Method for controlling a seat belt retractor
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling at least one function of a seat belt retractor having an electric motor, wherein the seat belt retractor comprises:
- a winding shaft to wind a seat belt;
a motive spring that pretensions the winding shaft in a seat belt winding direction;
a spring housing in which the motive spring is arranged on a side of the spring housing;
a torque can be transmitted from the electric to the motive spring to change a spring force;
a shaft extension that is non-rotatably and coaxially connected to the winding shaft;
a drive means that is non-rotatably connected to an outer spring end of the motive spring by a rigid rotational connection connected to the spring housing, the drive means being rotatably mounted on the shaft extension; and
a switch coupling located radially inside the rigid rotational connection, via which the torque of the electric motor can be transmitted to the winding shaft to retract the seat belt, the switch coupling having a first active surface, a second active surface, a coupling part and a second coupling part, the first active surface being located on the coupling part mounted in a movable manner to the spring housing on an opposite side of the spring housing relative to the motive spring and movably mounted against a restoring force to the coupling part which is securely connected through the spring housing to the rigid rotational connection and rotatable around the shaft extension and the second active surface of the switch coupling is non-rotatably connected to the shaft extension by the second coupling part;
encircling the coupling part to transmit torque of the electric motor to the winding shaft the switch coupling has the first active surface brought into an engaged position with the second active surface causing the rotation of the shaft extension to rotate the winding shaft wherein the rigid rotational connection provides transmission of force or torque from the drive means to the motive spring;
and said method comprises the steps of;
(a) after the seat belt has been applied transmitting torque from the electric motor to the winding shaft of the seat belt retractor to remove slack from the seat belt followed by(b) transmitting torque from the electric motor to the motive spring of the seat belt retractor to adjust a restoring force of the motive spring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
At least one function of a seat belt retractor by is controlled by an electric motor. Torque of which is transmitted from the electric motor via a coupling to at least one component of the seat belt retractor. After the application of the seat belt with the transmitted torque, the seat belt retractor is adjusted to a starting position for adjustable functions in normal driving conditions and in dangerous driving conditions.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for controlling at least one function of a seat belt retractor having an electric motor, wherein the seat belt retractor comprises:
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a winding shaft to wind a seat belt;
a motive spring that pretensions the winding shaft in a seat belt winding direction;
a spring housing in which the motive spring is arranged on a side of the spring housing;
a torque can be transmitted from the electric to the motive spring to change a spring force;
a shaft extension that is non-rotatably and coaxially connected to the winding shaft;
a drive means that is non-rotatably connected to an outer spring end of the motive spring by a rigid rotational connection connected to the spring housing, the drive means being rotatably mounted on the shaft extension; and
a switch coupling located radially inside the rigid rotational connection, via which the torque of the electric motor can be transmitted to the winding shaft to retract the seat belt, the switch coupling having a first active surface, a second active surface, a coupling part and a second coupling part, the first active surface being located on the coupling part mounted in a movable manner to the spring housing on an opposite side of the spring housing relative to the motive spring and movably mounted against a restoring force to the coupling part which is securely connected through the spring housing to the rigid rotational connection and rotatable around the shaft extension and the second active surface of the switch coupling is non-rotatably connected to the shaft extension by the second coupling part;
encircling the coupling part to transmit torque of the electric motor to the winding shaft the switch coupling has the first active surface brought into an engaged position with the second active surface causing the rotation of the shaft extension to rotate the winding shaft wherein the rigid rotational connection provides transmission of force or torque from the drive means to the motive spring;and said method comprises the steps of; (a) after the seat belt has been applied transmitting torque from the electric motor to the winding shaft of the seat belt retractor to remove slack from the seat belt followed by (b) transmitting torque from the electric motor to the motive spring of the seat belt retractor to adjust a restoring force of the motive spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method adjusting a seat belt retractor into a starting configuration for adjustable functions in normal driving conditions and in dangerous driving conditions wherein the seat belt retractor comprises:
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a winding shaft to wind a seat belt;
a motive spring that pretensions the winding shaft in a seat belt winding direction;
a spring housing in which the motive spring is arranged on a side of the spring housing;
an electric motor from which a torque can be transmitted to the motive spring to change a spring force;
a shaft extension that is non-rotatably and coaxially connected to the winding shaft;
a drive means that is non-rotatably connected to an outer spring end of the motive spring by a rigid rotational connection connected to the spring housing, the drive means being rotatably mounted on the shaft extension; and
a switch coupling located radially inside the rigid rotational connection, via which the torque of the electric motor can be transmitted to the winding shaft to retract the seat belt, the switch coupling having a first active surface, a second active surface, a coupling part and a second coupling part, the first active surface being located on the coupling part mounted in a movable manner to the spring housing on an opposite side of the spring housing relative to the motive spring and movably mounted against a restoring force to the coupling part which is securely connected through the spring housing to the rigid rotational connection and rotatable around the shaft extension and the second active surface of the switch coupling is non-rotatably connected to the shaft extension by the second coupling part;
encircling the coupling part to transmit torque of the electric motor to the winding shaft the switch coupling has the first active surface brought into an engaged position with the second active surface causing the rotation of the shaft extension to rotate the winding shaft wherein the rigid rotational connection provides transmission of force or torque from the drive means to the motive spring;and said method comprises the steps of; (a) after the seat belt has been applied transmitting torque from the electric motor to the winding shaft of the seat belt retractor to remove slack from the seat belt followed by (b) transmitting torque from the electric motor to the motive spring of the seat belt retractor to adjust a restoring force of the motive spring.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeKey Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
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Original AssigneeKey Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
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InventorsHeckmayr, Alexander
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Primary Examiner(s)Cuomo; Peter M
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Assistant Examiner(s)HAUGLAND, SCOTT J
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Application NumberUS11/175,548Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,287 DaysField of Search242/374, 242/375.1, 242/375.3, 242/382, 242/383, 242/383.2, 242/384, 242/390.8, 242/390.9, 280/806, 280/807, 297/475, 297/476, 297/477, 297/478, 180/268US Class Current242/374CPC Class CodesB60R 2022/4466 the additional retraction d...B60R 2022/4666 characterised by electric a...B60R 22/44 with means for reducing bel...B60R 22/46 Reels with means to tension...B60R 22/4628 characterised by fluid actu...
