Variable load limiting device for seatbelt retractor to reduce occupant injury
First Claim
1. A variable load limiting device for a vehicle safety belt assembly for controllably restraining a vehicle occupant by the vehicle safety belt assembly during deceleration of a vehicle, the device comprising:
- a body including a first fluid chamber in selective communication with a second fluid chamber, each fluid chamber containing a free-flowing fluid therein wherein the body includes a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall, an inner surface of the inner wall at least partially defines the first fluid chamber, an outer surface of the inner wall and the outer wall at least partially defines the second fluid chamber, wherein a fluid passage is defined in the body via an opening in the inner wall, the fluid passage fluidly connecting the first and second fluid chambers;
a wiper assembly operably disposed in the first fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly, the wiper assembly creating a pressure differential within the first fluid chamber when a force in excess of a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle safety belt assembly; and
a throttle valve operably connected to the body for controlling fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber, wherein the throttle valve is located in the fluid passage between the fluid chambers, the throttle valve controlling fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber by selectively allowing fluid flow between the fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, the throttle valve opens to bleed fluid from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber as the wiper assembly rotates and a drop in fluid pressure of the first fluid chamber allows fluid that was bled into the second fluid chamber back into the first fluid chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A variable load limiting device for a vehicle safety belt assembly is provided for controllably restraining a vehicle occupant by the vehicle safety belt assembly during deceleration of a vehicle. The device includes a body including a fluid chamber for containing a free-flowing fluid therein. A wiper assembly is operably disposed in the fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly. The wiper assembly creates a pressure differential within the fluid chamber when a force in excess of a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle safety belt assembly. A throttle valve is operably connected to the body for controlling fluid pressure in the fluid chamber.
32 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A variable load limiting device for a vehicle safety belt assembly for controllably restraining a vehicle occupant by the vehicle safety belt assembly during deceleration of a vehicle, the device comprising:
-
a body including a first fluid chamber in selective communication with a second fluid chamber, each fluid chamber containing a free-flowing fluid therein wherein the body includes a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall, an inner surface of the inner wall at least partially defines the first fluid chamber, an outer surface of the inner wall and the outer wall at least partially defines the second fluid chamber, wherein a fluid passage is defined in the body via an opening in the inner wall, the fluid passage fluidly connecting the first and second fluid chambers; a wiper assembly operably disposed in the first fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly, the wiper assembly creating a pressure differential within the first fluid chamber when a force in excess of a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle safety belt assembly; and a throttle valve operably connected to the body for controlling fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber, wherein the throttle valve is located in the fluid passage between the fluid chambers, the throttle valve controlling fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber by selectively allowing fluid flow between the fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, the throttle valve opens to bleed fluid from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber as the wiper assembly rotates and a drop in fluid pressure of the first fluid chamber allows fluid that was bled into the second fluid chamber back into the first fluid chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A vehicle safety belt assembly comprising:
-
a retractor for winding up a safety belt; a clutch having an input and an output, the input being operably connected with the retractor; a body including a first fluid chamber in selective communication with a second fluid chamber, each chamber containing a fluid; a throttle valve disposed in a fluid passage connecting the first and second fluid chambers, the throttle valve selectively allowing fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber; a wiper assembly located in the first fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly, the wiper assembly including a wiper operably connected to the output of the clutch and sealingly engaging an inner surface of a wall defining the first fluid chamber, as the wiper rotates within the first fluid chamber fluid in the first fluid chamber is moved toward the throttle valve and bleeds through the throttle valve from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber, wherein the second fluid chamber contains hydraulic fluid and a compressible inert gas, as fluid is bled into the second fluid chamber from the first fluid chamber via the fluid passage, the hydraulic fluid compresses the gas. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A vehicle safety belt assembly comprising:
-
a retractor for winding up a safety belt; a clutch having an input and an output, the input being operably connected with the retractor; a body including a first fluid chamber in selective communication with a second fluid chamber, each chamber containing a fluid; a throttle valve disposed in a fluid passage connecting the first and second fluid chambers, the throttle valve selectively allowing fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber; a wiper assembly located in the first fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly, the wiper assembly including a wiper operably connected to the output of the clutch and sealingly engaging an inner surface of a wall defining the first fluid chamber, as the wiper rotates within the first fluid chamber fluid in the first fluid chamber is moved toward the throttle valve and bleeds through the fluid passage from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber, wherein the wiper assembly and a radial wall extending inwardly from the body into the first fluid chamber together define a first fluid chamber low pressure zone, wherein no hydraulic fluid is contained in the first fluid chamber low pressure zone. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
Specification