Modular seatbelt retractor

Abstract

A belt retractor (40) having a belt reel (14), a seat belt (12) which can be wound thereon to form a belt reel, and at least one first assembly, the first assembly being arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the belt reel (14) and in series with the belt reel (14). The belt retractor is especially adapted for mounting inside the frame member of a motor vehicle seat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2018 213 282.8, filed Aug. 8, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention concerns a seat belt retractor for a motor vehicle.BACKGROUND[0003]The basic components of seat belt retractors are a load-bearing frame and a rotatable belt reel mounted in the frame, on which a seat belt can be wound up.[0004]In addition to supporting the belt reel, the frame is also used to attach the retractor to a seat structure or a vehicle structure and is typically made of a correspondingly thick steel sheet which is bent into a U-shaped frame.[0005]Vehicle seats with seat belt devices are, for example, known for use as front seats in cabriolet style vehicles in which at least the belt retractors of the seat belt devices are fastened to the backrests of the vehicle se...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text proposes a new design for a belt retractor that allows for a more compact and narrow arrangement. This allows the belt to be placed in elongated spaces, such as the vehicle seat or other vehicle structures. By directly supporting the belt reel on a load-bearing structural part of the vehicle or seat, the belt retractor can replace the previously required frame and absorb the restraining forces. This design also reduces the torque and bending stiffness requirements for the load-bearing structural part. Overall, this new design provides a more efficient and compact belt retractor arrangement for safety and comfort during vehicle travel.

Problems solved by technology

One problem however, is that the belt retractor with its other components requires a comparatively large amount of installation space due to its external dimensions so that installation in the vehicle seat can be problematic.

This large belt reel is further enlarged towards the outside by a correspondingly large frame of the belt retractor and other components such as a drive device for an irreversible belt tensioner, an electric motor for a reversible belt tensioner, a force limiting device, sensor devices or the like, which further increases the installation space required.

Images