Abstract: The belt retractor comprises an integrated belt pretensioner and an energy converter for limiting the belt force occurring after the tensioning of the belt. Once the belt has tensioned a torsion bar (14) arranged coaxially in the belt reel (12) is in the force flow path. The locking mechanism of the belt retractor comprises two locking pawls (22, 24) rotatably mounted on one face of the belt reel (12), said pawls being insertable into a locking toothing (30, 32) surrounding them on the frame (10). The first end of the torsion bar (14) is connected to the belt reel (12) in a non-rotational arrangement while its second end (14b) comprises a control disc (42) mounted for limited rotation, with the control disc acting on the locking pawls (22, 24) at least during the phase of energy conversion, thus preventing them from engaging into the locking toothing (30, 32). This second end (14b) of the torsion bar (14) is couplable to the frame (10) in a non-rotational load-bearing arrangement.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a belt pretensioner comprises a sensor mass which responds both on a head-on collision and on ramming of the vehicle from the rear. The sensor mass may be pivotally mounted and formed by functional parts of the pretensioner drive. In a belt pretensioner which is combined with a belt retractor (10) to an assembly and which has a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder drive, the sensor mass consists of a carrier block (40) pivotally mounted on a base (12) and having a guide cylinder (42) mounted therein and a piston accommodated therein. A striker lever (50) pivotally mounted in the base (12) is released for activating an impact igniter on a gas generator cartridge (44) when the carrier block (40) is pivoted in vehicle-sensitive manner in the one or other direction.

Abstract: In an energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants a particularly smooth profile of the force as a function of the travel is achieved in that only a few deformation members are provided which effect a plastic deformation of a tubular converter body (10). A plate (30) is pivotal between a rest position inclined to the axis of the converter body (10) and an erected operating position in which it brings the deformation members (30a) formed at its radially outer ends into engagement with the inner side of the converter body (10).

Abstract: A belt pretensioner for vehicle safety belt systems is provided with a drive unit which comprises a pyrotechnic gas generator (12) and a piston and cylinder unit (16, 20). The piston (20) is arranged at a first end (161) of the cylinder (16) and is connected with a cable (22). By means of the gas pressure produced by the gas generator (12) the piston is accelerated towards the second, tapered end (162) of the cylinder (16). A sleeve-like insert (18) is arranged in the tapered cylinder end. The insert (18) has ribs and grooves alternating in the peripheral direction to offer sufficient room for plastic deformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt pretensioner for vehicle safety belt systems comprising a pyrotechnic gas generator (12) and a piston and cylinder unit (16, 20) mounted in a housing block (14). The piston (20) of the piston and cylinder unit (16, 20) is arranged on a first end (161) of the cylinder (16) as well as being connected with a cable (22) and it is accelerated towards the second end (162), which has a constriction, of the cylinder (16) by the gas pressure produced by the gas generator (12). The piston and cylinder unit (16, 20) with the housing block (14) and the gas generator (12) mounted therein constitute a pivotally bearinged vehicle-sensitive inertial mass. In accordance with the invention a deformable member (46) is arranged on the piston (20) and on acceleration of the piston (20) is entrained towards the second end (162) of the cylinder (16) by the piston (20) and on impingement on the wall parts of the cylinder (16) constituting the constriction is plastically deformed.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a belt pretensioner comprises a sensor mass which responds both on a head-on collision and on ramming of the vehicle from the rear. The sensor mass may be pivotally mounted and formed by functional parts of the pretensioner drive. In a belt pretensioner which is combined with a belt retractor (10) to an assembly and which has a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder drive, the sensor mass consists of a carrier block (40) pivotally mounted on a base (12) and having a guide cylinder (42) mounted therein and a piston accommodated therein. A striker lever (50) pivotally mounted in the base (12) is released for activating an impact igniter on a gas generator cartridge (44) when the carrier block (40) is pivoted in vehicle-sensitive manner in the one or other direction.

Abstract: The linear drive for a belt pretensioner in a vehicle safety belt system excels by its elongated slim configuration and is thus suitable for incorporating in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The gas generator (20) is provided with an impact fuse which interacts with a spring-loaded striker (32). The striker (32) is maintained in its rest position by locking means (48). By means of a slidable sensor inertial body (26) in a housing (12) the lock can be cancelled to release the striker (32). The housing which also accommodates the gas generator (20) is located in the elongation of the cylinder (10) to which it is rigidly connected. Sensor inertial body (26) and striker (32) are movable in parallel to the axis of the cylinder, thus achieving the slim configuration.

Abstract: In a driver restraining gas bag system for vehicles a compressed gas container is arranged clear of the steering wheel and connected by way of a gas duct with an inflation opening of the bag for filling the gas bag arranged on the steering wheel hub. At its entry into the steering wheel the gas duct means is sealed off by an annular sealing gap between a first gap defining surface formed on the steering wheel hub and an oppositely arranged second gap defining surface on a wall, which is stationary in relation to the vehicle's bodywork, of the gas duct means without contact between these gap defining surfaces.

Abstract: In a belt pretensioner for safety belt systems in vehicles in which the belt buckle is disposed on a vehicle seat and the belt pretensioner engages said buckle, the problem is encountered that the vehicle-sensitive sensor mass mounted movably on the vehicle seat also responds to decelerations of the vehicle seat relatively to the vehicle bodywork. To prevent any erroneous activation caused thereby, the sensor mass is secured until occurrence of a first predetermined vehicle deceleration value which is lower than a second vehicle deceleration value at which the activation of the drive of the belt pretensioner by the movement of the sensor mass occurs. On the other hand, the securing of the sensor mass is cancelled on exceeding of the first vehicle deceleration value. The cancelling of the securing of the sensor mass is ensured by a separate deceleration sensor which is mounted directly on the vehicle bodywork, for example beneath the vehicle seat.

Abstract: For the sudden release of a gas from a container (10, 12; 60) adapted to store it for a long period of time under a high pressure for the inflation of a gas bag in vehicle occupant restraining system, an obstructing member (26), manufactured of pre-stressed glass, is arranged upstream from the outlet opening (66) of the container (60). On its end surface facing into the interior of the container the obstructing member (26) bears a sealing film (64). On its opposite end surface the obstructing member bears an rectangularly projecting, pin-shaped extension (26a). By fracturing this extension (26a) by a vehicle-sensitive mass (70) the structure of the obstructing member (26) is shattered with the result that the member spontaneously breaks up into small or powder-like particles and frees the outlet opening (66).

Abstract: In an energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants a particularly smooth profile of the force as a function of the travel is achieved in that only a few deformation members are provided which effect a plastic deformation of a tubular converter body (10). As deformation member at least one ball (18) is provided which rests on a ramp face of a piston element (14).

Abstract: In a linear drive for belt pretensioner in vehicle restraining systems a piston/cylinder unit (10) is used, the piston of which is subjected to pressure by the gases generated by a pyrotechnical gas generator (26). A pulling cable (12) is connected to the piston (24), said connection not being direct but with interposition of a damping means (32) which in the phase of the pressure rise of the gases limits the force exerted on the pulling cable (12) and allows said force to increase smoothly and is effective during a substantial fraction of the initial phase of the piston movement in which the gas pressure (D) generated by the generator (26) rises.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner for a safety belt system including a belt retractor (10) fitted with an automatic locking system, and a deflection fitting (12), from which the belt (14) extends in a straight line to the belt retractor (10), comprises a U-like frame (18) and a bracket (22), which in a neutral position is held perpendicularly to the path of the belt. The belt (14) is freely passed between a deflection member (20), which connects the side walls of the frame (18) and a roll (30) mounted for free rotation in the bracket (22). When the belt pretensioner is tripped, the bracket (22) is pulled though between the base of the frame (18) and the deflection member (20) in order to form a loop of belt webbing.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety belt system having a belt retractor (10) featuring an automatic blocking mechanism, the belt (14) running in a straight line from the belt retractor to a deflector fitting (12), comprises a U-shaped deflector fitting (18) mounting a pivotal bracket (22) perpendicular to the run of the belt in the rest condition. When the belt tensioner is activated the pivotal bracket (22) is pulled through between the base of a deflector fitting (18) and a supporting member (20) secured thereto to form a belt loop. An uncoupling/force limiter assembly (36) is arranged in the path of the cable (34, 38) connected to the pivotal bracket. This assembly comprises a guide tube (50) supported by the vehicle body and a converter tube (52) accommodated therein telescopically which is shiftable up to a stop at the base of the guide tube (50) and which permits force limitation and conversion of energy due to plastic material deformation when the belt is tensioned.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety belt system a gripping mechanism (16) is arranged at a webbing section (10) extending between a deflection fitting (12) and the belt retractor (14). In the rest condition the webbing is led freely between the oppositely disposed clamping elements of the gripping mechanism (16). The gripping mechanism (16) is connected via a pulling cable (38) to a pyrotechnic or mechanical belt tightener drive. The clamping elements are biased by springs against the webbing whereby a uniform contact on the latter is ensured.

Abstract: A vehicle-sensitive mechanical contactor for activating a restraining system in vehicles is provided with an inertial mass ball (12) movably accommodated in a housing (10). A first contact spring (14) bears on the surface of the ball (12) under predetermined bias. In the rest position of the ball (12) the first contact spring (14) is at a predetermined distance (s) from a second contact spring (16). The second contact spring (16) is deflectable for dampening the impact exerted by the ball (12). Furthermore, a spring blade (18) is in frictional engagement with the upper side of the ball (12) to additionally dampen the movements thereof. With extremely small dimensions and very simple construction the contactor ensures a reliable bounce-free contacting and is suitable for restraining systems in vehicles, such as belt pretensioners or airbag impact protection systems.

Abstract: In an electrical plug connection on a pyrotechnical gas generator (10) provided with an electrical igniter for restraining systems in vehicles the two contact members (14, 16), one (14) of which is formed as a contact spring, engage each other as long as the plug connector (12) is not attached. The igniter is therefore safeguarded. On attachment of the plug connector the contact member (14) formed as a contact spring is spread radially away from the other contact member (16) so that the short-circuit between the contact members is removed. There is no longer any need to pay special attention to the safeguarding and removing of the safeguarding of the igniter.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner comprising a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder drive has a vehicle-sensitive mass which is formed by a pivotally mounted base (14), a gas generator (18) inserted therein and a piston/cylinder unit (20). To ensure free pivotability of the base (14), the piston (24) is accommodated in the cylinder (22) with axial and radial clearance. The piston (24) is provided with an annular groove (50) in which an annular seal (52) is arranged. When not subjected to the gas pressure from the gas generator, the annular seal (52) is not in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder (22). Under the gas action the annular seal (52) is moved axially along the conically rising bottom (56) of the annular groove (50) and at the same time radially expanded until it comes into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the cylinder (22).

Abstract: For loss-free deflection of the gases generated by a gass generator (22) in a drive unit for a restraining system for vehicle occupants, the connecting passage comprising a deflection is formed between the outlet (24) of the gas generator (22) and a space (26) beneath the piston (16) of a Piston/cylinder drive free from discontinuities at which reflections of the pressure wave generated could occur. The connecting passage consists of two straight passage portion (30, 32) extending inclined to the axis of the gas generator (22) and a curved portion which connects said portions and which is formed by a concave recess (34) in the bottom of the bore (20) into which the gas generator (22) is inserted.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety belt system a gripping means (16) is arranged at a webbing section (10) extending between a deflection fitting (12) and the belt retractor (14). In the rest condition the webbing is led freely between the oppositely disposed clamping elements of the gripping means (16). The gripping means (16) is connected via a pulling cable (38) to a pyrotechnic or mechanical belt tightener drive. Return blocking means are formed by a cylinder (44) attached to the vehicle bodywork and a piston (42) displaceable therein, whereby the cylinder wall is deformed plastically for absorbing load peaks.