Seatbelt retractor with an electrically operated blocking device

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt retractor with an electrically actuated locking device having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] An electrically actuated locking device of this type is known, for example, from WO 2012 / 081188 A1 and from GB 2 398 824 A.

[0003] Such blocking devices serve to stop an externally toothed control disc, which is rotatably mounted on a belt shaft of the belt retractor, by engaging a blocking lever relative to the belt shaft and thereby forcing a blocking pawl to engage a steering movement in a vehicle-fixed toothing, which in turn blocks the belt shaft in the extension direction.

[0004] In conventional mechanical locking devices, an inertial mass is mounted on a contact surface. When a predetermined vehicle deceleration is exceeded, this mass is deflected, thereby deflecting the locking lever and forcing it to engage the teeth of the control disc. Such mechanical locking devices are also referred to as vehicle-sensitive sensor devices. One problem with these mechanical locking devices is that the inertial mass must always be aligned in a defined orientation on the contact surface relative to the vehicle's longitudinal and transverse axes, regardless of the installation geometry of the seatbelt retractor, to prevent the belt shaft from being unintentionally blocked.This means the seatbelt retractor must be designed specifically for each vehicle. The orientation of the contact surface and the mass resting on it must be individually designed to match the specified orientation, taking into account the installation geometry of the retractor within the vehicle. Furthermore, with seatbelt retractors integrated into the front seats, such as in convertibles, there is the problem that the inertial mass can be unintentionally deflected on the contact surface when the backrest angle is adjusted or when the backrests are folded forward to allow access to the rear seats. This can unintentionally force the locking lever into the outer teeth of the control disc. As a result, the retractor is blocked in the extension direction, and the backrest cannot be tilted further, preventing the occupant from fastening their seatbelt. To prevent this, additional locking mechanisms or...Compensating mechanisms must be provided, but these may only activate in specific cases to ensure the occupant's restraint in the event of an accident. These challenges make such a mechanical locking device mechanically very complex.

[0005] In an electrically actuated locking device, such as that known from GB 2 398 824 A, the movement of the locking lever is electrically controlled, thus eliminating the previously required inertial mass. The belt retractor can therefore be installed unchanged in various mounting positions within the vehicle and even in seat backrests. Furthermore, the locking of the belt shaft can be controlled by an electrical signal from a control unit. This signal can be generated by a control unit that can also generate the signal based on other sensor devices or control systems. For example, it is conceivable to automatically lock the belt shaft when a vehicle dynamics assistance system is activated, which is, for example, controlled based on a signal from an optical sensor device.This also allows the electrically actuated locking device to be controlled directly or indirectly, depending on the signal from the optical sensor. Furthermore, the electrically actuated locking device functions in any orientation and configuration, as it is not actuated by inertial forces and therefore does not need to be aligned in a specific direction relative to the vehicle's direction of travel. This allows it to be preferably installed in seats of at least partially autonomous vehicles, which the occupant can adjust within a significantly wider range of motion than is possible with seats in conventional, non-autonomous vehicles, thus improving communication with other occupants, allowing for a resting position, or generally enabling the use of the freedoms gained through autonomous driving.

[0006] One problem with a seatbelt retractor featuring an electrically operated locking device is that the retractor requires one or more electrical wires to control the locking mechanism, which must be connected to an external control unit or power supply. This is particularly problematic because the electrical connections can only be made when the retractor is installed in the vehicle, and vehicle manufacturers place great emphasis on ensuring that the connections are as easy to use and error-free as possible.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a belt retractor with an electrically actuated locking device, which should have an easy-to-use electrical contact.

[0008] To solve the problem, a belt retractor with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0009] According to the basic idea of ​​the invention, it is proposed that the system cap and the bearing cap each have a partial receptacle which, in the mounted positions of the system cap and the bearing cap, combine to form a receptacle for a plug contact housing.

[0010] The advantage of the proposed solution lies in the fact that the created receptacle provides a simple guide for inserting a plug-in connector housing during assembly. Alternatively, a plug-in connector housing can already be held in the receptacle of the belt retractor, which is electrically connected to the electrical wiring and can be easily connected to a mating contact during assembly. The receptacle is formed by partial recesses on both the bearing cap and the system cap, so that the receptacle is automatically formed when the belt retractor is mounted and the system cap is positioned on the bearing cap. It is particularly advantageous that two components, the bearing cap and the system cap, are already present, making the receptacle design very simple and requiring minimal additional effort and cost.Furthermore, the receptacle is deliberately formed by a partial receptacle on the bearing cap, on which the bracket for the locking device is also arranged, so that the receptacle is arranged in a direct spatial relationship to the locking device held in the bracket with its electrical lines to be contacted.

[0011] It is further proposed that the connector housing be positively locked in the receptacle in and / or against a mating direction predetermined by the connector housing. Such positive locking of the connector housing can be achieved, for example, by projections, grooves, or lugs that secure the connector housing against displacement in a predetermined direction. With the proposed solution, the connector housing can be supported in or against the receptacle during a mating operation and / or during a mating operation, thus facilitating the mating and / or unmating process by preventing the connector housing from shifting during mating or being pulled along during unmating.Furthermore, this prevents stress on the connection between the electrical conductors and the connector housing during insertion and / or removal, provided the contact is made via a connector housing that is already fixed in the receptacle and connected to the electrical conductors. Additionally, this fixes the connector housing in a predetermined orientation. This simplifies the insertion process itself, and the user can more easily locate the connector housing with its internal conductors and connect it to the mating contact.

[0012] It is further proposed that the plug connector housing be positively locked in the receptacle with respect to rotational movement about an axis of rotation aligned parallel to the longitudinal axes of the electrical conductors. This proposed improvement secures the plug connector housing against rotation relative to the longitudinal axes of the electrical conductors.

[0013] The contact can be achieved in a particularly simple way by having a receptacle in a plane oriented perpendicular to a predetermined insertion direction of the connector housing. This receptacle has a non-circular, preferably rectangular, and most preferably square shape. The non-circular, rectangular, or even square shape of the receptacle determines the angular orientation of the connector housing to be inserted into the receptacle, which is adapted to the orientation of the electrical contacts to be contacted. If a connector housing is already held in the receptacle, the shape of the receptacle determines the orientation of the connector housing. Furthermore, the shape of the receptacle provides support for the connector housing, so that it remains fixed in the predetermined orientation even under external forces.

[0014] It is further proposed that the receptacle incorporate a shape code defining the arrangement and / or orientation of the plug connector housing. This shape code defines the predetermined arrangement and orientation of the plug connector housing within the receptacle. The plug connector housing can thus be positioned and held in the receptacle exclusively in a predetermined arrangement or orientation. This predetermined orientation of the plug connector housing can, for example, be designed for a particularly advantageous and stress-free arrangement and routing of the electrical leads to the plug connector housing within the electrical locking device.Furthermore, the form coding not only immediately informs the person installing the connector housing in which position it must be mounted, but also prevents it from being mounted in any other incorrect orientation, as this is impossible due to the form coding. The form coding can be implemented, for example, by a protruding tab, groove, or step on one side.

[0015] It is further proposed that the connector housing protrudes from the receptacle and is supported by a first shoulder against an outer edge of the receptacle. By supporting the connector housing, the insertion forces during contact are transferred via the connector housing into the receptacle, so that the electrical conductors in the connector housing are not subjected to any stress, apart from unavoidable frictional forces.

[0016] It is further proposed that the connector housing be supported by a second shoulder on at least one of the two opposing edges of the partial receptacles. This second shoulder limits the insertion depth of the connector housing into the respective partial receptacle. Furthermore, this allows the connector housing to be more effectively clamped within the receptacle between the partial receptacles.

[0017] It is further proposed that the two partial fixtures be connected by a snap-fit ​​connection. This snap-fit ​​connection is advantageous because it can be manufactured without any tooling and very cost-effectively by integrally molding the locking edges and arms onto the partial fixtures, for example, using a plastic injection molding process.

[0018] It is further proposed that a control disc rotatably mounted on the belt shaft or on the bearing cap is provided, and that the electrically actuated locking device comprises a housing with a base plate and a raised first leg, and a locking lever pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing of the raised first leg with a steel plate, and that the electrically actuated locking device stops the control disc relative to the belt shaft (20) by means of an engagement of the locking lever in the toothing of the control disc and thereby forces a locking pawl to move in which it engages in a vehicle-fixed toothing of the belt retractor and blocks the belt shaft in the extension direction.Triggering the locking of the belt shaft by stopping the control disc and thereby forcing the movement of the locking pawl has long proven its worth in practice, whereby the control disc only serves to control the movement of the locking pawl and all the forces for restraining the occupant are absorbed via the locking pawl engaging in the vehicle's fixed toothing.

[0019] It is further proposed that the locking lever has a lever arm projecting outwards from the first leg, to which a first spring acts, biasing the locking lever into a position in which it engages the teeth of the control disc with a locking tip arranged at the end of a locking arm. With the proposed solution, the locking device is designed such that, in an initial state, it blocks the control disc and the belt shaft of the belt retractor is blocked.

[0020] It is further proposed that the locking device includes an electromagnet located in the housing. When energized, this electromagnet exerts a force on the locking lever, causing it to be pulled out of the teeth of the control disc. The electrical locking device is thus designed so that, when energized, it releases the locking mechanism of the belt shaft by pulling the locking lever out of the teeth of the control disc, and automatically locks it when the energizer is interrupted. This is advantageous, for example, in the event of a power failure, such as in a serious accident, as the occupant is thereby restrained by the seat belt even in this situation.

[0021] It is further proposed that the connector housing be dimensionally stable and have a non-circular outer shape that corresponds to the shape of the receptacle. If the connector housing is inserted during installation in the vehicle, the proposed solution offers the advantage of improved, rotationally secure insertion of the connector housing into the receptacle. If the connector housing is already positioned in the receptacle of the seatbelt retractor and the seatbelt retractor is contacted via the connector housing, the proposed solution offers the advantage that the connector housing is thereby fixed in the receptacle in a predetermined orientation and can be supported in this position within the receptacle.

[0022] The invention is explained below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying figures. Figs. 1 to 4 show an electrical locking device according to the prior art and a belt retractor with such a locking device; Figs. 5 to 11 show a further developed locking device with a bearing cap and a system cap of a belt retractor according to the invention in various representations.

[0023] An electrically actuated locking device 100 used by the applicant in its products, which corresponds to the embodiment of GB 2 398 824 A, is in the Figures 1 and 2The electrically actuated locking device 100 comprises as basic elements a housing 1 with an L-shaped base structure with a base plate 15 and a first raised leg 16, a locking lever 2 pivotally mounted on the first raised leg 16 of the housing 1, an electromagnet 3, and a first spring 4, which is held at one end to the housing 1 and connected at the other end to a lever arm 22 of the locking lever 2 projecting outwards from the first raised leg 16. The first spring 4 is designed as a tension spring such that it biases the locking lever 2 into a position in which it engages with a locking tip 25 in a toothing 26 of a control disc 21 and thereby holds the control disc 21 against the belt shaft 20. The control disc 21 with the toothing 26 is only in the Figure 3This can be seen in a state-of-the-art seatbelt retractor. When the belt shaft 20 rotates in the extension direction, the locking pawl is automatically forced into an engagement movement with a vehicle-mounted toothed section, and the belt shaft 20 is subsequently blocked against further belt extension. The locking lever 2 comprises a contoured part 24 and a steel plate 5, with the steel plate 5 facing the electromagnet 3. When the electromagnet 3 is energized, the locking lever 2 is attracted by it and thus pulled out of the toothed section 26 of the control disc 21. This allows the belt shaft 20 to rotate freely in both the extension and retraction directions. The advantage of this solution is that the belt shaft 20 remains blocked in the extension direction even in the event of a power failure or a defect in the electromagnet 3, and the occupant is safely restrained in this case as well.

[0024] The electromagnet 3 comprises a base component 6 with a column-shaped central section 7 and two radial flanges 8, one of which projects radially outwards at each end of the central section 7. The electromagnet 3 is held by the base component 6 on the base plate 15 of the housing 1. The base component 6 has a tubular through-section 14 in the central section 7 and an annular space 9 radially outside the central section 7, the annular space 9 being bounded at the ends of the central section 7 by the radial flanges 8. Furthermore, the electromagnet 3 comprises a coil 10 with a plurality of turns, which is arranged in the annular space 9 and is electrically contacted with an external control device via lines 11 provided in the base component 6.Furthermore, the electromagnet 3 comprises a first iron core 12, which is arranged in the tubular passage section 14 of the basic component 6 and faces the steel plate 5 of the locking lever 2 with a free end.

[0025] When the coil 10 is energized, the locking lever 2 is attracted by closing a first magnetic circuit I, defined by the first raised leg 16 of the housing 1, the first iron core 12, and the sections of the locking lever 2 and the base plate 15 between the first iron core 12 and the first raised leg 16, as shown in the right-hand illustration of the Figure 2This can be seen. Furthermore, a damping element 13 in the form of a flexible tube, e.g., a short piece of hose, is provided, which is clamped at its ends between two projections of the radial flange 8 facing the locking lever 2. The damping element 13 is positioned such that the free end of the locking lever 2 does not rest against the damping element 13 in the deflected position (left illustration of the Figure 2 ) and only in the tightened position does it reach the attachment point at the central soft section of the damping element 13 between the clamping points (right illustration of the Figure 2 This dampens the pulling movement of the locking lever 2 in the final phase of the movement. This damping ensures a soft stop and prevents disruptive "rattling noises" during the pulling movement and any subsequent minor movements of the locking lever 2.

[0026] The locking device 100 is attached to a bracket 201 of a bearing cap 200, on which the control disc 21 and / or the belt shaft 20 may be mounted. The bearing cap 200 itself is held on a frame 17 of the belt retractor, as shown in the Figure 4 This can be seen. Furthermore, the bearing cap 200 can have a contour 202 on its outer surface in the form of a toothing or bearing structure for a gear drive for an ELR / ALR switching device. The bearing cap 200 also has a recess 203 through which the control disc 21 arranged in the bearing cap 200 is exposed to the outside, so that the locking lever 2 with its locking tip 25 can engage the toothing 26 of the control disc 21 from the outside.

[0027] The bearing cap 200 is protected on the outside by a [unclear] in the Figure 4The visible system cap 300 is covered, which in turn is attached directly to the frame 17 or indirectly to the frame 17 via the bearing cap 200. The system cap 300 thus covers the bearing cap 200 and the locking device 100 held thereon on the outside and forms protection for the locking device 100 and the other parts on the bearing cap 200 from external mechanical influences.

[0028] The electrically actuated locking device 100 is shown here in an exemplary embodiment in which the locking lever 2 is spring-loaded in the engaged position. However, the electrically actuated locking device 100 can also be designed such that the locking lever is spring-loaded opposite to the direction of engagement and is only driven to engage the toothing 26 by energizing the electromagnet 10 and the resulting magnetic force. Furthermore, an electrically actuated locking device 100 can also be used which triggers the locking of the belt shaft 20 upon energizing or interrupting the current by a differently designed mechanical locking device. The only essential requirement for the invention is that the electrically actuated locking device has electrical leads 11, which must be connected during the installation of the belt retractor or during the installation of the belt retractor in the vehicle.

[0029] In the Figures 5 to 7 A new bearing cap 200, a new system cap 300, and a further developed electrical locking device 100 of a further developed belt retractor are shown. The belt retractor according to the invention is formed by integrating the bearing cap 200, the system cap 300, and the electrical locking device 100 into the belt retractor, which is located in the Figures 3 and 4 shown against a bearing cap 200, a system cap 300 and an electrical locking device 100, as shown in the Figures 5 to 7 can be replaced. Otherwise, the components, especially the frame 17 with its mounting points, of the belt retractor can remain unchanged.

[0030] The electric locking device 100, the bearing cap 200 and the system cap 300 of the Figures 5 to 7 Their basic structure corresponds to that found in the Figures 1 to 4shown electrical locking device 100, bearing cap 200 and system cap 300, wherein the bearing cap 200, the system cap 300 and the locking device 100 are subsequently referred to as the Figures 5 to 7 The bearing cap 200 has a holder 201 in which the electrical locking device 100 is mounted. The holder 201 extends radially outwards to form a partial recess 204. The system cap 300 also has a radially outwardly extending partial recess 301. Furthermore, a plug-in contact housing 500 is provided, which is placed on the free electrical leads 11 of the locking device 100 and connected to them, for example, by crimping.

[0031] In their assembled position, the system cap 300 and the bearing cap 200 together form a receptacle 400 in the space between the partial receptacle 301 of the system cap 300 and the partial receptacle 204 of the bearing cap 200. The plug connector housing 500 is held in this receptacle. For assembly, the plug connector housing 500 is placed onto the electrical leads 11 of the electrical locking device 100. The locking device 100 is then inserted into the holder 201 of the bearing cap 200, and the plug connector housing 500, held by the electrical leads 11, is inserted into the partial receptacle 204. Alternatively, the plug connector housing 500 can also be placed onto the electrical leads 11 after the electrical locking device 100 has already been inserted into the holder 201.The system cap 300 is then fitted, covering the free side of the plug contact housing 500, and the partial receptacle 204 of the bearing cap 200 is completed by the partial receptacle 301 of the system cap 300 to form the receptacle 400. Furthermore, even after the system cap 300 and the bearing cap 200 have been assembled, the plug contact housing 500 can be inserted into the receptacle 400 from the outside, for example, during the installation of the seat belt retractor in the vehicle.

[0032] In the Figure 8 A section of the bearing cap 200 is visible, showing the plug contact housing 500 arranged in the partial view 204. The plug contact housing 500 is shaped such that its end face protrudes from the partial view 204. In the Figure 9A section of the system cap 300 is visible, showing the plug contact housing 500 arranged in the partial view 301. The plug contact housing 500 is shaped such that its front face protrudes from the partial view 301. Furthermore, the plug contact housing 500 is shaped such that it covers the front edges of the partial views 204 and 301, and thus the front edge 401 of the assembled view 400, with a first shoulder 501.

[0033] In the Figures 10 and 11The plug connector housing 500 can be seen in the receptacle 400 in two different cross-sectional planes perpendicular to the electrical conductors 11. The partial receptacles 204 and 301 each have a U-shaped cross-section with a base plate and two laterally projecting and parallel side walls. In the combined position of the system cap 300 and the bearing cap 200, the partial receptacles 204 and 301 combine to form a receptacle 400 with a non-circular cross-section, preferably approximately rectangular or even square, in which the plug connector housing 500 is fixed against rotation with respect to its longitudinal axis or the longitudinal axes of the electrical conductors 11. Furthermore, the partial receptacle 301 of the system cap 300 has a groove 302 arranged on one side, which has a shape corresponding to a projecting lug 503 of the plug connector housing 500.The groove 303 of the partial receptacle 301 and the lug 503 of the plug connector housing 500 together form a shape code that enables and defines the arrangement of the plug connector housing 500 in only one position and orientation within the receptacle 400. Furthermore, the plug connector housing 500 has a second shoulder 502 with which it rests on the edge of the partial receptacle 204, which faces the partial receptacle 301 of the system cap 300. Additionally, the two raised side walls of the partial receptacle 204 are formed into thickened projections 205 and 206 to create detent edges. The raised side walls of the partial receptacle 301 of the system cap 300 are designed as detent arms with corresponding detent edges. To connect the system cap 300 to the bearing cap 200, the locking arms 302 are positively locked in place by locking behind the locking edges of the projections 205 and 206, as shown in the . Figure 11This can be seen. The plug contact housing 500 is secured in the receptacle 400. Furthermore, the plug contact housing 500 is supported by the second shoulder 502 on the upper edge of the partial receptacle 204.

[0034] The plug connector housing 500 is positively locked in the receptacle 400 by virtue of its own cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the non-circular receptacle 400 and being fixed in the receptacle 400 in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, during the insertion of an external plug connector, the plug connector housing 500 is supported by its first shoulder 501 against the end face 401 of the receptacle 400, so that the connection points between the plug connector housing 500 and the electrical wires 11 are not subjected to any load. Similarly, a positive locking connection of the plug connector housing 500 in the receptacle 400 can also be provided in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, i.e., in the removal direction of the external plug connector.

[0035] The additional plug-in contact housing 500 and its securing in the receptacle 400 simplify the contacting process, i.e., the assembly of the belt retractor itself and its installation in the vehicle. Furthermore, the contact is improved because the electrical conductors 11 are no longer subjected to stress during contact formation. Moreover, the contact point of the electrical conductors 11 is relieved of stress by the plug-in contact housing 500 secured in the receptacle 400, as the plug-in contact housing 500 is supported in the receptacle 400 and all reaction forces act within the receptacle 400.

Claims

1. Belt retractor, comprising - a rotatably mounted belt shaft (20) and and - an electrically actuatable blocking device (100) which indirectly or directly brings about blocking of the belt shaft (20) in the pull-out direction upon being actuated, and - an electrical line (11) for bringing the blocking device into contact with an external power supply and / or control device, - a system cap (300) and a bearing cap (200) being provided, and - the bearing cap (200) having a holder (201) for the electrical blocking device (100), and - the system cap (300) covering the bearing cap (200) and the electrical blocking device (100) held thereon from the outside in the installed position, characterized in that - the system cap (300) and the bearing cap (200) each comprise a partial receptacle (301,204) which, in the installed position of the system cap (300) and the bearing cap (200), complement each other in order to form a receptacle (400) for a plug contact housing.

2. Belt retractor according to claim 1, characterized in that - the plug contact housing (500) can be form-fittingly fixed in the receptacle (400) in and / or counter to a plug-in direction predetermined by the plug-in contact housing (500).

3. Belt retractor according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that - the plug contact housing (500) can be form-fittingly fixed in the receptacle (400) in relation to a rotational movement about an axis of rotation oriented in parallel with the longitudinal axes of the electrical lines (11).

4. Belt retractor according to claim 3, characterized in that - the receptacle (400) has a non-circular, preferably quadrilateral, particularly preferably square shape in a plane oriented perpendicularly to a predetermined plug-in direction of the plug contact housing (500).

5. Belt retractor according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receptacle (400) has a shape coding defining the arrangement and / or orientation of the plug contact housing (500).

6. Belt retractor according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that - the plug contact housing (500) projects from the receptacle (400) and is supported by a first shoulder (501) on an outer edge (401) of the receptacle (400).

7. Belt retractor according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that - the plug contact housing (500) is supported on at least one of the two mutually facing edge faces of the partial receptacles (301,204) via a second shoulder (502).

8. Belt retractor according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that - the two partial receptacles (301,204) are connected to each other by a latching connection.

9. Belt retractor according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that - a disk cam (21) rotatably mounted on the belt shaft (20) or on the bearing cap (200) is provided, and - the electrically actuatable blocking device (100) comprises a housing (1) having a base plate (15) and an upright first limb (16), and - comprises a blocking lever (2) which is pivotably mounted in a pivot bearing of the upright first limb (16) and has a steel plate (5), and - the electrically actuatable blocking device (100) stops the disk cam (21) in relation to the belt shaft (20) by means of an engagement of the blocking lever (2) in the toothing the disk cam (21) and thereby forces a blocking pawl into a movement in which it comes to engage in a toothing, fixed to the vehicle, of the belt retractor and blocks the belt shaft (20) in the pull-out direction.

10. Belt retractor according to claim 9, characterized in that - the blocking lever (2) comprises a lever arm (22) which projects outward from the first limb (16) and on which a first spring (4) acts, which spring preloads the blocking lever (2) into a position in which it engages in the toothing (26) of the disk cam (21) by means of a blocking tip (25) arranged at the end of a blocking arm (23).

11. Belt retractor according to claim 10, characterized in that - the blocking device (100) comprises an electromagnet (3) arranged in the housing (1), which exerts a force on the blocking lever (2) by energization, by means of which force said blocking lever is pulled out of the toothing (26) of the disk cam (21) together with the blocking tip (25).

12. Belt retractor according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that - the plug contact housing (500) is dimensionally stable and has a non-circular outer shape corresponding to the shape of the receptacle (400).