Connecting assembly and safety belt retractor

Abstract

The present application relates to a connection assembly comprising: a first member which is connected to a tape drum in an anti-torque manner, is rotatable coaxially with the tape drum, and comprises a first pressing portion; the second component is provided with a rotating axis common with the belt winding drum and comprises a second extrusion part, the first component and the second component are connected so that the second component can drive the first component to rotate in the safety belt winding direction, the clutch component can be connected with and disengaged from the second component, and when the clutch component is connected with the second component, the clutch component can drive the second component to rotate in the safety belt winding direction. The second component can be driven by the clutch component to drive the first component to rotate in the safety belt winding direction. When the second component is connected with the clutch component, rotation of the first component relative to the second component in the unwinding direction of the safety belt enables one or both of the first extrusion portion and the second extrusion portion to be at least partially crushed. The clutch member is configured to disengage the coupling between the first member and the second member without releasing the engagement between the second member and the clutch member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to the field of vehicles, and more particularly, to a connection component and a seat belt retractor. Background Art

[0002] As an effective and reliable passive safety device, vehicle seat belts have become an indispensable part of the vehicle safety system. Under the development trend of vehicle electrification and intelligence, the requirements for the safety protection and wearing comfort of seat belts by occupants are also constantly increasing.

[0003] Some seat belts known in practice include irreversible pre-tensioning devices, which include pyrotechnic gas generators, coiled tubes, and steel balls, flexible racks or the like accommodated in the coiled tubes. When an emergency is about to occur in the vehicle, for example, when a vehicle collision is about to occur, the vehicle control unit can issue a control command, causing the pyrotechnic gas generator to be activated, the gunpowder to be detonated, and the steel balls, flexible racks or the like to move out of the coiled tube under the action of the explosion force, driving the take-up spool of the seat belt retractor in the seat belt take-up direction, so that the seat belt is taken up and thus the gap inside the seat belt retractor and the gap between the webbing and the occupant's body are eliminated. Therefore, the occupant can be better restrained on the vehicle seat, and good protection of the occupant by the seat belt can be achieved in the event of an emergency in the vehicle.

[0004] In addition, some seat belts known in practice may include a reversible active pre-tensioning device in addition to an irreversible pre-tensioning device. The active pre-tensioning device generally may include a motor, an electronic control unit for controlling the operation of the motor, a transmission, a clutch, etc. During driving, in some dangerous situations or when it is necessary to give a reminder to the occupant, according to a preset control logic, the motor can be activated by an instruction issued by the electronic control unit, so that the motor drives the spool in the seat belt retracting direction via the transmission and the engaged clutch to actively pre-tension the seat belt to an appropriate degree. Then, for example, after the danger is eliminated or after a predetermined long time has elapsed, the motor can be reversed to release the active pre-tensioning of the seat belt. The electronic control unit can obtain control instructions from the vehicle control unit, for example. When the active pre-tensioning device is triggered, the clutch in the transmission path between the motor and the spool acts as a load-bearing component and transmits the torque from the motor. In the case of an inevitable impending collision, the irreversible pre-tensioning device is activated, in which the gunpowder of the pyrotechnic gas generator is detonated. At this time, the activated active pre-tensioning device preferably does not interfere with this irreversible pre-tensioning function. For example, under the impact inertia of the pyrotechnic gas generator, the clutch of the active pre-tensioning device can usually be irreversibly separated from the spool, so as not to affect the occupant from pulling out the seat belt under the influence of inertia, enabling the force-limiting function module of the seat belt (which can relieve the pressure on the occupant's chest under a large impact inertia) to intervene and work to protect the occupant. However, in some cases, there is still a risk that the clutch of the active pre-tensioning device cannot be separated from the spool. If the active pre-tensioning device cannot be separated from the spool after a collision, in the initial stage when the occupant pulls out the seat belt due to inertia, the active pre-tensioning device will affect the function of the force-limiting function module of the seat belt, resulting in a greater pressure on the occupant's chest and affecting the protection function for the occupant.

[0005] Patent document CN111212768 A discloses an overload protection structure formed by arranging circumferentially distributed shear pins between the spool and the drive wheel of a seat belt retractor. The shear pins can be integrally formed with the spool or the drive wheel, or can be inserted into the spool or the drive wheel as separate parts. The shear pins of this overload protection structure are numerous and small in size, and face great challenges in aspects such as the manufacturing process, dimension control, cost, and component assembly of the parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present application is to provide a connecting component, by means of which, when a vehicle inevitably collides, the spool can be reliably separated from the active pre-tensioning device of the seat belt.

[0007] Another object of the present application is to provide a seat belt retractor including the above-mentioned connecting component.

[0008] A first aspect of the present application relates to a connection component, the connection component comprising:

[0009] A first member torsionally connected to a spool of a seat belt retractor and rotatable coaxially with the spool in a seat belt retracting direction and a seat belt rewinding direction, the first member including a first pressing portion;

[0010] A second member having a common axis of rotation with the spool and including a second pressing portion, the first member and the second member being capable of being coupled to each other through cooperation between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion such that the second member can drive the first member to rotate in the seat belt retracting direction,

[0011] A clutch member capable of engaging and disengaging from the second member, when the clutch member engages with the second member, the second member can be driven by the clutch member to drive the first member to rotate in the seat belt retracting direction;

[0012] Wherein, during the engagement of the second member with the clutch member, the rotation of the first member relative to the second member in the seat belt rewinding direction can cause one or both of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion to be at least partially crushed, so as to disengage the connection between the first member and the second member without releasing the engagement between the second member and the clutch member, thereby enabling the first member to rotate relative to the second member.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first member and the second member can be frictionally coupled to each other through cooperation between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion, and the rotation of the second member relative to the first member in the seat belt retracting direction increases the acting force between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, one of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion is configured as a protrusion, and the other is configured as a corresponding spiral portion that cooperates with the protrusion. During the engagement of the second member with the clutch member, the rotation of the first member relative to the second member in the seat belt rewinding direction can at least cause the spiral portion to be at least partially crushed.

[0015] In some embodiments, when viewed in the direction along the axis of rotation, for concentric circles centered on the axis of rotation, the diameter range of the circle tangent to the point at the maximum height of the protrusion is between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter of the surface of the corresponding spiral portion that cooperates with the protrusion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the helical portion is configured as a cantilever extending from one of the first member and the second member towards the other.

[0017] In some embodiments, one of the first member and the second member has a cylindrical surface facing the other of the first member and the second member, and a plurality of protrusions extending in a radial direction towards the other are formed on the cylindrical surface, wherein the plurality of protrusions have equal heights and are uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical surface, and a corresponding plurality of helical portions are formed on the other of the first member and the second member to cooperate with the plurality of protrusions, the plurality of helical portions have the same profile, and are uniformly distributed corresponding to the plurality of protrusions in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second member is configured to be disposed around the first member in a radial direction, and the second member includes a second pressing portion disposed on the radially inner side, and the first member includes a corresponding first pressing portion disposed on the radially outer side.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second pressing portion is configured as the protrusion.

[0020] In some embodiments, the helical portion includes a recess, and the recess is in shape fit with the protrusion before the start of the crushing process.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion respectively have shape fit portions, and the shape fit portion of the first pressing portion is in shape fit with the shape fit portion of the second pressing portion before the start of the crushing process.

[0022] In some embodiments, the protrusion is configured as a columnar portion, and the columnar portion extends along the rotation axis direction of the winding drum.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first member is disposed on an end portion in the axial direction of the winding drum.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second member is configured as a ratchet wheel, and the clutch member is configured as a ratchet pawl.

[0025] In some embodiments, the clutch member and the second member are configured as a part of a clutch for an active pretensioner of a seat belt.

[0026] In some embodiments, the clutch member is rotatable about a pivot axis between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, the pivot axis being parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein in the first pivot position, the clutch member is disengaged from the second member, and in the second pivot position, the clutch member is engaged with the second member.

[0027] In some embodiments, the clutch member is configured as a pawl and has a pawl portion remote from the pivot axis, the pawl portion being configured to engage and disengage from the second member.

[0028] In some embodiments, the clutch includes a guiding structure, and the pawl is rotatable between the first pivot position and the second pivot position under the guidance of the guiding structure.

[0029] A second aspect of the present application relates to a seat belt retractor, which includes the connection assembly as described above.

[0030] The technical features mentioned above, the technical features to be mentioned below, and the technical features shown separately in the drawings can be arbitrarily combined with each other as long as the combined technical features are not mutually contradictory. All feasible feature combinations are the technical contents clearly recorded herein. Any one of the sub-features included in the same statement can be independently applied without necessarily being applied together with other sub-features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings. Among them:

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 2 is Figure 1 another view of the seat belt retractor in

[0034] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a view of the clutch of the active pre-tensioning device of the seat belt retractor in

[0035] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a corresponding view when the clutch shown in

[0036] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a corresponding view when the clutch shown in

[0037] Figure 6 isFigure 5 Partial enlarged view.

[0038] Figure 7 Is a perspective view of a reel cylinder according to an embodiment of the present application, showing a first member of the connection assembly.

[0039] Figure 8 Is Figure 7 End view of a part of the reel cylinder shown in

[0040] Figure 9 Is a perspective view of a driven element of a clutch as a second member of a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 10 Is Figure 9 End view of the driven element shown in

[0042] Figure 11 Is to be assembled together Figure 7 The reel cylinder shown in Figure 9 Perspective view of the driven element shown in

[0043] Figure 12 Is Figure 11 Perspective view when the reel cylinder and the driven element in

[0044] Figure 13 Is a part of an end view of a connection assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, where the connection assembly is in a first state.

[0045] Figure 14 Is Figure 13 Corresponding view when the connection assembly shown in

[0046] Figure 15 Is Figure 13 Corresponding view when the connection assembly shown in

[0047] Figure 16 Is a perspective view of a reel cylinder and a driven element to be assembled together according to another embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation

[0048] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present application can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide more additional embodiments. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or functionally identical elements.

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat belt retractor 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the seat belt retractor 1 may include an active pre-tensioning device 2 and a retractor body portion 3. Figure 2 is Figure 1 another view of the seat belt retractor 1 in Figure 1 , which is different from Figure 1 in that a housing portion of the active pre-tensioning device 2 and a housing portion of the retractor body portion 3 are removed to show the internal structure. The active pre-tensioning device 2 may include components such as a drive device 4, a transmission device 5, a clutch 6, etc. The retractor body portion 3 may include a spool 7 around which a seat belt may be wound. A gear, in particular a ratchet wheel, connected coaxially with the spool 7 and torsionally resistant at least under certain conditions, may be provided as a driven element 20 of the clutch 6 of the active pre-tensioning device 2 through a central opening of the clutch 6. The driven element 20 and the spool 7 may have a common axis of rotation.

[0050] Typically, the seat belt retractor 1 may include a frame 9 in which the spool 7 may be rotatably supported, and the housing of the transmission device 5 may be fixedly connected to the frame 9. As Figure 2 further shown, the driving motion output by the drive device 4 may be transmitted to an output gear through the transmission device 5. The output gear may be configured as a driving element 10 of the clutch 6 at the same time. When the clutch 6 is in the engaged state, the active pre-tensioning device 2 may cause the spool 7 to rotate in the seat belt retracting direction to tighten the seat belt. When the clutch 6 is in the disengaged state, the active pre-tensioning device 2 does not interfere with the movement of the spool 7.

[0051] As Figure 2 shown, the transmission device 5 may be configured as a gear transmission device. The clutch 6 may be accommodated as a module in the housing of the transmission device 5. In principle, the drive device 4 and the transmission device 5 may employ other devices known per se, such as hydraulic drive devices, belt drive devices, wire rope drive devices, friction wheel drive devices, etc.

[0052] Figures 3 to 5 shows a view of the clutch 6 observed in the axial direction of the spool 7, in which several operating states of the clutch 6 are mainly shown. As Figures 3 to 5 shown, the clutch 6 may include a driving element 10. The driving element 10 can rotate in a first direction D and a second direction R opposite to the first direction D. The first direction D may correspond to the rotation of the spool 7 in the seat belt retracting direction, and the second direction R may correspond to the rotation of the spool 7 in the seat belt unwinding direction. As described above, the driving element 10 may be the output gear of the transmission device 5.

[0053] As Figure 3As shown, the clutch 6 may include a stop ring 12, a friction ring 13, and two pawls 14. The pawls 14 are pivotally mounted on a pin 15 provided on the drive element 10, wherein the pin 15 can provide the pivot axis of the pawls 14. The clutch 6 may include a driven element 20, which may have a common axis of rotation with the drive element 10. The pawls 14 may be configured as clutch members that engage and disengage from the driven element 20, so that the clutch 6 can be switched between an engaged state and a disengaged state.

[0054] The stop ring 12 may be a substantially stationary component, or can only rotate limitedly. For example, the stop ring 12 can rotate limitedly within an angle less than 30°, such as between 20° and 30°, or within an angle less than 10°. For this purpose, the housing of the transmission 5 may have at least one, for example three, pins that are inserted into the recesses 16 of the stop ring 12 during assembly. The pins can prevent the further rotation of the stop ring 12 by abutting against the edges in the circumferential direction of the recesses 16.

[0055] The friction ring 13 may be frictionally coupled to the stop ring 12. For this purpose, the friction ring 13 may be mounted radially inside the stop ring 12, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the friction ring 13 is frictionally coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the stop ring 12. The friction ring 13 may have two opposite ends 17, and may include a compression spring 18 mounted between these two ends 17, so that the friction ring 13 can permanently and stably maintain the frictional coupling with the stop ring 12. During the operation of the clutch 6, the friction ring 13 and the stop ring 12 remain relatively stationary before the frictional force between the friction ring 13 and the stop ring 12 is overcome, and after the frictional force is overcome, the friction ring 13 can rotate relative to the stop ring 12.

[0056] In Figure 3 In the first state of the clutch 6 as shown, the drive element 10 and the friction ring 13 are in a first relative position, and the pawls 14 are in a first pivot position relative to the drive element 10. In the first pivot position, the pawls 14 are disengaged from the driven element 20. In Figure 4 In the second state of the clutch 6 as shown, the drive element 10 and the friction ring 12 are in a second relative position, and the pawls 14 are in a second pivot position relative to the drive element 10. In the second pivot position, the pawls 14 are engaged with the driven element 20. Next, the switching process of the clutch 6 between the first state and the second state will be described.

[0057] As Figure 3 Further shown, the friction ring 13 may include a guiding structure 25 that cooperates with the pawls 14, and the guiding structure 25 may be configured as: As Figure 3As shown, when the drive element 10 and the friction ring 13 are in the first relative position, the pawl 14 is in the first pivoted position; and as Figure 4 shown, when the drive element 10 and the friction ring 13 are in the second relative position, the pawl 14 is in the second pivoted position. For example, as Figure 4 shown, the pawl 14 may have a pawl portion 23 extending from the body of the pawl 14 away from the pivot axis, and the pawl portion 23 is configured to engage with the driven element 20. The friction ring 13 may also have an elastic member 24, and when the pawl 14 is in the first pivoted position relative to the drive element 10, the elastic member 24 can squeeze the pawl 14 and resist the rotation of the pawl 14 towards the second pivoted position, thereby suppressing the wobbling of the pawl 14 and the resulting noise. When the pawl 14 pivots a predetermined stroke towards the second pivoted position, the elastic member 24 disengages from the pawl 14, thus not interfering with the active pre-tensioning function.

[0058] The active pre-tensioning process of the active pre-tensioning device 2 including the clutch 6 can be carried out as follows: Starting from the first state of the clutch 6 as Figure 3 shown, when the drive device 4 causes the drive element 10 to rotate in the first direction D, after the stop ring 12 is limited by the above-mentioned pin, the friction ring 13 initially remains relatively stationary with the stop ring 12 due to the friction force between them, so that the drive element 10 moves together with the pawl 14 and causes the pawl 14 to move to the second pivoted position under the action of the guiding structure 25, that is Figure 4 the position shown. At this position, the pawl portion 23 engages with the driven member 20, so that the drive element 10 can drive the driven element 20 to rotate in the first direction D through the pawl 14 to tighten the seat belt. The drive member 10 may include a pushing and squeezing portion (not shown) for example. When the pawl 14 and the driven member 20 are engaged, the pushing and squeezing portion of the drive element 10 can abut against the corresponding mating and squeezing portion (not shown) on the friction ring 13 to apply a thrust in the first direction D to the friction ring 13 to overcome the friction force between the friction ring 13 and the stop ring 12, so that the friction ring 13 can rotate together with the drive element 10. The release process of the active pre-tensioning function of the active pre-tensioning device 2 can be carried out substantially conversely.

[0059] As Figure 3 shown, the clutch 6 may include a connecting spring 19, the drive element 10 may have a pin shaft 21, and the friction ring 13 may have a pin shaft 22. The connecting spring 19 can be hung at both ends on the pin shaft 21 and the pin shaft 22. In the case of no load, the connecting spring 10 can keep the drive element 10 and the friction ring 13 in the first relative position as Figure 3 shown.

[0060] As Figures 3 to 6As shown in , the pawl 14 may have a hook portion 26. For example, the hook portion 26 may extend from the body of the pawl 14 in a direction away from the claw portion 23 of the pawl 14. When the drive element 20 and the friction ring 13 are in a first relative position, the pawl 14 may abut against the drive element 10 with the hook portion 26. More specifically, the drive element 10 may have a mating hook portion 27 that cooperates with the hook portion 26, wherein the hook portion 26 may abut against the mating hook portion 27 in the first pivot position of the pawl 14, and when the pawl 14 pivots from the first pivot position to the second pivot position relative to the drive element 10, the hook portion 26 may be lifted from the mating hook portion 27, so that the mating hook portion 27 does not interfere with the active preload function.

[0061] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 An irreversible pre-tightening device 11 can also be seen, which can include, for example, a gas generator, a coil and a steel ball, a flexible rack or the like. For example, when a vehicle is about to collide, the gunpowder of the gas generator is ignited, and the gas generated by the gas generator drives the steel ball, flexible rack or the like contained in the coil. The steel ball, flexible rack or the like ejected from the coil can, for example, impact a driven gear coaxially and fixedly arranged with the belt reel 7, so that the belt reel 7 is pre-tightened in the direction of the seat belt reeling, so that the occupant can be better restrained on the vehicle seat during the vehicle collision, thereby reducing or even completely avoiding the damage to the occupant caused by the vehicle collision.

[0062] If the irreversible pretensioning device 11 is activated immediately after the active pretensioning device 2 is activated, the gunpowder of the pyrotechnic gas generator of the irreversible pretensioning device 11 is ignited, and the belt reel 7 is driven by the irreversible pretensioning device 11 at a significantly increased speed in the belt reeling direction, so that the belt reel 7 is driven in the belt reeling direction (in the direction of the belt reeling) Figure 3 The driven element 20 rotating at a high speed (counterclockwise in the figure) impacts the pawl 14 with high energy, so that the pawl 14 bounces from the second pivot position to the first pivot position, and crosses the first pivot position to reach the overtaking position, and the hook portion 26 of the pawl 14 can be locked with the matching hook portion 27 of the driving element 10 in the overtaking position. Figure 5 and Figure 6 That is, the third state of the clutch 6 is shown, in which the pawl 14 is in the overrunning position. In this state, the pawl 14 can no longer pivot around the pivot axis and remains disengaged from the driven element 20. Therefore, the belt reel 7 can rotate freely in the unwinding direction of the seat belt, so that the active pretensioning device 2 will not interfere with the force limiting function of the seat belt retractor 1, which can improve the working safety of the seat belt.

[0063] ​​​​However, in the case where the rotation of the driven element 20 in the seat belt retracting direction fails to successfully hook the hook portion 26 onto the mating hook portion 27, there is a risk that the pawl 14 cannot be separated from the driven element 20. In this case, when the occupant pulls the seat belt outwards due to inertia, since the driven element 20 engages with the pawl portion 23 of the pawl 14, the pulling out of the seat belt is hindered by the active pretensioner 2 until the driven element 20 crushes the pawl portion 23 of the pawl 14. During this period, the occupant may be subjected to a huge impact caused by the driven element 20 crushing the pawl portion 23 of the pawl 14, and the force limiting function module cannot function until the driven element 20 crushes the pawl portion 23, which is not conducive to the protection of the occupant.

[0064] As Figures 7 to 15 shown, the connection assembly 30 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a first member 31 and the driven element 20 as described above, as the second member of the connection assembly 30. The first member 31 may be torsionally connected to the spool 7 and can rotate coaxially with the spool 7 in the seat belt retracting direction and the seat belt unwinding direction. The torsional connection between the first member 31 and the spool 7 can be understood, for example, as the first member 31 being fixedly connected to the spool 7 or being integrally formed with the spool 7 (or said to be a part of the spool 7). For example, the first member 31 may be provided at an end portion 32 in the axial direction of the spool 7. The driven element 20, as the second member of the connection assembly 30, may have a common rotation axis with the first member 31 and may be configured to be disposed around the first member 31 in the radial direction. It should be understood that in other embodiments not shown, the first member 31 and the driven element 20 may also be arranged such that the first member 31 is disposed around the driven element 20.

[0065] As Figures 7 to 11 more clearly shown in, the first member 31 may include a first pressing portion 33, the driven element 20 may include a second pressing portion 34, and the first member 31 and the driven element 20 can be coupled to each other through the cooperation between the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 such that: the driven element 20 can drive the first member 31 to rotate in the seat belt retracting direction. As described above, the pawl 14 can engage with and disengage from the driven element 20. When the pawl 14 engages with the driven element 20, the active pretensioner 2 can drive the driven element 20 through the pawl 14, so that the driven element 20 drives the first member 21 to rotate in the seat belt retracting direction to achieve the seat belt pretensioning function.

[0066] As described above, when the irreversible pre-tensioning device 11 is activated and the hook portion 26 of the pawl 14 fails to successfully engage with the mating hook portion 27, the pawl 14 may remain engaged with the driven element 20. Accordingly, the first member 31 and the driven element 20 are further configured such that during the engagement of the driven element 20 with the pawl 14, rotation of the first member 31 relative to the driven element 20 in the seatbelt unwinding direction can cause one or both of the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 to be at least partially crushed, so as to release the connection between the first member 31 and the driven element 20 without releasing the engagement between the driven element 20 and the pawl 14, thereby enabling the first member 31 to rotate relative to the driven element 20.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first member 31 and the driven element 20 may be configured to be frictionally coupled to each other through the cooperation between the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34, and rotation of the driven element 20 relative to the first member 31 in the seatbelt retracting direction can cause the acting force between the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 to increase. For example, as Figures 7 to 11 shown, in some embodiments, the second pressing portion 34 may be configured as a protrusion provided on the radially inner side of the driven element 20, and the first pressing portion 33 may be configured as a spiral portion that cooperates with the protrusion.

[0068] For example, as Figure 8 and 10 shown, the driven element 20 is configured to be disposed around the first member 31 in the radial direction, and the driven element 20 may have a cylindrical surface facing the first member 31, on which a plurality of protrusions extending radially towards the first member 31 are formed. Advantageously, the plurality of protrusions may have equal heights and may be uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical surface. Correspondingly, a plurality of spiral portions that cooperate with the plurality of protrusions may be formed on the first member 31. Advantageously, the plurality of spiral portions may have the same profile and may be uniformly distributed corresponding to the plurality of protrusions in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the spool. Such a configuration can help simplify the assembly process and reduce the assembly difficulty.

[0069] Advantageously, as Figure 8 and Figure 10 shown, when viewed along the rotation axis direction of the spool, for concentric circles centered on the rotation axis, the circle tangent to the point where the height of the protrusion is maximum may have a diameter d1, and the minimum diameter and the maximum diameter of the surface of the corresponding spiral portion that cooperates with the protrusion may be d2 and d3, respectively. As Figure 8As shown, the circle passing through point A (i.e., the point farthest from the center of the circle) on the surface of the helical portion has the maximum diameter d3, and the circle passing through point B (i.e., the point closest to the center of the circle) on the surface of the helical portion has the minimum diameter d2. Advantageously, d1, d2, and d3 are set such that d1 ranges between d2 and d3, so that the protrusion and the helical portion can achieve an interference fit, and during the engagement of the driven element 20 with the pawl 14, the rotation of the first member 31 relative to the driven element 20 in the seat belt unwinding direction can at least cause the helical portion to be at least partially crushed. In some embodiments, the helical portion can be configured, for example, as a cantilever extending from the first member 31 towards the driven element 20, so that the helical portion is easily crushed. As Figure 8 shown, the helical portion can have a thickness t in the radial direction, and this thickness t can be adjusted accordingly according to the required crushing force.

[0070] It should be understood that in other embodiments not shown, the positions of the first member 31 and the driven element 20 in the radial direction can be interchanged, that is, the first member 31 can also be configured to be disposed around the driven element 20 in the radial direction. Additionally, different from the above embodiments, the protrusion and the helical portion can also be respectively provided on the other of the first member 31 and the driven element 20, that is, the protrusion can be provided on the first member 31 and the helical portion can be provided on the driven element 20. As Figure 9 shown, the second pressing portion 34 can be configured, for example, as a columnar portion. Advantageously, this columnar portion can extend along the rotation axis direction of the winding reel 7 and has a first length in the axial direction. Correspondingly, as Figure 7 shown, the first pressing portion 33 can also be configured to have a second length along the rotation axis direction of the winding reel 7, and this second length corresponds to the first length, for example. The structural dimensions of the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 can be adjusted according to actual needs. There is no particular limitation on the number of the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34. For example, it can be one, two, three, or more. Advantageously, the number of the first pressing portion 33 and the number of the second pressing portion 34 are the same. Advantageously, the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 can be respectively arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction.

[0071] Figure 13 shows the first member 33 and the driven element 20 assembled together, wherein the first pressing portion 33 of the first member 31 and the second pressing portion 34 of the driven element 20 are in a non-contact or just-contact state, that is, the first member 31 and the driven element 20 are not yet engaged. Figure 14 shows when the first member 31 relative to the driven element 20 from Figure 13Schematic diagram of the engagement state when the first member 31 and the driven element 20 are pressed against each other through the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 to establish a friction connection after the state in Figure 14 (not shown in Figure 14 ) is rotated clockwise by a first angle (e.g., about 40°). When the irreversible pre-tensioning device 11 is activated and the pawl 14 of the clutch 6 (not shown in Figure 15 ) remains engaged with the driven element 20, as the occupant pulls the seat belt outwards due to inertia and the take-up spool 7 rotates in the seat belt unwinding direction, the first member 31 will rotate relative to the driven element 20 in the Figure 14 clockwise direction in Figure 15 , and at least one of the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 will be at least partially crushed. For example,

[0072] as Figure 16 shown, according to another embodiment of the present application, the spiral portion of the first pressing portion 33 may include a recessed portion 35, which may be in shape cooperation with the protruding portion as the second pressing portion 34 during the normal operation of the active pre-tensioning device 2 (i.e., before the start of the crushing process), so that the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 can be more reliably engaged during the normal operation of the active pre-tensioning device 2. It should be understood that in other embodiments not shown, the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 may respectively have other forms of shape cooperation portions that cooperate with each other, and the shape cooperation portion of the first pressing portion 33 and the shape cooperation portion of the second pressing portion 34 may be in shape cooperation before the start of the crushing process.

[0073] The connection assembly 30 according to the present application can effectively avoid the risk that the active pre-tensioning device 2 and the take-up spool 7 cannot be disengaged after the irreversible pre-tensioning device 11 is activated, thereby avoiding the risk that the force-limiting function module of the seat belt cannot operate normally, which helps to reduce the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the occupant to protect the occupant. In addition, the connection assembly 30 according to the present application also has the advantages of simple structure, easy manufacturing, low cost, and convenient assembly.

[0074] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. All terms used in the specification, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art. For the sake of brevity or clarity, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail.

[0075] As used in the specification, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “said” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” as used in the specification specify the presence of the stated features, but do not preclude the presence of one or more other features. The phrase “and / or” as used in the specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0076] In the specification, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached to,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “in contact with” another element, etc., that element can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly attached to,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly in contact with” another element, no intervening elements are present. In the specification, a feature being arranged “adjacent” to another feature can mean that the feature has a portion that overlaps with the adjacent feature or a portion that is above or below the adjacent feature.

[0077] It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements are not to be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of the concept of the present application.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only for understanding the present application and do not limit the scope of protection of the present application. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A connection assembly, characterized in that: The connection component comprises: A first member, the first member is connected to the belt reel of the seat belt retractor in a rotationally fixed manner and can be rotated coaxially with the belt reel in a seat belt retracting direction and a seat belt unwinding direction, the first member comprising a first extrusion portion; a second member, the second member having a common rotation axis with the belt reel and comprising a second extrusion portion, the first member and the second member being able to be coupled to each other through cooperation between the first extrusion portion and the second extrusion portion so that the second member can drive the first member to rotate along a seat belt reeling direction, A clutch component, wherein the clutch component can be engaged with and disengaged from the second component. When the clutch component is engaged with the second component, the second component can be driven by the clutch component to drive the first component to rotate along the seat belt retracting direction; Wherein, during the engagement of the second member with the clutch member, the rotation of the first member relative to the second member in the unwinding direction of the seat belt can cause one or both of the first extrusion portion and the second extrusion portion to be at least partially crushed, so as to release the connection between the first member and the second member without releasing the engagement between the second member and the clutch member, thereby allowing the first member to rotate relative to the second member.

2. The connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first member and the second member can be frictionally coupled to each other through the cooperation between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion, and the rotation of the second member relative to the first member in the seat belt retracting direction increases the acting force between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion; and / or One of the first extrusion portion and the second extrusion portion is configured as a protrusion, and the other is configured as a corresponding spiral portion cooperating with the protrusion. During the engagement of the second member with the clutch member, the rotation of the first member relative to the second member in the unwinding direction of the seat belt can at least cause the spiral portion to be at least partially crushed.

3. The connection assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, for a concentric circle with the rotation axis as the center, the diameter of a circle tangent to the point at which the height of the protrusion is maximum ranges between the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter of the surface of the corresponding spiral portion matching the protrusion; and / or The spiral portion is configured as a cantilever extending from one of the first member and the second member toward the other; and / or One of the first member and the second member has a cylindrical surface facing the other of the first member and the second member, and a plurality of protrusions extending in a radial direction toward the other are formed on the cylindrical surface, wherein the plurality of protrusions have equal heights and are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical surface, wherein a corresponding plurality of spiral portions cooperating with the plurality of protrusions are formed on the other of the first member and the second member, and the plurality of spiral portions have the same shape and are uniformly distributed corresponding to the plurality of protrusions in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis.

4. The connection assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second member is configured to be disposed around the first member in a radial direction, the second member includes a second extrusion portion disposed at a radial inner side, and the first member includes a corresponding first extrusion portion disposed at a radial outer side.

5. The connection assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second pressing portion is configured as the protrusion.

6. The connection assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The spiral portion includes a recessed portion that is form-fitted with the protruding portion before the crushing process begins.

7. The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first pressing portion and the second pressing portion respectively have a form-fitting portion, and the form-fitting portion of the first pressing portion and the form-fitting portion of the second pressing portion are form-fitted with each other before the crushing process starts.

8. The connection assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The protrusion is configured as a columnar portion that is elongated in the direction of the rotation axis of the reel.

9. The connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first member is provided on an end portion of the take-up reel in the axial direction; and / or The second member is configured as a ratchet, and the clutch member is configured as a pawl; and / or The clutch component and the second component are designed as part of a clutch for an active pretensioning device of a seat belt.

10. A seat belt retractor, characterized in that: The seat belt retractor comprises a connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images