Belt Retractor Movable Coupling Element for Damping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt retractors for seat belts often block the belt reel due to high retracting speed and inertia, requiring strong pulling to release, and adaptation to different webbing lengths is limited by predefined coupling areas in planetary gearing systems.
Innovation Solution
A belt retractor with a movable coupling element that can be freely adjusted to couple or disconnect the belt reel from the damping means, using a gearwheel system with a lock element and planetary gearing to control the coupling timing, allowing flexible damping and deceleration settings without external control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a planetary gearing with a control disk is used to couple the belt reel to the damping means, then the damping timing can be controlled, but the adaptation to different webbing lengths is limited by the predefined coupling area
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed to be movable between a coupling position and an idle position, allowing dynamic adjustment of the coupling timing. The coupling element can be shifted at different points in time based on the vehicle or seat belt configuration, enabling adaptation to different webbing lengths without redesigning the entire planetary gearing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is separated into distinct components: a coupling element that can engage or disengage from the belt reel, and a lock element that fixes the coupling element in the idle position. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the coupling timing while maintaining a simple base structure.
2Reliability
If the damping means is constantly coupled to the belt reel, then the retracting movement can be controlled, but the belt reel may block due to high retracting speed and inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is fixed in the idle position by the lock element during normal operation, disconnecting the damping means from the belt reel. This allows the belt reel to operate freely without continuous damping coupling, preventing blocking while maintaining smooth operation during extension and retraction.
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 adaptation of damping timing and deceleration, preventing undesired blocking and allowing a larger retracting and extending range without continuous coupling to the damping means, ensuring smooth operation and easy adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling element is a gearwheel adapted to engage in a belt reel side gearwheel and a damping means side gearwheel
Implementation Method 2
a damping means adapted to dampen the winding rotation of the belt reel in a defined end portion
Implementation Method 3
a lock element is provided that is adapted to fix the coupling element in the idle position
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling element (32) which is movable between a coupling position in which the coupling element couples the belt reel (12) to the damping means (22) and an idle position in which the coupling element (32) is disconnected from the belt reel (12) is provided on a belt retractor (10) comprising a belt reel (12) which is mounted in a housing (14) and onto which webbing of a seat belt can be wound and comprising a damping means (22) adapted to dampen the winding rotation of the belt reel (12) in a defined end portion.