation in a vehicle occupant restraint system

• US 6,216,972 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Röhrle, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Jillions, John M.
• Application Number:
  US09/382,919
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 242/379.1, 280/805, 280/806, 297/470, 297/471, 297/472
• US Class Current: 242/379.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/286 using deformation of material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/287 of torsion rods or tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/289 Energy-absorption curves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/3413 operating between belt reel and retractor frame B60R22/4676 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/16 Attachments or mountings F16F1/145 takes precedence; mounting means for vehicle stabiliser bars B60G21/0551
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/065 where elements interengaging frictionally are in the shape of spiral bands

Abstract

A device for force limitation with an annular housing in which a guide path is formed, comprises a carrier arranged inside the housing concentrically therewith, which is rotatable relative to the housing, and a traction means which is secured on the carrier, extends along a part of its length in the guide path and can be withdrawn from the guide path by rotation of the carrier relative to the housing and can be wound onto the the carrier.

Claims

1. A device for force limitation, with an annular housing in which a guide path is formed, with a carrier arranged inside said housing concentrically therewith, which is rotatable relative to said housing, and with a traction means which is secured on said carrier, extends along a part of its length in said guide path and can be withdrawn from said guide path by rotation of said carrier relative to said housing and can be wound onto said carrier, said guide path being defined by a duct with constant cross-section, which extends in a winding line said duct including a plurality of radially inwardly and outwardly directed bend.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said traction means is a steel band with constant cross-section.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said duct extends between two cylinder faces concentric with each other and with a rotation axis of said carrier, and around said rotation axis.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said duct is constructed in said housing in such a way that it is accessible from an end face of said housing, said end face being provided with projections, said projections having chamfers in order to facilitate the insertion of said traction means into said duct.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein on said end face a cover is arranged which closes said duct, said cover being provided with openings through which said projections project.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein some of said projections are constructed so as to be enlarged and are deformed at the exterior of said cover so that said cover is fastened to said housing.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is arranged on a belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt, said housing having a locking toothing adapted to be engaged by a locking catch of said belt retractor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a torsion rod is provided having two ends, one of said ends being connected non-rotatably to said carrier and the other end being connected non-rotatably to a belt spool of said belt retractor.

9. A device for force limitation, with an annular housing in which a guide path is formed, with a carrier arranged inside said housing concentrically therewith, which is rotatable relative to said housing, and with a traction means which is secured on said carrier, extends along a part of its length in said guide path and can be withdrawn from said guide path by rotation of said carrier relative to said housing and can be wound onto said carrier, the device being arranged on a belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt, said housing having a locking toothing adapted to be engaged by a locking catch of said belt retractor, a torsion rod being provided having two ends, one of said ends being connected non-rotatably to said carrier and the other end being connected non-rotatably to a belt spool of said belt retractor.