Safety Belt Retactor Locking Lever Merges Sensor Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-locking belt retractors for motor vehicles have complex constructions and high manufacturing costs due to multiple levers required for cutting off vehicle-sensitive and belt-webbing-sensitive control systems, with potential for errors in sequential actuation processes.
Innovation Solution
A simplified design where an inertial mass is swivellably mounted on the control disc, with a locking lever that cuts off both control systems simultaneously by securing the inertial mass and disabling the vehicle sensor, reducing components and switching processes, and incorporating a wobble plate with cams for ALR/ELR switchover control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple levers are provided for cutoff of vehicle-sensitive and belt-webbing-sensitive control systems, then the control systems can be cut off, but the construction of the belt retractor becomes complicated and manufacturing expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cutoff functions for both vehicle-sensitive and belt-webbing-sensitive control systems into a single locking lever. This lever simultaneously controls the vehicle sensor cutoff and the blocking catch actuation, eliminating the need for separate levers and reducing construction complexity while maintaining reliable cutoff functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple cutoff operations. It both disables the vehicle sensor and actuates the blocking catch for the belt-webbing-sensitive control system, making a single component serve multiple protective functions that previously required separate mechanisms.
2Reliability
If sequential actuation processes are used for cutoff of control systems, then the control systems can be cut off, but potential for errors increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sequential cutoff operations into a single simultaneous action. The locking lever's rotation performs both cutoff functions at the same time, eliminating the sequential steps that created error potential and simplifying the switching process into one reliable operation.
3Reliability
If various levers and control mechanisms are provided, then complete cutoff coverage is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing costs by merging multiple lever components into a single locking lever assembly. This consolidation decreases the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, directly reducing manufacturing expenditure while preserving complete cutoff coverage through the lever's multi-functional design.
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
This design simplifies the structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances reliability by enabling single-component, single-switching-process cutoff of both control systems, while maintaining the ALR/ELR functionality with reduced structural expenditure and improved error prevention.
Implementation Method 1
the control disc is constructed with an inertial mass swivellably mounted thereon for the formation of the belt-webbing-sensitive control
Data Source
AI summary
A self-locking belt retractor for motor vehicles with a vehicle-sensitive and a belt-webbing-sensitive control system for the blocking arrangement of the belt retractor, is characterized in that for the formation of its inertia, an inertial mass is swivellably mounted on a control disk, wherein the inertial mass can be deflected into a blocking position for the control disc. Additionally, a locking lever mounted on the control disc is provided for the cutoff of a vehicle sensor, and by way of a switching process in its cutoff position, the locking lever cuts off the vehicle sensor and secures the inertial mass in a disabling position, the disabling position being different than the blocking position.