Seat Belt Retractor With Rotating Blocking Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt retractors face challenges in allowing a defined belt webbing extension while maintaining a compact design and effectively limiting the load on vehicle occupants during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A seat belt retractor design featuring a blocking pawl and a blocking ring with a limited rotational range, utilizing a blocking teeth system and a thread mechanism to control belt webbing extension, along with optional force limiters to manage energy absorption and deceleration, allowing for flexible configuration and compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the blocking ring is made rotatable to a limited extent, then a defined belt webbing extension is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking ring is designed to be rotatable to a limited extent instead of being completely fixed, allowing controlled movement that defines the belt webbing extension length. This dynamic element enables precise control over the extension distance while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure without requiring complex control systems.
2Volume of moving object
If the blocking teeth system is provided at the inside of the blocking ring, then the belt retractor design becomes more compact, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking teeth system is positioned at the inside of the blocking ring, with the blocking pawl engaging radially outwardly into the teeth. This nested arrangement allows the blocking mechanism to be integrated within the existing structure of the blocking ring, achieving a compact belt retractor design without requiring additional external components or increasing overall device volume.
3Length of moving object
If a thread mechanism is used to mount the blocking ring, then a further belt webbing extension over plural revolutions is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thread mechanism allows the blocking ring to be mounted in a rotatably limited extent through self-engaging threads. As the belt reel rotates during webbing extension, the threaded connection automatically converts rotational motion into controlled linear displacement, enabling extended belt webbing payout over multiple revolutions without requiring external actuators or complex control mechanisms.
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 a defined and adjustable belt webbing extension with minimal mounting size, effectively limiting the load on occupants during accidents by using a simple and compact mechanism that integrates force limiters for energy absorption and deceleration.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking pawl provided at the belt reel which is adapted to engage in a blocking teeth system
Implementation Method 2
The blocking teeth system is provided in a blocking ring that is mounted to the frame to a rotatably limited extent
Implementation Method 3
the blocking ring has a thread and is mounted by said thread to a mating thread provided at the frame
Implementation Method 4
at or in the thread preferably a stop is provided for stopping the rotation of the blocking ring
Data Source
AI summary
A seat belt retractor (10) comprises a frame (12), a belt reel (14) which is rotatably mounted in the frame (12), and a blocking pawl (22) which is provided at the belt reel (14) and is capable of engaging with a blocking teeth system (20). The blocking teeth system (20) is provided at a blocking ring (18) which is mounted at the frame (14) in a rotationally limited manner.