Seat belt winding device

Abstract

A seat belt winding device (1), comprising a spindle (10) and a pre-tensioner (20), wherein the spindle rotates in a winding direction to wind a seat belt on the side surface thereof; and the pre-tensioner is arranged on one axial side of the spindle, and drives, under a predetermined condition, the spindle to rotate in the winding direction. The pre-tensioner comprises: a rotating member (100), which is connected to the spindle in a manner of rotating together therewith; a moving rod (23), which is flexible and is driven to engage with the rotating member, so as to drive the spindle to rotate in the winding direction; and a tube (25), which is used for accommodating the moving rod and comprises a first tube section (251) and a second tube section (252), wherein in the moving direction of the moving rod that causes the winding action of the spindle, the first tube section is located at a position upstream of the rotating member, the second tube section is located at a position downstream of the rotating member, and the first tube section and the second tube section extend in the axial direction of the spindle. The design can provide a seat belt winding device with a small size.

Description

Seat belt retractor Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to safety devices for vehicles, and more specifically, to seatbelt retraction devices. Background Technology

[0002] As a safety device in vehicles, seat belts are used to restrain occupants during a collision and prevent secondary impacts between occupants and the steering wheel, dashboard, etc., or to prevent occupants from being ejected from the vehicle and suffering injury or death. Typically, a seat belt retractor is installed in the limited space of the vehicle seat to store the seat belt, and the seat belt is wound up on the retractor's spindle. Occupants can insert a latch attached to the seat belt into a buckle fixed to the vehicle body structure to restrain themselves in the seat; and occupants can release the latch from the buckle to allow them to leave the seat. Nowadays, seat belt retractors have a pre-tensioning function. Specifically, during or even before a collision, the pre-tensioner winds up the seat belt to enhance restraint. This pre-tensioner can act on the spindle, causing the spindle to rotate in the winding direction to tighten the seat belt. However, pre-tensioners can result in a larger seat belt retractor, which, given the limited space in a vehicle, makes installation difficult.

[0003] The goal is to provide a compact seatbelt retraction device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a compact seatbelt retraction device, particularly a seatbelt retraction device with a small pretensioner.

[0005] This invention provides a seatbelt retraction device, which includes

[0006] A spindle that winds the seatbelt onto its side by rotating in the winding direction;

[0007] A pretensioner is disposed on one axial side of the mandrel and, under predetermined conditions, drives the mandrel to rotate in the winding direction;

[0008] in,

[0009] The pretensioner includes:

[0010] A rotating component, which is connected to the mandrel in a manner that they rotate together;

[0011] A movable rod, which is flexible, is driven to engage with the rotating element, thereby causing the mandrel to rotate in the winding direction; and

[0012] A tube for accommodating the movable rod;

[0013] The tube includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment. In the direction of movement of the moving rod that causes the mandrel to retract, the first tube segment is located upstream of the rotating member, and the second tube segment is located downstream of the rotating member. Both the first tube segment and the second tube segment extend along the axial direction of the mandrel.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes an end cap for accommodating the rotating member, and a first connector for connecting the two is provided between the end cap and the first pipe segment, and a second connector for connecting the two is provided between the end cap and the second pipe segment.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is configured to include a connecting pipe segment integrally formed with the first pipe segment, and the connecting pipe segment is configured as an arc-shaped pipe segment to connect one end of the first pipe segment to the circumferential side of the end cap.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second connector is configured as an adapter integrally formed with the end cap, and the adapter includes a channel for the moving rod to pass through and communicate with the second pipe segment.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pipe segment includes a first fixing part and a second fixing part, the first fixing part being located at one end of the second pipe segment abutting the adapter part, and used to fix the second pipe segment to the end cap; and,

[0018] The second fixing part is configured to fix the second pipe segment and the frame for accommodating the mandrel together on the lateral side of the second pipe segment.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pipe segment includes a tubular main body and a first protrusion and a second protrusion located at one end of the tubular main body that abuts against the transition portion, wherein the first protrusion protrudes from the end face of the tubular main body and extends a predetermined distance toward the rotating member, and the second protrusion protrudes from the end face of the tubular main body and is provided with the first fixing portion.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing part fixes the second pipe segment at the edge of the frame.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing part has a bent portion and a slot defined by the bent portion, and one edge of the frame is positioned in the slot.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second fixing part and the tubular main body part are arranged in a laterally offset manner.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing part is configured as a fixing hole, and a fixing member is provided to fix the end cap and the second pipe segment together through the fixing hole. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same symbols denote the same elements, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 schematically shows an exploded view of a seatbelt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 schematically shows some components of the seat belt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 schematically shows another component of the seatbelt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a component of a seatbelt retraction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The following describes specific embodiments of the seatbelt retraction device according to the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings below are provided to exemplify the principles of the invention. The invention is not limited to the described preferred embodiments; the various embodiments described can be used individually or in any combination. The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the claims.

[0030] Furthermore, spatially related terms (such as "up," "down," "left," and "right") are used to describe the relative positional relationship between elements shown in the accompanying drawings and other elements. Therefore, spatially related terms can be applied to directions different from those shown in the accompanying drawings. Clearly, while all these spatially related terms refer to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings for ease of explanation, those skilled in the art will understand that directions different from those shown in the accompanying drawings can be used.

[0031] Figure 1 schematically shows an exploded view of a seatbelt retraction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seatbelt retraction device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the seatbelt retractor 1 includes a spindle 10, a pretensioner 20 located on one axial side of the spindle 10, and a locking assembly 30 and a force-applying assembly 40 located on the other axial side of the spindle 10. Furthermore, the seatbelt retractor 1 also includes a frame 50, which is to be fixed at a predetermined location in the vehicle, for example, to the seat cushion frame of the seat frame. The various components of the seatbelt retractor 1 will be described in detail below.

[0033] The spindle 10 is generally cylindrical and is positioned inside the frame 50. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the frame 50 includes two side plates arranged opposite each other in the left-right direction. The axial ends of the spindle 10 are respectively positioned on these two side plates of the frame 50 and are capable of rotating about their own central axis. In addition, one end of the seat belt webbing (not shown) along the length direction is fixed to the circumferential side of the spindle 10. When the spindle 10 rotates in the winding direction, the seat belt webbing is wound onto the spindle 10; conversely, when the spindle 10 rotates in the unwinding direction, the seat belt webbing is disengaged from the spindle 10. In this way, the occupant can adjust the wearing length of the seat belt.

[0034] The pretensioner 20 includes a micro gas generator 21, a transfer piston 22, a moving rod 23, and a tube 25 for receiving and guiding the moving rod 23. The transfer piston 22 transmits the driving force of the micro gas generator 21 to the moving rod 23. The micro gas generator 21 includes a gas generating agent and a housing (not shown) for containing the gas generating agent, as well as an ignition device and another housing (not shown) for containing the ignition device. The ignition device heats up when energized, thereby igniting the gas generating agent. The gas generating agent burns, instantaneously generating a high-pressure gas. Simultaneously, the high-pressure gas generated by the gas generating agent forces a sufficiently large gas pressure within the housing containing the gas generating agent, causing the housing to expand and deform until it breaks. Next, high-temperature, high-pressure gas flowing from the containment section that originally held the gas generator is supplied into the tube 25. Specifically, high-temperature, high-pressure gas is supplied into the tube 25 from one end. The transmission piston 22 is positioned at that end of the tube 25, and after being subjected to the force applied by the high-temperature, high-pressure gas, this force is transmitted to the moving rod 23, causing the moving rod 23 to move along the tube 25. The pretensioner 20 also includes a rotating member 100, which is connected to the spindle 10 in a rotatable manner. An end cap 26 is fixed to one side of the frame 50 to accommodate the rotating member 100 and at least a portion of the moving rod 23 when engaged with the rotating member 100. The movement of the moving rod 23 along the tube 25 occurs, for example, in a vehicle emergency, and can be made of, for example, synthetic resin. The moving rod 23 moves to engage with the rotating member 100, thereby driving the rotating member 100 and thus driving the spindle 10 to rotate in the winding direction. That is, the seat belt device 1 has a pretensioning function.

[0035] The locking assembly 30 includes a cover 31 and an actuator 32 and an actuator 33 housed within the cover 31. Furthermore, the locking assembly 30 includes a pawl 34 disposed at the end face of the spindle 10. In an emergency, the actuator 33 actuates the actuator 32, causing the actuator 32 to engage with the pawl 34, thereby locking the rotation of the spindle 10 in the unwinding direction.

[0036] The force-applying assembly 40 includes a spring housing 41, a spring 42 disposed inside the housing 41, and a spring plate 43 for fixing the spring 42. The force-applying assembly 40 applies a rotational force in the winding direction to the spindle 10 by means of the force of the spring 42, for example, to adjust the length of the seat belt worn by the occupant.

[0037] Figure 2 schematically illustrates some components of a seatbelt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 schematically illustrates another portion of a seatbelt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 schematically illustrates one component of a seatbelt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seatbelt retractor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rotating member 100 of the pretensioner 20 is mounted on the right end face of the spindle 10. It should be noted that the rotating member 100 is mounted on the spindle 10 in a manner that it rotates together with the spindle 10. Figures 2 and 3 schematically show the engagement of the moving rod 23 of the pretensioner 20 with the rotating member 100. Figure 2 shows the end of the moving rod 23 engaging with the rotating member 100, that is, the moving rod 23 and the rotating member 100 are just beginning to engage. Figure 3 shows the end of the moving rod 23 initially engaged with the rotating member 100 having already moved away from the end cap 26 where the rotating member 100 is located. Therefore, the moving rod 23 in Figures 2 and 3 moves upward, driving the rotating member 100 and thereby driving the spindle 10 to rotate in the winding direction C, so as to wind the seatbelt webbing onto the spindle 10. As shown in Figure 2, the mandrel 10 has a generally cylindrical circumferential side surface for winding up the seat belt webbing (not shown). When the mandrel 10 rotates in the winding direction C, the seat belt webbing is wound onto the circumferential side surface. Furthermore, for the seat belt winding device 1 in the orientation shown in Figure 2, when a predetermined condition is met (e.g., the acceleration caused by emergency braking is greater than a predetermined value), the moving rod 23 moves upward to drive the mandrel 10 to rotate in the winding direction C. When the moving rod 23 engages with the teeth of the rotating member 100, the teeth embed into the flexible moving rod 23, thereby causing plastic deformation of the moving rod 23.

[0039] The movable rod 23 is housed within the tube 25. During the pre-tightening process of the pre-tightening device 20, the movable rod 23 of the pre-tightening device 20 moves along the inner wall of the tube 25. That is, the tube 25 functions as both a receiver and a guide for the movable rod 23. Specifically, when driven, the movable rod 23 located within the tube 25 moves along the tube 25 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3, and the tube 25 defines the path of movement of the movable rod 23. This will be described in more detail below.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the tube 25 includes a first tube segment 251 and a second tube segment 252. In the direction of movement of the moving rod 23 that causes the spindle 10 to retract, i.e., in the upward movement path of the moving rod 23, the first tube segment 251 is located upstream of the rotating member 100, and the second tube segment 252 is located downstream of the rotating member 100. That is, when driven, the moving rod 23 moves sequentially through the first tube segment 251, the rotating member 100, and the second tube segment 252. Furthermore, in the seat belt retraction device 1 of the present invention, as clearly shown in Figure 2, both the first tube segment 251 and the second tube segment 252 of the tube 25 extend along the axial direction of the spindle 10. It should be noted that the first tube segment and the second tube segment extending along the axial direction of the spindle means that the length direction of both the first tube segment and the second tube segment is consistent with the axial direction of the spindle, and is consistent within a predetermined included angle range, for example, the predetermined included angle is less than or equal to 30 degrees.

[0041] Therefore, in the seat belt retractor of the present invention, since both the first and second tube segments extend along the axial direction of the spindle, that is, the plane defined by the first and second tube segments is parallel to the axial direction of the spindle, the seat belt retractor has a smaller cross-sectional area, particularly at the end face of the spindle, and thus a smaller lateral dimension. Furthermore, the seat belt retractor of the present invention has a flat structure in which the first tube segment, the spindle, and the second tube segment are arranged substantially parallel and spaced apart. Considering that the seat cushion frame or backrest frame of a seat frame has a flat structure, the seat belt retractor of the present invention is particularly suitable for installation into a seat frame.

[0042] As an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG3, the end cap 26 is used to accommodate the rotating member 100. The end cap 26 has a flat first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face in the axial direction. Referring to FIG1, the first end face of the end cap 26 is the right end face and is obscured in FIG3; and, as shown in FIG3, a circular recess is provided on the second end face of the end cap 26 at approximately the middle position, in which the rotating member 100 is accommodated. In addition, the recess is also used to accommodate the section of the moving rod 23 that engages with the rotating member 100. Moreover, the end cap 26 also has a structure that communicates with the first pipe section 251 and the second pipe section 252 respectively, for the moving rod 23 to move smoothly between the first pipe section 251 and the end cap 26, and between the second pipe section 252 and the end cap 26, which will be described in detail below.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, a first connector 253 is provided between the end cap 26 and the first tube segment 251 to connect the two. Specifically, the first connector 253 connects the first tube segment 251 and the recess of the end cap 26 to provide a passage from the first tube segment 251 to the recess for moving the rod 23. In one example, the first connector 253 is configured to include a connecting tube segment integrally formed with the first tube segment 251, and the connecting tube segment is configured as an arcuate tube segment to connect one end of the first tube segment 251 to the circumferential side of the end cap 26. As previously described, the first tube segment 251 extends along the axial direction of the mandrel 10, and the end face of the end cap 26 is positioned approximately perpendicular to the axial direction of the mandrel 10. In this case, the first connector 253 is designed as an arcuate tube segment with approximately 90 degrees. Furthermore, as shown in FIG2, to further guide the moving rod 23, the first connector 253 also includes a straight pipe segment connected to the arcuate pipe segment, which extends from the circumferential side of the end cap 26 into the recess of the end cap 26 and extends to the radial side of the rotating member 100. Additionally, as shown in FIG3, a second connector 261 for connecting the end cap 26 and the second pipe segment 252 is provided between the end cap 26 and the second pipe segment 252. In one example, the second connector 261 is configured as a transition portion integrally formed with the end cap 26, and the transition portion includes a channel 2611 through which the moving rod 23 passes and communicates with the second pipe segment 252. That is, the second connector 261 provides a channel 2611 connecting the second pipe segment 252 and the recess of the end cap 26 for the moving rod 23 to enter the second pipe segment 252 via the channel 2611 after engagement with the rotating member 100.

[0044] The second pipe segment 252 is described below. As shown in FIG4, in order to fix the second pipe segment 252 to the end cap 26, a first fixing part 2521 is provided on the second pipe segment 252, and in order to fix the second pipe segment 252 to the frame 50, a second fixing part 2522 is provided on the second pipe segment 252.

[0045] The first fixing part 2521 is located at one end of the second pipe segment 252 that abuts the transition part, i.e., the right end in FIG. 4, and is used to fix the second pipe segment 252 to the end cap 26. Furthermore, a second protrusion 2524 may be provided at the right end of the second pipe segment 252, and the first fixing part 2521 is arranged on the second protrusion 2524. It is understood that the second protrusion 2524 is used to adjust the position of the first fixing part 2521. As an example, the first fixing part 2521 may be in the form of a through hole, and a fastener (e.g., a bolt) passes through the first fixing part 2521 and fixes it to the end cap 26. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second pipe segment 252 includes a tubular body portion 2520, a first protrusion 2523, and a second protrusion 2524. The first protrusion 2523 and the second protrusion 2524 are located at the end of the tubular body portion 2520 that abuts against the transition portion. The tubular body portion 2520 serves as the segment that receives the moving rod 23 after it engages with the rotating member 100. Furthermore, in order to guide the moving rod 23 into the second pipe segment 252, particularly the tubular body portion 2520 of the second pipe segment 252, a first protrusion 2523 is provided at the end face of the tubular body portion 2520. The first protrusion 2523 protrudes from the end face of the tubular body portion 2520 and extends a predetermined distance toward the rotating member 100 to guide the moving member 23 into the second pipe segment 252. In one example, the first protrusion 2523 is configured as an arc. Furthermore, the second protrusion 2524 protrudes from the end face of the tubular main body 2520 and is provided with a first fixing part 2521. As an example, the second protrusion 2524 may also be provided with a groove-shaped limiting part, which is spaced apart from the first fixing part 2521 and located to the left of the first fixing part 2521 in FIG. 4. This limiting part is used to cooperate with the mating part on the end cap 26 to determine the relative position between the second tube segment 252 and the end cap 26.

[0046] Furthermore, the second fixing part 2522 is configured to be located on the lateral side of the second tube segment 252, specifically at the lateral edge of the tubular body portion 2520 of the second tube segment 252. The second fixing part 2522 secures the second tube segment 252 together with the frame 50 for accommodating the mandrel 10. In one example, the second fixing part 2522 secures the second tube segment 252 to the edge of the frame 50. For this purpose, the second fixing part 2522 may have a bend 2522A and a slot 2522B defined by the bend 2522A, both of which have approximately C-shaped cross-sections. When the bend 2522A is located on the front side of the tubular body 2520, the opening of the C-shaped bend 2522A faces rearward to accommodate the front edge of the frame 50; or, when the bend 2522A is located on the rear side of the tubular body 2520, the opening of the C-shaped bend 2522A faces frontward to accommodate the rear edge of the frame 50. That is, one edge of the frame 50 (the top front edge of the frame 50 in Figure 1) is positioned in the slot 2522B. As an embodiment of the invention, the second fixing part 2522 and the tubular body 2520 are arranged in a laterally offset manner, such that the second fixing part 2522 is located at the top edge of the frame 50, and the tubular body 2520 is located at the top center of the frame 50. Also, as an example, the first tube segment 251 can be fixed to the bottom of the frame 50. It is understood that the above-described method of fixing the tube is merely an example, and the seat belt retraction device of the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, other fasteners or fixing methods can be used to fix the tube.

[0047] As mentioned above, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A seatbelt retraction device (1), comprising: The spindle (10) winds the seat belt onto its side by rotating in the winding direction; A pretensioner (20) is disposed on one axial side of the mandrel (10) and, under predetermined conditions, drives the mandrel (10) to rotate in the winding direction; Its features are, The pretensioner (20) includes: A rotating component (100) is connected to the spindle (10) in a manner that they rotate together; The movable rod (23), which is flexible, is driven to engage with the rotating member (100), thereby causing the mandrel (10) to rotate in the winding direction; and A tube (25) for accommodating the movable rod (23); The tube (25) includes a first tube segment (251) and a second tube segment (252). In the direction of movement of the moving rod (23) that causes the mandrel (10) to retract, the first tube segment (251) is located upstream of the rotating member (100), and the second tube segment (252) is located downstream of the rotating member (100). Both the first tube segment (251) and the second tube segment (252) extend along the axial direction of the mandrel (10).

2. The seat belt retraction device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes an end cap (26) for accommodating the rotating member (100), and a first connector (253) for connecting the two is provided between the end cap (26) and the first pipe segment (251), and a second connector (261) for connecting the two is provided between the end cap (26) and the second pipe segment (252).

3. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The first connector (253) is configured to include a connecting pipe section integrally formed with the first pipe section (251), and the connecting pipe section is configured as an arc-shaped pipe section to connect one end of the first pipe section (251) to the circumferential side of the end cap (26).

4. The seat belt retraction device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The second connector (261) is configured as an integrally formed adapter with the end cap (26), and the adapter includes a channel through which the moving rod (26) passes and communicates with the second pipe segment (252).

5. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The second pipe segment (252) includes a first fixing part (2521) and a second fixing part (2522). The first fixing part (2521) is located at one end of the second pipe segment (252) that abuts the adapter, and is used to fix the second pipe segment (252) to the end cap (26); and, The second fixing part (2522) is configured to fix the second tube segment (252) and the frame (50) for accommodating the mandrel (10) together on the lateral side of the second tube segment (252).

6. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The second tube segment (252) includes a tubular main body (2520) and a first protrusion (2523) and a second protrusion (2524) located at one end of the tubular main body (2520) that abuts against the transition portion. The first protrusion (2523) protrudes from the end face of the tubular main body (2520) and extends a predetermined distance toward the rotating member (100). The second protrusion (2524) protrudes from the end face of the tubular main body (2520) and is provided with the first fixing portion (2521).

7. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The second fixing part (2522) fixes the second pipe section (252) at the edge of the frame (50).

8. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The second fixing part (2522) has a bent part (2522A) and a slot (2522B) defined by the bent part (2522A), and one edge of the frame (50) is positioned in the slot (2522B).

9. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The second fixing part (2522) and the tubular main body part (2520) are arranged in a laterally offset manner.

10. The seatbelt retraction device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The first fixing part (2521) is configured as a fixing hole and is provided with a fixing member to fix the end cap (26) and the second pipe section (252) together through the fixing hole.

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