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 provides 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 tightening movement, a tightening 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 can be connected to the piston and to the safety belt component to cause a fastening movement; a fastening 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] The above-mentioned object is achieved in particular by a tensioning device having the features mentioned at the outset, in which the tensioning cable extends through a frame on a side facing away from the tensioner tube, and an end cap is inserted into the frame and at least partially engages with the frame, the end cap being attached to the frame in particular from the side facing away from the tensioner tube.

[0013] In other words, the present invention, in its basic concept, is such that end caps, particularly made of different materials (e.g., plastic), are not only attached to the frame in an overlapping manner, but also have at least one section that engages with the frame, and the at least one section that engages with the frame preferably performs a certain function.

[0014] For example, it may be provided that the end caps are mounted on the outside of the frame with a section engaging the frame and a section extending outside the frame at the same time. The placement of the end caps on the inside and outside provides a seal that prevents or makes it difficult for hot compressed gas leaking from the pressure chamber along the cable guide to leak out the side of the tensioning device covered by the end caps.

[0015] In principle, it is conceivable that the end caps only partially surround both the inside and outside of the frame. However, a preferred embodiment provides that the end caps circumferentially close the frame on the end face facing away from the tensioner tube, thereby covering and completely closing the end face facing away from the tensioner tube. For example, if the frame is U-shaped in cross section, the end caps have a U-shaped section that engages with the end cap, and at the same time, the end caps have a section that extends over the outside of the U-shaped frame and rests on the outside of the frame. The area of ​​the end cap located between the U-shaped areas is specifically designed to cover the entire surface, thereby completely closing the frame on the side facing away from the tensioner tube.

[0016] In addition to or instead of the sealing effect of the engagement section, the end cap can be provided with a guide section that engages with the frame and forms a guide for the tension cable. The guide section is designed so that the tension cable rests on it in the installed state. In particular, the guide section has a groove-like recess, the dimensions of which are adapted to the outer circumference of the tension cable. The groove-like recess has a curvature in the direction of the tension cable and determines the deflection of the tension cable, particularly outside the curved tension cable. In particular, the guide section is configured so that the tension cable is deflected by approximately 90°, if necessary in combination with other elements of the tensioning device.

[0017] Since the end caps can be easily installed on and / or in the frame, the end caps can also be exchanged for different purposes of the tensioning device. For example, if the tensioning cable is to be guided linearly in the tension direction of the piston, the end cap can have, for example, a circular opening as a guide section through which the tensioning cable is guided out of the frame.

[0018] Additionally, it can be provided that the section engaging the frame is designed as a fixed section, and the frame, the fixed section, and the tensioning cable cooperate with one another so that the tensioning cable is secured against unintentional movement by at least one fixed section. This is achieved in particular by the fixed section, the attached end cap, coming into contact with the tensioning cable and thereby applying a force that prevents the tensioning cable from moving. Without this force, the tensioning cable could still move before the final assembly of the tensioning device. On the other hand, the applied force is so small that it does not significantly affect the fastening process.

[0019] In one embodiment, it is provided in this regard that at least one guide section of the end cap that engages with the frame is deformed when inserted into the frame, thereby securing the tension cable against unintentional movement. Therefore, the at least one fixing section is deformed only during insertion, in particular only at the end of the insertion process, so that a force is exerted on the tension cable to prevent unintentional movement. For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the frame has a corresponding geometric design in which the fixing section is inserted into the frame, and deformation of the fixing section occurs due to the geometric design. Such deformation is also understood as deflection of the fixing section.

[0020] Deformation of the fixed section can also press the tension cable against another element of the tensioning device, whereby the tension cable is clamped between the fixed section and the other element.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that two fixing sections are provided which engage with the frame and which, when inserted, deform from both sides towards the tensioning cable, making it possible to clamp the tensioning cable between the two safety sections.

[0022] When designing the section of the end cap that engages with the frame, it can also be provided that the section that physically engages with the frame has several functions: for example, it can be provided that part of the section described above as a guide section, on the one hand, serves to guide the tension cable, and, on the other hand, rests inside the frame and thus forms an inner sealing section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] 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

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The tensioning device also comprises a frame 7 which, in the installed state, is arranged with the engagement section within the fastening tube 5 .

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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 .

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, 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.

[0037] In the embodiment of Figure 6, only the end cap 8 has been exchanged for this purpose, the guide section 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.

[0038] The proposed tensioning device can therefore only be adapted to other applications by exchanging individual components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 gas generator 2 pistons 3 Tensile Cable 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 element 9.1 Deflection surface 9.2 Bushing Receptacle 10 Bushing 11 Plug Elements 12 Cable guide

Claims

1. A tensioning device for a safety belt component, - An inflator (1) for generating pressurized gas, - A piston (2) that can be driven by the pressurized gas, - A tension cable (3) is connected to the piston (2) and can be connected to a safety belt component (4) to move tension, - A tensioner tube (5) for receiving and guiding the piston (2), - A receptacle (6) that houses the gas inflator (1), It has, The tension cable (3) extends through the frame (7) on the side opposite to the tensioner tube (5), and the end cap (8) is inserted into the frame (7), and the end cap (8) is at least partially engaged with the frame (7), Tension device.

2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the end cap (8) abuts at least partially with the edge of the frame (7) both internally and externally.

3. The tensioning device according to claim 2, wherein the end cap (8) closes the frame (7) in the circumferential direction with the end face facing the opposite side of the tensioner tube (5).

4. The tensioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide section (8.1) of the end cap (8) that engages with the frame (7) forms a guide for the tension cable (3).

5. The tensioning device according to claim 4, wherein the guide section (8.1) is configured to deflect the tension cable by 90°.

6. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the frame (7), at least one fixing section (8.4) of the end cap (8) that engages with the frame, and the tension cable (3) are aligned with each other so that the tension cable (3) is secured by the at least one fixing section (8.4) against unintended movement.

7. The tensioning device according to claim 6, wherein at least one fixing section (8.4) of the end cap (8) that engages with the frame (7) deforms when inserted into the frame (7), thereby fixing the tension cable (3) against unintended movement.

8. The tensioning device according to claim 7, wherein the two fixing sections (8.4) of the end cap (8) that engage with the frame (7) deform toward the tension cable (3) when inserted from both sides.

9. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the end cap (8) is inserted onto the frame (7) from the end facing the opposite side of the tensioner tube (5).

10. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the frame (7) is formed from a metal sheet and, in particular, has a U-shape in cross-section.

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