Retractable Patents (Class 280/807)
  • Patent number: 7607687
    Abstract: An airbag integrated into a belt portion of a seat belt assembly for a motor vehicle seat belt system. The seat belt assembly includes seat belt webbing forming the lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion and a spool assembly engaging the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt webbing. The seat belt assembly incorporates a gas driven pretensioner system incorporating at least one gas generator connected to the spool assembly and the belt airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter K Clute, Robert Mical
  • Patent number: 7600600
    Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor and device can be useful to reliably warn the vehicle occupant of various hazards, such as obstacles or the dozing of the driver. The seat belt retractor and device can comprise an electric motor, a spool for retracting a seat belt to restrain a vehicle occupant, and a controller for controlling the driving of the electric motor. The controller can be configured to control the driving of the electric motor so that several operations for increasing and decreasing the tension acting on the seat belt by the spool are repeated for warning the vehicle occupant. In addition, the controller can be configured to control the driving of the electric motor so that a motion of the spool in a seat belt retracting direction is larger in an initial operation relative to subsequent operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao
  • Patent number: 7597170
    Abstract: In a method for controlling the operation of a reversible belt retractor to release a belt extraction lock of a restraint belt in a motor vehicle, the lock can be activated by an acceleration sensor. After the belt retractor has been triggered as a consequence of a hazardous situation having been detected and after the hazardous situation has been recognized as being over, the operation of the belt retractor is controlled by a release signal at a release time in order to bring about the release of the belt extraction lock to shift it from a blocking state into a comfort-providing state. The release time is determined by a sensor model algorithm based on a model of the acceleration sensor from at least one variable characterizing the running dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bogenrieder, Walter Eberle, Rainer Justen, Hans Roehm, Guido Villino, Alfred Wagner, Markus Woldrich
  • Patent number: 7588114
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor system for a vehicle having a vehicle safety system. The seat belt is retracted at a faster rate when a threat is detected using a high-voltage generated by a local power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis Kalina
  • Publication number: 20090218803
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a safety belt including a seat belt spindle for winding up and unwinding the safety belt and a tensioning drive. The seat belt spindle includes a gas generator, a drive wheel and a supply pipe which connects the gas generator and the drive wheel. A plurality of thrust members are present in the supply pipe which, after triggering the gas generator, are accelerated and indirectly or directly drive the drive wheel for winding up the safety belt. An inertia coupling is arranged between the drive wheel and the seat belt spindle. The inertia coupling comprises coupling elements which, during an acceleration of the drive wheel, pivot outward and are directly or indirectly coupled to the seat belt spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Udo Friedsmann, Hermann Hasse, Jochen Benz, Jochen Lang, Sebastian Gotze, Hans-Jurgen Divo, Gerhard Klingauf, Carsten Felber, Robert Fleischmann, Paul Sprongl, Wolfgang Schrade, Christoph Pechhold
  • Publication number: 20090218802
    Abstract: A restraining system for a motor vehicle with a seat belt retractor that accommodates the one end of a seatbelt component, which has a tightening device having a belt shaft and a drive cable connected to the belt shaft, in which a sleeve (26) that enlarges the outer circumference of the shaft element (25) is slid onto one end of the shaft element (25) and is axially and radially fixed to the shaft element (25), while the wall thickness of the sleeve (26) is dimensioned in such a way that the drive radius of the shaft element (25) and a reduction in speed of the tightening drive is provided as compared with a cable wrapped onto the belt shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Klaus Peter Singer, Jens Ehlers
  • Patent number: 7581613
    Abstract: The seat belt device includes a first unit, a second unit, seat belt webbing, a spindle, a first pretensioner, a second pretensioner, and a controller. The first unit determines a possible collision of an automobile in response to a manipulation of the automobile by a driver. The second unit detects the collision of the automobile. The first pretensioner has a motor to rotate in response to a signal indicative of the possible collision determined by the first unit. The second pretensioner is pyrotechnically driven to rotate in response to a signal indicative of the collision detected by the second unit. The controller is configured to cancel an operation of the first pretensioner after an activation of the second pretensioner. The first pretensioner includes a limiter for restricting the motor from transmitting a driving force to the spindle exceeding a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Odate, Hiroshi Akaba, Yutaka Wakisaka, Tsutomu Terasaki, Osamu Kanno, Kenichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7545613
    Abstract: In controlling a seatbelt retracting device having a mechanism for retracting a seatbelt with a motor, a current flowing to the motor is detected, and a rate of increase in the current is calculated. The motor is stopped when the rate of increase in the electricity exceeds a predetermined rate and when the electricity exceeds a predetermined value, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
  • Publication number: 20090127840
    Abstract: A method for controlling a belt hand-over device during a delivery movement for taking up and delivering a seat belt into a presentation position ergonomically favorable for a user is provided. A belt finger taking up the seat belt is extended into an extended position, substantially oriented transversely to the moving path of the belt hand-over device, and during a return movement, in which the belt finger is retracted into a retracted position substantially coinciding with the moving path and the belt hand-over device is moved in a rest position. The extending and retraction of the belt finger during the delivery and return movements of the belt hand-over device are triggered at different positions in the moving path of the belt hand-over device between the rest position and the presentation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Bernd Freisleben, Alexander Dittrich
  • Patent number: 7533903
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor, which is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint by an electric motor, warns a vehicle occupant. A seat belt retractor of a seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that a motor is controlled to repeat an action of increasing and decreasing the tension acting on a seat belt a plurality of times according to a setting that the seat belt tension at the initial stage of each action overshoots a predetermined target tension, for the purpose of warning a vehicle occupant who wears the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 7530601
    Abstract: A motor-driven seatbelt retractor is provided in which vibrations of a cover can be minimized while minimizing increase in weight. In one form, a predetermined number of ribs are provided on a thin plate portion of a cover of a power transmission gear mechanism. These ribs extend in parallel with each other from top to bottom (in a vertical direction) of a seatbelt retractor. Since rigidity of the cover is increased by these ribs, even though vibrations are generated when a motor is driven and the power transmission gear mechanism is operated respectively, the cover is prevented effectively from being vibrated due to the vibrations of these members. Accordingly, generation of noise due to the vibrations of the cover can also be effectively restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090108577
    Abstract: A lap-belt pre-tensioner operative to draw in a lap belt is disposed on an upper face of a projecting portion so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle from an disposition portion of a lower support member, and on the upper face of the projecting portion is provided a groove portion so as to accommodate the lap-belt pre-tensioner in such a manner that the lap-belt pre-tensioner substantially does not project into an ingress-egress opening. Accordingly, there can be provided an occupant protection device of a vehicle equipped with a slide door in which the lap-belt pre-tensioner does not project into the ingress-egress opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunari HIROTANI
  • Publication number: 20090096202
    Abstract: A pretensioner for restraining an occupant with a seat belt by withdrawing a seat belt buckle upon occurrence of an impact on a vehicle. The pretensioner includes a wire. One end portion of the wire is connected to the seat belt buckle and the other end portion of the wire is connected to a piston. The pretensioner further includes a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a gas generator supplying gas into the cylinder. The pretentioner further includes a guiding member, having a bent passage portion, that bends the wire toward the direction of the cylinder. On an inner wall surface of the bent passage portion of the guiding member, convex portions are formed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the wire. The convex portions prevent the wire from being pushed in along the direction of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Shigeru Kohama
  • Patent number: 7516808
    Abstract: The disclosed seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may be used to provide a technology effective for reducing the risk of making a vehicle occupant uncomfortable with regard to the seat belt winding action. A seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus may comprise an electric motor, a spool capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint, and a controller configured to perform a control mode in which the electric motor is controlled to rotate in a belt winding direction based on the status of a wearing of the seat belt on a vehicle occupant and the status of a vehicle door corresponding to the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7510042
    Abstract: In the seat belt apparatus of the invention, a belt retracting motor is operated so as to retract the seat belt by a predetermined amount when it is determined that the vehicle will roll over based on a lateral acceleration, a roll rate and a roll angle which are detected and calculated by a lateral acceleration sensor and a roll rate sensor, according to a predetermined first determination condition. Also, a pretensioner is operated so as to retract the seat belt by a predetermined amount when it is determined that the vehicle will roll over according to a second determination condition indicating that there is a higher possibility of rollover. When it is determined that the vehicle will not roll over, operation of the belt retracting motor is cancelled, and the seat belt is permitted to be pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaaki Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20090079178
    Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a inhibiting section for inhibiting a belt-reel driving motor from being driven when it determines, on the basis of an output signal from a rotational position detecting unit associated with a belt reel, that variation in the rotational position of the belt reel, which is less than or equal to a predetermined value, has occurred, on condition that a door opened/closed state detecting units detects that a vehicle door has shifted from a closed state to an opened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Patent number: 7506833
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spring for rotating a reel in a belt winding direction to wind up a seat belt, and a motor for generating rotational power capable of rotating the reel in the belt winding direction to wind up the seat belt. A motor control unit controls the motor to generate the rotational power to wind up the seat belt with a desired winding force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090066072
    Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a power supply voltage fluctuation detecting section incorporated in a control device for detecting fluctuations of power supply voltage occurring when an engine cranking operation is being performed. The control device changes drive mode of the motor when such fluctuations of the power supply voltage are detected by the power supply voltage fluctuation detecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Publication number: 20090058062
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool, and an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor. The electronic control unit is mounted between the side walls of the frame and the back plate is disposed in an inner space of a vehicle body member and faces a vehicle interior direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Daisuke Murakami, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao
  • Publication number: 20090058063
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes at least one frame having a back board and side walls extending from side rims of the back board, a spool supported by the at least one frame configured to wind up a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool, and an electronic control unit mounted to the frame for controlling the driving of the motor. The electronic control unit includes a base, an electronic control unit board fixed to the base, and a cover attached to the base to cover the electronic control unit board. The electronic control unit includes an opening at a lower end that opens an interior of the electronic control unit to an exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Daisuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 7497521
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor mounting system for a vehicle seat includes a bracket having a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A generally planar plate is located generally parallel to and spaced apart from the first sidewall of the bracket. The plate is coupled to the second sidewall. In addition, at least one of the bracket and plate are secured to, and cooperate with, a seat cushion frame of the seat to surround and protect an emergency locking retractor mounted to the first sidewall. A method employs the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Whalen, Hidetsugu Okazaki, Brent Moffitt, Hiroyuki Honda
  • Publication number: 20090051157
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of a plurality of side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and rotating to wind a seat belt, a motor for rotating the spool, and an electronic control unit for controlling the drive to the motor. The electronic control unit is attached to a surface of the frame in a direction of a vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daisuke Murakami, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao
  • Publication number: 20090051156
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including an integral electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is detachably installed between lower edges of respective both side walls of a frame. Further, a motor is detachably fixed to a lower surface of a case of the ECU. Since the ECU is disposed between the frame and the motor, the ECU can be protected from an external force by means of the frame and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daisuke Murakami, Koji Inuzuka, Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao
  • Publication number: 20090048739
    Abstract: A seat belt device includes a detecting unit and a controller which controls a motor to rotate in a winding direction of a webbing when the detecting unit detects that an adjust-through which adjusts a position of a D-ring through which the webbing is inserted is moved down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7484585
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus includes a controller for controlling a reversible occupant restraint so as to restrain an occupant when three conditions are met, i.e., a first condition that the steering angle of a steering wheel has exceeded a steering angle threshold, a second condition that the steering angle speed has exceeded a steering angle speed threshold, and a third condition that the steering angle acceleration has exceeded a specific steering angle acceleration threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naotoshi Takemura
  • Patent number: 7484764
    Abstract: A frame for a safety belt retractor includes a rear wall (12) and a fastening section which provides for at least one of fastening the frame (10) to a section (22) of a component which is fixed to a vehicle and pre-positioning the frame (10) on the section (22), the fastening section being formed integrally with the rear wall (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Fauser
  • Patent number: 7484763
    Abstract: The inventive device for fixing a seat belt winder is fixed to the part of a motor vehicle. The plate of the housing of the winder is provided with at lest one fixing hole for receiving a screw connection which maintains the vehicle part embodied therein. The housing of said seat belt winder is arranged in such a way that it is rotatable with respect to the fixing hole of the vehicle part, thereby enabling the winder to be automatically oriented in a direction of a force of a belt which moves at an angle with respect to the axis of the shaft. Said fixing device is characterised in that the housing (10) of the winder is rotationally maintained on the holder part (13, 19, 25) which can be firmly connected to the vehicle part (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Jens Ehlers, Volkmar Heine, Ronald Jabusch, Doris Kröger
  • Publication number: 20090026828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat belt apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a seat belt, a belt retractor and a drive, which preferably comprises an electric motor, for the retractor, wherein a unidirectionally effective blocking member is integrated into the powertrain between the drive and the retractor which, starting from a normal blocking state, amplifies the blocking effect with a force transmission starting from the belt and reverses it into a release state with a force transmission starting from the drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Julius Adomeit, Steve Marshall
  • Patent number: 7481399
    Abstract: A position securing system for restraining an occupant in a vehicle includes a harness placed about an occupant's body and including a two-part lap belt defining two lap belt straps, two leg loops, a rear belt, two shoulder belts, a back belt, and a belly-side center buckle. Anchored to the vehicle and interacting with the lap belt straps are a plurality of retractors connectable to the vehicle and interacting with the shoulder belts and the belt straps of the lap belt in one-to-one correspondence, wherein at least the retractors interacting with the lap belt straps are each constructed to include a winding drum for winding in a reel-in direction a traction member which is integrated in the lap belt strap, with the winding drum loaded by a spring in the reel-in direction. Rotation of the winding drum at least in a pay-out direction of the traction member is automatically blocked by a locking mechanism, when the occupant assumes the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Schroth Safety Products GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Nöhren, Carl-Jürgen Schroth, Stefan Meier-Arndt
  • Publication number: 20090008919
    Abstract: A component of a vehicle occupant restraint system, the vehicle occupant restraint system having a webbing with a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion contiguous with the lap belt portion, the component including a web engaging device adapted to toggle between an open and an engaged condition, wherein in the open condition the webbing is moveable relative to the web engaging device in two directions along the webbing, wherein in the engaged condition the webbing is moveable relative to the web engaging device in only one direction along the webbing, and wherein the web engaging device is lockable in the open condition. A vehicle occupant restraint system including a webbing with lap and shoulder belt portions, a component having a web engaging device adapted to toggle between an open and an engaged condition, and a tensioner configured to respond to at least one of the open and engaged conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Mather, Charles McClean Carter, Phillip Bruce Mather
  • Publication number: 20080309062
    Abstract: A seat integrated tether system for use in a vehicle for the secure placement of an article on a vehicle seat. One or more retractable or extendable tethers are adapted for attachment to the side of the vehicle seat. By use of the system with the front passenger seat of a vehicle the driver may have ready access to the contents of the retained article, which may be an item storage article such as an open top bag, case or storage net.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Hugh Fowler, Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Heidi Ann Dibble, Bari William Brown
  • Patent number: 7431340
    Abstract: A main controlling section of a controlling unit (13), when judging a collision risk, drives a motor (12) in a direction of retracting a seat belt (3) and raises tension of the seat belt (3). The main controlling section, when tension of the seat belt (3) reaches a predetermined value, judges that a locking signal is input and has the motor (12) continue retracting driving of the seat belt (3) for a predetermined time and, when a locking signal is not input, decreases a driving power of the motor (12) and lowers tension of the seat belt (3). Even when a collision risk signal is erroneously output from a collision risk judging section (11) and, so long as a locking signal is not output from the locking signal producing section (18), since control is immediately exerted so that tension of the seat belt (3) is lowered, it is possible to avoid an unpleasant feeling to a vehicle occupant (A) caused by comparative long-duration and useless restraining using the seat belt (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7431119
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor of a seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that when a vehicle door corresponding to a seat belt moves from the closed state to the open state, the seat belt retractor is configured to be in the power transmission operation mode so as to perform the seat belt winding-up action and, after the seat belt winding-up action, the seat belt retractor is configured to be in the power transmission allowing mode so as to maintain the mechanically connected state between a spool and a power transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20080238076
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt winding device for winding up a seat belt by actuation of a motor and a control unit that repeats a process of stopping the actuation of the motor on an overload of the motor and restarting actuation of the motor after lapse of a predetermined time period. The control unit includes a detection module for detecting an occupant getting on or off a vehicle and a determination module that, using criteria, determines whether or not actuation of the motor is to be restarted. The criteria when the occupant enters the vehicle is different from when the occupant exits the vehicle. The criteria are provided so that the determination module is more likely to determine that the actuation of the motor is not to be restarted when the occupant enters the vehicle as compared to when the occupant exits the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Masato TAKAO, Koji TANAKA, Daisuke MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20080238178
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly is provided for an occupant seated in a seat that includes a seat back portion and a seat base portion having an outboard side. The seat belt assembly includes a continuous seat belt having a lap belt and shoulder belt. The lap belt has an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and an anchor portion. The anchor portion is fixed to an anchor member positioned below, rearward, and inboard relative to the outboard side of the seat base portion. An actuator assembly is selectively engageable with the outboard portion of the lap belt and is operable to selectively release the lap belt. A pre-tensioner is operatively connected to the shoulder belt. The pre-tensioner is configured to tension the shoulder belt and the lap belt thereby applying force in an inboard direction when the lap belt is released from the actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Y. Guo, Mark A. Morra, Jeffrey A. Upchurch, Mark O. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7428941
    Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle having sensors for detecting a collision of the vehicle is described. The system has a control unit which analyzes the signals and, in the event of a recognized collision of the motor vehicle, transmits a first signal to a safety belt restraint, which then activates a belt tensioner using a predefined first restraint force, and subsequently transmits a second signal to a front airbag system, which then triggers an airbag. The system has a malfunction monitoring unit for one of the restraint devices such that the control unit transmits a third signal to a replacement restraint device in the event that a malfunction of the front airbag system is recognized by the malfunction monitoring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Urbahn, Richard Baur
  • Patent number: 7429012
    Abstract: A self stopping seat belt retractor is provided with a belt shaft for winding a seat belt thereonto and unwinding a wound seat belt therefrom and a housing rotatably supporting the belt shaft and having a locking device that includes a locking means for the belt shaft that can be controlled in a vehicle sensitive and/or belt sensitive manner into engagement with a toothed gearing system on that side of the housing. A tightening device operating on the belt shaft includes a drive wheel, which is, prior to the release of the tightening device, secured in a force-transmitting manner on the housing, is connectable upon release of the tightening device with the belt shaft, whereby the drive wheel of the tightening device is connectable via the locking device with the belt shaft for the transmission of force to the belt shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Kay Löffler, Michael Pech, Martin Schmidt, Thomas Schmidt, Thomas Schneider, Stefan Suhr, Stefan Bösch
  • Publication number: 20080231035
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) is suitable especially for use in an adaptive seat belt system and has a rotatable belt roll (14), a rotary member (18) that can be connected in a torsion-proof manner to the belt roll (14), and an actuator (32; 72) which generates an actuating force and acts upon at least one frictional element (22, 22?) in order to engage said frictional element (22, 22?) with the rotary member (18) that can be connected in a torsion-proof manner to the belt roll (14) so as to decelerate a rotational movement of the belt roll (14). An arrangement for self-reinforcing the actuating force generated by the actuator (32, 72) is disposed between the actuator (32; 72) and the rotary member (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Stefan Breitschuh, Daniel Ludicke, Martin Schautt
  • Publication number: 20080231036
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a seat belt winding device for winding up a seat belt by actuation of a motor and a control unit. The control unit, under a predetermined condition, repeats a process of stopping the actuation of the motor when an overload of the motor is detected and restarting the actuation of the motor after a lapse of a predetermined time period. The control unit includes a timer for clocking the time period from the start to the stop of the actuation of the motor, a counter for counting up the number of times of starting the actuation of the motor, and a determination module that based on the result of the timer and the counter determines whether or not actuation of the motor, which is stopped by the detection of an overload, is to be restarted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Masato TAKAO, Koji TANAKA, Daisuke MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 7424986
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the spool (16), a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11), and a base member (50) slidably coupled to the actuator (22) and to the stationary member (20). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and one or more complementary pins (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Pins (28) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (29) extend along a portion of the base member (50) for slidingly engaging the pins (28) on the second portion of the movable member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7424985
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) is housed inside the retractor spool (16). The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), and a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and complementary helical splines (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Helical splines (29) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (28) extend along a portion of the stationary member (20) for slidingly engaging the splines (29) on the second portion of the movable member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Stevens, Chris A. Adamini
  • Patent number: 7419026
    Abstract: A seat belt for constraining an occupant to a seat is provided with both a tension varying means 16 allowing for providing a tension to the seat belt to vary, and a tension detecting means for detecting an actual tension on the seat belt. There is provided failure detecting means, which detects failures of at least one of the tension varying means and the tension detecting means by comparing the tension provided by the tension varying means to the actual tension detected by the tension detecting means the difference in tensions thereof exceeding a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7416151
    Abstract: A webbing retractor has two torque transmitting routes for taking-up, such that rapid and reliable taking-up, and gentle taking-up are possible. When an engaging claw of a pawl restricts rotation of a ratchet plate, due to planetary gears rotating around a sun gear, rotation is transmitted from a drive gear to a carrier plate. On the other hand, when restriction of rotation of the ratchet plate is released, a clutch spring tightens around a tube portion of the carrier plate while rotation of the drive gear pulls one peripheral direction end of the clutch spring in a direction of rotation thereof. Frictional resistance between the tube portion and the clutch spring is increased, and rotation is transmitted from the drive gear to the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shinji Mori, Teruhiko Koide, Fuminori Komiya
  • Publication number: 20080191458
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus is provided which includes a retractor having an electric motor to retract or draw out a seat belt, a motor information detecting means to detect an amount of rotation and a current value of the electric motor, a first condition detecting means to detect that an ignition switch is in an OFF state, a second condition detecting to detect that a getting on/off door located nearest to a seat to which a seat belt is attached is opened, a failure diagnosis timing judging means to start a failure diagnosing operation when a detecting signal is output from both the condition detecting means, and a failure diagnosing means to apply a driving current to the electric motor when the failure diagnosing operation is stated and to carry out a failure diagnosis of a driving system including a electric motor based on an output, in response to the application of a current, from the motor information detecting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7407184
    Abstract: A micro gas generator 10 is provided primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into a seatbelt pretensioner 26, for example. A perforated housing 12 of gas generator 10 provides a body for containment of the other gas generant constituents, and forms a propellant chamber 14. A propellant or gas generant 16 is contained within chamber 14 and provides combustion thereof. An annular bore 20 is centrally oriented within the bore seal 18 thereby providing a seat for an associated initiator 22. An initiator blast shield 36 is encased about the initiator 22 thereby attenuating or mitigating the force and progression of the combustion of an ignition compound (not shown) within the initiator 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Stevens, Steven M. G. Dunham
  • Publication number: 20080174098
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized retractor includes a spool onto which a webbing belt for restraining an occupant is wound, a motor operated according to a predetermined signal, and a clutch mechanism enabling transmission of power from the motor to the spool. When cancelling power transmission of the clutch mechanism by the operation of the motor, the rotating speed or the driving time period of the motor is varied according to the load on the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Masato TAKAO, Koji TANAKA
  • Patent number: 7397208
    Abstract: A winding control method of a seatbelt retractor for winding a seatbelt with a motor includes detecting a current flowing through the motor, and stopping the motor when the current exceeds a predetermined value. The winding action is not stopped while the motor is accelerated even when the current exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao, Koji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 7389843
    Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle, having a seatbelt, for restraining an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant, including a danger degree determining device which determines a degree of danger of collision of the automotive vehicle, a danger predicting device which predicts a possibility of collision of the automotive vehicle, from the degree of danger determined by the danger degree determining device, a collision danger signal generating device which generates a collision danger signal when the possibility of collision is predicted by the danger predicting device, a driving device responsive to the collision danger signal, for carrying out alternate retraction and protraction of the seatbelt, a deceleration detecting device which detects deceleration of the automotive vehicle, and a seatbelt driving control device which controls the driving device so as to continue the alternate retraction and protraction of the seatbelt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7380740
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided in which two winding performances are achieved while reduced power consumption of a motor and simplified control of the motor are also achieved. A clutch gear is meshed with a carrier gear by rotation of a motor in the normal direction. Accordingly, a low reduction ratio power transmission mode is set so that a seat belt is wound up at a high speed and with low torque. As slack of the seat belt is removed and the belt load increases, the clutch pawl becomes possible to be engaged with the internal gear. As the motor current increases and exceeds a preset value, the motor rotates reversely so that the clutch gear separates from the carrier gear. Therefore, a high reduction ratio power transmission mode is set so that the belt is wound up at a low speed and with high torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 7380631
    Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection device for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt which restrains an occupant of the automotive vehicle. The device includes an electric retractor, a power supply, a detector, first and second switches and a controller. The controller is responsive to the detector and controls the second switch to provide power to the electric retractor, controls the first switch to stop the supply of power through the first switch after power is supplied through the second switch, and controls the second switch to stop the supply of power through the second switch after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after the first switch stops providing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa