Tensioning device for safety belt components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a safety belt component, comprising: a gas generator (1) for generating compressed gas; a piston (2) driveable by the compressed gas; a traction cable (3) attached to the piston (2) and connectable to the safety belt component to move under tension; and a tensioner tube (4) for receiving and guiding the piston (2), wherein the tensioner tube (4) has a notch (5) in its casing between the gas generator (1) and the piston (2); and a cable guide (6) protruding into the tensioner tube (4) through the notch (5), thereby allowing the traction cable (3) to be pulled out of the tensioner tube (4) through the notch (5), wherein the cable guide (6) consists of at least two, preferably exactly two parts (6.1, 6.2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for safety belt components, comprising a gas generator for generating compressed gas, a piston drivable by the compressed gas, a traction cable attached to the piston, which can be connected to the safety belt component so as to transmit tension, and a tensioner tube for receiving and guiding the piston.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Such a tensioning device is known, for example, from German Patent No. 10 2015 111 083(B4), in which the piston is guided in the tensioner tube. The tensioner tube is connected to a deflection block produced by a die-casting process, the deflection block forming a cable deflection means for the traction cable, forming a receptacle for the gas generator and a pressure chamber into which the compressed gas generated by the gas generator flows. The use of a deflection block connected to the end face of the tensioner tube requires components that are relatively expensive to manufacture and require a relatively large amount of space.

[0003] Accordingly, International Publication No. 2021 / 160569(A1) discloses a tensioning device in which the gas generator is arranged in a straight tensioner tube. A cutout is formed in the casing of the tensioner tube, through which the traction cable is led out of the tensioner tube. In order to guide the traction cable out of the tensioner tube, a cable deflection means designed to be divided into several parts is disclosed, wherein a component referred to as a guide part having a receptacle for the gas generator can be inserted into the tensioner tube, and a component referred to as a fixing part protrudes through the cutout from the outside, such that the traction cable is guided through the cutout by the fixing part, which is also referred to as a cable guide hereinafter.

[0004] According to International Publication No. 2021 / 160569(A1), the cable guide, called the fixed section, is formed as a single unit. To assemble the tensioning device, one end of the traction cable, which is facing away from the safety belt component, is first passed through the integrated cable guide, then through the notch into the guide section, and then into the tensioner tube. The traction cable is then pulled over the end of the tensioner tube, and then the piston and fastening means are attached to the traction cable, and then the fastening means are pressed together with the traction cable. The end of the traction cable associated with the safety belt component is pulled so that the piston and fastening means return to their original positions. Since the end associated with the safety belt component is in contact with the cable guide screwed onto the traction cable during assembly, the length to which the traction cable can be pulled out of the tensioner tube to press the fastening means against the tensioner tube is fixedly limited. However, this also limits the tensioning path. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the drawbacks described with respect to the prior art, and in particular to provide a tensioning device and a method for manufacturing a tensioning device that enables a longer tensioning path.

[0006] This purpose is particularly, a) A step of providing a tensioner tube, particularly a straight one, having a notch in its casing, b) A step of inserting a traction cable into a tensioner tube, wherein the traction cable is guided into the tensioner tube, particularly from the outside, through a notch. c) A step of fastening the fastening means to the traction cable, for example, by pressing the fastening means with the traction cable, d) A step of attaching a multi-component cable guide to the portion of the towing cable that protrudes beyond the notch of the towing cable, such that the area of ​​the towing cable is surrounded by the multi-component cable guide, e) This is achieved by a method for manufacturing a tensioning device, which includes the step of inserting a cable guide into a notch, in a specified order.

[0007] In other words, this method similarly stipulates that the traction cable is first introduced into the tensioner tube through a notch, then the element that transmits force from the piston to the traction cable during operation (i.e., the fastening means) is first fastened to the traction cable, and only after that, the cable guide is attached to a portion of the traction cable outside the tensioner tube, the portion being formed between the notch and the end associated with the safety belt component. For this purpose, the cable guide is designed with several parts, and as a result, the traction cable does not need to pass through the cable guide before being introduced into the tensioner tube. This thus means that a larger tensioning path is possible, even if the dimensions are otherwise the same.

[0008] In particular, it is also proposed that, prior to step b), the guide portion is inserted into the tensioner tube from one end face, the gas generator is preferably pre-assembled to the guide portion, and in step e), the cable guide is engaged with the guide portion.

[0009] Therefore, this objective can also be achieved by a tensioning device having the features described at the beginning, in which the tensioner tube has a notch in the casing between the gas generator and the piston, and a cable guide is provided that protrudes into the tensioner tube through the notch, and the traction cable is guided out of the tensioner tube through the notch by the cable guide, and the cable guide is specified to consist of at least two, preferably just two parts.

[0010] In other words, the present invention proposes that a cable guide, i.e., a component of a tensioning device that guides a traction cable through a notch into a tensioner tube, is designed to be divided into several parts, and these parts of the cable guide are arranged and designed to surround the traction cable in its circumferential direction when assembled with each other, so that the cable guide can be attached to the traction cable without the need to pass the traction cable through an opening inside the cable guide. The surfaces (cuts) where the parts of the cable guide abut each other thus extend (at least substantially) into the area of ​​the opening through which the traction cable extends when the cable guide is assembled. Thus, it is possible to attach the cable guide to the traction cable after the traction cable has been freely inserted into the tensioner tube through the notch. This makes it possible to attach the cable guide to the traction cable at a later point in the manufacturing process, thereby allowing for a larger tension path with otherwise the same dimensions.

[0011] The components of the cable guide are also designed so that the traction cable can make contact with the cable guide components when assembled.

[0012] In one embodiment, it may be specified that at least two, preferably exactly two, parts abut each other along a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube. Alternatively or additionally, it may be specified that at least two parts abut each other along a plane extending laterally, particularly perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube.

[0013] In either case, the two components of the cable guide can be fastened to the traction cable from opposite directions.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second component may be positioned between two parts of the first component. In this case, a traction cable can be inserted between the two parts of the first component, and the second component can then be slid between the two parts, and the second component is fastened to one another by appropriate means, for example, by bolts extending through the interior of the two parts of the first component and through the interior of the second component. In this case, the two components are fixed to each other or fixed to each other by additional elements to prevent movement.

[0015] However, in an alternative embodiment, the two parts may also be defined as being fastened to each other by a shape-fit and / or pressure-fit method, preferably by a shape-fit method only. For this purpose, the two parts may have a complementary design having interlocking projections and recesses to fasten them together. For example, elastically flexible hook-shaped elements may be formed on one part, and these elements may be configured to engage with corresponding notches on the other part.

[0016] To further simplify the manufacturing process and avoid confusion of components, it may also be specified that the two parts of the cable guide are connected to each other via an integrated hinge, so that the two parts can be folded toward each other for attachment to the traction cable.

[0017] It may also be specified that a portion of the first component extends along the second component on only one side. In this regard, it may be specified that the same second component can be used for different first components, and that these two first components differ from each other in that the portion extending along the second component is located on both sides of the second component. Depending on the subsequent installation of the tensioning device, either the first or second alternative form of the first component can be used, while the second component has the same structure.

[0018] The present invention relates to a tensioning device, more particularly to a tensioning device in which a tensioner tube has a notch in its casing between a gas generator and a piston, and the tensioner tube is provided with a cable guide that protrudes into the tensioner tube through the notch, and a traction cable is guided through the notch by the cable guide. This means that a deflection block manufactured by die casting is not required.

[0019] In particular, the cable guide is engaged with the guide portion by a portion of the cable guide that engages with the tensioner tube, thereby, on the one hand, the guide portion is fixed in a predetermined position within the tensioner tube, and on the other hand, the traction cable can pass through the notch without coming into contact with the edge of the notch formed by the tensioner tube.

[0020] The gas generator may be located in particular within the tensioner tube, and preferably the guide section may have a receptacle, with the gas generator located within the receptacle. In this regard, the guide section may be designed in particular so that the compressed gas generated by the gas generator is guided to the piston along the traction cable in the tensioner tube without acting on the traction cable in the region of the guide section.

[0021] Notches for the traction cable and cable guide are located in particular in the straight sections of the tensioner tube, and in particular, the tensioner tube is specified to be straight along its entire length. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] The present invention and its technical environment will be described below with reference to the figures. The figures schematically show the following. [Figure 1] This is an exploded view showing a tensioning device. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube that passes through the inside of the tensioning device. [Figure 3]These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 4] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 5] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 6] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 7] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 8] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 9] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Figure 10] These are diagrams showing various embodiments of a cable guide composed of a plurality of components. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0023] The tensioning device shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 comprises a tensioner tube 4 and a traction cable 3 for safety belt components. A notch 5 is formed in the tensioner tube 4, and the traction cable 3 is guided by a cable guide 6 through this notch 5. Inside the tensioner tube 4, a piston 2 is arranged on the traction cable 3, and a fastening means 8 is pressed together with the traction cable 3 to abut against the piston 2. Also present inside the tensioner tube 4 is a guide portion 7 that forms a receptacle for the gas generator 1. Therefore, in the assembled state, the gas generator 1 is also arranged inside the tensioner tube 4.

[0024] As can be seen particularly from Figure 2, the cable guide 6 engages with the guide portion 7 in the assembled state, and the traction cable 3 is guided through the interior of the guide portion 7. The cable guide 6 is fixed by a clamp 10 surrounding the tensioner tube 4, and a bolt 11 passing through the cable guide 6 and the clamp 10 is provided for that purpose.

[0025] During operation, the gas generator 1 generates compressed gas, which is guided through the guide section 7 along the towing cable 3 to the piston 2 without contacting the towing cable 3. As a result of the compressed gas, the piston 2 is driven (to the right in Figure 2), and the piston 2 abuts against the fastening means 8 at its end, which is facing away from the gas generator 1. Thus, the tensioning device can be used to pull in safety belt components (such as end fittings or belt buckles) that can be connected to the towing cable 3.

[0026] As described below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 10, the cable guide 6 is designed to be divided into several parts, which allows the cable guide 6 to be attached to the traction cable 3 after the end of the traction cable 3, which will later be connected to the fastening means 8, has already been introduced into the tensioner tube 4 through the notch 5. However, in order to attach the fastening means 8, it is also possible to pull the traction cable 3 out some further from the tensioner tube 4 through the right end shown in Figure 2, rather than having the cable guide already screwed onto the traction cable 3 (which is necessary if the cable guide is designed as a single piece).

[0027] The cable guide 6 comprises, in particular, a first component 6.1 and a second component 6.2. Each of the first component 6.1 and the second component 6.2 may have at least one through-opening through which bolts 11 for securing components 6.1 and 6.2 to the tensioner tube 4 can be guided.

[0028] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first part 6.1 and the second part 6.2 are separated from each other along a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube 4. Parts 6.1 and 6.2 each have through openings through which bolts 11 can be pushed to fasten the cable guide 6 to the tensioner tube 4 and clamp 10. The first part 6.1 is fastened to the second part 6.2 by a snap connection, and for this purpose, parts 6.1 and 6.2 have corresponding hooks and recesses.

[0029] According to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first part 6.1 each has two parallel sections, between which the second part 6.2 is positioned. The second part 6.2 has through openings, which, when assembled, are aligned with the through openings in the parallel sections of the first part 6.1, thereby allowing bolts to pass through these openings. To assemble the cable guide 6, the first part 6.1 is first placed on the traction cable 3, and then the second part 6.2 is placed between the parallel sections of the first part 6.1 and fixed in place.

[0030] According to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first part 6.1 and the second part 6.2 have corresponding shape locking configurations, and as a result, the two parts 6.1 and 6.2 can be connected to each other by sliding the shape locking configurations inward from each other, with the direction of movement parallel to the traction cable 3 positioned between the parts.

[0031] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 8, the first component 6.1 has a lateral recess through which the first component 6.1 can be positioned on the traction cable 3. The lateral recess can then be closed again by attaching the second component 6.2, and as a result, the traction cable 3 is guided through the cable guide 6, which consists of the two components 6.1 and 6.2.

[0032] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 9, a portion of the first part 6.1 extends along one side of the second part 6.2, and the through-opening of the portion extending along the second part 6.2 is aligned with the through-opening of the second part 6.2. The second part 6.2 can also be used with the first part 6.1, which is located on the opposite side, with a portion extending parallel to the second part 6.2. Thus, the second part 6.2 can be used with different first parts 6.1 depending on the installation of the tensioning device.

[0033] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the first part 6.1 and the second part 6.2 are connected to each other via an integrated hinge 9. Thus, the first part 6.1 and the second part 6.2 can be folded over each other, and the traction cable 3 is positioned between parts 6.1 and 6.2. This has the advantage that the two parts 6.1 and 6.2 are connected in a state where they are already connected to each other before assembly, making the assembly process more reliable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Gas generator 2-piston 3 towing cables 4 tensioner tubes 5 notches 6 Cable Guides 6.1 First part 6.2 Second part 7 Guide section 8 Fastening means 9-piece integrated hinge 10 clamps 11 volts

Claims

1. A tensioning device for a safety belt component, - A gas generator (1) for generating pressurized gas, - A piston (2) that can be driven by the pressurized gas, - A towing cable (3) is connected to the piston (2) and can be connected to a safety belt component to move tension, - A tensioner tube (4) for receiving and guiding the piston (2), wherein the tensioner tube (4) has a notch (5) in its casing between the gas generator (1) and the piston (2), - A cable guide (6) protrudes into the tensioner tube (4) through the notch (5), and guides the traction cable (3) out of the tensioner tube (4) through the notch (5), It has, The cable guide (6) consists of at least two parts (6.1, 6.2), The at least two components (6.1, 6.2) are designed such that, when installed, they surround the traction cable (3) in its circumferential direction. The at least two of the aforementioned parts (6.1, 6.2) are fixed together by locking and / or friction, A tensioning device characterized by the following features.

2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the traction cable (3) can be brought into contact with the at least two components (6.1, 6.2).

3. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two of the components (6.1, 6.2) are in contact with each other along a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube (4).

4. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the second component (6.2) is positioned between two parts of the first component (6.1).

5. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two components (6.1, 6.2) abut each other along a plane extending laterally, particularly perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube (4).

6. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two components (6.1, 6.2) abut each other along a first plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube and along a second plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube.

7. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the first component (6.1) extends along the second component (6.2) to only one side.

8. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the two components of the cable guide (6.1, 6.2) are connected to each other via an integrated hinge (9).

9. A method for manufacturing a tensioning device, a) A step of providing a particularly linear tensioner tube (4) having a notch (5) in its casing, b) A step of introducing a traction cable (3) into the tensioner tube (4), wherein the traction cable (4) is guided through the notch (5), c) The step of fastening the fastening means (8) to the traction cable (3), d) A step of attaching a multi-component cable guide (6) to the towing cable (3) on the outside of the tensioner tube (4) at the portion of the towing cable (3) that protrudes beyond the notch (5), wherein the towing cable (3) is partially surrounded by the cable guide (6). e) The step of inserting the cable guide (6) into the notch (5), It includes the specified order, The cable guide (6) consists of at least two parts (6.1, 6.2), The at least two components (6.1, 6.2) are designed such that, when installed, they surround the traction cable (3) in its circumferential direction. The at least two of the aforementioned parts (6.1, 6.2) are fixed together by locking and / or friction, method.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, prior to step b), the guide portion (7) is inserted into the tensioner tube (4) from one end face, the gas generator (1) is pre-assembled to the guide portion (7), and in step e), the cable guide (6) is engaged with the guide portion (7).

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