Wire drive device for seat belt retractor and seat belt retractor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor, comprising: a core wire having a first end section and a second end section, the first end section having an operating element, and the second end section being in driving connection with a vehicle sensing device; a first pulley including a core wire mounting portion having a core wire channel for receiving and guiding the first end section of the core wire and bolt holes arranged side by side, and the core wire can be wound and unwound on the first pulley; an adjusting bolt received in the bolt holes, and screwing the adjusting bolt into the bolt holes can drive the operating element in a direction away from the core wire in the first end section and thus drive the core wire to move relative to the first pulley. The present disclosure also relates to a seat belt retractor. The core wire transmission device of the present disclosure achieves a smaller number of parts and a compact structural arrangement, such that the force application mode of the adjusting bolt is better, reducing the risk of wear at the thread end, and the bolt fastening force is relatively stable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of vehicle safety, and more specifically, the present disclosure relates to a core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor and a seat belt retractor. Background Art

[0002] In the technical field of vehicle safety, a vehicle seat belt can be a safety protection device for protecting an occupant in the event of an emergency in a vehicle, such as an emergency brake, a collision, or a rollover. Among them, the occupant can be restrained by a belt-shaped webbing, the webbing can be wound around a mandrel of a seat belt retractor, and can be fixed to the vehicle by a tongue. A vehicle seat belt can be an important part of a vehicle passive safety system. The vehicle can be, for example, a passenger car, a truck, or other means of transportation.

[0003] With the development of vehicle technology, users have higher and higher requirements for vehicle comfort, and the same is true for the comfort of vehicle seats. In the development of vehicle seats, the inclination angle of the seat back has evolved from being fixed to adjustable, and the adjustable angle is getting larger and larger. In some commercial vehicles, an adjustment angle close to lying flat of the seat back has even been achieved.

[0004] Some known seat belt retractors are equipped with a vehicle sensing device, which can be used as a mechanical sensor in the seat belt retractor to sense the vehicle state. For example, it can sense the acceleration and tilt angle of the vehicle. Among them, when an emergency occurs in the vehicle, the vehicle sensing device can sense the emergency state and can prompt the mandrel of the seat belt retractor to lock, preventing the webbing from continuing to be withdrawn from the mandrel, so that the occupant can be well restrained by the webbing and thus obtain good safety protection. Typically, an earlier vehicle sensing device is fixedly installed on the vehicle body or the vehicle seat, which may not meet the technical requirements of an adjustable seat back.

[0005] In addition, an adaptive vehicle sensing device is known, which can be adjusted together with the seat back by its own gravity. Since the adaptive vehicle sensing device is movable, its adaptive angle adjustment range is limited, and there is still room for improvement in the vehicle sensing sensitivity. Therefore, a vehicle sensing device with a large adjustable angle and a sensitive and reliable vehicle sensing function is expected.

[0006] The by-wire seatbelt system integrated in a vehicle seat provides a good technical solution for solving the problem of large-angle adjustment of the seat back. The by-wire seatbelt system may include a vehicle sensing device, a swivel disc assembly, and a core wire assembly. Among them, the vehicle sensing device may be disposed in the seat back, the swivel disc assembly may be installed between the seat back and the seat cushion, and may be linked with the seat adjuster. The vehicle sensing device and the swivel disc assembly are connected by the core wire assembly. When the seat back is rotated, the swivel disc assembly winds in or pays out the core wire to drive the vehicle sensing device, so that the vehicle sensing device and the seat back can adjust the angle synchronously and maintain the angular position relative to the ground substantially unchanged.

[0007] Since the position of the vehicle sensing device during the synchronous angle adjustment with the seat back is related to whether the vehicle acceleration can be correctly sensed to protect the safety of the occupant, it is important to keep the vehicle sensing device always in the correct angular position. Since the vehicle sensing device and the swivel disc assembly are mainly driven by the core wire, and the length of the core wire is relatively long (for example, it can be about 1 m), and since the number of parts associated with the core wire drive is large, the cumulative tolerance after direct assembly of the vehicle sensing device, the swivel disc assembly, the core wire assembly and the associated parts is large, which may cause a deviation between the actual angular position and the designed angular position of the vehicle sensing device, thus affecting the vehicle sensing function of the vehicle sensing device.

[0008] To solve the above problems, the angular position of the vehicle sensing device can be adjusted and calibrated, so as to basically ensure that the vehicle sensing device always remains in the correct angular position during subsequent operation.

[0009] In some existing by-wire swivel disc assemblies, a pulling-type core wire adjustment scheme is adopted, such as a cooperation mode of a bolt and a slider. Among them, the end of the core wire is fixed on the slider, the slider is placed inside a rack driven by the swivel disc assembly, one end of the bolt passes through the rack, and the other end is connected to the slider. By screwing the bolt to pull the slider, the core wire is driven to adjust the vehicle sensing device. This scheme has a large number of parts, a complex structure, a large volume of the device, and the core wire tightening force is unstable, but changes with the length of the bolt screwed into the slider. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a core wire transmission device and a seatbelt retractor for a seatbelt retractor, which can optimize the part structure while ensuring the accuracy of the vehicle sensing angular position, reduce the volume of the core wire tightening device, and improve the product applicability.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the subject technology of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the subject technology of the present disclosure. The advantages of the subject technology of the present disclosure will be realized and obtained by the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor, the core wire drive device including:

[0013] A core wire having a first end section and a second end section, the first end section having an operating element, and the second end section being configured to be drivingly connected to a rotatable vehicle sensing device of the seat belt retractor;

[0014] A first pulley including a core wire mounting portion having a core wire channel for receiving and guiding the first end section of the core wire and a bolt hole arranged side by side with the core wire channel, the core wire being able to be wound and unwound on the first pulley, and the core wire drive device including an adjusting bolt received in the bolt hole, and screwing the adjusting bolt into the bolt hole can drive the operating element in a direction away from the core wire in the first end section and thus drive the core wire to move relative to the first pulley.

[0015] The bolt hole of the core wire drive device for the seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention can be directly arranged on the first pulley without additionally providing a slider or other threaded fitting as in the known prior art, so that a smaller number of parts and a compact structural arrangement can be achieved. By pushing the core wire after the adjusting bolt completely passes through the bolt hole, adjustment of the core wire and thus of the vehicle sensing device can be achieved, which can achieve better force application on the adjusting bolt. This can reduce the risk of wear at the thread end compared to pulling the threaded fitting by the adjusting bolt. In addition, since the length of the threaded engagement portion of the adjusting bolt can be certain, the tightening force of the bolt can be relatively stable.

[0016] In some embodiments, the core wire mounting portion can be configured as a boss on the edge of the first pulley.

[0017] In some embodiments, the core wire channel can extend circumferentially or tangentially on the first pulley, and the bolt hole can extend tangentially on the first pulley.

[0018] In some embodiments, the bolt hole can be radially outside the core wire channel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the bolt hole can be axially beside the core wire channel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the actuating element may be configured as a first end head at the end of the first end section of the core wire, and the first end head may at least partially cover the bolt hole.

[0021] In some embodiments, the core wire mounting portion may have an elongated mounting seat corresponding to the outer contour shape of the first end head of the core wire to accommodate and guide the first end head.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first end head of the core wire may have an outer contour in the shape of an eight, a circle, a rectangle, or an ellipse.

[0023] In some embodiments, the second end section may be drivingly connected to the vehicle sensing device via a transmission mechanism.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second end section may be drivingly connected to the vehicle sensing device via a second pulley, wherein the second end head of the second end section may be fixed in the second pulley.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second end section can be wound and unwound on the second pulley, and the second pulley can be drivingly connected to the vehicle sensing device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the second pulley may have a push rod, and the push rod may be configured to directly drive the vehicle sensing device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the core wire transmission device may include a return spring configured to tension the core wire in a direction away from the first pulley.

[0028] In some embodiments, the core wire transmission device may further include a calibration indication structure.

[0029] In some embodiments, the calibration indication structure may include a first calibration indication mark associated with the movement of the core wire and a stationary second calibration indication mark, and the first calibration indication mark and the second calibration indication mark are configured such that when the first calibration indication mark and the second calibration indication mark are aligned with each other, the adjustment bolt is adjusted to the target position and the vehicle sensing device reaches the calibrated angular position.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second end section may be drivingly connected to the vehicle sensing device via a transmission mechanism, and the transmission mechanism or the vehicle sensing device has a first calibration indication mark.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first calibration indication mark may be configured as a first calibration indication hole.

[0032] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism may include a transmission mechanism housing, and the transmission mechanism housing may have a second calibration indication mark.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second calibration indication mark may be configured as a second calibration indication hole.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first pulley may be the angle adjustment disc of the angle adjustment disc assembly, and the angle adjustment disc assembly may further include an angle adjustment housing, and the angle adjustment housing may have a core wire introduction portion.

[0035] In some embodiments, the angle adjustment housing may be configured to be fixedly connected coaxially with the pivot of the backrest of the vehicle seat.

[0036] In some embodiments, when the angle adjustment housing rotates relative to the angle adjustment disc in the first rotation direction, the core wire can be wound around the angle adjustment disc, wherein the first rotation direction corresponds to the backrest backward tilt adjustment direction.

[0037] In some embodiments, the angle adjustment disc may have a long diameter portion with a longer rotation radius and a short diameter portion with a shorter rotation radius, and the short diameter portion may have a core wire winding portion.

[0038] In some embodiments, the angle adjustment housing may have a long diameter portion with a longer rotation radius and a short diameter portion with a shorter rotation radius, and the short diameter portion of the housing and the long diameter portion of the angle adjustment disc may cooperate to define the rotation angle range of the housing relative to the angle adjustment disc.

[0039] In some embodiments, the core wire introduction portion may be configured such that the core wire is introduced into the angle adjustment disc assembly in a direction tangent to the core wire winding portion.

[0040] In some embodiments, the core wire introduction portion may be provided in the region of the short diameter portion of the angle adjustment housing.

[0041] In some embodiments, the angle adjustment disc assembly may include a wrench, and the wrench is configured to be mounted without relative rotation with respect to the seat portion of the vehicle seat.

[0042] In some embodiments, the wrench may be configured to be fixedly connected to the angle adjustment disc, or may be configured to prevent the angle adjustment disc from continuing to rotate in the first rotation direction at a certain angular position.

[0043] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a seat belt retractor, which includes a retractor main body configured to be mounted to the backrest of a vehicle seat, a rotatable vehicle sensing device integrated in the retractor main body, and the core wire transmission device described above.

[0044] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for calibrating a vehicle sensing device of a seat belt retractor, the seat belt retractor including a retractor body configured to be mounted to a backrest of a vehicle seat, a rotatable vehicle sensing device integrated in the retractor body, and a core wire transmission device as described above, the method including the following method steps:

[0045] Load a first end section of the core wire into the core wire channel and drivingly connect a second end section of the core wire to the vehicle sensing device;

[0046] Screw the adjusting bolt into the bolt hole to drive the actuating element and thereby drive the core wire until a first calibration indication mark and a second calibration indication mark are aligned with each other.

[0047] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are both exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] After reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, various aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood. In the drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a vehicle seat having a seat belt retractor is shown.

[0050] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 a schematic view of the seat belt retractor.

[0051] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 an exploded view of the seat belt retractor.

[0052] Figure 4 An exploded view of an angle adjustment disc assembly having a core wire transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] Figure 5A A cross-sectional view of a core wire transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0054] Figure 5B Shows Figure 5A an enlarged view of the circled portion in, wherein the adjusting bolt is in a position ready to push the core wire.

[0055] Figure 5C Shows Figure 5A an enlarged view of the circled portion in, wherein the adjusting bolt is in a position where it has pushed the core wire.

[0056] Figure 6 A front view and a perspective view of an angle adjustment disc according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

[0057] Figure 7 Shows a cross-sectional view of a core wire mounting portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 8A Shows a perspective view of a first end of a core wire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 8B Shows a perspective view of a first end of a core wire according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 8C Shows a perspective view of a first end of a core wire according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 9 Shows a cross-sectional view of a transmission mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0062] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure of the present disclosure more complete and fully explain the protection scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments.

[0063] It should be understood that in all the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements. In the drawings, for clarity, the dimensions of some features may be deformed.

[0064] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. All terms used in the specification (including technical terms and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0065] The singular forms "a", "the" and "said" used in the specification include the plural forms unless clearly specified. The terms "comprising", "including" and "containing" used in the specification indicate the presence of the claimed features, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term "and / or" used in the specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0066] In the specification, when it is stated that one element is "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" to, or "in contact" with another element, etc., the element can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or there can be an intervening element. In contrast, when it is stated that one element is "directly" on, "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled" to, or "directly in contact" with another element, there will be no intervening element. In the specification, when a feature is arranged "adjacent" to another feature, it can mean that the feature has a portion that overlaps with the adjacent feature or a portion that is above or below the adjacent feature.

[0067] In the specification, spatial relationship terms such as "above", "below", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "high", "low", etc. can describe the relationship between one feature and another feature in the drawings. It should be understood that the spatial relationship terms include not only the orientations shown in the drawings but also different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, when the device in the drawing is inverted, a feature that was originally described as "below" other features can then be described as "above" the other features. The device can also be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the relative spatial relationships will be interpreted accordingly.

[0068] Figure 1 A side view schematically showing a vehicle seat having a seat belt retractor. Figure 2 is Figure 1 An enlarged schematic view of the seat belt retractor of, in which the vehicle seat is hidden. The vehicle can be, for example, a passenger vehicle or a truck, especially a partially or fully autonomous motor vehicle. The vehicle seat has a seat portion 5 and a backrest 4, and the backrest 4 can be adjusted forward and backward in inclination from a substantially upright initial position described by a solid line in Figure 1 The initial position can be optimized for the occupant to sit and operate the vehicle. The backrest 4 can be folded forward onto the seat portion 5 to create space. The backrest 4 can be adjusted backward to a maximum inclination position close to horizontal, at which the occupant can rest. Referring to the forward direction of the vehicle, the maximum inclination position can correspond to an inclination close to 180°, for example, an inclination of about 170°. The backrest 4 can be adjusted to any intermediate position between the predetermined initial position and the maximum inclination position according to the user's needs, for example, it can be adjusted to an inclination of about 120° or 13�°. The two end positions of the backrest 4 are described by dashed lines in Figure 1

[0069] ​The retractor body 1 is fixedly installed in the backrest 4. The retractor body 1 has an integrated rotatable vehicle sensing device 10 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ). An angle adjustment disc assembly 3 can be coaxially installed on the pivot of the backrest 4. The angle adjustment disc assembly is coupled to the vehicle sensing device 10 via a core wire assembly 2 to adjust the angle of the vehicle sensing device. In a predetermined initial position of the backrest 4, the vehicle sensing device 10 is in a substantially vertical orientation. When the vehicle sensing device is fixed relative to the backrest and the backrest is adjusted backward by a certain angle from the initial position, the vehicle sensing device deviates from the vertical orientation by that angle accordingly. In the case of an adaptive vehicle sensing device, when the backrest is adjusted backward by a certain angle from the initial position, the vehicle sensing device rotates adaptively by its own gravity and remains in the vertical orientation. However, there is room for improvement in the sensitivity of the movable vehicle sensing device, and the typical angle range of adaptive adjustment does not exceed 45°. In the seat belt retractor of the present invention, when the backrest 4 is adjusted backward by a certain angle from the initial position, on the one hand, this causes the vehicle sensing device 10 to deviate from the vertical orientation by that angle accordingly, and on the other hand, it simultaneously causes the angle adjustment disc assembly 3 to pull the core wire assembly 2 and ultimately causes the vehicle sensing device 10 to rotate in the opposite direction by another angle. The other angle can at least partially compensate the aforementioned angle, and particularly preferably substantially completely compensate the aforementioned angle and thus enable the vehicle sensing device 10 to basically remain in the vertical orientation. Since the mobility of the vehicle sensing device 10 is restricted by the angle adjustment disc assembly 3 and the core wire assembly 2, the vehicle sensing sensitivity can even be compared with that of a fixedly installed vehicle sensing device. At the same time, the vehicle sensing device can be compared with an adaptive vehicle sensing device in terms of the positioning angle. In other words, the vehicle sensing device according to the present invention can combine the advantages of a fixedly installed vehicle sensing device and an adaptive vehicle sensing device.

[0070] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the retractor body 1 may include a frame 17. Typically, the frame 17 can be configured as a U-shaped frame. A core shaft 26 for winding the webbing is rotatably supported in the frame 17. A torsion spring for pre-tightening the core shaft 26 in the winding direction and a torsion spring side cover covering the torsion spring can be provided at one axial end. The torsion spring side cover can be fixed to the frame 17. The torsion spring and the torsion spring side cover can form a torsion spring assembly 22. The core shaft 26 can drive a ratchet 21 at the other axial end. Here, the retractor body 1 may have a mechanical inner cover 18 and a mechanical outer cover 23. The ratchet 21 can be received in the mechanical inner cover 18, and the vehicle sensing device 10 can be installed in the mechanical inner cover. The mechanical inner cover 18 can in turn be received in the mechanical outer cover 23. The mechanical inner cover 18 and the mechanical outer cover 23 can be jointly fixed to the frame 17. When an emergency occurs in the vehicle, such as a collision or rollover, the vehicle sensing device 10 can lock the ratchet 21, causing the locking claw guided by the ratchet to engage with the frame 17 as shown inFigure 3 In the ring gear visible in Figure 3 , the mandrel 26 is locked. Regarding the vehicle sensing device 10 and the locking device, reference may be made, for example, to the patent application CN110027502A of the present applicant. The vehicle sensing device 10 may include a rotatably supported sensitive seat 14, and the sensitive seat may have a concave bowl surface. The sensitive ball 25 can move in the sensitive seat. In a stationary state, the sensitive ball is at the bottom of the bowl surface. When an emergency occurs in the vehicle, the sensitive ball 25 leaves the bottom of the bowl surface under the action of inertia, lifting the sensitive claw 15, which in turn lifts the locking claw 8, causing the locking claw 8 to engage with the ratchet wheel 21, thereby locking the mandrel 26.

[0071] In order to improve the sensitivity of the vehicle sensing device, it is desirable to adjust and calibrate the angular position of the vehicle sensing device so that the vehicle sensing device can be kept at the designed angular position as much as possible.

[0072] The following refers to Figures 3 to 8C A core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be further described in detail. It is configured to be able to adjust the angular position of the vehicle sensing device 10. As Figures 4 to 5C shown, the core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an angle adjustment disk 31 in the angle adjustment disk assembly 3, a core wire 28 in the core wire assembly 2, and an adjustment bolt 32. The first end section 28-1 of the core wire 28 is mounted to the angle adjustment disk 31 and can be drivingly connected to the vehicle sensing device 10 through the second end section 28-2, so that the winding and unwinding of the core wire 28 on the angle adjustment disk 13 can manipulate the vehicle sensing device 10. In some embodiments, the core wire transmission device may be connected to the vehicle sensing device 10 through a transmission mechanism, for example, connected to the sensitive seat 14 of the vehicle sensing device 10, and the second end section 28-2 of the core wire 28 is mounted to the transmission mechanism. In an embodiment not shown, the end 30 of the core wire 28 may be directly connected to the vehicle sensing device 10.

[0073] As Figure 4 、 Figures 5A to 5C and Figure 6As shown, the first end section 28-1 of the core wire 28 can be installed in the core wire mounting portion 58 on the angle adjustment disk 31. The core wire mounting portion 58 can be constructed to have a core wire channel 58-1 for accommodating and guiding the first end section 28-1 of the core wire 28 and a bolt hole 58-2 arranged side by side with the core wire channel 58-1, which is used to receive the adjustment bolt 32. The core wire mounting portion 58 can be a boss provided at the edge of the angle adjustment disk 31, wherein the core wire channel 58-1 can extend in the circumferential direction or tangential direction of the angle adjustment disk 31, and the bolt hole 58-2 can extend in the tangential direction of the angle adjustment disk 31. The bolt hole 58-2 can be located radially outside the core wire channel 58-1. The first end section 28-1 of the core wire 28 may be provided with a first end cap 29, the cross-section of which may at least partially cover the bolt hole 58-2. This allows the screwing of the adjustment bolt 32 into the bolt hole 58-2 to drive the first end cap 29 in a direction away from the core wire 28 at the first end section 28-1, thereby driving the core wire 28 to move relative to the angle adjustment disk 31. It should be understood that in other embodiments, other forms of operating elements may be provided in place of the first end cap 29 to achieve the same purpose. By screwing in the adjustment bolt 32 to drive the core wire 28 to move, the core wire 28 can further drive the rotation of the vehicle sensing device 10, to which it is transmission-connected, thereby adjusting and calibrating the angular position of the vehicle sensing device 10.

[0074] like Figure and 8A As shown, in one embodiment, the first end 29 of the core wire 28 can have an "8"-shaped outer contour, and the core wire mounting portion 58 of the angle adjustment disk 31 can have an elongated mounting seat 60 with a corresponding outer contour to accommodate and guide the first end 29 of the core wire 28.

[0075] like ​ As shown in FIG. 1 , in another embodiment, the first end 29-1 of the core wire 28 may be circular. ​ As shown, in another embodiment, the first end 29-2 of the core wire 28 can be rectangular. The outer contour of the first end of the core wire 28 can also be other suitable shapes (e.g., elliptical, oblong, etc.). Advantageously, the first end can at least partially cover the bolt hole 58-2 and enable the adjustment bolt 32 extending through the bolt hole 58-2 to drive the first end, thereby driving the first end in a direction away from the core wire 28 at the first end section 28-1 of the core wire 28, thereby driving the core wire 28. The core wire mounting portion 58 can have an elongated mounting seat corresponding to the outer contour of the first end.

[0076] like ​As shown, the angle adjustment disk assembly 3 may further include an angle adjustment housing, which includes an angle adjustment housing body 13 and a housing cover plate 11. The angle adjustment housing body 13 has a core wire introduction portion 46 and is configured to be fixedly connected coaxially with the pivot of the backrest of the vehicle seat. When the angle adjustment housing body 13 rotates relative to the angle adjustment disk 31 in the first rotation direction D1, the core wire 28 can be wound around the angle adjustment disk 31, wherein the first rotation direction D1 corresponds to the backrest backward tilt adjustment direction. The angle adjustment disk assembly 3 may further include a wrench 12, which is configured to be mounted without relative rotation with respect to the seat portion of the vehicle seat. The wrench 12 may be configured to be fixedly connected to the angle adjustment disk 31, or may be configured to prevent the angle adjustment disk 31 from continuing to rotate in the first rotation direction D1 at a certain angular position, so that the rotation of the angle adjustment housing body 13 in the first rotation direction D1 can wind the core wire 28 around the angle adjustment disk 31.

[0077] As ​ shown, the angle adjustment disk 31 may have a major diameter portion 51 with a longer rotation radius and a minor diameter portion 52 with a shorter rotation radius, and the minor diameter portion 52 may have a core wire winding portion 59. The angle adjustment housing body 13 may have a major diameter portion 41 with a longer rotation radius and a minor diameter portion 42 with a shorter rotation radius. The minor diameter portion 42 of the angle adjustment housing body 13 and the major diameter portion 51 of the angle adjustment disk 31 cooperate to define the rotation angle range of the angle adjustment housing body 13 relative to the angle adjustment disk 31. In some embodiments, the core wire introduction portion 46 is configured to allow the core wire 28 to be introduced into the angle adjustment disk assembly 3 in a direction tangent to the core wire winding portion 59. In some embodiments, the core wire introduction portion 46 is provided in the region of the minor diameter portion 42 of the angle adjustment housing body 13.

[0078] As described above, the core wire transmission device may be connected to the vehicle sensing device 10 through a transmission mechanism, and the second end section 28-2 of the core wire 28 is mounted to the transmission mechanism. As ​ 、 3As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in one embodiment, the second end section 28-2 of the core wire 28 can be mated with a gearbox assembly 9 serving as a transmission mechanism. The gearbox assembly 9 can be mounted in the machine outer cover 23. The gearbox assembly 9 can include a transmission housing, which can include two housing parts 16, 20. The transmission pulley 19 is rotatably supported in the transmission housing, and more specifically, can be supported on the central column of the first housing part 20. The second end section 28-2 of the core wire 28 can have a second end 30, which can be fixed to the transmission pulley 19 and can be wound around and unwound from the periphery of the transmission pulley 19. For example, the transmission pulley 19 can have a push rod 61, which can manipulate the sensitive seat 14. For example, the sensitive seat 14 can have a pair of arms 62 extending from the body, and the push rod 61 is received between the pair of arms 62. The movement of the core wire 28 towards the angle adjustment disc 13 can cause the effective length of the core wire 28 to shorten, so that the second end 30 of the core wire 28 can drive the transmission pulley 19, and thus the push rod 61 of the transmission pulley 19 can manipulate the sensitive seat 14. Advantageously, the gearbox assembly 9 can further include a return spring 24, which is configured to tension the core wire 28 in a direction away from the angle adjustment disc 31.

[0079] When using the adjusting bolt 32 to adjust the angular position of the vehicle sensing device 10, the movement of the core wire 28 drives the transmission pulley 19 to rotate through the second end 30, and then drives the vehicle sensing device 10 to rotate to adjust the angular position of the vehicle sensing device 10.

[0080] In some embodiments, the core wire transmission device can further include a calibration indication structure, which can include a first calibration indication mark associated with the movement of the core wire 28 and a stationary second calibration indication mark. For example, as ​ shown, the first calibration indication mark can be provided on the transmission pulley 19, and the first calibration indication mark can be a first calibration indication hole 19-1. It should be understood that the first calibration indication mark can also be provided on other components, such as on the vehicle sensing device 10. For example, as ​ shown, the second calibration indication mark can be provided on the first housing part 20, and the second calibration indication mark can be a second calibration indication hole 20-2. It should be understood that the second calibration indication mark can also be provided on other components, such as on the second housing part 16. The first calibration indication mark and the second calibration indication mark are configured to indicate that the core wire is tightened and the vehicle sensing device 10 has reached the calibrated angular position when the first calibration indication mark is driven by the core wire 28 to move and align with the second calibration indication mark.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism is configured in the form of a drive pulley 19. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the drive mechanism may also be in other suitable forms. For example, the drive mechanism may include a rack and a gear, wherein the screwing-in process of the adjusting bolt 32 drives the rack to move linearly a certain distance, thereby driving the gear to rotate by a certain angle about its own axis of rotation. The gear may be configured to have an integrated push rod, and the push rod may be configured to directly drive the vehicle sensing device 10.

[0082] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a seat belt retractor including a retractor body 1 configured to be mounted to the backrest 4 of a vehicle seat, a rotatable vehicle sensing device 10 integrated in the retractor body 1, and the core wire drive device described above, wherein the vehicle sensing device 10 is drivingly connected to the core wire drive device.

[0083] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for calibrating the vehicle sensing device 10 of a seat belt retractor, as ​ and ​ shown, the method may include the following method steps: loading a first end section 28-1 of the core wire 28 into the core wire channel 58-1, and drivingly connecting a second end section 28-2 of the core wire 28 to the vehicle sensing device 10; screwing the adjusting bolt 10 into the bolt hole 58-2 to drive the actuating element at the first end section 28-1 and thereby drive the core wire 28 until the first calibration indication mark and the second calibration indication mark are aligned with each other.

[0084] The bolt hole 58-2 of the core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be directly arranged on the angle adjustment disc 31 without the need for additional sliders or other threaded fittings, thereby enabling a smaller number of parts and a compact structural arrangement. By pushing the first end 29 of the core wire 28 after the adjusting bolt 32 completely passes through the bolt hole 58-2, the adjustment of the core wire 28, and thus the vehicle sensing device 10, can be achieved, and this can achieve better force application on the adjusting bolt 32. This can reduce the risk of wear at the thread ends compared to pulling a threaded fitting by the adjusting bolt 32 as in the prior art, and the length of the threaded engagement portion of the adjusting bolt 32 is constant, so that the fastening force of the bolt is relatively stable.

[0085] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in essence. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the protection scope of the present disclosure defined by the claims. The present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of these claims are also included.

Claims

1. A core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor, characterized in that, The core wire drive device includes: A core wire having a first end section and a second end section, the first end section having an operating element, and the second end section being configured to be in driving connection with a rotatable vehicle sensing device of a seat belt retractor; A first pulley, the first pulley including a core wire mounting portion having a core wire channel for receiving and guiding the first end section of the core wire and a bolt hole directly disposed on the first pulley and arranged side by side with the core wire channel. The core wire can be wound and unwound on the first pulley. The core wire drive device includes an adjusting bolt received in the bolt hole. The operating element is configured as a first end head at the end of the first end section of the core wire. The first end head at least partially covers the bolt hole and enables the adjusting bolt protruding through the bolt hole to push the first end head. Thus, screwing the adjusting bolt into the bolt hole can push the operating element configured as the first end head in a direction away from the core wire in the first end section and thereby drive the core wire to move relative to the first pulley, wherein the length of the threaded engagement portion between the adjusting bolt and the bolt hole is fixed.

2. The core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The core wire mounting portion is configured as a boss on the edge of the first pulley.

3. The core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The core wire channel extends circumferentially or tangentially on the first pulley, and the bolt hole extends tangentially on the first pulley.

4. The core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bolt hole is located radially outside the core wire channel.

5. The core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The bolt hole is located beside the core wire channel axially.

6. The core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The core wire mounting portion has an elongated mounting seat corresponding to the outer contour shape of the first end head of the core wire to receive and guide the first end head.

7. The core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first end head of the core wire has an outer contour in the shape of an eight, a circle, a rectangle, or an ellipse.

8. The core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second end section is in driving connection with the vehicle sensing device via a transmission mechanism.

9. The core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second end section is in driving connection with the vehicle sensing device via a second pulley, wherein the second end head of the second end section is fixed in the second pulley, and the second end section can be wound and unwound on the second pulley, and the second pulley is in driving connection with the vehicle sensing device.

10. The core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The core wire drive device includes a return spring configured to tension the core wire in a direction away from the first pulley.

11. The core wire driving device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The core wire drive device further includes a calibration indication structure including a first calibration indication mark associated with the movement of the core wire and a stationary second calibration indication mark. The first calibration indication mark and the second calibration indication mark are configured such that when the first calibration indication mark and the second calibration indication mark are aligned with each other, the adjusting bolt is adjusted to a target position and the vehicle sensing device reaches a calibrated angular position.

12. The core wire drive device for a seat belt retractor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first pulley is an angle adjustment disc of an angle adjustment disc assembly, and the angle adjustment disc assembly further includes an angle adjustment housing having a core wire introduction portion and configured to be fixedly connected coaxially with a pivot shaft of a backrest of a vehicle seat. When the angle adjustment housing rotates relative to the angle adjustment disc in a first rotation direction, the core wire can be wound on the angle adjustment disc, wherein the first rotation direction corresponds to the direction of adjusting the backrest backward inclination.

13. A seat belt retractor, characterized in that, The seat belt retractor includes a retractor body configured to be mounted to a backrest of a vehicle seat, a rotatable vehicle sensing device integrated in the retractor body, and a core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A method for calibrating a vehicle sensing device of a seat belt retractor, the seat belt retractor including a retractor body configured to be mounted to a backrest of a vehicle seat, a rotatable vehicle sensing device integrated in the retractor body, and a core wire transmission device for a seat belt retractor according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the following method steps: Insert a first end section of the core wire into the core wire channel and drivingly connect a second end section of the core wire to the vehicle sensing device; Screw an adjustment bolt into the bolt hole to drive the actuating element and thereby drive the core wire until a first calibration indicator mark and a second calibration indicator mark are aligned with each other.

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