Seatbelt device

• US 6,419,271 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Wada, Yoshihiko, Yamada, Hiroshi, Yamamoto, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHRIVER II, JAMES A
• Application Number:
  US09/484,018
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 280/806, 280/807, 280/801.1, 280/803, 280/804, 280/805, 280/733, 242/374, 606/32
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1952 Transmission of tensioning power by cable; Return motion locking means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1955 Linear actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/28 incorporating energy-absorbing devices belt anchors provided with energy-absorbing means for protecting the occupants in case of physical contact therewith B60R21/055; belt retractors comprising energy-absorbing means B60R22/341, B60R22/4676

Abstract

Provided is a seatbelt device comprising a buckle pretensioner capable of preventing a connective member from being subject to high temperature/pressure and efficiently converting combustion gas, which provides pressure for retracting the buckle, into retractive power.

A buckle pretensioner 10 (30, 40, 50, 60, 70) for retracting the buckle 11 pursuant to combustion gas pressure of powder comprises a connective member 13 connected to the buckle 11, and a retractor 12 (32, 72) for retracting the buckle 11 via the connective member 13. The connective member 13 is arranged in a position such that it is not exposed to the combustion gas.

Claims

1. A seatbelt device comprising a buckle pretensioner, wherein said buckle pretensioner includes:

a cylinder;

a gas generator provided at one end of said cylinder;

an extruding member extruded from the other end of said cylinder pursuant to combustion gas which is supplied from said gas generator;

a connective member having one end connected to a buckle and the other end connected to a tip of said extruding member; and

a pulley for guiding said connective member so as to convert a movement in the direction that said extruding member is extruded into a movement in the direction that said buckle is retracted.

2. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein said extruding member comprises:

a piston movably housed inside said cylinder; and

a connective rod extending over the other end of said cylinder from said piston.

3. A seatbelt device according to claim 2, wherein said gas generator is arranged on an axis of a moving direction of said rod.

4. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein an oxidizer for reducing carbon monoxide gas contained in said combustion gas is arranged between said piston and said gas generator.

5. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein a catalyst for reducing carbon monoxide gas contained in said combustion gas is arranged between said piston and said gas generator.

6. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein said piston and rod are connected while in contact with each other.

7. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein said extruding member comprises a bag which is arranged at the other end of said cylinder and is expandable pursuant to the combustion gas supplied from said gas generator.