Seatbelt retractor and vehicle seat

Abstract

Belt retractor (2) for attachment in and / or on a backrest (3) of a vehicle seat (1), wherein the belt retractor (2) has a multi-part housing (4) in which a belt shaft (6) is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (S), on which a safety belt (7) of the belt retractor (2) can be wound, wherein the safety belt (7) is led out of the belt retractor (2) through an exit opening (8), wherein the housing (4) has two mounting arms (9, 10) projecting radially with respect to the pivot axis (S) of the belt shaft (6) and spaced apart from each other for attaching the belt retractor (2) in or on the backrest (3) of the vehicle seat (1), which are arranged for pivotable attachment to the backrest (3) via bearing openings (11) provided in the ends of the mounting arms (9, 10), wherein at least one of the mounting arms (9, 10) is supported by a retaining section (26) of a Holding part (25) includes,which has a bearing plate (27) for supporting the belt shaft (6), wherein the bearing plate (27) is firmly clamped between the parts of the housing (4) in the assembled position of the belt winder (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt retractor having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a vehicle seat having the features of the preamble of claim 11.

[0002] Restraint systems for motor vehicles include not only airbags but also seat belt systems, which directly restrain the occupant via a seat belt. The seat belt system can, for example, be designed as a three-point belt. In this case, one end of the seat belt can be wound onto a belt shaft of a belt retractor, which can be locked in the extension direction, and the other end is permanently attached to the vehicle via an end fitting. Furthermore, the seat belt has a tongue that can be locked into a vehicle-mounted buckle, dividing the seat belt webbing, in the locked position, into a diagonal section that crosses the occupant's chest and a lap section that crosses the occupant's pelvis.If the safety belt system is designed as a 2-point belt or as a 4-point belt, the free ends can instead be locked directly via a belt tongue in a belt buckle permanently attached to the vehicle.

[0003] The restraining forces required in an accident are then transferred from the seat belt to the vehicle structure via the fixed attachment points, i.e., the belt retractor, the end fitting, and / or the buckle. Therefore, these components themselves and their attachment to the vehicle structure must be designed to bear the load. Furthermore, it may be necessary for the seat belt to be redirected again from the belt retractor shaft to ensure it is positioned at an angle that is favorable for restraining the occupant. The same problem arises if, due to space constraints, the belt retractor must be mounted in a specific location, and the seat belt must first travel a longer path before being redirected and guided onto the occupant.

[0004] From this perspective, seat-integrated seat belt systems, such as those found in convertible seats, swivel seats, or bench seats, present a particular problem. The issue with such seat-integrated seat belt systems is the very limited installation space available within the vehicle seat. Furthermore, the restraint forces from the belt retractor must be transferred to the vehicle seat, requiring correspondingly rigid attachment points on the seat, which complicates the mechanical attachment of the belt retractor. This is especially true for vehicle seats that lack a steel frame or for seats designed as benches, i.e., for example, two or three seats side by side.

[0005] From the publications DE 26 58 747 C2 and DE 10 2019 205 307 A1, belt retractors are known which are designed for attachment in a vehicle seat.

[0006] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing a belt retractor for a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat with such a belt retractor, which enable improved seating comfort for the occupant while simultaneously improving force transmission in the event of the occupant being restrained.

[0007] To solve the problem, a seatbelt retractor with the features of claim 1 and a vehicle seat with the features of claim 11 are proposed. Further preferred developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0008] According to the basic idea of ​​the invention, a belt retractor for attachment in and / or on the backrest of a vehicle seat is proposed, wherein the belt retractor has a multi-part housing in which a belt shaft is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis, on which a safety belt of the belt retractor (2) can be wound, wherein the safety belt is led out of the belt retractor through an exit opening, and wherein two mounting arms projecting radially with respect to the pivot axis of the belt shaft and spaced apart from each other are provided on the housing for attaching the belt retractor in or on the backrest of the vehicle seat, which are arranged for pivotable attachment to the backrest via bearing openings provided in the ends of the mounting arms, wherein at least one of the mounting arms is encompassed by a retaining section of a retaining part which has a bearing plate for supporting the belt shaft.the bearing plate is firmly clamped between the parts of the housing in the assembled position of the belt winder.

[0009] The provided mounting arms, designed for swivel mounting of the seatbelt retractor, allow the retractor to perform at least slight swivel movements relative to the backrest. This enables the occupant to adjust the retractor's position relative to or within the backrest to improve seating comfort. This allows the occupant to adjust the retractor's position to accommodate their height or current seating position. For example, the occupant can swivel the retractor towards them for improved neck support or, to achieve a flat contact surface with the backrest, swivel it into the plane of the backrest when the seat is reclined.Furthermore, the belt retractor is deliberately stiffened in the area of ​​the belt shaft and its bearing in order to absorb the bearing and restraint forces acting unilaterally on the belt retractor in the area of ​​the belt shaft during an accident.

[0010] It is further proposed that the mounting arms be pivotably attached around a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the belt shaft. Due to the proposed orientation of the pivot axis of the pivotable mounting, the seat belt, when pulled off the belt shaft, is pivoted relative to the axis of rotation of the belt shaft, is only displaced vertically, while maintaining its angular orientation to the belt retractor.

[0011] It is further proposed that the mounting arms be arranged at the ends of the housing, relative to the longitudinal direction of the belt shaft's axis of rotation. This proposed arrangement of the mounting arms maximizes their distance from one another, positioning the belt retractor housing between them. Consequently, the belt retractor receives maximum support from the mounting arms against the backrest and is supported by them across its entire width.

[0012] It is further proposed that the pivotable mounting of the mounting arms is formed by a bearing opening in each mounting arm, and that the bearing openings are arranged coaxially to each other. The coaxially arranged bearing openings prevent the belt retractor from twisting, particularly in the area of ​​the mounting arms and in the area of ​​the housing, when pivoting, thus preventing the formation of additional material stresses.

[0013] It is further proposed that the mounting arms be designed as rigid U-profile components. The proposed design of the mounting arms allows for high dimensional stability, particularly against externally acting bending moments, while maintaining a low self-weight.

[0014] It is further proposed that the U-profile parts each have a base plate and two legs extending from the base plate to one side and parallel to each other, and that the fastening arms are aligned such that the legs of one fastening arm are aligned in the direction of the other fastening arm.

[0015] It is further proposed that the legs be connected to each other via a partially annular web that encompasses the bearing opening. This partially annular web stiffens the fastening arms even in the area of ​​the bearing opening. Furthermore, the partially annular web ensures a homogeneous shape for the fastening arms, even at the transition to the bearing opening.

[0016] It is further proposed that the housing has two spaced-apart receptacles, radially oriented with respect to the axis of rotation of the belt shaft, in which the mounting arms are fixed. The mounting arms and the housing are thus separate components, connected via the receptacles to form the overall shape of the belt retractor. The housing and the mounting arms can be individually designed in terms of their function and shape, e.g., as multi-formed parts. The receptacles and their orientation allow for individual attachment of the mounting arms to the housing according to the predetermined orientation of the mounting arms.

[0017] It is further proposed that the mounting arms taper radially outwards from the housing. This proposed shape of the mounting arms allows the belt retractor to be manufactured with a wider or thicker housing and attached to a narrower structure, such as a narrow longitudinal strut of the backrest.

[0018] It is further proposed that the belt retractor be mounted via the mounting arms at a distance of 20 to 40 cm from the axis of rotation of the belt shaft. This proposed distance of 20 to 40 cm allows the belt retractor and its housing to be pivoted even at small angles within a range of adjustment that is clearly perceptible to the occupant.

[0019] Furthermore, a vehicle seat with a backrest and a seatbelt retractor attached thereto, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, is proposed to solve the problem, wherein the backrest has at least two longitudinal struts spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other, and the seatbelt retractor is pivotably attached to the longitudinal struts by its mounting arms. The seatbelt retractor thus forms, together with its mounting arms, practically an extension of the longitudinal struts of the backrest, while the housing of the seatbelt retractor connects the longitudinal struts extended by the mounting arms to form a frame that is closed, at least in this area. The seatbelt retractor and its housing form the upper edge section of the backrest structure.

[0020] It is further proposed that one of the longitudinal struts be arranged on one of the outer edges of the backrest, and the other longitudinal strut be arranged on the opposite outer edge. The longitudinal struts and the belt retractor, which connects them via the mounting arms, thus form the outer frame of the backrest structure. Due to the pivoting mounting of the belt retractor via the mounting arms and the proposed design of the backrest structure with the integrated belt retractor, the pivotally mounted belt retractor itself forms a pivotable part of the backrest, which the occupant can use to actively adjust the seat geometry and thus increase seating comfort.

[0021] It is further proposed that the belt retractor be arranged with the axis of rotation of the belt shaft parallel to an upper edge of the backrest. Due to the proposed orientation of the belt retractor, the extension plane of the seat belt is preferably parallel to the upper edge of the backrest. If the belt shaft in the belt retractor is blocked by a radial locking device when a predetermined extension acceleration of the seat belt or a predetermined vehicle deceleration is exceeded, this blocking of the belt shaft generates reaction forces in the backrest structure acting perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Due to the proposed orientation of the axis of rotation, these forces are directed radially perpendicular to the axis of rotation and thus in the direction of the longitudinal struts of the backrest structure, which are oriented perpendicular to the upper edge of the backrest.This allows the reaction forces to be absorbed particularly easily by the longitudinal struts and transferred into the vehicle structure.

[0022] The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1: a belt retractor according to the invention in two different views; and Fig. 2: the seatbelt retractor from the Fig. 1 in front view and in rear view; and Fig. 3: the seatbelt retractor from the Fig. 1 in a side view; and Fig. 4: a mounting arm with a frame leg as a separate component; and Fig. 5: a seat frame of a vehicle seat according to the invention in two different views; and Fig. 6: the vehicle seat with the belt retractor in an upright position of the backrest and belt retractor; and Fig. 7: the vehicle seat with the belt retractor in a backwards swiveled position of the backrest and a forwards swiveled position of the belt retractor.

[0023] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a belt retractor 2 according to the invention in various views. The belt retractor 2 has a housing 4, which is composed of several elongated profile parts that form an elongated cavity in which a belt shaft 6 is rotatably mounted. In addition to the rotatably mounted belt shaft 6, the housing 4 can also contain additional assemblies, such as a force limiting device, a reversible belt tensioner, an irreversible belt tensioner including associated sensors, actuators, bearing plates, control units, and the like. The housing 4 has an outlet opening 8 through which a safety belt 7, which can be wound onto the belt shaft 6, is led out to restrain an occupant. The belt shaft 6 is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis S, which is aligned in the longitudinal extension of the housing 4.

[0024] The housing 4 has at each of its ends a receptacle 21 and 22 extending radially outwards with respect to the axis of rotation of the belt shaft, in which a fastening arm 9 and 10 extending radially outwards in the same direction is fixed.

[0025] The mounting arms 9 and 10 each have a circular bearing opening 11 and 12 at their radially outer ends, which enable pivotable mounting on a vehicle seat 1, which will be described in more detail below. The bearing openings 11 and 12 are aligned and coaxial with each other and thus define a pivot axis W of the belt retractor 2 in its mounted position relative to the vehicle seat 1.

[0026] The mounting arms 9 and 10 are radially tapered outwards towards the bearing openings 11 and 12. In cross-section, the mounting arms 9 and 10 are each U-shaped with a base plate 13 and 14 and two legs 15, 17 and 16, 18 extending axially on the same side. The bearing openings 11 and 12 are each located in the base plate 13 and 14 of the mounting arms 9 and 10 and are each encompassed by a semi-annular web 19 and 20, which connects the opposing legs 15 and 17 and 16 and 18 of the mounting arms 9 and 10. The mounting arms 9 and 10 are arranged such that the axially extending legs 15, 17 and 16, 18 are each directed towards the opposite mounting arm 9 and 10.Thus, the mounting arms 9 and 10 each form a hollow profile, which is arranged such that the open cavity faces the other mounting arm 9 and 10. This results in a particularly torsionally rigid overall structure of the belt retractor 2 and a particularly torsionally rigid connection of the belt retractor 2 to the vehicle seat 1.

[0027] In the Fig. In 3, the belt retractor 2 can be seen from the side, looking towards the mounting arm 9, while in the Fig. Figure 4 shows the mounting arm 9 with a retaining element 25. The mounting arm 9 is enclosed at its end furthest from the bearing opening 11 by a retaining section 26 of the retaining element 25. The retaining element 25 further includes a bearing plate 27, which serves to support the belt shaft 6 and is firmly clamped between the parts of the housing 4 in the assembled position of the belt retractor 2. The retaining element 25 is thus part of the housing 4 and, together with the retaining section 26, forms the radially outwardly open receptacle 21 for the mounting arm 9 on the housing 4. The bearing plate 27 can be reinforced by an additional reinforcing plate to support the belt shaft 6 and to absorb the bearing forces and restraint forces that occur in an accident. The same applies to a second bearing plate (not shown) for the belt shaft 6, which is located opposite the bearing plate 27 in the belt retractor 2 and forms the second bearing for the belt shaft 6.The reinforcing plate can be designed as a closed profile with two legs, which stiffen one or both bearing plates. This allows the belt retractor 2 to be deliberately stiffened in the area of ​​the belt shaft 6 and its bearings in order to absorb the bearing and restraint forces acting unilaterally on the belt retractor 2 in the area of ​​the belt shaft 6 during an accident.

[0028] In the Fig. Figure 5 shows a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention with a belt retractor 2 attached to it, shown in various views. The vehicle seat 1 is shown only with its seat structure, which is further fitted with appropriate padding to produce the complete vehicle seat 1.

[0029] The vehicle seat 1 has a seat surface 5 and a backrest 3, which is pivotable relative to the seat surface 5 in a known manner. The backrest 3 comprises two longitudinal struts 23 and 24, which are aligned parallel to each other and form the lateral edges of the backrest structure. The belt retractor 2 is pivotably attached to the upper ends of the longitudinal struts 23 and 24 via the bearing openings 11 and 12 by means of its mounting arms 9 and 10. The belt retractor 2 thus connects the longitudinal struts 23 and 24 to form an upwardly closed frame, with the belt retractor 2 being arranged with the axis of rotation of the belt shaft parallel to the upper edge of the backrest 3, or itself forming the upper edge of the backrest structure.

[0030] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows the vehicle seat 1 with an upright backrest 3 and a non-pivoting belt retractor 2, so that the belt retractor 2 together with the longitudinal struts 23 and 24 forms a flat and level backrest structure 3. Fig. Figure 7 shows the same vehicle seat 1 with the backrest 3 pivoted backwards in the direction of the arrow, while the belt retractor 2 is pivoted forwards in the direction of the arrow, i.e., towards the occupant, for example, to provide improved neck support. Due to its pivotable mounting on the longitudinal struts 23 and 24, the belt retractor 2 forms an additional adjustment element in the backrest 3, allowing the backrest to be adjusted to a more comfortable position for the occupant.

[0031] A releasable locking device can be provided on one or both mounting arms 9 and 10, or on one or both longitudinal struts 23 and 24, which locks the position of the belt retractor 2 after adjustment and can be released by the occupant before adjustment. Alternatively, the belt retractor 2 can be pivoted with sufficient resistance relative to the longitudinal struts 23 and 24, and a corresponding acceleration-sensitive locking device can be provided which blocks the pivoting of the belt retractor 2 in the backrest 3 in the event of an accident, thus preventing the belt retractor 2 from pivoting in the accident and restraining the occupant in the known manner via the locked seat belt 7.

Claims

[1] Belt retractor (2) for attachment in and / or on a backrest (3) of a vehicle seat (1), wherein the belt retractor (2) has a multi-part housing (4) in which a belt shaft (6) is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (S) on which a seat belt (7) of the belt retractor (2) can be wound, wherein the seat belt (7) is led out of the belt retractor (2) through an exit opening (8), wherein the housing (4) has two mounting arms (9, 10) projecting radially with respect to the pivot axis (S) of the belt shaft (6) and spaced apart from each other for attaching the belt retractor (2) in or on the backrest (3) of the vehicle seat (1), which are arranged for pivotable attachment to the backrest (3) via bearing openings (11) provided in the ends of the mounting arms (9, 10), wherein at least one of the mounting arms (9, 10) is supported by a retaining section (26) a holding part (25) is included,which has a bearing plate (27) for supporting the belt shaft (6), wherein the bearing plate (27) is firmly clamped between the parts of the housing (4) in the assembled position of the belt winder (2). [2] Belt retractor (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fastening arms (9,10) are pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (W) running parallel to the axis of rotation (S) of the belt shaft (6). [3] Belt retractor (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the fastening arms (9,10) are arranged at the end sides of the housing (4) in relation to the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation (S) of the belt shaft (6). [4] Belt retractor (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the pivotable fastening of the fastening arms (9,10) is formed by a bearing opening (11,12) in each of the fastening arms (9,10), and the bearing openings (11,12) are arranged coaxially to each other. [5] Belt retractor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the fastening arms (9,10) are designed as rigid U-profile parts. [6] Belt retractor (2) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the U-profile parts each have a base plate (13,14) and two legs (15,16,17,18) extending from the base plate (13,14) to one side and parallel to each other, and the fastening arms (9,10) are aligned such that the legs (15,16,17,18) of one fastening arm (9,10) are each aligned in the direction of the other fastening arm (9,10). [7] Belt retractor (2) according to claim 4 and claim 6, characterized by , that the legs (15,16,17,18) are connected to each other via a partially annular web (19,20) encompassing the bearing opening. [8] Belt retractor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the housing (4) has two receptacles (21,22) spaced apart from each other and radially directed in relation to the axis of rotation (S) of the belt shaft, in which the fastening arms (9,10) are fixed. [9] Belt retractor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the fastening arms (9,10) taper radially outwards from the housing (4) in a conical manner. [10] Belt retractor (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , that the belt winder (2) is attached via the fastening arms (9,10) at a distance of 20 to 40 cm from the axis of rotation (S) of the belt shaft (6). [11] Vehicle seat (1) with a backrest (3) and a belt retractor (2) attached thereto according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that the backrest (3) has at least two longitudinal struts (23,24) spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other, and the belt winder (2) is pivotably attached to the longitudinal struts (23,24) by means of the fastening arms (9,10). [12] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 11, characterized by , that one of the longitudinal struts (23,24) is arranged on one of the edge sides of the backrest (3), and the other longitudinal strut (23,24) is arranged on the opposite edge side of the backrest (3). [13] Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized by , that the belt retractor (2) is arranged with the axis of rotation (S) of the belt shaft (6) parallel to an upper edge of the backrest (3).

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