Seatbelt device

• US 20020030357A1
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd. (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: NSK Limited
• Inventors: Ono, Katsuyasu, Matsuki, Masuo, Midorikawa, Yukinori
• Granted Patent: US 6,554,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0016 Fall in water
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device combined with a spring B60R2022/444, B60R2022/4466
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/3416 Unlocking devices for retractors B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/343 with electrically actuated locking means B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/405 responsive to belt movement and vehicle movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/415 with additional means allowing a permanent locking of the retractor during the wearing of the belt
• 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

Abstract

Provided is a seatbelt device capable of realizing a comfortable seatbelt-wearing environment as well as appropriately securing and protecting a passenger. The seatbelt device is further capable of realizing an immediate escape or rescue of a passenger after a vehicle accident, thereby providing extra safety and a swift escape by protracting the webbing in accordance with the state of the vehicle accident. This seatbelt device is provided with a retractor which uses a motor for retracting and protracting the webbing that secures a passenger to his/her seat, and a controller for rotating the motor and at least retracting the webbing. The controller is capable of altering the protraction mode of the webbing in accordance with the state of the webbing fastened by the passenger.

Claims

1. A seatbelt device, comprising:

a retractor which uses a motor for retracting and protracting a webbing that secures a passenger to a seat; and

a controller for rotating said motor in order to at least retract said webbing;

wherein said controller changes the protraction mode of said webbing in accordance with the state of the webbing fastened by the passenger.

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

a reel to which said webbing is wrapped around;

a motor for rotating said reel via a power transmitting mechanism;

a rotation detection element for detecting the rotation of said reel;

a locking mechanism for locking the rotation of said reel in emergency situations,

wherein, when said controller does not detect the rotation of said reel after supplying drive signals to said motor, said controller supplies activation signals to said locking mechanism ordering the activation of said locking mechanism.

3. A seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls the drive of said motor and alters the protraction mode of the webbing based on at least one condition among the slack, tension and retraction power of the webbing, and vibration pattern of the webbing for determining the generation of an alarm.

4. A seatbelt device according to claim 3, wherein said controller comprises an alteration element for altering, in accordance with the state of webbing fastened by the passenger, at least one condition among the slack, tension and retraction power of the webbing, and vibration pattern of the webbing for determining the generation of an alarm.

5. A seatbelt device according to claim 4 further comprising an adjustment element for adjusting the contents altered by said alteration element.

6. A seatbelt device according to claim 2 further comprising an accident detection element for detecting the state of the vehicle accident, wherein said controller alters the protraction mode of the webbing with a motor in correspondence with said state of accident.

7. A seatbelt device according to claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism includes:

a mechanical locking mechanism for mechanically locking the rotation of said reel; and

at least (a) a webbing acceleration sensor for activating said mechanical locking mechanism in correspondence with a sudden protraction of said webbing;

or (b) a vehicle acceleration sensor for activating said mechanical locking mechanism upon considerable deceleration.

8. A seatbelt device according to claim 7, wherein said webbing acceleration sensor and vehicle acceleration sensor respectively comprise an electromagnetic actuator for compulsorily activating said mechanical locking mechanism in correspondence with said activation signals.

9. A seatbelt device according to claim 8, wherein said controller does not activate said electromagnetic actuator when said reel is rotating due to the passenger protracting the webbing.

10. A seatbelt device according to claim 8, wherein said electromagnetic actuator comprises:

a mechanical urging element for providing a mechanical urge to said actuator in order to activate said webbing acceleration sensor or vehicle acceleration sensor; and

an electromagnetic force generating element for generating electromagnetic force which suppresses said mechanical urge,

wherein said electromagnetic actuator maintains said electromagnetic force in a stationary state.

11. A seatbelt device according to claim 2, wherein said rotation detection element is a potential meter interlocked with said reel.

12. A seatbelt device according to claim 6, wherein said controller protracts the seatbelt with said motor after a predetermined time elapses from the detection of said accident.

13. A seatbelt device according to claim 6, wherein said accident detection element comprises a drowning detection element for detecting that the vehicle has drowned, and said controller rotates said motor in the protracting direction in correspondence with the detection of this drowning.

14. A seatbelt device according to claim 6, wherein said detection element comprises a rollover detection element for detecting that the vehicle has rolled over, and said controller rotates said motor in the protracting direction in correspondence with the detection of this rollover after a predetermined time elapses.

15. A seatbelt device according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined time is set to a time required for the abatement of the impact incurred to the rolled over vehicle.