Ball Sensor Tilt Locking for Seat Belt Retractor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat belt retractors have mechanically complex constructions that limit the installation position to one side of the vehicle seat, requiring the seat belt to be pulled upwards, restricting flexibility in mounting and usage.
Innovation Solution
A seat belt retractor with a locking unit featuring a gravity-influenced ball sensor and tilting locking means that allows the seat belt to be pulled horizontally, enabling installation in various positions, such as the vehicle seat backrest, by using a gear wheel and ball sensor mechanism to lock the reel when tilted beyond a certain angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional locking units with mechanically complex constructions are used, then the seat belt can be pulled out against gravity force, but the installation position is limited to one side of the vehicle seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanically complex locking unit with a simplified mechanism using a ball sensor influenced by gravity and a gear wheel with locking teeth. The ball sensor detects the tilt angle of the seat belt retractor, and when the tilt exceeds a certain angle, the ball engages with the gear wheel teeth to lock the reel, enabling flexible installation positions without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from mechanical force resistance to gravity-based tilt detection. By using a gravity-influenced ball sensor instead of complex mechanical locking mechanisms, the system can detect when the seat belt retractor tilts beyond a safe angle and automatically lock, thereby enabling versatile installation positions including horizontal mounting in the backrest.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat belt retractor is mounted horizontally in the backrest, then installation flexibility is improved, but the locking mechanism must reliably detect tilt angles
Solution Approach 1:
The ball sensor mechanism is passive and self-actuating, utilizing gravity to automatically detect tilt angles without requiring external power sources or complex electronic sensors. The ball naturally rolls to engage with the gear wheel teeth when the retractor tilts beyond the safe angle, providing reliable tilt detection through simple gravitational physics.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using active electronic sensors that require power and complex circuitry to detect tilt, the invention inverts the approach by using a passive mechanical ball sensor that naturally responds to gravity. The system detects tilt not by measuring it with electronics, but by allowing the ball to physically engage with the locking mechanism when the tilt threshold is exceeded.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible mounting and usage of seat belt retractors in different vehicle positions, allowing the seat belt to be pulled transversely to the direction of gravity, enhancing safety and usability by accommodating various installation configurations.
Implementation Method 1
tilting locking means which have a gravity-influenced ball sensor and are adapted to lock the webbing reel when the seat belt retractor tilts at least one deployment angle from the installed position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a locking unit (20) for a safety belt retractor which is provided on one end of a belt reel (3) of the safety belt retractor, onto which a safety belt is rolled and from which the safety belt can be unrolled in a withdrawal direction (AR), wherein the locking unit (20) is designed to lock the belt reel when the safety belt is unrolled rapidly, and wherein the locking unit (20) can be fastened in a motor vehicle in a mounting location and comprises tilt locking means (21) which comprise a ball sensor (22) influenced by gravity and are designed to lock the belt reel when the safety belt retractor tilts out of the mounting location by at least a trigger angle (AW), wherein the tilt locking means (21) are designed and arranged in the locking unit (20) in such a manner as to allow a withdrawal direction (AR) of the safety belt substantially transversely to the direction of gravity (RSK).