Tensioning device for safety belt components

Abstract

In particular, it provides a tensioning device that can be more easily adapted to different requirements. [Solution] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a safety belt component, comprising a gas generator (1) for generating pressurized gas, a piston (2) that can be driven by the pressurized gas, a tensioning cable (3) connected to the piston (2) and that can be connected to a safety belt component (4) to cause a fastening movement, a fastening tube (5) for receiving and guiding the piston (2), and a receptacle (6) that houses the gas generator (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a safety belt component, the tensioning device comprising: a gas generator for generating pressurized gas; a piston that can be driven by the pressurized gas; a tensioning cable that is connected to the piston and can be connected to the safety belt component to cause a tightening movement; a tightening tube for receiving and guiding the piston; and a receptacle that houses the gas generator. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a tensioning device is known, for example, from German Patent No. 102020103157 (A1), in which both the receptacle for the gas generator and the cable deflection section outside the area exposed to the pressurized gas are formed as a single component in a guide block. A fastening tube is arranged on the guide block, and upon triggering the tensioning device, the pressurized gas generated by the gas generator enters the fastening tube, thereby driving a piston arranged in the fastening tube. The cable deflection section, integrally formed in the guide block, is shaped on the side facing away from the fastening tube so that the tensioning cable can be guided linearly (offset parallel, if necessary) from the guide block in the direction of piston movement, or alternatively, deflected by more than 90°. With such a design of the guide block, changing the offset of the tensioning cable relative to the piston movement direction or changing the deflection angle requires a complete redesign of the deflection block. Summary of the Invention

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described with respect to the prior art, and in particular to provide a tensioning device that can be more easily adapted to different requirements.

[0004] To this end, a tensioning device is proposed, which has a frame arranged on the opposite side of the fastening tube and through which the tensioning cable passes after leaving the space of the safety belt component on which pressurized gas can be applied. The frame can be made, for example, from sheet metal formed into a shape, in particular with a U-shaped cross section. The frame serves, in particular, to accommodate additional components of the tensioning device. In particular, components that serve to deflect or guide the cable outside the space exposed to pressurized gas are attached to the frame. Thus, the frame can be designed similarly for different applications of the tensioning device, while the components for deflecting the tensioning cable can be adapted to different applications (e.g., 90° deflection or straight passage).

[0005] A receptacle for the gas generator is arranged so that pressurized gas generated by the gas generator enters the fastening tube and drives a piston therein. Preferably, the receptacle is arranged within the fastening tube.

[0006] Additionally, a cable guide can be provided where the tension cable exits the fastening tube, the cable guide being disposed within the fastening tube in a suitable sealing manner and preferably also providing a seal along the tension cable.

[0007] Preferably, the receptacle for the gas generator as well as the cable guide are arranged completely within the fastening tube.

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

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the receptacle for the gas generator and the cable guide are integrally formed, the receptacle and the cable guide being located completely within the fastening tube.

[0010] Preferably, the fastening tube has a section with a circular cross section, in which the piston is arranged and along which the piston is driven by pressure. The fastening tube also has a region whose cross section deviates from the circular cross section. This region preferably has an oval cross section. The receptacle and the cable guide are arranged in particular in the region of the fastening tube whose cross section deviates from the circular cross section. The receptacle for the gas generator is arranged and designed so that the pressurized gas generated by the gas generator can be introduced directly into the fastening tube and thus directly reach the piston. In particular, the pressurized gas is introduced into the region of the fastening tube whose cross-sectional design changes. Therefore, the pressurized gas is not guided into the space limited by the cable deflector and from there to the piston. This allows the pressurized gas to cool slightly before coming into direct contact with the tensile cable arranged in the fastening tube.

[0011] The solution to the object mentioned at the outset is provided in particular by a tensioning device having the features set out in independent claim 1. Further solutions and advantageous developments of the tensioning device are specified in the above description as well as in the following dependent claims, the individual features of the advantageous developments being capable of being combined with one another in any technically reasonable manner.

[0012] This object is achieved in particular by a tensioning device having the characteristics mentioned at the outset, in which the tensioning cable runs through a frame at the end facing away from the tensioner tube, and a deflection element is attached to the frame, with the tensioning cable directly abutting the deflection element. The deflection element is an independent component, and is therefore independent of the cable guide, through which the tensioning cable is guided from the fastening tube. The deflection element can therefore be adapted to a specific application of the tensioning device without requiring changes to other components of the tensioning device.

[0013] To deflect the tension cable, the deflection element has a deflection surface that is at least partially circular in cross section and abuts against the tension cable. The deflection element is in particular formed by a deflection surface that is circular in cross section over at least 90°, preferably at least 120°, particularly preferably at least 180° of its circumferential surface. The deflection element is in particular arranged so that the tension cable abuts against the deflection surface with its inner section deformed by the deflection surface.

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

[0015] For storage in the frame, the deflection element has a particularly circular receptacle in which the bushing is guided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the circular receptacle is arranged eccentrically with respect to the circular deflection surface of the deflection element, thereby making it easier to adapt the deflection element to different applications (linear passage of the tension cable or deflection of the tension cable). Different deflection elements can be used depending on whether the tension cable is deflected by 90° or whether the tension cable is guided over the deflection element linearly or offset in the direction of movement of the piston. In particular, the receptacle is arranged eccentrically offset towards the circular deflection surface.

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

[0017] For an overall space-saving configuration and / or to avoid a rotational movement of the biasing element around its bearing, it can be provided that the outer contour of another component of the tensioning device is adapted to the outer contour of the biasing element. In particular, the additional component can also rest on the outer contour of the biasing element at least during the fastening process, thereby preventing a rotational movement of the biasing element.

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

[0019] The invention and the technical environment will now be described by way of example with reference to the figures. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tensioning device. [Figure 2] 1 shows an exploded view of the tensioning device. [Figure 3] 1 shows a cross section through the tensioning device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the end cap. [Figure 5] 1 shows a perspective view of a deflection element. [Figure 6] 10 shows a cross-sectional view through another embodiment of a tensioning device having a straight cable passage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The tensioning device shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a clamping tube 5 in which a piston rod 2 is mounted and arranged. The piston 2 is rigidly connected to a tensioning cable 3 which is inserted into the clamping tube 5 and is connected on the other side to a safety component 4 for clamping movement.

[0021] The tensioning device also comprises a component in which a cable guide 12 and a receptacle 6 for the gas generator 1 are formed. In the installed state, this component is located in a section of the fastening tube 5 having an oval cross section.

[0022] The tensioning device also comprises a frame 7 which, in the installed state, is arranged with the engagement section within the fastening tube 5 .

[0023] The deflection element 9 is mounted to the frame 7 by bushings 10 which, in the mounted state, pass through receptacles 9.2 of the deflection element 9 and are located on either side of the deflection element 9 in corresponding openings in the frame 7 which are U-shaped in cross section.

[0024] The tensioning device also comprises an end cap 8 which is attached to the frame 7 from the side facing opposite the fastening tube 5 .

[0025] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the end cap 8 has several sections which are arranged within the frame 7 in the mounted state.

[0026] The end cap 8 is therefore arranged in the frame in the mounted state and has a guide section 8.1 which is valley-shaped and has a curvature along the direction of the tension cable.

[0027] The end cap 8 also has an inner sealing section 8.2, which is arranged inside the frame 7 in the mounted state and abuts against the frame 7. At the same time, an outer sealing section 8.3 abuts against the outside of the frame 7. By combining the inner sealing section 8.2 and the outer sealing section 8.3, the frame 7 is sealed on the side facing away from the fastening tube 5, so that pressurized gas leaking from the cable guide 12 cannot leak out the front side of the frame 7 but is deflected.

[0028] In addition, the sides of the valley-shaped guide section 8.1 are designed so that when the end cap 8 is inserted, they are pressed onto the tension cable 3 on both sides by the frame 7, thereby fixing the tension cable 3 against unintentional movement. The end cap 8 thus forms the fixing section 8.4. However, the force exerted by the fixing section 8.4 on the tension cable 3 is not so great as to hinder the fastening process.

[0029] As can be seen from Figure 5, the deflection element 9 has an outer surface, referred to as deflection surface 9.1, which has the circular shape of the cross section shown in Figure 3. The receptacle 9.2 for the bushing 10 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the deflection surface 9.1, in particular offset towards the deflection surface 9.1.

[0030] The tensioning device also comprises a plug element 11 by means of which a cable can be connected to the gas generator 1. The outer contour of the plug element 11 is adapted to the outer contour of the deflection element 9.

[0031] To start the fastening process, the gas generator 1 is ignited, whereby pressurized gas enters the section of the fastening tube 5 having a circular cross section and drives the piston 2 there along the fastening tube 5. The driven piston 2 causes the safety belt component 4 to perform a fastening movement, and the tension cable 3 is deflected by the deflection element 9 and the guide section 8.1 of the end cap 8.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tensioning cable 3 is deflected by approximately 90°, as shown in FIG. 6, but the tensioning device can also be adapted by exchanging some parts so that the tensioning cable 3 exits the frame 7 in a straight extension in the direction of movement of the piston 2.

[0033] In the embodiment of Figure 6, only the end cap 8 has been exchanged for this purpose, the guide section 8.1 being designed as an opening through which the tension cable 3 emerges. To achieve an optionally different deflection and / or alignment of the tension cable 3, the deflection element 9 can also be designed differently.

[0034] The proposed tensioning device can therefore only be adapted to other applications by exchanging individual components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 gas generator 2 pistons 3 tension cables 4 Safety Belt Components 5 Tensioner tube 6 receptacles 7 frames 8 end caps 8.1 Guide Section 8.2 Inner sealing section 8.3 Outer sealing section 8.4 Fixed Section 9 deflection elements 9.1 Deflection surface 9.2 Bushing Receptacle 10 bushings 11 plug elements 12 cable guide

Claims

1. 1. A tensioning device for a safety belt component, comprising: an inflator (1) for generating pressurized gas; - a piston (2) that can be driven by said pressurized gas; a tension cable (3) connected to said piston (2) and connectable to a safety belt component (4) for tensioning; - a tensioner tube (5) for receiving and guiding said piston (2); - a receptacle (6) for accommodating said gas generator (1); and characterised in that the tensioning cable (3) extends through a frame (7) at the end facing away from the tensioner tube (5), a deflection element (9) is attached to the frame (7) and the tensioning cable (3) directly abuts the deflection element (9), Tension device.

2. 2. A tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the deflecting element (9) has a deflecting surface (9.1) that is at least partially circular in cross section and against which the tensioning cable (3) abuts.

3. 3. A tensioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deflecting element (9) is mounted on the frame (7) by a bushing (10), preferably having a circular receptacle (9.2) for the bushing (10).

4. 4. The tensioning device according to claim 3, wherein the circular receptacle (9.2) is arranged eccentrically with respect to the circular deflection surface (9.1).

5. 2. A tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the deflecting element (9) is flat in the section where it is not abutted by the tensioning cable (3).

6. 2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the outer contour of a further component of the tensioning device is adapted to the outer contour of the deflecting element (9).

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

8. 2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (6) for the gas generator (1) is formed integrally with a cable guide (12) through which the tension cable (3) is guided out of the tensioner tube (5), the receptacle (6) and the cable guide (12) being entirely arranged within the tensioner tube (5).

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

10. 10. The tensioning device of claim 9, wherein when triggered, the pressurized gas is applied to the piston (2) through the change in cross section of the tensioner tube (5).

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