Vehicle sensors, seat belt retractors, and seat belt devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle sensor, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt device that can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the lower tray surface of the spherical mass body constituting the vehicle sensor and the generation of abnormal noise. [Solution] The vehicle sensor 5 comprises a spherical mass body 51, a casing 52 having a lower tray surface 52a that supports the mass body 51 so that it can orbit, and an actuator 53 positioned on the upper part of the mass body 51 and configured to engage with teeth formed on the components of the seat belt retractor 1 when the mass body 51 moves in a predetermined direction due to inertial force. The casing 52 is positioned outside the lower tray surface 52a and has an opening 55 formed in front of the center point of the mass body 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle sensor, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt device, and particularly to a vehicle sensor disposed on a vehicle seat, a seat belt retractor provided with the vehicle sensor, and a seat belt device.

Background Art

[0002] In vehicles such as automobiles, a seat belt device for restraining an occupant is generally provided on a seat having a seat portion on which the occupant sits and a backrest portion located at the back of the occupant. Such a seat belt device includes a webbing for restraining the occupant and a seat belt retractor for winding up the webbing.

[0003] Further, the seat belt retractor often includes a spool for winding up the webbing, a base frame for rotatably accommodating the spool, a spring unit for applying a winding force to the spool, a vehicle sensor for detecting a sudden deceleration of the vehicle, a lock mechanism that is actuated by the vehicle sensor to engage the spool with the base frame, and a pretensioner for removing slack of the webbing in an emergency such as during a vehicle collision.

[0004] The vehicle sensor includes, for example, a sensor arm and a ball weight that relatively moves on a sensor case when receiving a speed change of a predetermined level or more and meshes the sensor arm with teeth of a ratchet wheel, as described in Patent Document 1. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses that a non-contact recess for enhancing sensor sensitivity with respect to a predetermined direction is formed in a conical recess of the sensor case, and a hole for discharging dust that has entered the sensor case from the conical recess is formed.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a spherical mass body has a central opening formed by an annular portion on its surface, and a number of openings including V-shaped slots that form a number of radially protruding ribs extending from the central opening to the outer circumference of the tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-278737 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 9434347 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, while forming an opening (for example, a central opening, a V-shaped slot) in the lower pan surface (receiving pan surface) can increase the possibility of discharging contaminants that have entered the lower pan surface (receiving pan surface), it is based on the premise that contaminants will enter the lower pan surface (receiving pan surface), and there is a possibility that the contaminants may get stuck between the mass and the receiving pan surface.

[0008] Furthermore, as in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if recesses or openings are formed in the lower tray surface (receiving tray surface) that supports a mass (inertial body, ball weight, etc.), there is a possibility that abnormal noise will be generated when the mass comes into contact with the edges forming the recesses or openings during the movement of the mass.

[0009] This invention was conceived in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a vehicle sensor, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt device that can suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the lower tray surface of the spherical mass body constituting the vehicle sensor and the generation of abnormal noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides a vehicle sensor comprising: a spherical mass body; a casing having a lower tray surface that supports the mass body so as to be able to orbit; and an actuator disposed on the upper part of the mass body and configured to engage with teeth formed on a component of a seat belt retractor when the mass body moves in a predetermined direction due to inertial force, wherein the casing is located outside the lower tray surface and has an opening formed at a position forward of the center point of the mass body.

[0011] The actuator comprises an umbrella portion positioned on the upper part of the mass body, a pivot shaft portion rotatably connected to the casing, a claw portion located on the opposite side of the pivot shaft portion and positioned on the upper part of the umbrella portion, and a connecting portion connecting the umbrella portion and the pivot shaft portion, wherein the lower plate surface may be configured to be included inside the projected area when the umbrella portion and the connecting portion are viewed from above.

[0012] The umbrella portion may be positioned to tilt forward.

[0013] The casing may have a groove formed along the outer circumference of the lower plate surface, and the opening may be formed within the groove.

[0014] The groove portion may be formed such that the groove width in the portion forming the opening is larger than that in other portions.

[0015] The casing may have a central opening formed in the center of the lower tray surface.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention provides a seat belt retractor characterized by being equipped with a vehicle sensor having any of the above-described configurations.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides a seat belt device characterized by comprising a vehicle sensor having any of the above-described configurations. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the vehicle sensor, seat belt retractor, and seat belt device according to the present invention described above, contaminants that have entered the vehicle sensor can be discharged to the outside from the opening before reaching the lower dish surface, and the intrusion of contaminants onto the lower dish surface can be suppressed. Further, in the present invention, since the opening is formed outside the lower dish surface, it does not come into contact with the opening when the mass body moves, and the generation of abnormal noise can also be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is an exploded view of parts showing a seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded view of parts of a vehicle sensor. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory view of a casing, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a plan view. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of a casing, showing (A) a state where the mass body is in an initial position and (B) a state where the mass body is in a maximum movable position. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory view showing the assembled state of a vehicle sensor, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a plan view. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory view showing a modified example of a vehicle sensor, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a plan view. [Figure 7] It is an overall configuration diagram showing a seat belt device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Here, Figure 1 is an exploded view of the components of a seat belt retractor according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of a vehicle sensor. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the casing, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a plan view. In this specification and drawings, the X axis means the horizontal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the spool, the Y axis means the direction in which the spool rotates, and the Z axis means the vertical direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the spool.

[0021] A seat belt retractor 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a spool 2 for winding up webbing, a base frame 3 for rotatably housing the spool 2, a spring unit 4 for applying winding force to the spool 2, a vehicle sensor 5 for detecting sudden deceleration of the vehicle, a locking mechanism 6 that is activated by the vehicle sensor 5 to engage the spool 2 with the base frame 3, and a retainer cover 7 that houses the locking mechanism 6 and the vehicle sensor 5. For the sake of clarity, the diagram of the webbing has been omitted in Figure 1.

[0022] Furthermore, the seat belt retractor 1 may have a pretensioner (not shown) that removes slack in the webbing in emergencies such as vehicle collisions. The pretensioner is located, for example, inside the base frame 3 adjacent to the locking mechanism 6. Alternatively, the pretensioner may be located outside the base frame 3 adjacent to the locking mechanism 6, or inside the spring unit 4.

[0023] Spool 2 is a winding drum for winding webbing, and for example, one end is rotatably supported by a spring unit 4, and the other end is connected to a component (locking base 64) of the locking mechanism 6. The locking base 64 is rotatably supported by a retainer cover 7 via a cap 65 (bearing).

[0024] The base frame 3 is, for example, a frame structure having a roughly rectangular U-shaped cross-section, with a pair of wall members 32 and 33 forming the sides at both ends of a wall member 31 that forms the back (rear side in the X-axis direction in the figure). The wall member 32 has an opening 32a through which the end of the spool 2 is inserted, and engaging teeth 32b are formed on its inner circumferential surface. The wall member 33 also has an opening 33a for connecting the end of the spool 2 to the spring unit 4. A tie plate 34 forming the front (front side in the X-axis direction in the figure) may be connected to the tips of the wall members 32 and 33.

[0025] The spring unit 4 incorporates, for example, a mainspring that biases the spool 2 in the winding direction. The spring unit 4 is positioned, for example, on the outside of the base frame 3 opposite the locking mechanism 6. Note that the spring unit 4 is not limited to a spring type and may also be electrically operated.

[0026] The locking mechanism 6 is a mechanism that restricts the extension of the webbing in emergencies such as vehicle collisions. The locking mechanism 6 includes, for example, a locking gear 61 arranged coaxially so as to be rotatable relative to the spool 2, a pawl 62 arranged so as to be engageable with the base frame 3, a flywheel 63 arranged on the locking gear 61 that moves the pawl 62 by the relative rotation between the spool 2 and the locking gear 61, and a locking base 64 arranged between the spool 2 and the locking gear 61. Note that the locking mechanism 6 is not limited to the configuration shown in the illustration.

[0027] The locking base 64 is a substantially disc-shaped component connected to the end of the spool 2. The locking base 64 is inserted through the opening 32a of the base frame 3 and is positioned so that its outer circumference faces the engaging teeth 32b. The locking base 64 has a thickness that can accommodate the pawl 62, and a housing portion 64a is formed on a part of its outer circumference that provides a space for accommodating the pawl 62. The locking base 64 also has a shaft portion 64b that constitutes the rotation axis of the spool 2.

[0028] Paul 62 comprises a first end 62a rotatably positioned on a projection formed on the locking base 64, and a second end 62b configured to pivot around the first end 62a. The second end 62b comprises a pin 62c inserted into a guide groove 61d formed on the lock gear 61, and an engaging claw 62d that can engage with the engaging teeth 32b of the base frame 3.

[0029] As the spool 2 (locking base 64) rotates relative to the lock gear 61, the pin 62c of the pawl 62 moves along the guide groove 61d, pushing the second end 62b radially outward from the side of the locking base 64, and the engaging claw 62d engages with the engaging teeth 32b of the base frame 3. This engagement locks the rotation of the spool 2 and restricts the extension of the webbing. The second end 62b of the pawl 62 is biased radially inward by the pawl spring 62e to prevent the engaging claw 62d from protruding radially outward from the side of the locking base 64.

[0030] The lock gear 61 comprises, for example, a disc portion 61a positioned to face the locking base 64, an outer peripheral wall 61b erected outward along the outer edge of the disc portion 61a, and a central portion 61c inserted through the shaft portion 64b of the locking base 64. The flywheel 63 is positioned in the space formed by the disc portion 61a and the outer peripheral wall 61b.

[0031] The disc portion 61a has a guide groove 61d for guiding the pin 62c of the pole 62, a pivot shaft 61e for pivotally supporting the flywheel 63, and the like. The outer surface of the outer wall 61b has teeth 61f that can engage with the vehicle sensor 5.

[0032] The flywheel 63 has a curved or bent shape that allows it to be inserted into the space surrounded by the disc portion 61a, outer wall 61b, and central part 61c of the lock gear 61. The lock gear 61 also has a hook spring 63a that biases the flywheel 63 in the opposite direction to the relative rotation direction. If the webbing is faster than the normal pulling speed, the flywheel 63 swings and engages with the internal teeth formed in the retainer cover 7.

[0033] When the rotation of the lock gear 61 is restricted by the operation of the flywheel 63 or the vehicle sensor 5, relative rotation occurs between the locking base 64 and the lock gear 61, and the pawl 62 protrudes radially outward from the side of the locking base 64 as a result of this relative rotation.

[0034] The retainer cover 7 is a cover member comprising a first housing portion 71 having a recess for housing the lock gear 61 that constitutes the lock mechanism 6, and a second housing portion 72 having a recess for housing the vehicle sensor 5. The retainer cover 7 is fixed to the base frame 3. An opening 35 for fitting the vehicle sensor 5 may be formed in the end face of the base frame 3.

[0035] The vehicle sensor 5 comprises a spherical mass body 51, a casing 52 having a lower tray surface 52a that supports the mass body 51 so that it can orbit, an actuator 53 positioned on the upper part of the mass body 51 and configured to engage with teeth 61f formed on a component (lock gear 61) of the seat belt retractor 1 when the mass body 51 moves in a predetermined direction due to inertial force, and a cover member 54 that fixes the casing 52 to the seat belt retractor 1.

[0036] The mass 51 is a metal sphere having a predetermined weight. Furthermore, when the mass 51 is subjected to a predetermined load due to vibrations during normal vehicle operation, it has the property of rotating on its own axis while revolving on the lower plate surface 52a of the casing 52.

[0037] The casing 52 includes, for example, a base portion 52b with a lower dish surface 52a formed on its upper surface, a pair of support columns 52c formed on the base portion 52b that rotatably support the actuator 53, a front projection 52d positioned on the front side of the base portion 52b in the X-axis direction and engaging with the cover member 54, and a rear projection 52e positioned on the rear side of the base portion 52b in the X-axis direction and engaging with the cover member 54.

[0038] The lower tray surface 52a has a curved surface, such as a spherical or conical shape. The curved surface of the lower tray surface 52a is formed so that when a predetermined load is applied to the mass body 51 due to vehicle vibration or the like, the mass body 51 revolves around the surface. In addition, a central opening 52f is formed in the center of the lower tray surface 52a for setting the initial position of the mass body 51. In this specification, "revolve" means that the mass body 51 rotates around the central opening 52f.

[0039] The base portion 52b has a substantially flat plate shape, and a lower plate surface 52a is formed on its upper surface. The support column 52c is erected vertically at the rear corner of the base portion 52b in the X-axis direction. The support column 52c also includes a bearing portion 52g that rotatably supports the pivot shaft portion 53b of the actuator 53. A support member 52h may also be placed between the two support columns 52c.

[0040] Furthermore, a wall member 52i is positioned on the front side of the base portion 52b in the X-axis direction, forming a space for housing the mass body 51. The wall member 52i may be positioned separately at the corner of the base portion 52b, or it may be formed integrally with it.

[0041] The front projection 52d is positioned on the front surface (front side in the X-axis direction) of the base portion 52b. For example, as shown in the figure, the front projection 52d is positioned to span across the front surfaces of a pair of wall members 52i. The front projection 52d may be equipped with claws or the like that can be locked onto the cover member 54. Note that the shape of the front projection 52d is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure.

[0042] The rear projection 52e is located on the rear surface (rear side in the X-axis direction) of the base portion 52b. The rear projection 52e may be equipped with a claw or the like that can be locked onto the cover member 54. Note that the shape of the rear projection 52e is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure.

[0043] Furthermore, the casing 52 is located outside the lower pan surface 52a and has an opening 55 formed at a position forward in the X-axis direction from the center point of the mass body 51. In Figure 3(B), the outer shape of the mass body 51 is shown by a dashed line. Here, "outside the lower pan surface 52a" means the upper surface area of ​​the base portion 52b, outside the diameter of the lower pan surface 52a.

[0044] In Figure 3(B), if L is a straight line passing through the center point of the mass body 51 and parallel to the Y-axis, the opening 55 is formed within the gray-shaded area in the figure. The number of openings 55 is not limited to one, but may be two or more. The shape of the opening 55 is not limited to the shape shown, and any shape can be adopted depending on the situation, such as an elongated oval, circular, elliptical, rectangular, slit, or C-shaped.

[0045] Furthermore, the casing 52 has a groove 56 formed along the outer circumference of the lower tray surface 52a, and the opening 55 may be formed on the bottom surface of the groove 56. The groove 56 is a recess formed in the upper surface region of the base portion 52b and is formed over the entire outer circumference of the lower tray surface 52a. The groove 56 may also have a widened portion 56a in which the groove width in the portion forming the opening 55 is larger than in other portions. The opening 55 only needs to be formed within the groove 56 and may be formed in a location other than the bottom surface (for example, the side portion of the groove 56, the bottom corner portion of the groove 56, etc.).

[0046] Here, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the casing, where (A) shows the mass body in its initial position and (B) shows the mass body in its maximum movable position. In Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the outer shape of the mass body 51 is shown by a dashed line.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the groove 56 is formed along the outer circumference of the lower pan surface 52a, and the inner edge of the groove 56 forms the boundary line of the lower pan surface 52a on the upper surface of the base portion 52b. As shown in Figure 4(B), if we define the maximum movable position of the mass body 51 in the forward direction in the X-axis direction as Fmax and the maximum movable position of the mass body 51 in the backward direction in the X-axis direction as Rmax, then the size of the lower pan surface 52a is set such that the contact point between the mass body 51 and the lower pan surface 52a does not deviate from the area of ​​the lower pan surface 52a.

[0048] In this way, by setting the size of the lower tray surface 52a to the minimum possible size, space can be secured for forming the groove 56 on the upper surface of the base portion 52b. The outer edge of the groove 56 is formed in a position that does not come into contact with the mass 51 when the mass 51 reaches its maximum forward and backward movable positions Fmax,Rmax.

[0049] In this embodiment, the groove 56 is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the outer circumference of the lower pan surface 52a, but the shape of the groove 56 is not limited to an annular shape. For example, the groove 56 may be formed along a part of the outer circumference of the lower pan surface 52a, or multiple grooves 56 may be distributed along the outer circumference of the lower pan surface 52a.

[0050] The actuator 53 includes, for example, as shown in Figure 2, an umbrella portion 53a positioned on the upper part of the mass body 51, a pivot shaft portion 53b rotatably connected to the casing 52, a claw portion 53c located on the opposite side of the pivot shaft portion 53b and positioned on the upper part of the umbrella portion 53a, and a connecting portion 53d connecting the umbrella portion 53a and the pivot shaft portion 53b.

[0051] The umbrella portion 53a has a substantially circular outer shape and a curved surface on its lower surface that contacts the surface of the mass body 51. The curved surface may be spherical or conical. This curved surface is formed so that the actuator 53 does not move up and down when the mass body 51 revolves on the lower pan surface 52a along the aforementioned orbital path.

[0052] The pivot shaft portion 53b has a substantially cylindrical shape with its axis in the Y-axis direction. Both ends of the pivot shaft portion 53b are inserted into the bearing portion 52g of the support column 52c and are rotatably supported. Since the umbrella portion 53a is connected to the side surface of the pivot shaft portion 53b via the connecting portion 53d, if the position of the mass body 51 changes in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) due to the movement of the mass body 51 in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), the pivot shaft portion 53b can rotate to follow the vertical movement of the mass body 51 and move up and down.

[0053] The claw portion 53c is configured to engage with the teeth portion 61f formed on the outer circumference of the lock gear 61 when the lock gear 61 rotates relative to the spool 2. Note that the shape of the claw portion 53c is not limited to the illustrated configuration.

[0054] The cover member 54 includes, for example, a side wall portion 54a that fits into the opening 35 of the base frame 3, a front support portion 54b that engages with the front projection 52d of the casing 52, and a rear support portion 54c that engages with the rear projection 52e of the casing 52, as shown in Figure 2. The side wall portion 54a has a convex shape that is inserted into the opening 35 and includes a flange portion 54d that contacts the end face of the base frame 3 to form a stopper.

[0055] The vehicle sensor 5 is fixed to the base frame 3 via a cover member 54, and the opposite side is housed in the second housing portion 72 of the retainer cover 7.

[0056] Here, Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the assembled state of the vehicle sensor, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. In Figure 5(A), the mass body 51 is shown in its initial position. In Figure 5(B), the lower tray surface 52a is shown with a dashed line.

[0057] The umbrella portion 53a is positioned on the upper part of the mass body 51 so as to be tilted forward in the X-axis direction of the mass body 51. Specifically, the apex of the curved surface of the umbrella portion 53a is located forward in the X-axis direction from a position directly above the center point of the mass body 51. In other words, the line connecting the apex of the curved surface of the umbrella portion 53a and the center point of the mass body 51 lies on a straight line with a predetermined inclination in the XZ plane. Alternatively, the umbrella portion 53a can be described as being positioned such that the height of the rotating end where the claw portion 53c is located is lower than the height of the rotating shaft portion 53b.

[0058] Therefore, any foreign matter that enters from above the umbrella portion 53a and comes into contact with the surface of the umbrella portion 53a tends to fall towards the forward side of the mass body 51 in the X-axis direction.

[0059] Furthermore, contaminants tend to enter from the front of the casing 52 in the X-axis direction. When contaminants enter from the front of the casing 52 in the X-axis direction, they tend to collide with the mass body 51 or the actuator 53 and fall towards the front of the mass body 51 in the X-axis direction.

[0060] Therefore, as shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the casing 52 of the vehicle sensor 5 according to this embodiment is provided with an opening 55 located outside the lower tray surface 52a and formed in a position forward in the X-axis direction from the center point of the mass body 51. Alternatively, the opening 55 can be described as being formed below the claw portion 53c side of the actuator 53 (opposite the pivot axis portion 53b with the center point in between).

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by arranging grooves 56 on the outer circumference of the lower tray surface 52a, even if the contaminants fall to a position away from the opening 55, the contaminants can be recovered or captured by the grooves 56.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(B), the lower tray surface 52a may be configured to be included inside the projected area when the umbrella portion 53a and the connecting portion 53d are viewed from above. For the sake of clarity, in Figure 5(B), the projected area when the umbrella portion 53a and the connecting portion 53d are viewed from above is filled in gray.

[0063] In this way, when the vehicle sensor 5 is viewed from above, the lower tray surface 52a is formed to be hidden in the shadow of the actuator 53 which is positioned on top of the mass body 51. This reduces the possibility of contaminants entering from above the actuator 53 and entering the space between the lower tray surface 52a and the mass body 51.

[0064] Furthermore, by setting the lower tray surface 52a to the minimum size, a margin can be formed in the area of ​​the lower tray surface 52a in the X-axis direction forward within the projected area of ​​the umbrella portion 53a and the connecting portion 53d, thereby securing space to form an opening 55 of a size that can discharge the expected contaminants.

[0065] Here, Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle sensor, where (A) is a perspective view and (B) is a plan view. Note that the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in the embodiments described above, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0066] The modified examples shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B) show that the groove 56 is formed only in the forward direction in the X-axis direction of the lower dish surface 52a. The opening 55 may be formed on the bottom surface of the groove 56, or the bottom surface of the groove 56 may be removed and the entire groove 56 may be set as the opening 55.

[0067] According to the vehicle sensor 5 and seat belt retractor 1 of the above-described embodiment (including modified versions), any foreign matter that enters the vehicle sensor 5 can be discharged to the outside through the opening 55 before reaching the lower tray surface 52a, thereby suppressing the entry of foreign matter into the lower tray surface 52a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the opening 55 is formed on the outside of the lower tray surface 52a, the mass body 51 does not come into contact with the opening 55 when it moves, thereby suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

[0068] Next, a seat belt device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7. Here, Figure 7 is an overall configuration diagram showing a seat belt device according to one embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of explanation, in Figure 7, components other than the seat belt device are shown with dashed lines.

[0069] The seat belt device 100 according to this embodiment, shown in Figure 7, comprises a webbing W for restraining the occupant, a seat belt retractor 1 for winding up the webbing W, a guide anchor 101 provided on the vehicle body side for guiding the webbing W, a belt anchor 102 for fixing the webbing W to the vehicle body side, a buckle 103 positioned on the side of the seat S on which the occupant sits, and a tong 104 positioned on the webbing W. The seat belt retractor 1 has, for example, the configuration shown in Figure 1.

[0070] The components other than the seat belt retractor 1 will be briefly described below. The seat S includes, for example, a seat portion S1 on which the occupant sits, a backrest portion S2 located behind the occupant, and a headrest portion S3 that supports the occupant's head. The seat belt retractor 1 is built into, for example, the B-pillar P of the vehicle body.

[0071] In general, the buckle 103 is often positioned on the side of the seat portion S1, and the belt anchor 102 is often positioned on the underside of the seat portion S1. The guide anchor 101 is often positioned on the B-pillar P. The webbing W has one end connected to the belt anchor 102 and the other end connected to the seat belt retractor 1 via the guide anchor 101.

[0072] Therefore, when the tongue 104 is fitted onto the buckle 103, the webbing W is pulled out of the seat belt retractor 1 while sliding through the insertion hole of the guide anchor 101. Also, when the occupant fastens the seat belt or when the seat belt is released upon exiting the vehicle, the webbing W is retracted by the action of the spring unit 4 of the seat belt retractor 1 until a certain load is applied.

[0073] As described above, the seat belt device 100 according to this embodiment includes the seat belt retractor 1 described above, and therefore can suppress the intrusion of foreign objects into the lower tray surface 52a of the spherical mass body 51 constituting the vehicle sensor 5 and the generation of abnormal noises.

[0074] Furthermore, although the seat belt device 100 described above is applied to a seat S located in the front seat of a vehicle, the seat belt device 100 may also be applied to a seat S located in the rear seat. In addition, the seat belt device 100 may also be applied to seat belt devices used in vehicles other than cars.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Seat belt retractor 2 spools 3 Base frame 4 Spring Unit 5. Vehicle Sensors 6. Locking mechanism 7. Retainer Cover 31,32,33 Wall members 32a opening 32b Engagement tooth 33a opening 34 Thai Plate 35 Opening 51 mass body 52 Casing 52a Lower plate surface 52b Base 52c strut 52d Front protrusion 52e Rear protrusion 52f center opening 52g bearing part 52h Support member 52i wall parts 53 Actuator 53a Umbrella section 53b Rotating shaft section 53c Claw part 53d Connecting part 54 Cover component 54a Side wall part 54b Front support 54c Rear support part 54d Flange section 55 Opening 56 Groove 56a Widening section 61 Rock Gear 61a Disc section 61b Peripheral wall 61c center 61d Guide groove 61e Swivel axis 61f Dental Department 62 Paul 62a First end 62b Second end 62c pin 62d Engaging claw 62e Paulspring 63 Flywheel 63a Hook spring 64 Rocking Bass 64a Storage area 64b Shaft 65 caps 71 First Detention Unit 72 Second Detention Unit 100 Seat belt device 101 Guide Anchor 102 Belt Anchor 103 Buckle 104 Tongs

Claims

1. A vehicle sensor comprising: a spherical mass body; a casing having a lower tray surface that supports the mass body so as to be able to orbit; and an actuator positioned on the upper part of the mass body and configured to engage with teeth formed on a component of a seat belt retractor when the mass body moves in a predetermined direction due to inertial force, The casing is located on the outside of the lower pan surface and has an opening formed in front of the center point of the mass body. A vehicle sensor characterized by the following features.

2. The vehicle sensor according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an umbrella portion disposed on the upper part of the mass body, a pivot shaft portion rotatably connected to the casing, a claw portion located on the opposite side of the pivot shaft portion and disposed on the upper part of the umbrella portion, and a connecting portion connecting the umbrella portion and the pivot shaft portion, and the lower plate surface is configured to be included inside the projected area when the umbrella portion and the connecting portion are viewed from above.

3. The vehicle sensor according to claim 2, wherein the umbrella portion is arranged to tilt forward.

4. The vehicle sensor according to claim 1, wherein the casing has a groove formed along the outer circumference of the lower plate surface, and the opening is formed within the groove.

5. The vehicle sensor according to claim 3, wherein the groove portion has a wider groove width in the portion forming the opening than in other portions.

6. The vehicle sensor according to claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a central opening formed in the center of the lower tray surface.

7. A seat belt retractor characterized by being equipped with a vehicle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A seat belt device characterized by comprising a vehicle sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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