Tensioning device for a seat belt part

Abstract

The invention relates to a tensioning device for a safety belt component, comprising: a gas generator (1) for generating a pressurized gas; a piston (2) which can be driven by the pressurized gas; a tensioning cable (3) which is connected to the piston (2) and which can be connected to the safety belt component (4) to be subjected to a tightening movement; a tightening tube (5) for receiving and guiding the piston (2); and a receiver (6) containing the gas generator (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a seat belt component, which comprises: a gas generator for generating pressurized gas; a piston which can be driven by the pressurized gas; a tensioning cable which can be connected to the piston and can be connected to the seat belt component to be tightened; a tightening tube for receiving and guiding the piston; and a receiver which accommodates the gas generator.

[0002] Such a tensioning device is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 103 157 A1, in which a receptacle for a gas generator and a cable deflection outside the area exposed to the pressurized gas are formed as a single piece in the guide block. A tightening tube is arranged on the guide block, into which the pressurized gas generated by the gas generator enters when the tensioning device is triggered, so that a piston arranged in the tightening tube is driven by the pressurized gas. On the side facing away from the tightening tube, the cable deflection formed as a single piece in the guide block is shaped so that the tensioning cable can be led out of the guide block in a straight line (if necessary offset in parallel) in the direction of movement of the piston, or alternatively can also be deflected by 90° or more. In order to change the offset of the tensioning cable relative to the direction of movement of the piston or to change the deflection angle by such a design of the guide block, the deflection block must be completely redesigned.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described with respect to the prior art and in particular to provide a tensioning device which can be adapted more easily to different requirements.

[0004] To achieve this object, it is proposed in particular that the tensioning device has a frame which is arranged on the side facing away from the tightening tube and through which the tensioning cable passes after it has protruded from the space of the seat belt component that can be acted upon by the pressurized gas. For example, the frame can be made of a metal sheet which has been formed in particular to have a U-shaped cross section. The frame is used in particular to accommodate additional components of the tensioning device. In particular, components for cable deflection or cable guidance outside the space exposed to the pressurized gas are attached to the frame. Thus, for different applications of the tensioning device, the frame can be designed in the same way, while the components for deflecting the tensioning cable can be adapted to different applications (e.g. deflection by 90° or straight passage).

[0005] The receiver for the gas generator is arranged such that the pressurized gas generated by the gas generator enters the constriction tube and drives the piston there. Preferably, the receiver is arranged in the constriction tube.

[0006] Furthermore, a cable guide may be provided, through which the tensioning cable leaves the tightening tube. The cable guide is arranged in a suitable sealing manner in the tightening tube and preferably also provides a seal along the tensioning cable.

[0007] Preferably, both the receptacle for the gas generator and the cable guide are arranged completely in the constriction tube.

[0008] In order to fix the frame on the tightening tube, it can be provided that the frame can have an engagement section which is arranged in the tightening tube in the installed state. In this case, it can be provided in particular that the engagement section interacts with the cable guide in the installed state and additionally fixes the cable guide in the tightening tube. Thus, the cable guide and the engagement section of the frame are preferably fixed simultaneously by pressing the tightening tube.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the receiver and the cable guide for the gas generator are formed in one piece, wherein the receiver and the cable guide are arranged completely in the tightening tube.

[0010] Preferably, the tightening tube has a section of circular cross section, in which the piston is arranged and along which the piston is driven by the application of pressure. The tightening tube also has an area whose cross section deviates from the circular cross section. This area preferably has an elliptical cross section. The receiver and the cable guide are particularly arranged in the area of ​​the tightening tube whose cross section deviates from the circular cross section. The receiver for the gas generator is arranged and designed so that the pressurized gas generated by the gas generator is directly introduced into the tightening tube and can therefore directly reach the piston. In particular, the pressurized gas is introduced into the area of ​​the tightening tube where its cross-sectional design changes. Therefore, the pressurized gas is not introduced into the space defined by the cable deflection portion and is guided from there to the piston. This allows the pressurized gas to cool slightly before it comes into direct contact with the tensioning cable arranged in the tightening tube.

[0011] The object stated at the outset is achieved in particular by a tensioning device having the features of independent claim 1. Further solutions and advantageous developments of the tensioning device are given in the above and below description and in the dependent claims, wherein individual features of the advantageous developments can be combined with one another where technically expedient.

[0012] This object is achieved in particular by a tensioning device with the features mentioned at the outset, in which the tensioning cable extends through a frame at the end facing away from the tensioner tube, and in which a deflection element is mounted, wherein the tensioning cable directly bears against the deflection element. The deflection element is a separate component, which is correspondingly separate from the cable guide through which the tensioning cable is guided out of the tensioning tube. The deflection element can thus be adapted to the specific application of the tensioning device without having to change other components of the tensioning device.

[0013] In order to deflect the tensioning cable, the deflection element has a deflection surface which is at least sectionally circular in cross section and against which the tensioning cable rests. The deflection element is particularly formed with a deflection surface which has a circular cross section of at least 90°, preferably at least 120°, and particularly preferably at least 180° on its outer circumferential surface. The deflection element is particularly arranged so that the tensioning cable rests on the deflection surface with its inner section in the region deformed by the deflection surface.

[0014] The deflection element is mounted in the frame, in particular via a bushing. The bushing preferably extends completely through the deflection element and is arranged, in particular, on both sides of the deflection element in corresponding openings in the frame, which is in particular designed in a U-shape. The bushing can be firmly connected to the frame on at least one side by plastic deformation. In its vehicle-mounted position, the tensioning device can be attached to the vehicle via the bushing by means of suitable fastening elements.

[0015] For storage in the frame, the deflection element has an in particular circular receptacle through which the bushing is guided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the circular receptacle is arranged eccentrically with respect to the circular deflection surface of the deflection element, whereby the deflection element can be adapted more simply to different applications (linear passage of a tensioning cable or deflection of a tensioning cable). Different deflection elements can be used, depending on whether the tensioning cable is deflected by 90° or whether the tensioning cable is guided through the deflection element in a straight line or offset with respect to the direction of movement of the piston. In particular, the receptacle is arranged offset eccentrically with respect to the circular deflection surface.

[0016] In one embodiment, the deflection element may be flat at the portion where the traction cable does not rest.

[0017] For an overall space-saving arrangement and / or to avoid a rotational movement of the deflection element about its bearing, it can be provided that the outer contour of the further component of the tensioning device is adapted to the outer contour of the deflection element. In particular, the additional component bears against the outer contour of the deflection element at least during the tightening process, thereby also preventing a rotational movement of the deflection element.

[0018] In this case, it is provided in particular that the outer contour of the plug element, which is designed in particular as a separate component of the tensioning device, is adapted to the outer contour of the deflection element. On the one hand, the plug element has a socket or a plug to which a signal cable can be connected for triggering the gas generator. On the other hand, the plug element is electrically connected to a connection of the gas generator.

[0019] The present invention and the technical environment are explained exemplarily below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Schematically, in the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 : A perspective view showing the tensioning device,

[0021] Figure 2 : shows an exploded view of the tensioning device,

[0022] Figure 3 : shows a cross-section through the tensioning device,

[0023] Figure 4 : shows a perspective view of the end cap,

[0024] Figure 5 : shows a perspective view of the deflection element, and

[0025] Figure 6 : shows a cross-section through another embodiment of a tensioning device with a straight cable channel,

[0026] Figures 1 to 3 The tensioning device shown in the figure comprises a tightening tube 5 in which the piston rod 2 is arranged in the installed state. The piston 2 is firmly connected to a tensioning cable 3 inserted into the tightening tube 5, which is connected to a safety component 4 on its other side for tightening movement.

[0027] The tensioning device also comprises a component in which the cable guide 12 and the receptacle 6 for the gas generator 1 are formed. In the installed state, the component is arranged in the section of the tightening tube 5 having an oval cross section.

[0028] The tensioning device further comprises a frame 7 which, in the mounted state, is arranged with an engagement section located within the tightening tube 5 .

[0029] The deflection element 9 is mounted in the frame 7 by means of bushings 10 which in the mounted state pass through the receptacles 9 . 2 of the deflection element 9 and are arranged on both sides of the deflection element 9 in corresponding openings of the frame 7 , which is U-shaped in cross section.

[0030] The tensioning device also comprises an end cap 8 which is attached to the frame 7 from the side facing away from the tightening tube 5 .

[0031] If especially by Figure 4 It can be seen that the end cap 8 has several sections which are arranged in the frame 7 in the installed state.

[0032] Accordingly, the end cap 8 has a guide section 8 . 1 which is arranged in the frame in the installed state and is channel-shaped and has a curvature in the direction of the tensioning cable.

[0033] The end cap 8 also has an inner sealing section 8.2 which is arranged on the inner side of the frame 7 in the mounted state and abuts against the frame 7. At the same time, the outer sealing section 8.3 abuts against the outer side of the frame 7. By combining the inner sealing section 8.2 and the outer sealing section 8.3, the frame 7 is sealed on the side facing away from the tightening tube 5, so that the pressurized gas escaping from the cable guide 12 cannot escape from the front side of the frame 7, but is deflected.

[0034] Furthermore, the side surfaces of the groove-shaped guide section 8.1 are designed so that when the end cap 8 is inserted, they are pressed on both sides by the frame 7 onto the tensioning cable 3, thereby securing the tensioning cable 3 against accidental movement. Thus, the end cap 8 forms a securing section 8.4. However, the force imposed on the tensioning cable 3 by the securing section 8.4 is not so great that the tightening process is not hindered.

[0035] from Figure 5 It can be seen that the deflection element 9 has an outer surface, referred to as the deflection surface 9.1, which is Figure 3 The cross-section shown has a circular shape. The receptacle 9.2 for the bushing 10 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the deflection surface 9.1 and in particular is offset towards the deflection surface 9.1.

[0036] The tensioning device further comprises a plug element 11 via which a cable can be connected to the gas generator 1 . The outer contour of the plug element 11 is adapted to the outer contour of the deflection element 9.

[0037] To start the tightening process, the gas generator 1 is ignited, whereby pressurized gas enters the section of the tightening tube 5 with a circular cross section and drives the piston 2 along the tightening tube 5. The driven piston 2 sets the belt part 4 into a tightening movement, wherein the tensioning cable 3 is deflected by the deflection element 9 and the guide section 8.1 of the end cap 8.

[0038] Although in the exemplary embodiment the tensioning cable 3 is deflected by approximately 90°, the tensioning device can also be adapted by replacing a few parts so that the tensioning cable 3 leaves the frame 7 in a linear extension in the direction of movement of the piston 2, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0039] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment of , only the end cap 8 is replaced for this purpose, wherein the guide section 8.1 will be designed as an opening through which the tensioning cable 3 protrudes. In order to achieve an optionally different deflection and / or alignment of the tensioning cable 3, the deflection element 9 can also be designed differently.

[0040] The proposed tensioning device can therefore only be adapted for other applications by replacing individual components.

[0041] Reference numerals list

[0042] 1 Gas generator

[0043] 2 Piston

[0044] 3 Tension cables

[0045] 4 Seat belt components

[0046] 5 Tensioner tube

[0047] 6 Receiver

[0048] 7 Framework

[0049] 8 End cap

[0050] 8.1 Boot Segment

[0051] 8.2 Inner sealing section

[0052] 8.3 External sealing section

[0053] 8.4 Fastening section

[0054] 9 Deflection element

[0055] 9.1 Deflection surfaces

[0056] 9.2 Bushing receiving area

[0057] 10 Bushing

[0058] 11 Plug element

[0059] 12 Cable guide

Claims

1. A tensioning device for a seat belt component, the tensioning device comprising: - an inflator (1) for generating pressurized gas, - a piston (2) which can be driven by the pressurized gas, a tensioning cable (3) connected to the piston (2) and connectable to the belt component (4) to be subjected to a tensioning movement, - a tensioner tube (5) for receiving and guiding the piston (2), and - a receiver (6) which accommodates the gas generator (1), It is characterized in that The tensioning cable (3) extends through a frame (7) at the end facing away from the tensioner tube (5) and a deflection element (9) is mounted in the frame (7), wherein the tensioning cable (3) rests directly on the deflection element (9).

2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the deflection element (9) has a deflection surface (9.1) which is at least sectionally of circular cross-section and against which the tensioning cable (3) rests.

3. The tensioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deflection element (9) is mounted in the frame (7) by means of a bushing (10) and preferably has a circular receptacle (9.2) for the bushing (10).

4. The tensioning device according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the circular receiving portion (9.2) is arranged eccentrically with respect to the circular deflecting surface (9.1).

5. The tensioning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection element (9) is flat in a section against which the tensioning cable (3) does not bear.

6. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein an outer contour of another component of the tensioning device is adapted to an outer contour of the deflection element (9).

7. The tensioning device according to claim 6, wherein the outer contour of a plug element (11) for electrical contacting of the gas generator (1) is adapted to the outer contour of the deflection element (9).

8. A tensioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The receiver (6) for the gas generator (1) is formed integrally with a cable guide (12) through which the tensioning cable (3) is guided out of the tensioner tube (5), wherein the receiver (6) and the cable guide (12) are arranged completely inside the tensioner tube (5).

9. The tensioning device according to claim 8, wherein the receiver (1) and the cable guide (12) are arranged in a region of the tensioner tube (5) in which the tensioner tube (5) deviates from a circular cross section.

10. The tensioning device according to claim 9, wherein in a triggering situation the pressurized gas is applied to the piston (2) by a change in the cross section of the tensioner tube (5).

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