Tensioning device for seat belt components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a seat belt component, the tensioning device comprising: a gas generator for generating compressed gas; a piston that can be driven by the compressed gas; a tensioning cable (4) connected to the piston for tensioning movement and connectable to the seat belt component; a tensioner tube (5) for receiving and guiding the piston; and a guide block (1) forming a cable guide and formed with a receptacle (2) that receives the gas generator and a pressure chamber (3) connected in flow relation to the receptacle (2), wherein the guide block (1) is connected to the tensioner tube (5), the tensioning cable (4) runs linearly from the tensioner tube (5) through the pressure chamber (3) in the direction of piston movement (6), and the guide block (1) forms a linear guide (7) adjacent to the pressure chamber (3) and configured so that the tensioning cable (4) can be pulled out from the guide block (1) opposite the tensioner tube (5) in a direction parallel to the direction of piston movement (6).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a seat belt component, comprising a gas generator for generating compressed gas, a piston that can be driven by the compressed gas, a tensioning cable connected to the piston for tensioning movement and connectable to the seat belt component, a tensioner tube for receiving and guiding the piston, and a guide block forming a cable guide and formed with a receptacle for receiving the gas generator and a pressure chamber connected in flow terms to the receptacle, wherein the guide block is connected to the tensioner tube and the tensioning cable runs linearly from the tensioner tube through the pressure chamber in the direction of piston movement.

[0002] Such a tensioning device is known, for example, from German Patent No. 102015111083B4, in which a guide block forms a cable deflection. As a result, the seat belt component receives tension from a pressure chamber and is deflected transversely to the piston movement direction by a deflection guide in the guide block. Such deflection of the tensioning cable by the guide block was previously necessary because the tensioning device was mounted laterally next to the vehicle seat, while the piston movement direction was oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and the belt buckle or end attachment of the seat belt was usually tensioned via the tensioning cable. Now, there is an increasing need for tensioning devices in motor vehicles that can also be mounted in different orientations.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tensioning device that can be mounted in different orientations within a vehicle and / or allows for more flexibility in the configuration of the tensioning device.

[0004] The above object is solved by a tensioning device having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the tensioning device are set out in the dependent claims and in the description, the individual features of the advantageous developments being capable of being combined with one another in a technically reasonable manner.

[0005] The object is achieved, inter alia, by a tensioning device having the features mentioned at the outset, in which the guide block forms a linear guide adjacent to the pressure chamber and configured in such a way that the tensioning cable can be pulled out from the guide block on the side opposite the tensioner tube, parallel to the direction of piston movement.

[0006] In its basic concept, the invention therefore provides that the guide block is formed integrally so that the tension cable emerges from the guide block aligned parallel to the piston movement direction or offset parallel to the piston movement direction. As a result, the tensioner tube, which provides the piston movement direction, can be aligned parallel to the tensioning movement of the seat belt components or offset parallel to the piston movement direction. Alternatively, the tension cable can be deflected outside the guide block by additional means. Thus, the tensioning device can be placed in a position other than the conventional position in the vehicle.

[0007] In order to prevent the tension cable from being moved unintentionally after the tensioning device has been assembled and before or even after the tensioning device has been installed in the vehicle, and thus the piston in the tensioning tube from being placed in an undesired position, the linear guide has, inter alia, at least one resistance element arranged in the linear guide, which is capable of preventing unintentional movement of the tension cable. Thus, for example, a protrusion or a constriction protruding into the linear guide can be formed in the guide block outside the pressure chamber, which prevents movement of the tension cable and therefore the piston relative to the tensioner tube, before or even after installation in the vehicle.

[0008] In principle, it is possible to form the resistance element integrally on the guide block. However, it is preferred that the resistance element is formed as an independent component and inserted into the linear guide formed by the guide block. The independent component is made of a different material than the guide block.

[0009] The components used are preferably made of plastic, and the at least one resistance element formed by the component is reduced at the beginning of the tensioning process due to friction between the tension cable and the at least one resistance element. For example, a protrusion that initially contacts the tension cable can be formed on the component made of plastic, which prevents unintended movement of the tension cable but reduces in height at the beginning of the tensioning process due to friction with the tension cable, thereby reducing resistance. Such an independent component is particularly useful when the tension cable is guided out of the guide block in alignment parallel to the piston movement direction.

[0010] However, the resistance element can also be formed by creating a chicane for the tension cable by the guide block itself or by components inserted in the guide block. In particular, the resistance element can be formed by an S-shaped guide for the tension cable by the guide block or its linear guide, so that the tension cable leaves the guide block offset parallel to the piston movement direction.

[0011] In order to enable the guide block to be used not only in new tensioning device configurations but also as a guide block for already known tensioning devices, a deflection guide may be formed in the guide block in addition to the linear guide, and this deflection guide may be configured so that the tension cable can be pulled out of the guide block at an angle to the piston movement direction. In this way, both a linear guide and a deflection guide are formed in the guide block, making the guide block flexible to use. In particular, the guide block may be configured so that the deflection guide branches off from the linear guide, in particular allowing a cable deflection of more than 20°, preferably more than 45°, particularly preferably more than 90°.

[0012] If the resistance element is formed on the independent component, the independent component can be molded to be positioned both in the linear guide and in the deflection guide. In this way, the position of the component in the guide block can also be reliably predetermined, preventing movement of the independent component. In particular, the independent component is formed to extend along the linear guide with a portion forming the resistance element, and a retaining portion engages in the deflection guide. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] The invention and the technical environment are explained below by way of example with reference to the figures, which show, in outline: [Figure 1] It is a tension device. [Figure 2] 2 is a separate component for forming the resistance element of the tension device according to FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of an additional embodiment of a tensioning device.

[0014] The tensioning devices shown in Figures 1 and 3 each comprise a guide block 1 in which a receptacle 2 for a gas generator (not shown) is formed. The receptacle 2 is flow-connected to a pressure chamber 3 formed in the guide block 1.

[0015] The tension cable 4 is guided linearly through the pressure chamber 3 into the tensioner tube 5. In the tensioner tube 5, the tension cable 4 is connected to a piston (not shown). The arrangement of the piston with the tension cable and the arrangement of the piston in the tensioner tube have already been mentioned in German patent no. 102015111083 B4 mentioned in the introduction and reference is made in this regard. However, the arrangement of the piston is also not critical to the invention.

[0016] When triggered, the gas generator produces compressed gas which is directed through the pressure chamber 3 into the tensioner tube 5 where it drives the piston and therefore the tension cable 4 in the direction of piston movement 6 .

[0017] On the side facing away from the tensioner tube 5, the guide block 1 is formed in such a way that the tension cable 4 can be guided out of the guide block 1 either parallel and aligned with it (FIG. 1) or parallel and offset from it (FIG. 3). In this way, the guide block 1 has a linear guide 7. Furthermore, the guide block 1 also has a deflection guide 10 so that the tension cable 4 can be guided out of the guide block 1 in a direction transverse to the piston movement direction 6 (not shown in the figures).

[0018] To prevent the tension cable 4, and therefore the piston, from being moved unintentionally prior to the tensioning process, a resistance element 8 is provided.

[0019] According to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the resistance elements 8 are formed by protrusions on the independent components 9. The independent components 9 are shaped in such a way that their retaining parts are arranged in the deflection guide 10 and that their retaining parts have the resistance elements 8 in the linear guide 7. At the beginning of the tensioning process triggered by the gas generator, the protrusions of the individual components 9 reduce in height due to friction with the tension cable 4, and as a result, the friction or resistance also reduces.

[0020] According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the resistance element 8 is formed by a type of chicane, so that the tension cable 4 is deflected in an S-shape, thereby providing resistance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0021] 1 guide block 2 receptacles 3. Pressure Chamber 4 tension cables 5 Tensioner tube 6 Piston movement direction 7 Linear guide 8 Resistance Elements 9. Components 10 Deflection Guide

Claims

1. a gas generator for generating compressed gas; a piston that can be driven by the compressed gas; a tension cable (4) connected to said piston for tensioning movement and connectable to a seat belt component; a tensioner tube (5) for receiving and guiding the piston; a guide block (1) in which a receptacle (2) serving as a mounting port for the gas generator and a pressure chamber (3) communicating with the receptacle (2) are formed, and in which a cable guide is formed; 1. A tensioning device for a seat belt component having: The guide block (1) is connected to the tensioner tube (5), and the tension cable (4) runs linearly from the tensioner tube (5) through the pressure chamber (3) in the piston movement direction (6); The cable guide of the guide block (1) is formed with a linear guide (7) adjacent to the pressure chamber (3), and the linear guide (7) is configured to guide the tension cable (4) so that the tension cable (4) is parallel to the piston movement direction (6) when pulled out of the guide block (1) on the side opposite to the side where the tensioner tube (5) is located. At least one resistance element (8) is arranged on the linear guide (7) to prevent unintentional movement of the tension cable (4), The at least one resistance element (8) is formed on a component (9) inserted into the linear guide (7), A tension device characterized by:

2. 2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the inserted component (9) is made of plastic and the resistance element (8) formed by the component (9) is reduced by friction at the beginning of the tensioning process.

3. 3. A tensioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistance element (8) provides an S-shaped guide for the tension cable (4) and thus a parallel offset of the tension cable (4).

4. The cable guide of the guide block (1) is formed with a deflection guide (10) in addition to the linear guide (7), The deflection guide (10) is configured so that the tension cable (4) can be pulled out from the guide block (1) obliquely to the piston movement direction (6). The tensioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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