Seat belt retractor assembly for motor vehicle, and seat belt device

Abstract

A seat belt retractor assembly (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism (60) and a restraining device (50). The restraining device (50) comprises a speed reduction mechanism, wherein the speed reduction mechanism is provided with an input element and an output element. The restraining device (50) further comprises a trigger disc (508), a driven member (512), and a reset spring (514) acting on the driven member (512), wherein the trigger disc (508) can be driven by the output element and is rotatably supported, the driven member (512) comprises a first section capable of interacting with the trigger disc (508) and a second section engageable with a locking element of the locking mechanism (60), and the trigger disc (508) and the driven member (512) are configured such that the seat belt retractor assembly (10) is in an automatic locking retraction mode and an emergency locking retraction mode. The seat belt retractor assembly (10) further comprises a switching detection device, wherein the switching detection device is configured to detect switching between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode.

Description

Seat belt retractor assembly and seat belt device for motor vehicle Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of motor vehicle safety, and more particularly, to a seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle and a seat belt device including such a seat belt retractor assembly. Background Art

[0002] Car seatbelt retractors are typically one of three types: ELR, ALR, and integrated ALR and ELR.

[0003] The automatic locking retractor (ALR) allows the webbing to be freely extended to the desired length and automatically adjusts to the wearer's body shape when the buckle is tightened. When the ALR's self-locking mechanism enters the locked mode, it prevents further extension of the webbing unless the wearer intentionally unlocks it. When the wearer unlocks the buckle and the webbing is fully retracted, the ALR's self-locking mechanism cancels the locked mode, returning the seatbelt to its freely retractable state.

[0004] The emergency locking retractor (ELR) is a retractor that does not restrict the freedom of movement of the seat belt wearer under normal driving conditions. This retractor has a length adjustment element that can automatically adjust the length of the webbing according to the wearer's body shape, and has a locking mechanism. In an emergency, due to vehicle deceleration (single sensitivity) or vehicle deceleration, webbing acceleration or other collision-sensitive detection devices, it is activated to trigger the locking mechanism and prevent the webbing from being pulled out.

[0005] Both the ALR retractor and the ELR retractor can restrain occupants in the event of a vehicle collision or rollover, thereby protecting the occupants' safety.

[0006] The retractor that integrates ALR mode and ELR mode can switch between the two modes according to the passenger's choice. For example, it switches to ALR mode when the webbing is fully or nearly fully pulled out, and switches from ALR mode to ELR mode when the webbing is fully retracted or retracted to the set length. Although the ELR mode can improve the comfort of passengers wearing seat belts, the locking mechanism will only be triggered to prevent the webbing from being pulled out when the vehicle acceleration or deceleration or the vehicle tilt angle or the webbing withdrawal acceleration exceeds the predetermined threshold. However, the ALR mode is more suitable for infants or children, and can more safely fix the child seat or other devices to the vehicle seat through the webbing to ensure that the child restraint system achieves its protective effect. Therefore, the retractor that integrates ALR mode and ELR mode is not only suitable for child restraint systems, but also takes into account the wearing comfort and convenience of normal passengers and plays a role in restraining and protecting passengers.

[0007] Currently, for retractors that integrate ALR mode and ELR mode, there is a lack of a detection device that can detect the switching between ALR mode and ELR mode. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle and a seat belt device comprising such a seat belt retractor assembly, wherein the seat belt retractor assembly enables reliable detection of a switch between an automatic locking retraction mode (ALR mode) and an emergency locking retraction mode (ELR mode).

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising:

[0010] Bracket;

[0011] a tape take-up shaft rotatably supported in the bracket;

[0012] a locking mechanism having a locking element, which is designed to lock the take-up shaft in the unwinding direction in an activated state and to release the take-up shaft in a deactivated state;

[0013] a damping device comprising a reduction mechanism having an input element and an output element, the input element being connected to the belt shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, the output element being configured to output the reduced motion; and

[0014] a mechanical side cover, the mechanical side cover covering the restraining device and the locking mechanism from the outside;

[0015] It is characterized in that

[0016] The inhibition device further includes a trigger disk, a follower, and a return spring acting on the follower. The trigger disk can be driven by the output element and is rotatably supported. The follower includes a first section that can interact with the trigger disk and a second section that can engage with the locking element of the locking mechanism.

[0017] Wherein, the trigger disk and the driven member are constructed as follows:

[0018] When the belt reel is in the maximum unwinding position, the first section engages with the trigger disk under the action of the restoring force of the restoring spring, and the second section of the follower engages with the locking element of the locking mechanism, so that the locking mechanism is activated and the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode.

[0019] After the belt reel has rotated a predetermined rewinding stroke in the rewinding direction or after the belt reel has rotated a predetermined extension stroke in the unwinding direction and before the belt reel reaches a predetermined maximum unwinding position, the first section resists the restoring force of the restoring spring and stops engaging with the trigger disk and abuts against the working surface of the trigger disk, and the second section of the follower is disengaged from the locking element of the locking mechanism, so that the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode.

[0020] The seatbelt retractor assembly further includes a switching detection device configured to detect switching between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode.

[0021] In the seatbelt retractor assembly according to the present invention, compared to the prior art, for example, by providing a switching detection device, reliable detection of switching between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode can be achieved. This allows a reliable electrical signal indicating the current mode of the seatbelt retractor assembly to be sent to the electronic control units of other restraint systems.

[0022] In some embodiments, the switching detection device may include a proximity sensor and a detected member, wherein the detected member is fixed to a movable component in the suppression device, and the detected member and the proximity sensor are arranged relative to each other such that,

[0023] When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the detected part is within the detection range of the proximity sensor and the proximity sensor outputs a first detection signal.

[0024] When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the detected component leaves the detection range of the proximity sensor and the proximity sensor outputs a second detection signal.

[0025] By placing the detected component on a movable component within the restraint device, it is possible to prevent, for example, the detected component from causing undesirable interference with other components within the seatbelt retractor assembly. For example, if the detected component is constructed as a permanent magnet and the permanent magnet is relatively close to a metal sensor ball located on the periphery of the vehicle sensing component's side cover, the metal sensor ball may be magnetized and attracted by the permanent magnet, thereby increasing or even failing the vehicle sensing component's acceleration and tilt angle trigger thresholds, affecting occupant restraint protection and failing to meet legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, this situation can be avoided by placing the detected component on a movable component within the restraint device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the detected member may be disposed on a trigger disk. The extension and retraction movements of the seat belt webbing may cause the trigger disk to rotate at a certain reduction ratio. By disposing the detected member on the trigger disk, which is driven by the output element of the reduction mechanism, it is possible to reliably detect the switch between the automatic locking and emergency locking retraction modes while the trigger disk rotates at a low speed.

[0027] In some embodiments, the detected object may be configured as a permanent magnet.

[0028] In some embodiments, the proximity sensor may be disposed internally or externally on the machine side cover.

[0029] In some embodiments, the proximity sensor may be configured as a Hall effect device.

[0030] In some embodiments, when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the proximity sensor may face the detected object, and when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the detected object may be away from the proximity sensor.

[0031] In some embodiments, the switching detection device may include a contact switch configured to detect switching between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode by contacting and disengaging with a movable component in the restraint device, wherein

[0032] The contact switch and the movable component are arranged relative to each other such that,

[0033] When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the contact switch contacts the movable component and is turned on, and the contact switch outputs a first detection signal.

[0034] When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the contact switch is disengaged from the movable component and the contact switch outputs a second detection signal.

[0035] In some embodiments, the contact switch may be disposed internally on the machine side cover.

[0036] In some embodiments, the contact switch may be configured as a micro switch.

[0037] In some embodiments, the contact switch may be configured to contact the trigger disc and turn itself on when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode and to be disengaged from the trigger disc when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode.

[0038] In some embodiments, the switching detection device may also include a wiring harness and a connector, and the detection signal generated by the switching detection device can be transmitted to the electronic control unit of other restraint systems of the vehicle via the wiring harness and the connector as an input signal for the controller logic. Generally, the vehicle restraint system device may include other restraint system protection mechanisms, such as airbags, seat belt adaptive force limiting devices, etc. The switching status information between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode can be used as an input for whether to trigger other restraint system devices. For example, for seating positions where child seats are installed, the input signal generated by the switching detection device can suppress the triggering of the front airbag to prevent the pop-up airbag from causing harm to the child sitting in the child seat.

[0039] In some embodiments, the wiring harness may extend to the outside of the outer cover through an opening of the outer cover provided outside the machine side cover.

[0040] In some embodiments, the wiring harness may be at least partially fixedly connected to the outer cover.

[0041] In some embodiments, the trigger plate may include a recess, wherein

[0042] When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the first section is engaged in the recess;

[0043] When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the first section is disengaged from the recess.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first section may extend radially inwardly from the main body of the follower in a curved manner in an installed state.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second section may protrude perpendicular to a plane formed by the body of the follower and the first section.

[0046] In some embodiments, the reduction mechanism can be constructed as a small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism, which includes an eccentric wheel as an input element, a planetary wheel as an output element, and a stationary ring gear arranged inside the machine side cover, the planetary wheel is eccentrically supported relative to the rotation axis of the belt take-up shaft by the eccentric wheel, and the planetary wheel can engage with the ring gear.

[0047] In some embodiments, the reduction ratio of the small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism may be between 20:1 and 35:1.

[0048] In some embodiments, the ring gear and the machine side cover may be connected in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0049] In some embodiments, the output element may have a guide post, and the trigger disk may have a through-opening. The guide post can extend into the through-opening and can move freely between two ends of the through-opening.

[0050] In some embodiments, the through opening may be configured in a sector shape.

[0051] In some embodiments, the suppression device may further include a positioning wheel disposed between the output element and the trigger disk, wherein a through hole is provided in the positioning wheel, and the guide column can extend through the through hole of the positioning wheel into the through opening of the trigger disk.

[0052] In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a locking disk, wherein locking of the locking disk can cause the take-up shaft to be locked in the unwinding direction, wherein the locking disk has an outer gear ring as a locking element on its outer circumference.

[0053] In some embodiments, the mechanical side cover may be fixed to the bracket.

[0054] In some embodiments, the seat belt retractor assembly can be arranged at the passenger seat, and the first detection signal can be input as a control signal to the electronic control unit of other restraint systems and prompt the electronic control unit to suppress the triggering of the front airbag corresponding to the passenger seat.

[0055] For the purposes of the present invention, "two components are connected in a rotationally fixed manner" means that they cannot rotate relative to one another about an axis of rotation, and they may or may not be relatively movable along the axis of rotation. "Two components are connected in a rotationally fixed manner" may include, but is not limited to: two components being integrally formed; a gear wheel being mounted on and movable on a shaft having a non-circular cross-section; or two components being fixedly connected. "Two components are connected in a rotationally fixed manner" should include situations where the two components can rotate slightly relative to one another due to manufacturing tolerances or unintentional play.

[0056] In the sense of the present invention, “two parts are rotatably connected” means that they can be rotated relative to one another about an axis of rotation.

[0057] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a seat belt device for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a webbing and a seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a belt reel of the seat belt retractor assembly is a reel of the webbing.

[0058] It should be noted that the above-mentioned technical features and the technical features to be mentioned below can be combined with each other arbitrarily as long as they are not contradictory. All technically feasible feature combinations are technical contents explicitly included in this application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings with the aid of specific embodiments. The schematic drawings are briefly described as follows:

[0060] 1 is a side view of a seat belt retractor assembly with a switching detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] FIG2 is an exploded view of the seat belt retractor assembly according to FIG1 ;

[0062] FIG3 is an exploded view of the mechanical side cover and the restraining device of the seat belt retractor assembly according to FIG1 ;

[0063] FIG4 a is a partial schematic diagram of an inhibitory device of a seatbelt retractor assembly in an automatic locking retraction mode and a switching detection device with a proximity sensor configured as a Hall effect device;

[0064] FIG4 b is a partial schematic diagram of the inhibitory device of the seatbelt retractor assembly in the emergency locking retraction mode and the switching detection device with the proximity sensor configured as a Hall effect device;

[0065] FIG5 a is a partial schematic diagram of an inhibition device of a seatbelt retractor assembly in an automatic locking retraction mode, wherein a Hall chip of a Hall effect device is shown by a dotted line; and

[0066] FIG5 b is a partial schematic diagram of the inhibition device of the seatbelt retractor assembly in the emergency locking retraction mode, wherein the Hall chip of the Hall effect device is shown by a dotted line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] First, a seat belt retractor assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 .

[0068] FIG1 shows a side view of a seatbelt retractor assembly 10 with a switching detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the unwinding direction P and rewinding direction R of the webbing 20. When the webbing 20 rewinds in the rewinding direction R, it winds around the reel shaft 12. From the perspective of FIG1 , the outer cover 40 of the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 can be seen. This outer cover 40 is located outside the mechanical side cover 520 shown in FIG2 . FIG1 also shows a portion of the wiring harness 34 for the switching detection device and the connector 32 extending from the outer cover 40. As shown in FIG1 , the portion of the wiring harness 34 can be fixedly connected to the exterior of the outer cover 40.

[0069] The arrangement of the components of the seat belt retractor assembly 10 within the outer cover 40 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 .

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 for a motor vehicle includes a bracket 11 , a belt reel 12 rotatably supported in the bracket 11 , and a mechanical side cover 520 fixedly connected to the bracket 11 .

[0071] The seatbelt retractor assembly 10 also includes a locking mechanism 60. The locking mechanism 60 is configured to lock the belt reel 12 in the unwinding direction P in an activated state and to release the belt reel 12 in a deactivated state. To this end, the locking mechanism 60 includes a locking disk 61, which, when locked, can lock the belt reel 12 in the unwinding direction P. The locking disk 61 has an outer toothed ring 62 on its outer circumference as a locking element.

[0072] The seatbelt retractor assembly 10 also includes a restraining device 50. The restraining device 50 includes a reduction mechanism. The reduction mechanism can be configured as a small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism. The small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism includes an eccentric 502 as an input element, planetary gears 504 as output elements, and a stationary ring gear 526 disposed within the machine side cover 520. The eccentric 502, as an input element, is rotationally fixedly connected to the belt reel 12. As the webbing 20 is retracted or rewound, the eccentric 502, connected to the belt reel 12, rotates in the corresponding direction. The planetary gears 504 are eccentrically supported relative to the rotation axis of the belt reel 12 by the eccentric 502. The ring gear 526 is rotationally fixedly connected to the machine side cover 520. The planetary gears 504 can mesh with the ring gear 526 and are configured to output the reduced motion. The reduction ratio of the small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism can be between 20:1 and 35:1, preferably 27:1, that is, if the eccentric wheel 502 serving as the input element rotates 2700 degrees in the clockwise direction driven by the rewinding movement of the webbing 20, then after deceleration and reversal by the reduction mechanism, the planetary gear 504 serving as the output element will rotate 100° in the counterclockwise direction.

[0073] In addition to the aforementioned reduction mechanism, the suppression device 50 also includes a positioning wheel 506, a trigger disk 508, a follower 512, and a return spring 514 acting on the follower 512. The positioning wheel 506 is disposed between the planetary gear 504 (output element) and the trigger disk 508. The positioning wheel 506 can be connected to the planetary gear 504. The planetary gear 504 (output element) has a guide post 516. To allow the guide post 516 to pass through the positioning wheel 506, a through-hole 518 is provided in the positioning wheel 506. The trigger disk 508 has a sector-shaped through-opening 534. The guide post 516 can extend through the through-hole 518 in the positioning wheel 506 into the through-opening 534 of the trigger disk 508 and can move freely between the two ends of the through-opening 534. As a result, the trigger disk 508 is driven by the guide post 516 when it moves further in one direction against the corresponding end, causing the trigger disk 508 to rotate at the same speed as the planetary gear 504. The follower 512 includes a first section capable of interacting with the trigger disk 508 and a second section capable of engaging with a locking element of the locking mechanism 60. The follower 512 can be configured as a trigger pawl, for example. The follower 512 can have a pawl 530 as a first section and a locking rod 528 as a second section. The pawl 530 as the first section can be bent radially inward from the main body of the follower 512 in the installed state. The locking rod 528 as the second section can protrude perpendicularly to the plane formed by the main body of the follower 512 and the pawl 530. When the locking rod 528 as the second section of the follower 512 engages with the outer ring gear 62 as the locking element of the locking mechanism 60, the locking mechanism 60 is activated and locks the tape reel 12 in the unwinding direction P. The trigger disc 508 and the follower 512 are constructed so that, in the maximum unwinding position of the belt reel 12, the pawl 530 as the first section engages in the trigger disc 508, in particular, in the recess 536 of the trigger disc 508, under the action of the restoring force of the restoring spring 514, and the locking rod 528 as the second section of the follower 512 engages with the outer toothed ring 62 of the locking mechanism 60 as the locking element, so that the locking mechanism 60 is activated and the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking rewinding mode; after the belt reel 12 rotates in the rewinding direction R by a predetermined rewinding stroke Or after the belt reel 12 rotates a predetermined pulling stroke in the unwinding direction P and before the predetermined maximum unwinding position of the belt reel 12, the pawl 530 as the first section resists the restoring force of the restoring spring 514 and does not engage with the trigger disk 508, especially disengages from the recess 536 of the trigger disk 508, and abuts against the working surface of the trigger disk 508, and the locking rod 528 as the second section of the follower 512 disengages from the outer gear ring 62 of the locking mechanism 60 as a locking element, so that the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the emergency locking retraction mode.

[0074] In order to protect the restraining device 50 and the locking mechanism 60 from external influences, the machine side cover 520 covers the restraining device 50 and the locking mechanism 60 from the outside. In addition, the machine side cover 520 at least partially surrounds the restraining device 50 and the locking mechanism 60.

[0075] To detect a switch between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode of the seatbelt retractor assembly 10, the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 further includes a switch detection device. The switch detection device is configured to detect a switch between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode. The switch detection device can employ either a non-contact or contact-based approach.

[0076] In some embodiments, when the switching detection device adopts a non-contact solution, the switching detection device may include a proximity sensor and a detected member 510. The detected member 510 is fixed to a movable component in the suppression device 50. Preferably, the detected member 510 is arranged on the trigger disk 508, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and Figures 5a and 5b. In other embodiments not shown, the detected member 510 may also be arranged on other movable components in the suppression device 50. For example, the detected member 510 may be arranged on the follower 512, preferably on the first section of the follower 512, and in particular on the free end of the first section of the follower 512. The proximity sensor is arranged internally or externally on the mechanical side cover 520. The proximity sensor and the detected member 510 can adopt the electromagnetic principle. To this end, the detected member 510 can be configured as a permanent magnet. The proximity sensor can be configured as a Hall effect device 36. The Hall effect device 36 internally includes a Hall chip 38 integrated on a printed circuit board (see Figures 4a to 5b). The Hall chip 38 can output a corresponding current modulation signal by detecting changes in the surrounding magnetic flux. The detected component 510 and the proximity sensor can be arranged relative to each other so that when the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the detected component 510 is within the detection range of the proximity sensor and the proximity sensor outputs a first detection signal; when the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the detected component 510 is out of the detection range of the proximity sensor and the proximity sensor outputs a second detection signal. When the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the proximity sensor faces the detected component 510, and when the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the detected component 510 is away from the proximity sensor.

[0077] In another embodiment (not shown), when the switch detection device employs a contact-type design, the switch detection device may include a contact switch. The contact switch is configured to detect the switch between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode by contacting and disengaging with a movable component in the restraining device 50. The contact switch is internally disposed on the mechanical side cover 520. The contact switch can detect the switch by contacting and disengaging with the trigger disk 508 or the follower 512. The contact switch may be configured to contact and energize the trigger disk 508 when the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking retraction mode, and to disengage from the trigger disk 508 when the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 is in the emergency locking retraction mode. The contact switch may be configured as a microswitch. Of course, other types of contact switches are also contemplated. Here, contact between the contact switch and the movable component means that the contact force generated by the contact exceeds a contact force threshold of the contact switch, thereby energizing the contact switch. The contact switch and the movable component are arranged relative to each other such that, when the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the contact switch contacts the movable component and the contact switch outputs a first detection signal; and when the seat belt retractor assembly 10 is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the contact switch disengages from the movable component and the contact switch outputs a second detection signal.

[0078] To transmit the detection signals generated by the switch detection device, such as the first detection signal and the second detection signal, for further processing, the switch detection device also includes a wiring harness 34 and a connector 32 as described above. The Hall effect device 36, wiring harness 34, and connector 32 form a Hall effect device assembly 30. Of course, wiring harness 34 and connector 32 can also be used for other types of proximity sensors. Similarly, wiring harness 34 and connector 32 can also be used for contact switches. The detection signals generated by the switch detection device can be transmitted via wiring harness 34 and connector 32 to the electronic control units of other restraint systems in the vehicle as input signals for controller logic.

[0079] The operating principle of the switching detection device is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4 a to FIG. 5 b .

[0080] FIG4 a shows the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 in the automatic locking retraction mode when the webbing 20 is fully or nearly fully extended, i.e., at the maximum unwind position of the reel spool 12. The follower 512 rotates in the direction opposite to direction B under the torsional force of the return spring 514. The pawl 530 on the follower 512 is inserted into the recess 536 of the trigger disk 508, which is configured as a restraining groove. The locking lever 528 on the follower 512 engages with the outer ring gear 62 of the locking mechanism 60. If an occupant attempts to withdraw the webbing 20 at this point, the locking mechanism 60 is engaged, causing the main locking mechanism of the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 to enter a locked state, preventing further withdrawal of the webbing 20. In the automatic locking retraction mode shown in FIG4 a , the Hall effect chip 38 in the switching detection device, configured as a Hall effect device 36, faces the detected element 510, configured as a permanent magnet (not shown). Here and in the subsequent figures, the Hall chip 38 is illustrated by a dashed frame.

[0081] FIG4 b shows the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 in the automatic lock release point, i.e., the emergency lock retraction mode, after the webbing 20 has been fully rewound or rewound to a set length, after the webbing 20 has been rotated in the rewind direction R for a predetermined rewinding distance or in the unwinding direction P for a predetermined extension distance, and before the webbing 20 has reached its predetermined maximum unwinding position. The guide post 516 on the planetary gear 504 extends through the through-hole 518 of the positioning wheel 506 and into the fan-shaped through-opening 534, which is configured as a retaining groove, on the trigger disk 508. As the webbing 20 rewinds, it winds around the webbing 20, driving the eccentric wheel 502 to rotate. Passing through the small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism, the guide post 516 on the planetary gear 504 rotates freely in the fan-shaped through-opening 534 in the direction A, but does not drive the trigger disk 508 to rotate. As the webbing 20 continues to retract, the guide post 516 contacts the limiting surface at the end of the fan-shaped through-opening 534, driving the trigger disc 508 to rotate in direction A. When the webbing 20 is fully retracted or retracted to the set length, the trigger disc 508 overcomes the torque applied by the return spring 514 on the follower 512, causing the follower 512 to rotate in direction B, driving the pawl 530 to disengage from the recess 536 of the trigger disc 508 and subsequently abut against the circular outer contour of the trigger disc 508. At this point, the locking rod 528 on the follower 512 disengages from the outer gear ring 62 of the locking mechanism 60, and the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 enters the emergency locking retraction mode, allowing the occupant to freely withdraw and retract the webbing 20. The corresponding locking mechanism is triggered to prevent the webbing 20 from being withdrawn only when the vehicle's acceleration or deceleration, the vehicle's tilt angle, or the webbing withdrawal acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold. In the emergency locking retraction mode shown in FIG4 b , the trigger disk 508 with the detected member 510 configured as a permanent magnet (not shown) rotates a certain angle in the direction A, so that the detected member 510 is away from the Hall chip 38 of the Hall effect device 36 .

[0082] Figures 5a and 5b respectively illustrate the relative positions of the Hall chip 38 and the detected member 510 fixedly connected to the trigger disk 508 when the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking mode and the automatic locking release point (i.e., the emergency locking retraction mode). The relative positions of the Hall chip 38 and the detected member 510 are more clearly visible in Figures 5a and 5b. When the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking mode, as shown in Figure 5a, the Hall chip 38 faces the detected member 510. At this time, the detectable magnetic flux is maximum, and the corresponding current modulation signal is, for example, 14 mA. As the webbing 20 continuously rewinds, the detected member 510 rotates in direction A along with the trigger disk 508. When the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 is in the automatic locking release point (i.e., the emergency locking retraction mode), as shown in Figure 5b, the detected member 510 moves away from the Hall chip 38. At this time, the detectable magnetic flux is minimum, and the corresponding current modulation signal is, for example, 6 mA.

[0083] In summary, the present invention provides a seatbelt retractor assembly 10 that integrates both automatic locking and emergency locking retraction modes. A switching detection device within the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 detects the switch between the automatic locking and emergency locking retraction modes, thereby determining the operating mode of the seatbelt retractor assembly 10 and generating a corresponding electrical detection signal. This electrical detection signal can be input to the electronic control unit that controls other restraint systems in the vehicle. For example, when a child seat is installed on the passenger seat, the electrical detection signal can prompt the electronic control unit to suppress activation of the corresponding frontal airbag, thereby protecting the child in the child seat from injury.

[0084] Finally, it should be pointed out that the specific embodiments are only used to understand the present invention and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the specific embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: Bracket; a tape take-up shaft rotatably supported in the bracket; a locking mechanism having a locking element, which is designed to lock the take-up shaft in the unwinding direction in an activated state and to release the take-up shaft in a deactivated state; a damping device comprising a reduction mechanism having an input element and an output element, the input element being connected to the belt shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, the output element being configured to output the reduced motion; and a mechanical side cover, the mechanical side cover covering the restraining device and the locking mechanism from the outside; It is characterized in that The inhibition device further includes a trigger disk, a follower, and a return spring acting on the follower. The trigger disk can be driven by the output element and is rotatably supported. The follower includes a first section that can interact with the trigger disk and a second section that can engage with the locking element of the locking mechanism. Wherein, the trigger disk and the driven member are constructed as follows: When the belt reel is in the maximum unwinding position, the first section engages with the trigger disk under the action of the restoring force of the restoring spring, and the second section of the follower engages with the locking element of the locking mechanism, so that the locking mechanism is activated and the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode. After the belt reel has rotated a predetermined rewinding stroke in the rewinding direction or after the belt reel has rotated a predetermined extension stroke in the unwinding direction and before the belt reel reaches a predetermined maximum unwinding position, the first section resists the restoring force of the restoring spring and stops engaging with the trigger disk and abuts against the working surface of the trigger disk, and the second section of the follower is disengaged from the locking element of the locking mechanism, so that the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode. The seatbelt retractor assembly further includes a switching detection device configured to detect switching between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode.

2. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching detection device includes a proximity sensor and a detected member, wherein the detected member is fixed to a movable component in the suppression device, and the detected member and the proximity sensor are arranged relative to each other such that: When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the detected part is within the detection range of the proximity sensor and the proximity sensor outputs a first detection signal. When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the detected component leaves the detection range of the proximity sensor and the proximity sensor outputs a second detection signal.

3. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detected part is arranged on the trigger disk.

4. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detected object is configured as a permanent magnet.

5. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The proximity sensor is arranged internally or externally on the machine side cover.

6. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The proximity sensor is configured as a Hall effect device.

7. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the proximity sensor faces the detected part, and when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the detected part is away from the proximity sensor.

8. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching detection device includes a contact switch configured to detect switching between the automatic locking retraction mode and the emergency locking retraction mode by contacting and disengaging with a movable component in the restraint device, wherein: The contact switch and the movable component are arranged relative to each other such that, When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the contact switch contacts the movable component and is turned on, and the contact switch outputs a first detection signal. When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the contact switch is disengaged from the movable component and the contact switch outputs a second detection signal.

9. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The contact switch is arranged internally on the machine side cover.

10. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The contact switch is configured as a micro switch.

11. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The contact switch is configured to contact the trigger disc and be turned on when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, and to be disengaged from the trigger disc when the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode.

12. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching detection device further comprises a wiring harness and a connector, and the detection signal generated by the switching detection device can be transmitted to the electronic control units of other restraint systems of the vehicle via the wiring harness and the connector as an input signal of the controller logic.

13. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: The wiring harness extends to the outside of the outer cover through an opening of the outer cover provided outside the machine side cover.

14. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 13, wherein: The wiring harness is at least partially fixedly connected to the outer cover.

15. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The trigger disk includes a recess, wherein When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the automatic locking retraction mode, the first section is engaged in the recess; When the seat belt retractor assembly is in the emergency locking retraction mode, the first section is disengaged from the recess.

16. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: In the installed state, the first section projects radially inwardly from the main body of the driven element in a curved manner.

17. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The second section protrudes perpendicularly to a plane formed by the body of the follower and the first section.

18. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The reduction mechanism is constructed as a planetary gear reduction mechanism with a small tooth difference, which includes an eccentric wheel as an input element, a planetary wheel as an output element, and a stationary ring gear arranged inside the machine side cover. The planetary wheel is eccentrically supported relative to the rotation axis of the belt take-up shaft by the eccentric wheel, and the planetary wheel can mesh with the ring gear.

19. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 18, wherein: The reduction ratio of the small-tooth-difference planetary gear reduction mechanism is between 20:1 and 35:

1.

20. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 18, wherein: The ring gear is connected to the machine side cover in a rotationally fixed manner.

21. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The output element has a guide column, and the trigger disk has a through-opening, into which the guide column can project and freely move between the two ends of the through-opening.

22. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein: The through-opening is configured in a sector shape.

23. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein: The restraining device further comprises a positioning wheel arranged between the output element and the trigger disk, a through hole being provided in the positioning wheel, and the guide column can extend through the through hole of the positioning wheel into the through opening of the trigger disk.

24. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The locking mechanism comprises a locking disk, the locking disk being capable of locking the belt reel in the unwinding direction when locked, wherein the locking disk has an outer toothed ring as a locking element on its outer circumference.

25. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The mechanical side cover is fixed on the bracket.

26. The seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to claim 2 or 8, characterized in that: The seatbelt retractor assembly is arranged at the front passenger seat. The first detection signal can be input as a control signal to the electronic control unit of other restraint systems and prompt the electronic control unit to suppress the triggering of the front airbag corresponding to the front passenger seat.

27. A seat belt device for a motor vehicle, comprising a webbing, characterized in that: The seat belt device comprises a seat belt retractor assembly for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the belt reel of the seat belt retractor assembly is a reel of the webbing.

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