Tensioning device for a seatbelt component

Abstract

The invention relates to a tensioning device for a seatbelt component, comprising a gas generator (1) for generating a compressed gas, a piston which can be driven by the compressed gas, a traction cable (2) which is connected to the piston and can be connected to a seatbelt component to be subjected to a tensioning movement, a tensioning tube (3) for receiving and guiding the piston, and a mounting (4) for securing the tensioning device to a motor vehicle and / or for fixing components of the tensioning device to one another, said mounting (4) at least partly surrounding the tensioning tube (3) in the circumferential direction. A reinforcement (5) is formed on the tensioning tube (3), and a support ring (6) is provided on the tensioning tube (3) between the reinforcement (5) and the mounting (4) such that the mounting (4) is supported on the reinforcement (5) by means of the support ring (6).

Description

[0001] Tensioning device for a safety component

[0002] The present invention relates to a tensioning device for a safety belt component, comprising a gas generator for generating a compressed gas, a piston that can be driven by the compressed gas, a pull cable that is connected to the piston and can be connected to a safety belt component that is to be set in a tensioning movement (such as an end fitting or belt buckle), a tensioning tube for receiving and guiding the piston and a holder for fastening the tensioning device to a motor vehicle and / or for fixing components of the tensioning device to one another, wherein the holder initially partially surrounds the tensioning tube in the circumferential direction.

[0003] Such a tensioning device is known, for example, from WO 2021 / 160569 A1. The tensioning device has a tensioning tube that extends exclusively in a straight line, with the gas generator arranged at one end of it. A recess is formed in the casing of the tensioning tube between the gas generator and the piston, through which recess the cable is guided out of the tensioning tube by means of a cable guide that projects through the recess. The cable guide is fixed to the tensioning tube by means of a bracket, and the tensioning device can be fastened to a motor vehicle by means of a bushing arranged in the cable guide. Such a tensioning device has a compact design and can be installed in the motor vehicle in a simple and space-saving manner. It has now been found that under load the bracket deforms and moves relative to the tensioning tube.

[0004] In addition to the tensioning devices known from WO 2021 / 160569 A1, more complex tensioning devices are also known in which the gas generator is arranged in a deflection block consisting of a cast part, whereby the deflection block on the one hand deflects the pull cable from the tensioning tube connected to the deflection block and on the other hand guides the compressed gas generated by the gas generator into the tensioning tube to the piston.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to at least partially eliminate the disadvantages described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a tensioning device that is less affected in the case of load.

[0006] One possible solution to the problem is provided by the tensioning device with the features of the independent claim. Further solutions and advantageous developments are specified in the preceding and following descriptions as well as in the subclaims. Individual features of the advantageous developments can be combined with one another in a technically expedient manner.

[0007] The object is achieved in particular by a tensioning device with the features mentioned at the outset, in which a reinforcement is formed on the tensioning tube and in which a support ring is arranged on the tensioning tube between the reinforcement and the holder, so that the holder rests indirectly on the reinforcement by means of the support ring.

[0008] In other words, the basic concept of the invention provides, on the one hand, a reinforcement formed in particular directly by the tensioning tube, and, on the other hand, a support ring pushed onto the tensioning tube rests against the reinforcement, so that under load, the forces absorbed by the bracket are transferred to the tensioning tube via the support ring. Such a support ring reduces excessive deformation of the bracket under load and, on the other hand, prevents the bracket from moving along the tensioning tube under load. This prevents unintentional deformation of the tensioning device that could affect the function of the tensioning device under load.

[0009] The reinforcement can be formed, for example, by a plurality of projections arranged in the circumferential direction of the tensioner tube and in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube.

[0010] However, it is preferred that the reinforcement be designed as a projection that is continuous in the circumferential direction and thus runs all the way around. The projection is designed, for example, as a type of bead or a type of bead on the tensioner tube. The projection is, in particular, formed as a single piece from the material of the tensioner tube.

[0011] The bracket is designed in particular in the form of a clamp and consists in particular of a formed metal sheet. The bracket can have a U-shaped cross-section.

[0012] In particular, it is provided that the holder rests against the tensioner tube in the circumferential direction over at least half the circumference and protrudes beyond the tensioner tube with two approximately parallel ends offset parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tensioner tube.

[0013] In this context, it can be provided, in particular, that further elements / components of the tensioning device, such as in particular the cable guide, are arranged between the ends of the bracket protruding beyond the tensioning tube. For example, it can be provided that at least one recess is formed in the bracket and in particular in the ends of the clamp-like bracket, through which the bracket is connected and preferably riveted to another component, in particular to the cable guide.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the holder can have at least one further recess through which, for example, a bolt for fastening the tensioning device to a motor vehicle can be passed.

[0015] The support ring can be made of the same material as the tensioner tube and / or the bracket. However, the support ring is preferably made of a different material. The support ring is preferably formed from flat steel. The support ring can be made, for example, from grade S350 steel. The tensioner tube, on the other hand, is preferably made from an unalloyed structural steel, for example, grade E235 steel. The bracket, in turn, can be made from a different steel, in particular flat steel, and is preferably made from grade S500 or S420 steel.

[0016] Preferably, the support ring is cylindrical in shape and rests against an outer side of the tensioner tube with an axial length of at least 0.5 cm, preferably of at least 1 cm and of a maximum of 4 cm, preferably of a maximum of 2 cm.

[0017] The support ring preferably has a thickness between 2 mm and 15 mm, particularly preferably between 4 mm and 10 mm, and most preferably 5 mm. In particular, it can be provided that the support ring has an edge on its side facing the reinforcement, which, under load, cuts into the reinforcement formed by the tensioner tube.

[0018] The invention and the technical environment are explained below by way of example with reference to the figures. They show schematically

[0019] Figure 1 : a perspective view of a tensioning device,

[0020] Figure 2: a side view of the tensioning device and

[0021] Figure 3 : a partially exploded view of the tensioning device.

[0022] The tensioning device shown in the figures comprises a tensioning tube 3, in the casing of which a recess 7 is formed (see in particular Figure 3).

[0023] The tensioning device also includes a pull cable 2, which is inserted into the tensioner tube 3 through the recess 7 by means of a cable guide 8. Within the tensioner tube 3, the pull cable 2 is connected to a non-visible piston. A safety belt component can be attached to the free end of the pull cable 2 outside the tensioner tube 3.

[0024] A gas generator 1 is arranged in one end of the tensioner tube.

[0025] The tensioning device also comprises a clamp-like bracket 4, which consists of a sheet metal formed into a U-shape and has a first end 4.1 and a second end 4.2. The cable guide 8 leading the traction cable 2 out of the tensioning tube 3 is arranged between the two ends 4.1 and 4.2 of the bracket 4, with the cable guide 8 being fastened to the bracket 4 by means of a rivet 9.

[0026] A bushing 10 is also arranged in the cable guide 8, which is aligned with recesses in the ends 4.1 and 4.2 of the bracket 4. For example, a bolt can be passed through the recesses and the bushing 10 to attach the tensioning device to a component of a motor vehicle.

[0027] A bead-like reinforcement 5 extending in the circumferential direction of the tensioner tube 3 is formed on the tensioner tube 3, against which a support ring 6 pushed onto the tensioner tube 3 rests. On the side of the support ring 6 facing away from the reinforcement 5, the bracket 4 rests against the support ring 6 in sections.

[0028] When triggered, the gas generator 1 generates a pressurized gas, which is guided inside the tensioner tube 3 along the tension cable 2, which may be surrounded by additional components inside the tensioner tube 3, to the piston. The pressurized gas drives the piston (to the right in the figures), retracting the tension cable 2 into the tensioner tube 3 and thus setting the seat belt component connected to the tension cable 2 in motion. The tensioning device can therefore be used to retract a seat belt component that can be connected to the tension cable 2 (such as an end fitting or belt buckle).

[0029] Due to the support ring 6 which is supported on the reinforcement 5, the bracket 4 is deformed to a lesser extent in the load case and, in addition, a relative movement of the bracket 4 to the tensioning tube 3 is avoided, so that the intended tightening movement can also take place safely in the desired direction in the load case.

[0030] List of reference symbols

[0031] 1 gas generator

[0032] 2 pull rope

[0033] 3 tensioner tube

[0034] 4 Bracket

[0035] 4.1 first end

[0036] 4.2 second end

[0037] 5 Reinforcement

[0038] 6 support ring

[0039] 7 Recess

[0040] 8 Rope guide

[0041] 9 rivet

[0042] 10 socket

Claims

Claims 1. A tensioning device for a safety belt component, comprising a gas generator (1) for generating a compressed gas, a piston drivable by the compressed gas, a traction cable (2) connected to the piston, which can be connected to a safety belt component to be set in a tensioning movement, a tensioning tube (3) for receiving and guiding the piston, and a holder (4) for fastening the tensioning device to a motor vehicle and / or for fixing components of the tensioning device to one another, wherein the holder (4) at least partially surrounds the tensioning tube (3) in the circumferential direction, characterized in that a reinforcement (5) is formed on the tensioning tube (3), and in that a support ring (6) is arranged between the reinforcement (5) and the holder (4) on the tensioning tube (3), so that the holder (4) rests against the reinforcement (5) by means of the support ring (6).

2. Tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement (5) on the tensioning tube (3) is designed as a projection running around the circumference.

3. Tensioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder (4) rests against the tensioning tube (3) in the circumferential direction over at least half the circumference.

4. Tensioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (4) protrudes with two approximately parallel ends (4.1, 4.2) beyond the tensioning tube (3).

5. Tensioning device according to claim 4, wherein the holder (4) is connected with the two parallel ends (4.1, 4.2) to the motor vehicle and / or to other components of the tensioning device.

6. Tensioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning tube (3) extends exclusively in a straight line.

7. Tensioning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning tube (3) between the gas generator (1) and the piston has a recess (7) in its casing and wherein the traction cable (2) is guided out of the tensioning tube (3) through the recess (7) by means of a cable guide (8) projecting into the tensioning tube (3) through the recess (7), wherein the cable guide (8) is fixed by means of the holder (4).

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