Seat belt retractor
First Claim
1. A retractor for a seat belt system of a vehicle, comprising:
- a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing wherein the webbing moves in an extraction direction and a retraction direction upon rotation of the spool;
a frame configured to rotatably support the spool;
a cover fixedly coupled to the frame and including a cavity therein;
a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, wherein the locking member is configured to move between a free position and a locked position relative to the spool, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction and when the locking member is in the free position, the spool is freely rotatable;
a sensor located in the cavity and directly supported by the cover, wherein the sensor is configured to move in a first direction relative to the cover in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration, wherein the first direction is in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle, and wherein movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member from the free position to the locked position; and
an insert member that is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction,wherein the second direction is in a side to side direction of the vehicle,wherein the sensor consists of a single ball or a single standing man that is movable relative to the insert member, andwherein the insert member is in direct contact with the sensor.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A retractor including a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing, a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, a sensor, and a cover for the sensor and locking member. When the locking member is in a locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction. The sensor is configured to move in a first direction in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration. Movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member to a locked position. The sensor is located in a cavity in the cover and an insert member is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A retractor for a seat belt system of a vehicle, comprising:
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a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing wherein the webbing moves in an extraction direction and a retraction direction upon rotation of the spool; a frame configured to rotatably support the spool; a cover fixedly coupled to the frame and including a cavity therein; a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, wherein the locking member is configured to move between a free position and a locked position relative to the spool, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction and when the locking member is in the free position, the spool is freely rotatable; a sensor located in the cavity and directly supported by the cover, wherein the sensor is configured to move in a first direction relative to the cover in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration, wherein the first direction is in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle, and wherein movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member from the free position to the locked position; and an insert member that is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, wherein the second direction is in a side to side direction of the vehicle, wherein the sensor consists of a single ball or a single standing man that is movable relative to the insert member, and wherein the insert member is in direct contact with the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17)
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9. A seat belt system for a vehicle for restraining a secured occupant, the seat belt system comprising:
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a webbing having a first end and a second end; an anchor configured to secure the first end of the webbing; a tongue member slideably coupled to the webbing and configured to selectively engage a buckle mechanism; and a retractor including; a rotatable spool configured to be connected to the second end of the webbing wherein the webbing moves in an extraction direction and a retraction direction upon rotation of the spool; a frame configured to rotatably support the spool; a cover fixedly coupled to the frame and including a cavity therein; a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, wherein the locking member is configured to move between a free position and a locked position relative to the spool, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction and when the locking member is in the free position, the spool is freely rotatable; a sensor disposed in the cavity and directly supported by a first portion of the cover, wherein the sensor is configured to move in a first direction relative to the cover in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration and wherein movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member from the free position to the locked position; and an insert member that is disposed between a second portion of the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, wherein the first direction is in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle and the second direction is in a side to side direction of the vehicle, wherein the sensor consists of a single ball or a single standing man that is movable relative to the insert member, and wherein the insert member is in direct contact with the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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19. A retractor for a seat belt system of a vehicle, comprising:
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a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing wherein the webbing moves in an extraction direction and a retraction direction upon rotation of the spool; a frame configured to rotatably support the spool; a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, wherein the locking member is configured to move between a free position and a locked position relative to the spool, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction and when the locking member is in the free position, the spool is freely rotatable; a sensor consisting of a single ball or a single standing man configured to move in a first direction relative to the frame from a free position to a locking position in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration, wherein movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member from the free position to the locked position; and a cover fixedly coupled to the frame and defining a cavity for housing the sensor, wherein the cover includes an outer layer of structural material and an inner layer of elastomeric material formed over the outer layer, and wherein the sensor contacts the inner layer in a lateral direction, which is transverse to the first direction, when in the free position to prevent movement of the sensor in the lateral direction and to dampen a noise of contact between the sensor and the cover.
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Specification