Seatbelt retractor and seatbelt device

• US 7,216,827 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Koji, Inuzuka, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, JOHN QUOC
• Application Number:
  US10/861,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 242/390.8, 242/390.9, 280/806, 280/807, 297/475
• US Class Current: 242/390.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device combined with a spring B60R2022/444, B60R2022/4466
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4666 characterised by electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/468 characterised by clutching means between actuator and belt reel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/46 Reels with means to tension the belt in an emergency by forced winding upelectrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01 ; tensioners using reels only guiding the belt during normal use, e.g. splitted reels B60R22/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4676 comprising energy-absorbing means operating between belt reel and retractor frame

Abstract

A seatbelt retractor includes a spool for winding a seatbelt, a motor for generating rotational torque to rotate the spool, a clutch mechanism for connecting a power transmission path to transmit rotational torque of the motor to the spool in a connected mode and for disconnecting the power transmission path in a disconnected mode, and a clutch mechanism disconnection detecting device for detecting disconnection of the clutch mechanism. A motor control device stops the motor according to a detection signal from the clutch mechanism disconnection detecting device.

Claims

1. A seatbelt retractor comprising:

a spool for winding a seatbelt,

a motor for generating rotational torque to rotate the spool,

a power transmission path situated between spool and the motor,

a clutch mechanism attached to the power transmission path for allowing the power transmission path to transmit the rotational torque of the motor to the spool in a connected mode, and for prohibiting the power transmission path to transmit the rotational torque to the spool in a disconnected mode,

a clutch mechanism disconnection detecting device for detecting disconnection of the clutch mechanism, and

a motor control device connected to the motor for stopping the motor according to a clutch disconnection signal from the clutch mechanism disconnection detecting device.

2. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 1, wherein said clutch mechanism disconnection detecting device includes a motor current detecting device for detecting a motor current of said motor, said motor control device stopping the motor when a motor current detection signal from the motor current detecting device becomes a predetermined value.

3. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 2, wherein said clutch mechanism moves between a connected position for connecting the power transmission path and a disconnected position for disconnecting the power transmission path, and includes a clutch gear for always engaging a gear connected to the motor.

4. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 3, wherein said clutch mechanism further includes a clutch gear stopping/holding device for stopping the clutch gear when the clutch gear is positioned at the disconnected position.

5. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 4, wherein said clutch gear stopping/holding device is formed of teeth for engaging the clutch gear.

6. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 4, wherein said clutch mechanism further includes a clutch arm engaging a shaft of the clutch gear, said clutch arm and clutch gear changing their positions according to a rotation of the motor.

7. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 6, further comprising a retainer for supporting the spool, said retainer having a guide opening for supporting the shaft of the clutch gear so that the clutch gear moves along the guide opening while being held by the clutch arm.

8. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 2, wherein said clutch mechanism disconnection detecting device further includes a relay switch connected to the motor current detecting device and the motor control device, said motor control device operating the relay switch to stop supplying power to the motor through the motor current detecting device when the motor current detection signal becomes the predetermined value.

9. A seatbelt device comprising the seatbelt retractor according to claim 1, the seatbelt, a tongue for passing the seatbelt, and a buckle for engaging the tongue.

10. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 3, wherein said clutch mechanism further includes a resistance applying device for applying resistance to the clutch gear when the clutch gear is positioned at the disconnected position.

11. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 3, wherein said clutch mechanism includes, in the connected mode, a low reduction ratio power transmission mode for quickly retracting the seatbelt with the motor, and a high reduction ratio power transmission mode for retracting the seatbelt with a high tension.

12. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 11, wherein said high reduction ratio power transmission mode is changed through the low reduction ratio power transmission mode from the disconnected mode.

13. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 12, wherein said low reduction ratio power transmission mode quickly retracts the seatbelt after the seatbelt is withdrawn, and said high reduction ratio power transmission mode retracts the seatbelt for restraining a passenger.

14. A seatbelt retractor according to claim 13, wherein said lower reduction ratio power transmission mode or high reduction ratio power transmission mode is selected according to a tension of the seatbelt.