Tensioning device for a seat belt component
By introducing damping and resistance elements into the tensioning device, the kinetic energy of the seat belt components is absorbed and the accidental movement of the cable is resisted, thus solving the problem of flame escape caused by the cable hitting the guide block and achieving the safety and reliability of the device.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AUTOLIV DEV AB
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the tensioning cable may collide with the guide block during the no-load tensioning process, causing damage to the guide block and flames to escape from an unexpected location in the pressure chamber.
Design a tensioning device comprising a guide block, a resistance element, and a damping element. The damping element absorbs the kinetic energy of the seat belt components through structures such as protrusions or collars, while the resistance element resists accidental movement of the cable and prevents flames from escaping.
It effectively prevents the flame from escaping from an unexpected position in the pressure chamber during the no-load tensioning process, protects the guide block from damage, and ensures the safety and reliability of the device.
Smart Images
Figure CN116710334B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] manual
[0002] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a seat belt component, the tensioning device comprising: a gas generator for generating pressurized gas; a piston that can be driven by the pressurized gas; a tensioning cable connected to the piston and connectable to the seat belt component to be tensioned; a tensioner tube for receiving and guiding the piston; and a guide block forming a cable guide, wherein the guide block has a receiving portion for receiving the gas generator and a pressure chamber fluidly connected to the receiving portion, wherein the guide block is connected to the tensioner tube, and the tensioning cable extends linearly from the tensioner tube through the pressure chamber in the direction of piston movement.
[0003] Such tensioning devices are known, for example, from DE 102015111083 B4, in which a guide block forms a cable deflection device, causing the tensioning cable to deflect laterally from the pressure chamber toward the seatbelt component to be tensioned via a deflection guide in the guide block, in the direction of piston movement. Since the tensioning device is mounted laterally beside the vehicle seat, and the direction of piston movement is oriented parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, and the tensioning cable is typically used to tension the buckle or end fittings of the seatbelt as a safety component, such deflection of the tensioning cable via the guide block has been necessary until now. It is now considered that the tensioning cable will extend straight through the guide block or extend through the guide block in a straight orientation parallel to the tensioner tube but deviating from it. However, in this design of the guide block, a problem arises that, during an unloaded tensioning process, the seatbelt component connected to the tensioning cable may strike the guide block without braking, resulting in potential damage to the guide block. If the damage causes the pressure chamber formed by the guide block to become unsealed, flames may escape from an unintended location within the pressure chamber.
[0004] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described with respect to the prior art, and in particular to provide a tensioning device that prevents flame escape even during an unloaded tensioning process.
[0005] One possible solution to this problem is given by a tensioning device having the features of independent claim 1. The dependent claims and the specification indicate another tensioning device and advantageous developments thereof; the various features of these advantageous developments can be combined with each other in a technically reasonable manner.
[0006] This problem is solved by a tensioning device provided for a seatbelt component, which may have a gas generator for generating pressurized gas. The tensioning device may also have a piston, which may be driven by pressurized gas, and a tensioning cable connected to the piston, which may be connected to or attached to a seatbelt component (such as a buckle or end fitting) to be tensioned. The tensioning device may also include a tensioner tube in which the piston is housed, and the tensioner tube guides the piston during tensioning. The tensioning device may also have a single-piece or multi-piece guide block, in which a housing for the gas generator and a pressure chamber fluidly connected to the housing are formed. The guide block is specifically connected to the tensioner tube and is specifically designed such that the tensioning cable extends linearly from the tensioner tube through the pressure chamber in the direction of piston movement. The guide block may be designed such that the tensioning cable exits the guide block laterally to the direction of piston movement, or parallel to and aligned with the linear direction of piston movement, or parallel to but deviating from the linear direction of piston movement. Therefore, the guide block forms a linear guide adjacent to the pressure chamber and is designed such that the tension cable can be led out of the guide block parallel to the direction of piston movement on the side opposite to the tensioner tube. At least one resistance element, further described below, can be inserted into the linear guide to resist unintended movement of the tension cable.
[0007] The tensioning device may have a (fireproof) housing that at least partially surrounds the guide block and is designed to suppress flames ejected from the pressure chamber through the guide block along the tensioning cable.
[0008] The tensioning device may also have at least one resistance element, specifically inserted into the guide block, to resist unintended movement of the tensioning cable. Such a resistance element may have ribs on its surface facing the tensioning cable, which increase static friction with the cable. Specifically, if the tensioning cable extends through the guide block perfectly straight or deviates parallel to the pressure chamber, this resistance element ensures that the cable will not accidentally move through the guide block during normal use. On the other hand, the resistance element imparts only relatively low dynamic friction during the tensioning process. Specifically, this resistance element is positioned in the guide block transverse to the direction of movement of the tensioning cable. However, this also means that a gap remains between the guide block and the resistance element, through which flames may escape during normal tensioning. Using the (fireproof) housing described above, further flame escape can be prevented or at least minimized.
[0009] The guide block typically has an opening, which is preferably circular and / or particularly extends transversely to the direction of cable extension, through which the tensioning device can be fastened to the vehicle. For example, a fastening device (such as a screw (especially a preload screw, optionally with a collar) or bolt) can pass through the opening. To more securely fasten the tensioning device to the vehicle, a sleeve can be inserted into the guide block opening, through which the fastening device (screw or bolt) passes.
[0010] Specifically, in this case, to further improve the mechanical stability of the tensioning device, it can be specified that the tensioning device has a cage-type stabilizing retainer. Specifically, the retainer can be made of metal and preferably has a U-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the retainer specifically has two holes that, after assembly, are associated with an opening in the guide block, such that the opening and the hole in the retainer are aligned with each other. Therefore, the retainer, particularly made of metal, at least partially surrounds the guide block. To secure the retainer to the tensioning device, the retainer can be riveted to a sleeve passing through the opening in the guide block.
[0011] It can now be specified that the tensioning device has at least one damping element that absorbs at least partially the kinetic energy of the seat belt components during unloaded tensioning motion.
[0012] For example, the seatbelt component can be fastened directly or by a fastening element, particularly at one end of the tensioning cable. The damping element is designed and arranged such that if the seatbelt component itself or the fastening element impacts another element of the tensioning device during the unloaded tensioning process (whereby the seatbelt component thus accelerates (almost) without reaction force)—the kinetic energy of the seatbelt component is at least partially absorbed by the expected deformation or breakage of the damping element. This prevents damage to the area of the guide block that forms the pressure chamber, thus preventing flames from escaping from an unintended location within the pressure chamber.
[0013] Specifically, the damping element is achieved by a protrusion formed on a part of the tensioning device, which deforms or breaks (falls off) due to the kinetic energy of the seat belt components during the no-load tensioning process.
[0014] Therefore, the protrusions of the damping element can be specifically formed on the (fireproof) housing, retainer, and / or damping element.
[0015] If the damping element is formed on the housing of the tensioning device, the protrusion is specifically shaped as a loop surrounding the tensioning cable. In other words, the tensioning cable is guided through the housing at a point where the housing has a bulge extending along the cable as a protrusion. Specifically, this protrusion completely surrounds the tensioning cable. In this case, the protrusion is thus formed at a point where the seatbelt component or its fastening element first contacts the other components of the tensioning device.
[0016] If a damping element is formed on the retainer, it is specifically formed in the portion of the retainer that abuts against the guide block. Specifically, the retainer has two protrusions that abut against the guide block, located on opposite sides of the tension cable. At least one protrusion is oriented such that it can deform in such a way that the remaining portions of the retainer can move toward the pressure chamber or toward the tensioner tube during deformation.
[0017] If a damping element is formed on a resistance element, the damping element is specifically achieved by the resistance element protruding beyond the guide block. Therefore, the resistance element extends specifically along the tensioning cable beyond the outer contour of the guide block. If, after an unloaded tensioning process, the seatbelt components or their fastening elements impact the tensioning device, the resistance element deforms.
[0018] If the tensioning device has a resistance element, an independent invention, separate from the above solutions, is that the tensioning device has a retainer for fixing the resistance element in the guide block. In this case, it is specifically stipulated that the retainer is fastened to the guide block in a form-locking manner via a sleeve, and the retainer is connected to the sleeve by a rivet connection.
[0019] Since the resistance element is secured by the retainer, no additional arrangements are needed to firmly install the resistance element, which is inserted into the guide block as part of the tensioning device. Furthermore, this allows the resistance element to be held in a position where it appropriately resists unintended movement of the tension cable.
[0020] In this regard, it is specifically stipulated that the resistance element is brought into an operating position by fastening (particularly riveting) the retainer to the guide block, in which the resistance element resists unintended movement of the tension cable. Therefore, the retainer and resistance element are designed such that before the riveting operation, the resistance element does not apply a force sufficient to prevent unintended movement to the tension cable, and after the riveting operation, the resistance element moves toward the tension cable such that a force sufficient to prevent unintended movement is applied to the tension cable.
[0021] The invention and technical environment are explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following are schematically shown:
[0022] Figure 1A partial exploded view of the tensioning device is shown.
[0023] Figure 2 A tensioning device without a housing is shown.
[0024] Figure 3 The resistance element of the tensioning device is shown.
[0025] Figure 4 The retainer of the tensioning device is shown.
[0026] Figure 5 The housing of the tensioning device is shown.
[0027] Figure 6 A tensioning device without a housing and retainer is shown.
[0028] Figure 7 A guide block for a tensioning device with a resistance element preceding the fastener is shown, and
[0029] Figure 8 This shows the retainer after it has been riveted. Figure 7 The view.
[0030] exist Figure 1 The tensioning device, as shown in the exploded view, includes a guide block 1 having a receiving portion 2 for a gas generator (not shown). A pressure chamber, not visible in the figure, is formed in the guide block 1, and gas generated by the gas generator enters the pressure chamber.
[0031] The guide block 1 also forms a linear guide 7 for the tension cable 4. The seatbelt component 3 is fastened to the tension cable 4. The tension cable 4, guided through the linear guide 7, passes through the pressure chamber and enters the tensioner tube 5, in which the tension cable 4 is connected to a piston (not visible). Triggered by a gas generator, the piston accelerates in the direction of piston movement 6 within the tensioner tube 5, thereby pulling the tension cable 4 through the guide block 1.
[0032] Additionally, the resistance element 8 is inserted into the linear guide 7; once assembled, the resistance element 8 ensures that the tension cable 4 will not be accidentally moved through the guide block 1.
[0033] The tensioning device also includes a retainer 11, which retains... Figure 4 As shown in detail, the retainer is made of a metal plate and has a U-shaped cross-section. The retainer 11 has two protrusions, each forming a damping element 9.2, and in the installed position, these protrusions abut against the guide block 1 (see, in particular). Figure 2 and Figure 6The retainer 11 has holes in its two legs for connection to the sleeve 12. Thus, the sleeve 12 is pushed through the opening in the guide block 1 and through the hole in the retainer 11, and the sleeve 12 is riveted to the retainer 9 for fastening.
[0034] The retainer 11 and the resistance element 8 are designed such that, before the retainer 11 is tightened, the resistance element 8 protrudes laterally beyond the guide block 1 (see [link]). Figure 7 ).
[0035] During riveting, the resistance element 8 is then pressed against the tension cable 4 by the retainer 11, thereby placing the resistance element 8 in the operating position in which the tension cable 4 is secured to prevent accidental movement (see [link]). Figure 8 ).
[0036] The tensioning device also includes a (fireproof) housing 10, which, in the installed position, surrounds a portion of the guide block 1 and the retainer 11. Housing 10 (see in detail) Figure 5 It has a collar as a damping element 9.1, which protrudes from the housing 10 and surrounds the tension cable 4.
[0037] from Figure 6 It can also be seen that the damping element 9.3 of the resistance element 8 protrudes beyond the guide block 1.
[0038] If the tensioning device is triggered, and since there are no occupants, the seatbelt component 3 accelerates with almost no reaction force, then the seatbelt component 3 impacts the damping element 9.1 on the housing 10 with almost no braking, and the damping element immediately deforms. The damping element 9.3, which protrudes beyond the guide block 1 and is a resistance element 8, also subsequently deforms. Furthermore, when the retainer 11 is pressed against the guide block 1 by the seatbelt component 3, the damping element 9.2 of the retainer 11 also deforms.
[0039] List of reference numerals
[0040] 1. Bootstrap Block
[0041] 2. Reception area
[0042] 3. Seat belt components
[0043] 4 tensioning cables
[0044] 5 Tensioner tubes
[0045] 6. Direction of piston movement
[0046] 7. Linear Guide
[0047] 8. Resistance element
[0048] 9.1 Damping Elements
[0049] 9.2 Damping Elements
[0050] 9.3 Damping Elements
[0051] 10. Shell
[0052] 11 Retainer
[0053] 12 casings
Claims
1. A tensioning device for a seatbelt component, the tensioning device comprising: - A gas generator, used to produce pressurized gas. - A piston, which can be driven by the pressurized gas. - Tensioning cable (4), which is connected to the piston and can be connected to the seat belt component (3) to be tensioned. - Tensioner tube (5), the tensioner tube being used to receive and guide the piston, and - Guide block (1), the guide block forming a cable guide, and the guide block having a receiving portion (2) for accommodating the gas generator and a pressure chamber fluidly connected to the receiving portion (2), wherein The guide block (1) is connected to the tensioner tube (5), and the tensioning cable (4) extends in a straight line from the tensioner tube (5) through the pressure chamber in the piston movement direction (6). Its features are, At least one damping element (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) is formed, which absorbs the kinetic energy of the seat belt component (3) under unloaded tensioning motion; The tensioning device has a retainer (11) that at least partially surrounds the guide block (1), and a protrusion on the retainer (11) forms a second damping element (9.2) of at least one damping element, wherein the second damping element (9.2) at least partially abuts against the guide block (1).
2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein at least one damping element (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) is in the form of a protrusion, which deforms and / or breaks due to absorption.
3. The tensioning device of claim 2, wherein, The tensioning device further includes a housing (10) that at least partially surrounds the guide block (1) and the retainer (11), wherein a first damping element (9.1) of at least one damping element is formed by a protrusion on the housing (10) of the tensioning device.
4. The tensioning device according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion on the housing (10) is formed as a loop around the tensioning cable (4).
5. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device has at least one resistance element (8), the at least one resistance element being inserted into the guide block (1) and resisting unintended movement of the tensioning cable (4), wherein a third damping element (9.3) of the at least one damping element is formed by a portion of the resistance element (8) protruding beyond the guide block (1).
6. A tensioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The tensioning device also has - At least one resistance element (8) is inserted into the guide block (1) and resists unintended movement of the tension cable (4), wherein the retainer (11) secures the resistance element (8) in the guide block (1), wherein the resistance element (8) is brought into an operating position by fastening the retainer (11) to the guide block (1), in which the resistance element (8) resists unintended movement of the tension cable (4).
7. The tensioning device according to claim 6, wherein the retainer (11) is fastened to the guide block (1) in a shape-locking manner via a sleeve (12).
8. The tensioning device according to claim 7, wherein the retainer (11) is connected to the sleeve (12) by a rivet connection.
9. The tensioning device according to claim 6, wherein the guide block (1) forms a linear guide (7) adjacent to the pressure chamber, and the linear guide is designed such that the tensioning cable (4) can be led out from the guide block (1) on the side opposite to the tensioner tube (5) in parallel with the piston movement direction (6).
10. The tensioning device according to claim 9, wherein at least one resistance element (8) resisting unintended movement of the tensioning cable (4) is inserted into the linear guide (7).