An electronic seat belt retractor assembly

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic vehicle sensing type seat belt retractor assembly, comprising: a rotatable retractor drum with a webbing thereon; a locking device for locking the retractor drum in the direction of webbing extraction; a belt sensing assembly with a ratchet, configured to drive the locking device to lock the retractor drum when the ratchet is engaged; an electromagnetic switch with a pawl acted by a spring force in the direction of engaging the ratchet; a return assembly configured to lock the pawl in a position not engaging the ratchet in the locking position within a set length of webbing extraction; and a restraining spring configured to provide a driving force to limit the return assembly in the locking position when the retractor drum rotates in the direction of webbing extraction and when the set length of webbing is exceeded, and to be in a position releasing the return assembly when the retractor drum rotates in the opposite direction of webbing extraction. The retractor assembly of the present application realizes the first wearable function of the electronic vehicle sensing type seat belt when not powered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive seat belts, specifically to an electronic vehicle-sensing seat belt retractor assembly, which realizes the functions of vehicle safety, restraint system, and passive safety. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing electrification and intelligence of automobiles, traditional mechanical seatbelt retractors can no longer meet the needs of all customers. Electronic seatbelt retractors are the inevitable trend in seatbelt development. For safety reasons, seatbelts should be locked when the vehicle is powered off. This requirement also brings the problem of passengers being unable to wear seatbelts when the vehicle is not powered on after boarding.

[0003] Currently, the industry is working to balance vehicle safety requirements and the requirement to wear a seatbelt when the vehicle is not powered on by enabling the seatbelt to be worn for the first time after getting into the vehicle and when it is not powered on.

[0004] For example, the invention patent CN112969616A filed in 2019 discloses an electronic vehicle sensor retractor with a first-time wearable function, which discloses an ECL locking rod and an LC locking rod for simultaneously locking the vehicle sensor pawl.

[0005] Specifically, when the webbing is pulled out but within the set length: the ECL locking lever and the LC locking lever simultaneously lock the machine-sensitive pawl, allowing it to be pulled out normally; when the webbing is pulled out beyond the set length: the ECL locking lever continues to lock the machine-sensitive pawl, while the LC locking lever changes state, disengaging from the machine-sensitive pawl (i.e., moving to a position where the machine-sensitive pawl is not locked), pre-locking the ELC locking lever. When retracting a section of webbing after the seatbelt is put on: the reel shaft drives the ECL locking lever to reverse, unlocking the machine-sensitive pawl, and the LC locking lever locks the ELC locking lever. Because the machine-sensitive pawl is subjected to spring force in the engagement direction with the control panel, after the machine-sensitive pawl is unlocked, it engages with the control panel, causing relative movement between the control panel and the reel shaft, releasing the locking device, locking the seatbelt, and preventing the webbing from being pulled out. However, the above device requires a large number of locking levers, making the structure relatively complex.

[0006] Existing technology also discloses a conventional seatbelt retractor, which similarly solves the problem of seatbelt wear even when the seat needs to be reclined during vehicle assembly by the OEM. It includes a mechanical housing fixed relative to the frame, a reel wound with webbing (i.e., the seatbelt), an NHOM reel, a KISI reel, a counting gear mechanism, an electromagnetic switch, and a pawl. The pawl is the actuator for the vehicle angle sensing function. When it can swing normally relative to the electromagnetic switch, the vehicle angle sensing function is normal; when the pawl is locked relative to the electromagnetic switch, the vehicle angle sensing function is suppressed, causing the reel to lock. The locking and unlocking of the pawl by a return assembly controls the opening and closing of the vehicle angle sensing suppression function. The boss of the counting gear mechanism is axially inserted into the irregular holes of the NHOM and KISI reels. Because the boss is higher than the NHOM and KISI reels, when the boss moves, it drives the irregular holes of the NHOM and KISI reels to rotate, thereby causing the NHOM and KISI reels to rotate. The NHOM disk and the KISI disk each have two different outer diameters: a large-diameter outer diameter and a small-diameter outer diameter, both of which have an outer wall surface.

[0007] The return assembly has a shaft hole, which is pivotally connected to the inner end face of the mechanical housing, allowing the return assembly to rotate around the shaft. The return assembly has a return rod extending from the shaft hole, an abutment arm extending from the return rod towards the axis of the winding drum and abutting against the outer wall of the NHOM disc, and a pressure spring located at the end of the return rod away from the shaft hole and engaging with a pawl. This ensures that the return assembly does not rotate when the abutment arm is abutting against the outer wall of the circular portion. When the NHOM disc moves from the large-diameter outer circle to the small-diameter outer circle, the abutment arm will abut against the large-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc, thereby releasing the pawl.

[0008] This achieves the following functions:

[0009] Vehicle feel suppression function: The large-diameter outer circle of the NHOM disc limits the return assembly downwards, and the downward pressure spring of the return assembly presses down on the pawl to lock the pawl.

[0010] Eliminating vehicle feel suppression function: The NHOM disc rotates from the large diameter to the small diameter, and the outer large diameter circle of the KISI disc limits the return assembly, causing the pressure spring in the return assembly to release the pawl and rotate. The pressure spring of the return assembly is no longer in contact with the pawl, thus unlocking the pawl.

[0011] Length pulling function: For every counterclockwise rotation of the counting gear mechanism, the boss will rotate a small angle clockwise. The counting gear mechanism rotates as the webbing is pulled out.

[0012] By combining the above three functions, when the webbing is pulled out less than the set length, the boss of the counting gear mechanism drives the NHOM disk to rotate. However, after rotation, the abutment arm of the return component still abuts against the outer wall of the large diameter outer circle of the NHOM disk. The large diameter outer circle of the NHOM disk limits the return component downward, and the pressure spring presses down on the pawl to lock the pawl and suppress the car feel function.

[0013] When the webbing is pulled out beyond the set length, the boss of the counting gear mechanism drives the NHOM disk to rotate, and after rotation, the abutment arm of the return component abuts against the outer diameter of the KISI disk. Relying on it to limit the return component, the pressure spring of the return component no longer contacts the pawl, thus unlocking the pawl and eliminating the function of suppressing the car feel.

[0014] The aforementioned existing technology enables the retractor to be pulled out within a set webbing length. However, directly adopting this technology introduces two problems: if the set webbing length is too long, the seatbelt's feel is still suppressed after the occupant puts it on; if the set length is too short, the seatbelt cannot be pulled out before the occupant puts it on. Therefore, the problem of the electronic seatbelt retractor not working properly when the vehicle is not powered on after the occupant has entered the vehicle remains unresolved. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly to enable the electronically controlled seatbelt to be worn even when the occupant is not powered after boarding. Because the NHOM (Non-Normalized Headband Oscillator) can only be freely extended within a set webbing length, and cannot be locked by the vehicle corner sensor within that length, it poses a significant safety hazard. This invention is needed to improve occupant comfort and safety.

[0016] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly, comprising: a reel rotatably mounted in a frame, on which a webbing is wound; a locking device configured to lock the reel in the pull-out direction of the webbing; a seatbelt-controlled assembly having ratchet teeth configured to drive the locking device to lock the reel when the ratchet teeth are engaged; an electromagnetic switch having a pawl subjected to a spring force in the direction of engagement with the ratchet teeth; and a return assembly, wherein the return assembly is in a first locking position and locks the pawl in a position not engaged with the ratchet teeth when the webbing pull-out length is less than a set value; and further comprising a restraining spring configured to provide a driving force to limit the return assembly to the locking position when the reel rotates in the pull-out direction of the webbing and the pull-out length of the webbing exceeds the set value, and to release the return assembly when the reel rotates in the opposite direction of the pull-out direction of the webbing and the pull-out length of the webbing exceeds the set value.

[0017] The return assembly has a release block; the restraining spring is oscillating between a locking angle and an unlocking angle, wherein when the restraining spring is at the locking angle, it engages with the release block to provide a driving force to the return assembly, which is then confined to the locking position, and when the restraining spring is at the unlocking angle, it separates from the release block and is in a position that releases the return assembly.

[0018] The length of the webbing pulled out is measured by a counting gear mechanism coupled to the tape shaft. The counting gear mechanism determines whether the length of the webbing pulled out exceeds a set value and controls the movement of the conversion device based on the determination result. When the length of the webbing pulled out is less than the set value, the conversion device limits the return component to a first locked position. When the length of the webbing pulled out exceeds the set value and the inhibition spring is at the unlocking angle, the return component is released so that the return component swings to the unlocking position. When the return component is in the unlocking position, it is in a position where the pawl is released and it is not engaged with the ratchet.

[0019] The counting gear mechanism includes an annular toothed section driven by the rotating shaft of the tape reel. The annular toothed section is eccentrically arranged relative to a corresponding annular toothed section and rolls circumferentially on the corresponding toothed section during the rotation of the rotating shaft of the tape reel, thereby driving the corresponding toothed section to perform a decelerating rotational motion.

[0020] The counting gear mechanism is provided with a boss that drives the conversion device to move.

[0021] The conversion device includes: an NHOM disc having a large-diameter outer circle and a small-diameter outer circle with the same center position; when the webbing pull-out length is less than a set value, the NHOM disc is positioned at the abutment portion of the large-diameter outer circle of the NHOM disc aligned with the return component; when the webbing pull-out length exceeds the set value, it rotates to the abutment portion of the small-diameter outer circle of the NHOM disc aligned with the return component by means of a boss on the counting gear mechanism; the return component is in a first locked position when abutting against the large-diameter outer circle of the NHOM disc; and / or a KISI disc having a large-diameter outer circle and a small-diameter outer circle with concentric diameters; during the webbing pull-out process, when the webbing pull-out length exceeds the set value but is less than the KISI disc switching threshold length, the KISI disc rotates to the abutment portion of the large-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc aligned with the return component by means of a boss on the counting gear mechanism. The position of the abutting part of the return component is such that when the webbing length reaches the KISI disc switching threshold length, the boss on the counting gear mechanism rotates to align the small diameter outer circle of the KISI disc with the abutting part of the return component; the return component is in the unlocked position when it abuts against the large diameter outer circle of the KISI disc; wherein, when the conversion device only includes the KISI disc, the KISI disc also includes a second large diameter outer circle with the same center position as the large diameter outer circle and the small diameter outer circle of the KISI disc, the KISI disc is in the position where the second large diameter outer circle of the KISI disc aligns with the abutting part of the return component when the webbing length is less than a set value, the diameter of the second large diameter outer circle of the KISI disc is larger than the large diameter outer circle of the KISI disc, and the return component is in the first locked position when it abuts against the second large diameter outer circle of the NHOM.

[0022] The conversion device includes at least a KISI disc, and the return assembly is in a second locked position when it abuts against the small-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc. When the return assembly is in the second locked position, the return assembly is in a position where the teeth of its release block engage with the ratchet, so that the retractor assembly switches from ELR function to ALR function.

[0023] The KISI disc has a shaped hole that mates with the boss of the counting gear mechanism. The KISI disc has a first edge that engages with the boss during the webbing pull-out process and a second edge that is opposite to the first edge and engages with the boss during the webbing retraction process. The first edge and the second edge are located at the two ends of the shaped hole in the length direction. The dimension of the shaped hole in the length direction is larger than the dimension of the boss, such that the length of the shaped hole corresponds to the length of the retracted webbing required when the webbing is retracted from the KISI disc switching threshold length to the length of the retractor assembly that leaves the ALR function.

[0024] The electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly further includes an eccentric cam coupled to the pivot of the seatbelt assembly, and one end of the damping spring is frictionally interference-fitted onto the eccentric cam.

[0025] One end of the damping spring is frictionally clamped onto the outer wall of the belt assembly.

[0026] The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly of this invention uses a restraining spring to limit the return assembly to a locked position. When the webbing is retracted, the vehicle-sensing locking mechanism is unlocked, releasing the vehicle-sensing function. Therefore, the electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt can be worn for the first time when the vehicle is not powered on. Furthermore, through the setting of the NHOM disc, before the webbing is pulled out beyond a set length, it is fixed in the locked position by the large diameter of the NHOM disc. When the webbing is pulled out beyond the set length and continues to be pulled out, the restraining spring limits the return assembly to the locked position. The vehicle-sensing locking mechanism is unlocked only when the webbing is retracted, releasing the vehicle-sensing function. Therefore, it ensures that the vehicle-sensing function is suppressed and the webbing continues to be pulled out even when it is pulled out beyond the set length. This effectively enables passengers to wear the seatbelt normally when the vehicle is not powered on after boarding, and the seatbelt locks when the vehicle is powered off after the seatbelt is worn. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the electronic vehicle-sensing seat belt retractor assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 For example Figure 1 The exploded view shown is of the electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly.

[0029] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly when the occupant just pulls out the webbing. Figure 3A The front is shown. Figure 3B The back is shown.

[0030] Figure 4A and Figure 4B This is an internal structural diagram of the electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly, showing the action of the retractor when the occupant pulls out the webbing and the pull exceeds a set length. Figure 4A The front is shown. Figure 4B The back is shown.

[0031] Figure 5A and Figure 5B This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the electronically sensed seatbelt retractor assembly during a short retraction process after the occupant has put on their seatbelt. Figure 5A The front is shown. Figure 5B The back is shown.

[0032] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of an electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the eccentric cam structure of the electronic vehicle-sensing seat belt retractor assembly of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0035] First embodiment: Electronic vehicle-sensing seat belt retractor assembly

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image shows an electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It primarily addresses the initial wearability function, enabling the electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt to be worn for the first time when not powered on. Furthermore, it solves the problem of the webbing being too short to be pulled out without increasing the webbing length, while ensuring safety. Compared to existing technologies, it incorporates a restraining spring.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the retractor assembly includes a frame 130 disposed on the vehicle body and having a first opening 131 and a second opening 132 on both sides, a mechanical housing 10 and a coil spring assembly 150 fixedly mounted on both sides of the frame 130 by snap-fit ​​pins, and a reel 140 rotatably mounted at the center of the frame 130 by engaging with the central hole of the mechanical housing 10 and the coil spring assembly 150 via a rotating shaft. Webbing is wound around the reel 140, allowing it to be pulled out as a seatbelt; the coil spring assembly 150 is configured to provide a rotational force to the reel 140 to retract the webbing, thereby allowing the webbing wound on the reel to be retracted after being pulled out, and controlling the pull-back force.

[0038] The mechanical housing 10 is located outside the first opening 131, and the coil spring assembly 150 is located outside the second opening 132. The planes where the mechanical housing 10 and the first opening 131 of the frame 130 are located together define a cavity defined by the winding drum 140 and the frame 130.

[0039] The cavity defined by the tape reel 140 and the frame 130 houses a KISI disc 20, an NHOM disc 30, a counting gear mechanism 40, an eccentric cam 50, a restraining spring 60, a return assembly 80, and a belt-feeding assembly 100. Each of the KISI disc 20, NHOM disc 30, counting gear mechanism 40, eccentric cam 50, and belt-feeding assembly 100 has a shaft hole that mates with the shaft of the tape reel 140, allowing these components to rotate around the shaft of the tape reel 140. This couples the eccentric cam 50 with the shaft of the belt-feeding assembly 100. The eccentric cam 50 is axially engaged with the mechanical housing 10 via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. The shaft holes of the KISI disc 20, NHOM disc 30, and counting gear mechanism 40 engage with the mechanical housing 10, axially limiting the NHOM disc 30, the counting gear mechanism 40, and the eccentric cam 50.

[0040] In other embodiments, the KISI disc 20, NHOM disc 30, counting gear mechanism 40, eccentric cam 50, suppressing spring 60, return assembly 80 and belt feel assembly 100 described above may also be located at other positions, such as outside the cavity formed by the tape reel 140 and the frame 130.

[0041] The electromagnetic switch 90 is disposed in the radial direction of the tape reel 140. In this embodiment, the bottom of the frame 130 has a receiving groove, and the bottom of the mechanical housing 10 has a snap-fit ​​frame. The electromagnetic switch 90 is disposed in the receiving groove and is fixedly connected to the snap-fit ​​frame by snap-fit. Therefore, the electromagnetic switch 90 is fixedly installed on the mechanical housing 10, and neither the mechanical housing 10 nor the electromagnetic switch 90 rotates relative to the frame 130.

[0042] The electromagnetic switch 90 includes an electromagnet, a magnet mounting base for housing the electromagnet, and a pawl 91 located above the electromagnet and hinged at one end to the magnet mounting base. The pawl is subjected to a spring force in the direction of engagement with the ratchet teeth of the sensing assembly 100. When energized, the electromagnet provides an electromagnetic force to the pawl 91 in the opposite direction to the engagement of the ratchet teeth. Thus, the pawl 91 can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state. In the locked state, the pawl 91 remains fixed in a position not engaged with the ratchet teeth, even when not subjected to the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet, such as being fixed to the electromagnet. In the unlocked state, the pawl 91 opens and engages with the ratchet teeth when not subjected to the electromagnetic force, allowing it to swing normally (i.e., open or close) under the influence of electromagnetic force, and the vehicle sensing function functions normally. The magnet mounting base and the pawl 91 are respectively connected to both ends of the pawl tension spring. The pawl tension spring is configured to provide a spring force to the pawl 91 to drive it to open. The opening direction of the pawl 91 is the direction in which it engages with the ratchet teeth of the sensing assembly 100. Thus, the pawl 91 will open when it is in the unlocked state and is not subjected to the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet.

[0043] The electromagnetic switch 90 provides electronic sensing when the pawl 91 is in the unlocked state. That is, the belt sensing assembly 100 is configured to lock the tape drum 140 when the pawl 91 is open by engaging the ratchet teeth of the pawl 91 and the belt sensing assembly 100, and to rotate synchronously with the tape drum 140 when the pawl 91 is closed.

[0044] Specifically, the tape reel 140 has a conformal post 141 with a notch inserted into the first opening 131 on the end face facing the mechanical housing 10. The notch of the conformal post 141 accommodates a locking device configured to lock the tape reel 140 in the direction of tape pull-out. This locking device is preferably in the form of a locking pawl 120. The thickness of the locking pawl 120 is approximately the same as the depth of the notch of the conformal post 141. It has locking teeth that engage with the teeth of the frame 130 at the edge of the first opening 131, and the locking pawl 120 has a drive shaft 121 extending in a direction away from the tape reel 140.

[0045] Meanwhile, the belt assembly 100 is provided with a waist-shaped hole (preferably a curved waist-shaped hole), and the drive shaft 121 is inserted into the waist-shaped hole so that the belt assembly 100 can be driven to rotate with the locking pawl 120 through the cooperation of the drive shaft 121 and the waist-shaped hole.

[0046] The drive shaft 121 is switchable between a first position and a second position in the oblong hole, allowing the locking pawl 120 to switch between an unlocked state and a locked state. When the drive shaft 121 is in the first position in the oblong hole, the locking pawl 120 is located near the pivot of the tape drum 140, and the locking pawl 120 is in the unlocked state. That is, the locking teeth of the locking pawl 120 are spaced apart from the teeth of the frame 130 at the edge of the first opening 131. Therefore, the locking pawl 120 can follow the contour of the tape drum 140 and rotate freely with the tape drum 140, thereby driving and rotating the belt assembly 100 with the tape drum 140, so that the tape drum 140 and the belt assembly 100 rotate together. When the drive shaft 121 is in the second position of the waist-shaped hole, the locking pawl 120 is located away from the pivot of the tape drum 140. The locking pawl 120 is in a locked state, that is, the locking teeth of the locking pawl 120 and the teeth of the frame 130 at the edge of the first opening 131 make contact and engage with each other to lock. Therefore, the locking pawl 120 is fixed by the frame 130. Since the locking pawl 120 can conform to the tape drum 140 based on its contour, the tape drum 140 is also locked accordingly.

[0047] The belt sensor assembly 100 and the locking pawl 120 are also connected by a return spring 110. One end of the return spring 110 is fixed to the belt sensor assembly 100 by a hook, and the other end is fixed to the drive shaft 121 of the locking pawl 120. The return spring 110 is configured to provide a force that keeps the locking pawl 120 in the unlocked state, that is, a force that keeps the locking pawl 120 in the first position of the oblong hole. Thus, the present invention achieves the locking function through the cooperation between the locking pawl 120, the tape reel 140, and the return spring 110.

[0048] The belt-feeding assembly 100 includes a ratchet 101 with ratchet teeth on its outer wall, thus the belt-feeding assembly 100 has ratchet teeth. The belt-feeding assembly 100 is configured such that when the pawl 91 engages with the ratchet teeth (i.e., when the pawl 91 is open), the engagement of the ratchet teeth on its ratchet with the pawl 91 drives the belt-feeding assembly 100 to lock, preventing rotation, thereby driving a locking device to lock the tape reel 140. Specifically, when the tape reel 140 rotates in the direction the webbing is pulled out and the ratchet 101 is locked, the tape reel 140 drives the locking device in the form of a locking pawl 120 to rotate, thereby driving the drive shaft 121 of the locking pawl 120 to overcome the force of the return spring 110 and move from the first position of the waist-shaped hole to the second position, causing the locking device in the form of the locking pawl 120 to be pulled radially outward to switch to the locked state. Furthermore, the belt sensing assembly 100 is configured to rotate synchronously with the tape drum 140 when the pawl 91 contacts the electromagnet. Specifically, when the ratchet 101 can rotate normally, the return spring 110 keeps the locking pawl 120 in the unlocked state. The locking pawl 120 conformally fits into the notch of the conformal post 141 of the tape drum 140 and is fixed by the return spring 110. It rotates with the tape drum 140 to make the belt sensing assembly 100 rotate synchronously with the tape drum 140.

[0049] Therefore, the electromagnetic switch 90 provides electronic vehicle sensing functionality when the pawl 91 is in the unlocked state.

[0050] The return assembly 80 is located between the shaft of the tape reel 140 and the electromagnetic switch 90. The return assembly 80 is configured to be in a first locking position when the tape extension length is less than a set value, locking the pawl 91 in a position where it is not engaged with the ratchet teeth of the tape assembly 100; and when the tape extension length exceeds the set value (and, as described below, the restraining spring 60 is at the unlocking angle), the return assembly 80 is released, causing it to swing towards the unlocking position. It should be noted that the set value is a variable value, not a fixed value, and it will be adjusted according to different projects. In this embodiment, locking the pawl 91 in a position where it is not engaged with the ratchet teeth means pressing the pawl 91 against the electromagnet fixed to the electromagnetic switch 90. When the return assembly 80 is in the unlocking position, it is in a position where the pawl 91 is released and it is not engaged with the ratchet teeth. The return assembly 80 is provided with a shaft hole 81, which is pivotally connected to a rotating shaft at the edge of the mechanical housing 10, thereby allowing the return assembly 80 to rotate. In addition, the return assembly 80 also includes a return rod 82 extending from the shaft hole 81, an abutment arm 83 extending from the return rod 82 in the direction of the winding drum, and a pressure spring 84 cooperating with the pawl 91. The return assembly 80 abuts against the large-diameter outer circle portion 31 of the NHOM disk 30 and the large-diameter outer circle portion 24 of the KISI disk 20 via the abutment arm 83, which will be described in detail below. The compression spring 84 engages with the shaft hole 81 and conformally fits onto the return rod 82 of the return assembly 80, extending to one end of the return rod 82 away from the shaft hole 81. The other end of the compression spring 84 that engages with the shaft hole 81 is a helical portion 86. The helical portion 86 has a helical tail end 87 that engages with the inner wall of the mechanical housing, providing a rebound force to allow the return assembly 80 to return to its original position when released (i.e., switch from the first locked position to the unlocked position or the second locked position). The return assembly 80 is also provided with a release block 85. In this embodiment, the release block 85 is located on the return rod 82 at a position away from the shaft hole 81 of the return assembly 80.

[0051] The suppressing spring 60 is configured to provide a driving force that limits the return assembly to the locked position when the tape drum 140 rotates in the tape pulling direction and the tape pulling length exceeds a set value. In this embodiment, the driving force is a driving force that causes the return assembly 80 to swing downward. When the tape drum 140 rotates in the opposite direction of the tape pulling direction and the tape pulling length exceeds a set value, it is in the position of releasing the return assembly 80. Since the pawl 91 is connected to a pawl tension spring, the pawl tension spring is configured to provide a spring force to the pawl 91 that drives the pawl 91 in the direction of engagement with the ratchet (i.e., the force that drives the pawl 91 to open). At this time, the ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) function is realized. That is, the pawl 91 of the electrically driven electromagnetic switch 90 can engage and disengage with the ratchet to drive the locking device to lock the tape drum when the ratchet 91 is engaged. One end of the restraining spring 60 is frictionally interference-fitted onto the eccentric cam 50. Specifically, one end of the restraining spring 60 is frictionally interference-fitted with the hollow cylindrical portion of the eccentric cam 50, allowing the restraining spring 60 to oscillate around the eccentric cam 50 and be subjected to a frictional force in the same direction as the rotation of the tape drum 140. The mechanical housing 10 is provided with a limiting groove located between the release block of the return assembly 80 and the rotating shaft of the tape drum 140. The middle section of the restraining spring 60 is inserted into the limiting groove, limiting the restraining spring 60 to oscillate only between the locking angle and the unlocking angle (in this embodiment, the groove is limited by 5° on both sides). When the restraining spring 60 is in the locking angle, it engages with the release block 85 to provide a driving force to the return assembly 80, confining it to the locking position. In this embodiment, the swingable portion of the restraining spring 60 pushes downwards onto the upper surface of the release block 85. When the restraining spring 60 is in the unlocking angle, it and the release block 85 are in the position of releasing the return assembly. In this embodiment, the swingable portion of the restraining spring 60 is located below the release block 85. Furthermore, the swingable portion of the restraining spring 60 is an elastically bent structure with the end facing upwards, thereby facilitating the switching of the restraining spring 60 from the locking angle to the unlocking angle through deformation.

[0052] In this invention, the measurement of the webbing pull-out length is achieved through a counting gear mechanism 40 coupled to the tape reel shaft. The counting gear mechanism 40 determines whether the webbing pull-out length exceeds a set value and controls the movement of the conversion device based on the determination result. When the webbing pull-out length is less than the set value, the conversion device limits the return component 80 to a first locked position. When the webbing pull-out length exceeds the set value and the inhibition spring 60 is at the unlocking angle, the return component 80 is released, causing the return component 80 to swing towards the unlocking position. In this embodiment, the counting gear mechanism 40 includes an annular toothed portion driven by the rotating shaft of the tape reel. The annular toothed portion is eccentrically arranged relative to a corresponding annular toothed portion and rolls circumferentially on the corresponding toothed portion during the rotation of the tape reel shaft, thereby driving the corresponding toothed portion to perform a decelerating rotational motion. The annular toothed portion is connected to the eccentric portion of the eccentric cam 50, and the eccentric cam 50 is coupled to the rotating shaft of the tape assembly 100, thereby causing the annular toothed portion to be driven by the rotating shaft of the tape reel. Therefore, the rotation of the tape drum drives the eccentric cam 50 to rotate synchronously, and converts the rotation of the eccentric cam 50 into a reverse rotation with a smaller rotation angle than that of the eccentric cam 50. The conversion device is synchronized with the reverse rotation of the counting gear mechanism 40. The counting gear mechanism 40 is provided with a boss 41 that drives the conversion device to move, and the boss 41 is located on the corresponding tooth.

[0053] In this embodiment, the counting gear mechanism 40 is preferably a planetary gear with a small tooth difference. The rotation direction of the boss 41 is opposite to the rotation direction of the counting gear mechanism 40, and the rotation angle is smaller than the rotation angle of the counting gear mechanism 40 (i.e., for every counterclockwise rotation of the counting gear mechanism 40, the boss 41 will rotate a small angle clockwise). This allows the boss 41 to provide the reverse rotation, and the boss 41 of the counting gear mechanism 40 is inserted into the irregular hole of the conversion device in the axial direction. Thus, when the eccentric cam 50 rotates with the movement direction of the tape drum 140, the outer contour of the eccentric part of the eccentric cam 50 will drive the counting gear mechanism 40 to rotate eccentrically, thereby causing the boss 41 to reverse the angle relative to the movement direction of the tape drum 140, and driving the conversion device to rotate together through the boss 41.

[0054] The conversion device includes an NHOM disc 30 and / or a KISI disc 20. The NHOM disc 30 is used to perform the NHOM (Noise Hold-on Mechanism) function while determining the webbing extension length, and the KISI disc 20 is used to perform the KISI (Child Protection System) function while determining the webbing extension length. In this embodiment, the conversion device includes both the NHOM disc 30 and the KISI disc 20. Both the NHOM disc 30 and the KISI disc 20 have two outer circumferences of different diameters with the same center position. Specifically, the NHOM disc 30 has a large-diameter outer circumference 31 and a small-diameter outer circumference, and the KISI disc 20 has a large-diameter outer circumference 24 and a small-diameter outer circumference 25. Both the large-diameter and small-diameter outer circumferences have outer wall surfaces.

[0055] When the pull-out length of the webbing is less than a set value, the NHOM disk 30 is positioned such that the large diameter outer circle 31 of the NHOM disk 30 is aligned with the abutment portion of the return assembly 80. When the pull-out length of the webbing exceeds the set value, the boss 41 on the counting gear mechanism 40 rotates the NHOM disk to a position where the small diameter outer circle of the NHOM disk is aligned with the abutment portion of the return assembly. When the return assembly 80 abuts against the large diameter outer circle 31 of the NHOM disk 30, the return assembly 80 is in a first locked position.

[0056] During the tape pulling process, when the tape pulling length exceeds a set value but is less than the KISI disc switching threshold length (which is usually the total tape length), the KISI disc 20 rotates with the help of the boss 41 on the counting gear mechanism 40 until the large diameter outer circle 24 of the KISI disc 20 is aligned with the abutment of the return assembly 80. When the tape pulling length reaches the KISI disc switching threshold length, the boss 41 on the counting gear mechanism 40 rotates with the help of the boss 41 on the counting gear mechanism 40 until the small diameter outer circle 25 of the KISI disc 20 is aligned with the abutment of the return assembly 80. When the return assembly 80 abuts against the large-diameter outer circle 24 of the KISI disc 20, it is in the unlocked position. When the return assembly 80 abuts against the small-diameter outer circle 25 of the KISI disc 20, it is in the second locked position. When the return assembly 80 is in the second locked position, the return assembly 80 is in a position where the teeth of its release block engage with the ratchet, so that the retractor assembly switches from the ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) function to the ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) function. The ALR function is applicable to the situation of putting a seat belt on a child seat. The KISI disc 20 is provided with a shaped hole that mates with the boss 41 of the counting gear mechanism 40. The KISI disc has a first ridge that engages with the boss during the tape pull-out process and a second ridge 22 that is opposite to the first ridge 21 and engages with the boss during the tape retraction process. The first ridge 21 and the second ridge 22 are located at the two ends of the shaped hole in the length direction. The dimension of the shaped hole in the length direction of the KISI disc 20 is larger than the dimension of the boss 41, so that the length of the shaped hole corresponds to the length of the retracted tape required when the tape is retracted from the KISI disc switching threshold length to the length of the retractor assembly that leaves the ALR function.

[0057] Specifically, when the child seat is wearing a seatbelt, as the webbing continues to be pulled out and reaches the KISI disc switching threshold length, the first edge of the KISI disc 20 contacts the boss 41. Driven by the boss 41, the KISI disc 20 rotates until its small diameter circle aligns with the abutment of the return assembly 80. At this point, the return assembly 80, under the rebound force of the bottom end 87 of the spiral, abuts against the small diameter outer circle 25 of the KISI disc 20. The teeth 88 of the release block 85 engage the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 101 of the seatbelt assembly, preventing the webbing from being pulled out further. When the child is wearing a seatbelt... After the seat belt is fastened, a retraction occurs. However, because the irregular hole of the KISI disc 20 is larger in length than the boss 41, there is a large gap 23 between the KISI disc 20 and the boss 41 of the counting gear mechanism 40 when the webbing is pulled out and then retracted. This means that the boss 41 cannot drive the KISI disc 20 to reverse within a certain range, and the release block 85 cannot disengage from the ratchet to release the ratchet. At this time, the seat belt still cannot be pulled out, effectively preventing the safety risks caused by pulling the webbing during the child's ride and realizing the ALR function. When the webbing is retracted from the KISI disc switching threshold length to the length required for the retractor assembly to switch away from the ALR function, the boss 41 rotates to the position where it contacts the second ridge 22. At this time, the boss 41 drives the KISI disc 20 to rotate until the outer edge of the large diameter of the KISI disc 20 is aligned with the abutment part of the return assembly 80. At this time, the return assembly 80 abuts against the outer edge of the large diameter of the KISI disc 20 and swings downward to the unlock position. At this time, the return assembly 80 releases the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 101 through its release block 85. At this time, the ALR function is switched away to return to the ELR function mentioned above.

[0058] In other embodiments, when the conversion device includes only the KISI disc 20 and not the NHOM disc 30, the KISI disc 20 further includes a second large-diameter outer circle portion whose center is at the same position as the center of the large-diameter outer circle portion 24 and the small-diameter outer circle portion 25 of the KISI disc 20. When the webbing pull-out length is less than a set value, the KISI disc 20 is positioned where the second large-diameter outer circle portion of the KISI disc 20 is aligned with the abutting portion of the return assembly 80. The diameter of the second large-diameter outer circle portion of the KISI disc 20 is larger than that of the large-diameter outer circle portion of the KISI disc 20. When the return assembly 80 abuts against the second large-diameter outer circle portion of the NHOM, it is in a first locked position. Thus, after the counting gear mechanism measures the webbing pull-out length, the conversion device can determine whether the return assembly is in the first locked position based on the judgment result of whether the webbing pull-out length exceeds the set value.

[0059] When the inhibiting spring 60 releases the return assembly 80, the large-diameter outer circle 24 of the KISI disc 20 aligns with the abutting part of the return assembly, and the electromagnet does not provide electromagnetic force, the return assembly 80 relies on the rebound force of its spiral bottom tail end 87 and the mechanical cover 10 to drive itself to swing upward to the unlock position, so that the pawl 91 rotates to engage with the ratchet, and the seat belt is locked.

[0060] like Figure 7 As shown, the eccentric cam 50 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 51 with a shaft hole and an eccentric portion 52 sleeved on the outside of the hollow cylindrical portion. The hollow cylindrical portion 51 is connected to the belt sensing assembly 100 via a spline connection, so that the rotation of the belt sensing assembly 100 drives the eccentric cam 50 to rotate. That is, the eccentric cam 50 is configured to lock when the pawl is open, and rotate synchronously with the tape drum 140 when the pawl contacts the electromagnet. The eccentric cam 50 is connected to the counting gear mechanism 40 via the eccentric portion 52. The eccentricity of the eccentric portion 52 is relative to the rotation axis of the tape drum, which drives the counting gear mechanism 40 to rotate, thereby performing the function of the counting gear mechanism 40.

[0061] Therefore, the eccentric cam 50 drives the counting gear mechanism 40 to rotate, and the boss 41 on the counting gear mechanism 40 drives the NHOM disk 30 and KISI disk 20 to rotate. The outer wall of the NHOM disk 30 and KISI disk 20 limits the return assembly 80, thereby performing the vehicle feel suppression function.

[0062] The following is combined with Figures 3A-5B The working principle of the electronic vehicle-sensing seat belt retractor assembly of the present invention is described.

[0063] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, when the occupant just pulls out the webbing (i.e., the seat belt), but before exceeding the set value for the length of the pulled-out webbing, the return component 80 abuts against the outer wall surface of the large diameter outer circle portion 31 of the NHOM disk 30. At this time, the large diameter outer circle portion 31 of the NHOM disk 30 limits the return component 80 to the locked position. In this position, the return component 80 locks the pawl 91 on the electromagnetic switch 90, so that the pawl 91 cannot open to lock the seat belt assembly 100. At this time, the seat belt can be pulled out normally.

[0064] like Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, when the occupant continues to pull out the webbing and the amount of webbing pulled out exceeds the set value (but does not reach the KISI disc switching threshold length), the eccentric cam 50 rotates synchronously with the tape drum 140 and drives the counting gear mechanism 40 to rotate eccentrically. The counting gear mechanism 40 has a difference in the number of teeth between its teeth and the inner teeth of the mechanical housing 10. During the rotation, the boss 41 in the counting gear mechanism 40 performs a small difference tooth deceleration motion, causing the NHOM disc 30 and the KISI disc 20 to rotate in the opposite direction relative to the tape drum 140. The NHOM disc 30 rotates until its small diameter outer circle aligns with the abutment arm 83 of the return assembly 80. At the position of the lever end, the KISI disc 20 rotates until its large-diameter outer circle 24 aligns with the lever end of the abutment arm 83 of the return assembly 80. The suppression spring 60 continues to rotate in the same direction as the winding drum 140 as the eccentric cam 50, and is locked in the locking position via a limiting groove on the mechanical housing 10. The swingable portion of the suppression spring 60 contacts the upper surface of the release block 85 when locked, providing a driving force to swing the return assembly 80 downwards, thus confining it to the locked position. However, since the occupant is still pulling out the seatbelt while wearing it, the suppression spring 60 remains in the locked position, locking the return assembly 80. Therefore, the vehicle feel function is still suppressed, and the webbing can be pulled out normally.

[0065] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, after the occupant puts on the webbing, the webbing will retract slightly. At this time, the restraining spring 60 rotates due to friction, unlocking the return assembly 80, thus separating it from the return assembly 80. Since the return assembly 80 is now aligned with the large-diameter outer circle 24 of the KISI disc 20, it can swing upwards. Therefore, the opening tendency of the pawl 91 drives the return assembly 80 to swing upwards to the unlocked position. When the pawl 91 swings to the unlocked position, the vehicle-sensing suppression function is eliminated, allowing the vehicle-sensing locking function to operate normally.

[0066] Second embodiment: Electronic vehicle-sensing seat belt retractor assembly

[0067] like Figure 6The diagram shown is an exploded view of an electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Its specific structure is basically the same as that of the electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The only difference is that the restraining spring 60, with one end frictionally interference-fitted to the eccentric cam 50, is replaced by a restraining spring 60' with one end frictionally clamped to the outer wall of the seatbelt assembly 100, and a new fastening spring 61' is added to define the position of the restraining spring 60' in the rotational direction of the reel 140. The restraining spring 60' has a clamping portion, and the outer wall of the seatbelt assembly 100 is disposed within the clamping portion of the restraining spring 60', allowing the restraining spring 60 to swing around the seatbelt assembly 100 and be subjected to a frictional force in the same direction as the rotation of the reel 140. The fastening spring 61' has a ring structure with evenly distributed inserts on its circumference corresponding to slots on the seatbelt assembly 100, thereby enabling the fastening spring 61' to snap into the seatbelt assembly 100.

[0068] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various variations can be made to the above embodiments of the present invention. All simple and equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of this application fall within the protection scope of the claims of this patent. All aspects not described in detail in this invention are conventional technical content.

Claims

1. An electronically controlled seatbelt retractor assembly, comprising: A tape reel is rotatably mounted in a frame and has webbing wound around it. A locking device configured to lock the tape drum in the pull-out direction of the webbing; A belt-feed assembly with ratchet teeth, configured to drive a locking device to lock the tape reel when the ratchet teeth are engaged; An electromagnetic switch having a pawl that is subjected to a spring force in the direction of engagement with the ratchet; as well as The return component is in a first locking position and locks the pawl in a position where it is not engaged with the ratchet when the webbing is pulled out to a length less than a set value. The feature is that it further includes a restraining spring, which is configured to provide a driving force to limit the return assembly to a locked position when the tape drum rotates in the direction of tape pull-out and the tape pull-out length exceeds a set value, and to be in a position to release the return assembly when the tape drum rotates in the opposite direction of tape pull-out and the tape pull-out length exceeds the set value. The mechanical housing is provided with a limiting groove, which is located between the release block of the return assembly and the rotating shaft of the winding drum. The middle section of the inhibition spring is inserted into the limiting groove, so that the inhibition spring is limited to swinging only between the locking angle and the unlocking angle. One end of the damping spring is frictionally engaged with a component that rotates with the tape drum, so that it is subjected to a frictional force in the same direction as the rotation of the tape drum.

2. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The return assembly has a release block; the restraining spring is oscillating between a locking angle and an unlocking angle, wherein when the restraining spring is at the locking angle, it engages with the release block to provide a driving force to the return assembly, which is then confined to the locking position, and when the restraining spring is at the unlocking angle, it separates from the release block and is in a position that releases the return assembly.

3. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The length of the webbing pulled out is measured by a counting gear mechanism coupled to the rotating shaft of the tape reel. The counting gear mechanism determines whether the length of the webbing pulled out exceeds a set value and controls the movement of the conversion device based on the determination result. When the length of the webbing pulled out is less than the set value, the conversion device limits the return component to a first locked position. When the length of the webbing pulled out exceeds the set value and the inhibition spring is at the unlocking angle, the return component is released so that it swings to the unlocking position. When the return component is in the unlocking position, it is in a position where the pawl is released and it is not engaged with the ratchet.

4. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The counting gear mechanism includes an annular toothed section driven by the rotating shaft of the tape reel. The annular toothed section is eccentrically arranged relative to a corresponding annular toothed section and rolls circumferentially on the corresponding toothed section during the rotation of the rotating shaft of the tape reel, thereby driving the corresponding toothed section to perform a decelerating rotational motion.

5. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The counting gear mechanism is provided with a boss that drives the conversion device to move.

6. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The conversion device includes: The NHOM disc has a large-diameter outer circle and a small-diameter outer circle with the same center position; when the webbing extension length is less than a set value, the NHOM disc is in a position where the large-diameter outer circle of the NHOM disc is aligned with the abutment portion of the return assembly; when the webbing extension length exceeds the set value, it rotates to a position where the small-diameter outer circle of the NHOM disc is aligned with the abutment portion of the return assembly by means of a boss on the counting gear mechanism; the return assembly is in a first locked position when it abuts against the large-diameter outer circle of the NHOM; and / or The KISI disc has concentric outer diameter portions and smaller outer diameter portions. During the webbing extension process, when the extended length exceeds a set value but is less than the KISI disc switching threshold length, the KISI disc rotates with the help of a boss on the counting gear mechanism until the larger outer diameter portion of the KISI disc aligns with the abutment portion of the return assembly. When the extended length of the webbing reaches the KISI disc switching threshold length, the KISI disc rotates with the help of a boss on the counting gear mechanism until the smaller outer diameter portion of the KISI disc aligns with the abutment portion of the return assembly. The return assembly is in the unlocked position when it abuts against the larger outer diameter portion of the KISI disc. When the conversion device includes only a KISI disc, the KISI disc also includes a second large-diameter outer circle with the same center position as the large-diameter outer circle and the small-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc. When the webbing is pulled out to a length less than a set value, the KISI disc is positioned at the abutment part of the second large-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc aligned with the return assembly. The diameter of the second large-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc is larger than that of the large-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc. When the return assembly abuts against the second large-diameter outer circle of the NHOM, it is in a first locking position.

7. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The conversion device includes at least a KISI disc, and the return assembly is in a second locked position when it abuts against the small-diameter outer circle of the KISI disc. When the return assembly is in the second locked position, the return assembly is in a position where the teeth of its release block engage with the ratchet, so that the retractor assembly switches from ELR function to ALR function.

8. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The KISI disc has a shaped hole that mates with the boss of the counting gear mechanism. The KISI disc has a first edge that engages with the boss during the webbing pull-out process and a second edge that is opposite to the first edge and engages with the boss during the webbing retraction process. The first edge and the second edge are located at the two ends of the shaped hole in the length direction. The dimension of the shaped hole in the length direction is larger than the dimension of the boss, such that the length of the shaped hole corresponds to the length of the retracted webbing required when the webbing is retracted from the KISI disc switching threshold length to the length of the retractor assembly that leaves the ALR function.

9. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an eccentric cam coupled to the shaft of the belt assembly, one end of the damping spring being frictionally interference-fitted onto the eccentric cam.

10. The electronic vehicle-sensing seatbelt retractor assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the damping spring is frictionally clamped onto the outer wall of the belt assembly.

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