Abstract: In the method for mounting an inflator (12) within a tube (14), especially of a belt tensioner, wherein an end portion (28) of the tube (14) is formed radially inwardly so that a first contact surface (30) directed to the interior of the tube (14) occurs, prior to forming an annular stabilizing disk (34) is arranged between the first contact surface (30) and a second contact surface (32) configured at the inflator (12).

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor has: a holding plate arranged at a housing outer side and including a shaft receiving hole which rotatably supports a cylindrical shaped boss portion formed at a take-up drum side end of the driven body; and a restricting member arranged at take-up drum side of the holding plate to restrict movement of the boss portion in radial direction so that the boss portion projecting from the hole is positioned co-axial with the take-up drum. The boss portion which faces an inner peripheral surface of the hole includes a pair of radially projecting portions provided on both sides with reference to rotation axis direction projecting radially outward at full periphery of the boss portion. The pair of radially projecting portions project radially outward over the hole so at least a peripheral edge portion of the hole is inserted in clearance defined by the pair of radially projecting portions.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device is obtained capable of restricting movement of a clutch member in the axial direction of a second gear. In the webbing take-up device, a movement prevention portion is formed, on a rotor side, at an intermediate bottom portion of a large gear portion, and a clutch spring attached to the rotor abuts the movement prevention portion, thereby preventing any movement of the clutch spring further to the intermediate bottom portion side. Movement of the clutch spring in the axial direction of the rotor can accordingly be suppressed, enabling movement of the clutch spring in the axial direction of the rotor to be restricted.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is equipped with a vehicle velocity detecting unit that detects a vehicle velocity of a driver's own vehicle, and an automatic brake control unit configured to carry out an automatic brake control process for causing a braking force to be generated automatically in the wheels without reliance on a braking operation when the vehicle is involved in a collision. The automatic brake control unit makes the braking force to the wheels smaller as the vehicle velocity becomes higher after the vehicle collision.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device is obtained capable of suppressing slight axial direction movement of a gear configuring a mechanism to release overload. A large gear portion of a two-step gear configuring an overload release mechanism of the webbing take-up device is sandwiched between a small gear portion end face of a small gear portion and a bottom portion of a rotor. This thereby enables rattling which is slight axial direction movement of the large gear portion to be suppressed.

Abstract: In a pretensioner mechanism of a webbing take-up device, a sealing member seals a communicating hole of a piston. When a force limiter mechanism is operated and rotating of a spool in a pull-out direction is allowed, the piston is moved to an upper side in a state in which the sealing member is pressed and contacted against a cylinder. As a result, the sealing member is turned and the sealing of the communicating hole by the sealing member is released. In consequence, a number of components may be reduced and assembly characteristics of the pretensioner mechanism may be improved.

Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a seatbelt web wrapped in a reel around a motor-rotated shaft. A latch is selectively engageable with the reel to lock a seatbelt retractor from movement in one direction while allowing movement of the retractor under motor rotation of the shaft in response to pre-crash vehicle braking deceleration, a vehicle downhill angle or a vehicle lateral “g” force exceeding a threshold. When a retractor locked position is detected, the motor is activated to retract the seatbelt web for a predetermined time period to urge the passenger toward a center upright position in a vehicle seat.

Abstract: A pretensioner assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems is provided. The pretensioner assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The tube includes a constriction disposed adjacent an exit of the tube. The constriction allows the driving element to pass but prevents a seal member disposed between the generator and the driving element from passing. The constriction provides backpressure on the seal member causing the seal member to expand radially outward. The system can also include a slug member disposed between the seal member and the driving element.

Abstract: A ballistic powered inertial reel device comprises an inertia unit and a ballistic powered unit. The inertia unit includes a reel shaft and a webbing wound on the reel shaft. A reel lock has a disengaged orientation with the reel shaft during normal operation and an engaged orientation to prevent rotation of the reel shaft during an emergency. A control dog drives the reel lock. A geared cam rotates to drive a lock rod which operates against the control dog to drive the reel lock into the engaged orientation. The ballistic powered unit comprises a flywheel coupled to the geared cam. A piston drives the flywheel and a rewind spring couples the flywheel to the reel shaft. Actuation of the piston rotates the flywheel to cause the rewind spring to rotate the reel shaft to rewind the webbing and rotate the geared cam to lock the reel lock.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods implemented in algorithms, hardware, software, firmware, logic, or circuitry may be configured to process data and sensory input to determine whether an object external to an autonomous vehicle (e.g., another vehicle, a pedestrian, road debris, a bicyclist, etc.) may be a potential collision threat to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle may be configured to implement interior active safety systems to protect passengers of the autonomous vehicle during a collision with an object or during evasive maneuvers by the autonomous vehicle, for example. The interior active safety systems may be configured to provide passengers with notice of an impending collision and/or emergency maneuvers by the vehicle by tensioning seat belts prior to executing an evasive maneuver and/or prior to a predicted point of collision.

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner including a casing defining a pivot axis and having a locking member, a driving mechanism supported by the casing, a flexible connecting member, and a cam. The driving mechanism includes a movable member that moves relative to the casing during pretensioning. The flexible connecting member has a first end coupled to the movable member and a second end that is attachable to one of the anchor, the buckle and the webbing. The cam includes a locking surface having a cross-sectional shape that is an Archimedean spiral. The cam is rotatable about the pivot axis between a non-locking position, in which the connecting member is able to freely move between the cam and the locking member, and a locking position, in which the locking surface clamps the connecting member to the locking member to prevent any further movement of the connecting member relative to the locking member.

Abstract: A pretensioner assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems is provided. The pretensioner assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a polymer rod disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The polymer rod is plastically deformable and engages a sprocket to rotate the sprocket in response to the travel of the rod, where rotation of the sprocket causes pretensioning. The rod has a non-constant cross-section along its length. The rod becomes locked after actuation to prevent travel in an opposite direction. The system further includes a seal member and slug member disposed between the rod and the gas generator, where the seal member is relatively flexible and the slug member is relatively hard.

Abstract: Various embodiments of restraint system pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a pretensioning assembly to automatically pretension the seat harness.

Abstract: A tensioning drive for a safely belt device. The tensioning drive includes a gas generator, a drive wheel and a supply pipe which connects the gas generator and the drive wheel. A plurality of pushing members is included in the supply pipe. The pushing members are accelerated after the gas generator has been activated. The pushing members drive the drive wheel, and at least one of the pushing members completely or at least partially seals the supply pipe. The sealing action of the at least one sealing pushing member is ended or reduced after a predetermined distance has been travelled.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a cylinder includes a housing portion that houses a piston and a guide portion that extends from one end portion in length direction of the housing portion. A pinion is rotatably supported at the guide portion. The piston is guided by the guide portion. A member that houses the piston and a member that rotatably supports the pinion do not accordingly need to be separately provided. An increase in number of components can therefore be suppressed. Positioning of the piston and the pinion can be respectively determined by the cylinder due to the piston and the pinion being provided to the cylinder. Good positioning precision between the piston and the pinion is thereby enabled compared to a case where separate members are used to house the piston and to rotatably support the pinion.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes a spool and a spiral spring that biases the spool in a take-up direction and a motor provided with an output shaft. The webbing take-up device further includes a first clutch that transmits forward direction rotation of the output shaft to the spool, rotating the spool in the take-up direction. The webbing take-up device further includes a second clutch including: weights that are rotated by the output shaft and that open out under their own centrifugal force; a connection-disconnection mechanism that receives force from the weights opening out and connects so as to enable rotation of the output shaft to be transmitted to the spool; and projection portions serving as load limiting portions that limit the load imparted to the connection-disconnection mechanism so as not to become a specific value or greater.

Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, configuration is made such that in a state in which a restriction wall of a cam gear is positioned at a lateral the side of a pin of a link configuring a switching section, the restriction wall abuts the pin when the link attempts to move. The restriction wall does not actively move the link regardless of the number of revolutions made by the cam gear. Operation noise of the link, a stopper pawl and a slide stopper accordingly does not occur during pull-out and take-up of webbing during normal usage, and a desirable user sensation is achieved in pull-out and take-up of the webbing during normal usage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt tensioner with a belt shaft (10), a force limitation arrangement (70) connected with the belt shaft (10), and a tensioner drive wheel (20) coupled with the belt shaft (10) so as to be locked against relative rotation, in which a retaining element (30, 50) is provided for coupling the tensioner drive wheel (20) to the belt shaft (10), and the retaining element (30, 50) is releasable by the rotation of the belt shaft (10) in the belt webbing withdrawal direction after the tensioning movement has been completed.

Abstract: [Object] Quietness is to be more effectively improved, without compromising stability in power transmission. [Solution] An annular internal gear member 24 is formed of a noise suppressing material having lower strength than a metal. A deformation restricting portion 22d of an annular flange shape is formed along an outer circumferential edge of a carrier 22. Accordingly, when a planetary gear mechanism is operating the internal gear member 24 is partially deformed so as to protrude radially outward of the annular shape. At this point, the protruding deformed portion of the internal gear member 24 abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the deformation restricting portion 22d. Therefore, deformation of the internal gear member 24 is effectively restricted.

Abstract: A fastening device for detachably fastening an automotive airbag component. The fastening device has a holding device (10), a connecting element (20) extending from a first end (21a) to a second end (22a), which, is normally connected to a fastening section of the holding device (10), and a pyrotechnic charge, which, on ignition, causes an end (22a) of the connecting element (20) to be detached from the fastening section. The holding device (10) has a bearing through which the connecting element (20) extends with a section spaced from the first end (21a). This bearing has at least two bearing surfaces (16a, 18a) separated differently from the fastening section and arranged on different sides of the connecting element, so that the separated section of the connecting element (20) can tilt in the bearing after the ignition of the pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor with a switchable load limiting device for a safety belt of a motor vehicle with a belt shaft and a locking device which upon actuation locks the belt shaft in the belt extraction direction. The load limiting device is located in the force flow between the belt shaft and the locking device between the load limiting levels. A switching device is used for switching the load limiting device. The switching device includes a gas generator for releasing a gas flow into a pressure chamber and an expandable hollow pot which can be driven by the gas flow. The expandable hollow pot is attached to the gas generator in a gas-proof manner and forms the pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an unlocking device (10), especially for a vehicle protection device, comprising a locking bar (16) which in a locked position establishes a connection positive at least in portions between a first component (12) to be unlocked and a second component (14) and permits relative motion of the two components (12, 14) in an open position. The unlocking device (10) further comprises a pyrotechnical actuator (18) including a pyrotechnical element (20) having a propelling charge and a piston-cylinder unit (22) having a piston (24) and a cylinder (26), wherein motion of the piston (24) or the cylinder (26) can be generated due to activation of the propelling charge upon ignition thereof and wherein the piston-cylinder unit (22) is connected to the locking bar (16) without redirection so that upon motion of the piston (24) or the cylinder (26) the locking bar is movable from its locked position into its open position.

Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline comprises a drum including first and second sides operatively connected to a base. A rotor includes a receiving portion and is operatively connected to the base. A pawl is pivotally operatively connected to the rotor, and a biasing member is positioned between the rotor and the pawl to place a biasing force upon the pawl. A bracket member includes a cavity and a stop member extending into the cavity. The cavity is configured and arranged to receive the drum, the rotor, the pawl, and the spring. The drum is rotatably operatively connected to the bracket member and the pawl is positioned proximate the stop member. The pawl and the biasing member are held in place by the first side of the base, the rotor, and the bracket member.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device is obtained capable of securing sealing properties to gas generated by actuation of a gas generator. A switching mechanism of a webbing take-up device is equipped with a body, a gas generator, a piston that is actuated on receipt of pressure of gas generated by the gas generator, and a cylinder that internally houses the piston. A sheet and a support plate are attached to the body. Crushable ribs are provided to the sheet. The crushable ribs press the cylinder through a general portion of the sheet by attaching the sheet and the support plate to the body.

Abstract: A safety device for a set belt includes a retractor having a rack gear on a circumferential outer surface of which the seat belt is wound; a pretensioner operated upon a collision of a car and rotating the rack gear in a direction for winding the seat belt; a release unit installed adjacent to the pretensioner, operated after the pretensioner operates the rack gear, and rotating the rack gear in a direction for unwinding the seat belt; and a switch unit receiving a manipulation force for operating the release unit, generating electricity, transferring the electricity to the release unit, and operating the release unit.

Abstract: A seatbelt retractor has: a holding plate arranged at a housing outer side and including a shaft receiving hole which rotatably supports a cylindrical shaped boss portion formed at a take-up drum side end of the driven body; and a restricting member arranged at take-up drum side of the holding plate to restrict movement of the boss portion in radial direction so that the boss portion projecting from the hole is positioned co-axial with the take-up drum. The boss portion which faces an inner peripheral surface of the hole includes a pair of radially projecting portions provided on both sides with reference to rotation axis direction projecting radially outward at full periphery of the boss portion. The pair of radially projecting portions project radially outward over the hole so at least a peripheral edge portion of the hole is inserted in clearance defined by the pair of radially projecting portions.

Abstract: In a webbing retractor, the center of a rack and rack-teeth in an axial direction of a pinion is placed on the opposite side of a leg plate side with respect to the central axis of a cylinder. The piston is acted upon by a tilting-force toward the leg plate side from the pinion. A stop portion of an upper stay is placed on another leg plate side of the leg plate. Even when the piston is acted upon by the tilting force toward the leg plate side from the pinion, the stop portion can stop the movement of the leg plate toward the other leg plate side, and tilting of the piston and the cylinder toward the leg plate side can be suppressed. Moreover, the need to increase the strength of a frame and so forth can be eliminated, so the webbing retractor can be made compact and lightweight.

Abstract: In a webbing winding device, even when a piston moves toward the other side in a movement direction due to a reaction when the piston moves to a maximum movement position, an engagement surface of a hook portion comes into contact with a subject engagement surface of a subject engagement portion, so that the movement of the piston toward the other side in the movement direction is restricted. Accordingly, the piston is prevented from returning to a standby position, and a pawl is prevented from returning to a lock position. For this reason, a state where a rotation of a locking ring in the pull-out direction is maintained. Accordingly, after the piston moves from the standby position to the maximum movement position, the piston is prevented from returning to the standby position, and the force limiter load is prevented from being changed.

Abstract: An end fitting tensioner (10) for a seat belt system includes a rotatable belt shaft (12) to which one end (14) of a webbing (16) is fixed, a belt shaft housing (18) in which the belt shaft (12) is supported, a rope reel (36) which is arranged at an axial end of the belt shaft (12) and is connected to the belt shaft (12) in a rotationally fixed manner, as well as a pull rope (41) which is secured by one rope end (45) on the rope reel (36) and can at least partly be wound onto the rope reel (36). The rope reel (36) includes a winding surface (62) for the pull rope (41) that is conically tapered in the axial direction.

Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner having a housing, a belt shaft (10), a load limiting device (70) and a pretensioner drive wheel (20) coupled to the belt shaft (10). A coupling element (60) is fixed to the drive wheel (20) via a detachable connection, and can be locked by a blocking device (90). An engagement wheel (50) is provided for connecting the belt shaft (10) with the pretensioner drive wheel (20) having engagement portions (51) engaging into corresponding recesses (12) on the belt shaft (10) or on the pretensioner drive wheel (20) and is fixed by the coupling element (60). The detachable connection can be disconnected by locking of the coupling element (60) and rotation of the belt shaft (10) in the belt webbing extraction direction, thereby the engagement wheel (50) undergoes relative rotation in relation to the pretensioner drive wheel (20) or to the belt shaft (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tensioning drive (10) for a safely belt device having: a gas generator (20), a drive wheel (30) and a supply pipe (40) which connects the gas generator (20) and the drive wheel (30), there being provided in the supply pipe (40) a plurality of pushing members (50) which are accelerated after the gas generator (20) has been activated and which drive the drive wheel (30), and at least one of the pushing members (60) completely or at least partially sealing the supply pipe (40). According to the invention, there is provision for the tensioning drive (10) to be constructed in such a manner that the sealing action of the at least one sealing pushing member (60) is ended or reduced after a predetermined distance has been travelled.

Abstract: A spindle (2) of a seat belt retractor is rotationally driven when required by a motor (5) to the webbing take-up direction side through a power transmission mechanism section (6). Further, the spindle (2) is always connected to a take-up spring (7) and is always subjected to rotational power acting to the webbing take-up side. The structure enables a user wearing a seat belt to be restrained even in failure, realizing a safer and more reliable restraining device.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle (11) for retracting a seat belt (13), an electric actuator (55), a pre-tensioner (14) and a power transmission mechanism (20), wherein the power transmission mechanism (20) can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) before the pre-tensioner (14) is activated, while when the pre-tensioner (14) is activated. The power transmission mechanism (20) non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator (55) and the spindle (11) via an elastic piece (60) when a torque difference between an actuator-side gear (80) and a spindle-side gear (82) becomes larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention is a belt tightening drive for tightening a seat belt that can be wound about a winding shaft, comprising a spindle shaft driven by a drive unit and a worm drive with a worm supported in a torque-proof fashion on the spindle shaft and a driven wheel, engaged therewith and supported in a torque-proof fashion on the winding shaft. According to the invention it is provided that the worm comprises a first toothed section with a first toothed geometry, wherein the first position of the worm the first toothed section engages the driven wheel, the worm comprises at least a first toothed section and following a second toothed section with a second toothed geometry, with the first and second toothed geometries being embodied differently.

Abstract: A retractor/pretensioner apparatus of a seatbelt for a vehicle may include a housing, a spool to which ends of a shoulder webbing and a wrap webbing may be simultaneously connected and which may be rotatably installed in the housing via a rotary shaft, a pinion coupled to one end of the rotary shaft, a first rack and a second rack slidably installed to the housing and engaged with the pinion respectively, a first gas generator fluid-connected to the first rack to provide gas to the first rack, and a second gas generator fluid-connected to the second rack to provide gas to the second rack.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a seat belt is configured to reduce injury by preventing load applied to the passenger's chest from increasing may include a pinion connected to a cylindrical spool wound with a webbing, a cylinder receiving a rack engaged with the pinion, a micro gas generator disposed in the cylinder and rotating the pinion by moving the rack with an explosion due to an external shock, a generator cap covering the outer circumferential edge of the cylinder and preventing the micro gas generator from separating outside, and a guide blade that guides gas discharged through vent holes to the outside is formed on the outer circumferential edge of the micro gas generator.

Abstract: When a gas generating member of a pretensioner mechanism is activated in case of vehicle collision, a piston inside a pipe cylinder is moved from normal state and a pinion gear body is rotated. Thus, the teeth of the pinion gear portion come in contact with a push block and pushes it in outward direction in conjunction with a force of a block urging spring, whereby a rotating lever is rotated by the push block and the lower end portion of the rotating lever gets disengaged from the tip end portion of a gear-side arm. As a result, the gear-side arm is rotated by an urging spring in outer direction and rotates a mechanical arm through a coupling shaft to make the pawl engage a ratchet gear of a take-up drum unit.

Abstract: In this seatbelt device, when a lock release determining device determines that a lock has been released, and a command for driving a motor is output while a wind-up operation is performed by the motor to release the lock, and a priority of the command is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, a control device controls the motor so as to apply tension to a webbing.

Abstract: A seatbelt device of a vehicle includes: a webbing reel around which a webbing is rolled up; a motor; an acceleration detection unit detecting an acceleration applying to the vehicle; an electric current control unit controlling a driving current of the motor; and an acceleration condition determination unit determining whether or not an acceleration greater than or equal to a set value has been applied to the vehicle within a predetermined amount of time after an acceleration greater than or equal to a first threshold acceleration value has been applied to the vehicle. When the acceleration condition determination unit determines that an acceleration greater than or equal to the set value has been applied to the vehicle within the predetermined amount of time, the electric current control unit controls the driving current of the motor so that a set amount of the webbing is wrapped up.

Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a cylinder includes a housing portion that houses a piston and a guide portion that extends from one end portion in length direction of the housing portion. A pinion is rotatably supported at the guide portion. The piston is guided by the guide portion. A member that houses the piston and a member that rotatably supports the pinion do not accordingly need to be separately provided. An increase in number of components can therefore be suppressed. Positioning of the piston and the pinion can be respectively determined by the cylinder due to the piston and the pinion being provided to the cylinder. Good positioning precision between the piston and the pinion is thereby enabled compared to a case where separate members are used to house the piston and to rotatably support the pinion.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a spindle 11 for retracting a seat belt 13, an electric actuator 55, a pre-tensioner 14 and a power transmission mechanism 20, wherein the power transmission mechanism 20 can reversibly switch the connection and disconnection between the electric actuator 55 and the spindle 11 before the pre-tensioner 14 is activated, while when the pre-tensioner 14 is activated, the power transmission mechanism 20 non-reversibly interrupts the connection between the electric actuator 55 and the spindle 11.

Abstract: A pretensioner assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems is provided. The pretensioner assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator. An elastic piston disposed within the tube is operable to drive a plurality of balls upon receiving pressurized gas discharged from the gas generator. The piston includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes a flexible rim that expands upon receiving pressurized gas from the gas generator, and the distal end includes a flexible rim that expands in response to backpressure from the plurality of balls. The expansion of the flexible rims at the proximal and distal ends of the piston provides a tight seal between the piston and the inner peripheral wall of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pretensioner of a vehicle seat belt. The elements of the pretensioner required to rotate a spool are disposed within the spool. Furthermore, the pretensioner includes a spool around which the seat belt is wound, wherein the spool includes an internal space open on an end of the spool. A cylinder is installed in the internal space and is extractable from the internal space. Additionally, the pretensioner includes a gas generator that is installed in a first end of the cylinder to connect the gas generator to the cylinder and a spool actuating module that is configured to connect the spool to the cylinder, and rotate the spool using gas pressure generated from the gas generator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a retractor pretensioner of a vehicle seat belt. The retractor pretensioner of the present invention may prevent an overshoot phenomenon in which residual pressure of gas impedes reverse rotation of a spool when the pretensioner operates as a load limiter. The pretensioner includes a spool around which the seat belt is wound and wherein the spool is rotatably installed in a frame to rotate the spool relative to the frame by gas pressure transmitted from a gas generator to the spool. In addition, the pretensioner includes a valve shaft that is installed in the spool, wherein the valve shaft operates as a rotating shaft of the gas generator with respect to the frame when the gas generator is not operated and as a valve, through which the gas is discharged out of the spool, when the gas generator is operated.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a retractor that is manufacturable at a much lower cost by making a pretensioner operate more effectively, by minimizing the length of a pipe so that a weight reduction is realized effectively, and by easing the restriction for the shape of a guide member. [Solution] A pipe 17 in which a plurality of balls as force transmitting members are provided includes an attaching portion 17c as a projection provided at one end portion 17a thereof. A guide member 18 having a guide surface 18c that guides the balls has attaching grooves 18 as recesses. The attaching portion 17c is fitted into the attaching grooves 18, whereby the pipe 17 is attached around the outer circumference thereof to the guide member 18 attached to a frame. Since the guide member 18 is provided on the outer circumference of the pipe 17, the pipe 17 can be shortened.

Abstract: A drive wheel (14) for a belt tensioner is adapted to be coupled to a belt reel and includes an external tooth system including plural teeth (30) distributed along the circumference. The teeth (30) are inclined in a first circumferential direction B and/or the teeth (30) have at least one end face (36) facing away from the central axis A of the drive wheel (14) and being inclined in a first circumferential direction B and/or the clearances (42) between neighboring teeth (30) are not symmetrical with respect to planes defined by radial and axial directions. Moreover, the teeth (30) have no symmetry with respect to planes E extending tangentially relative to the circumferential direction. A belt tensioner for a seatbelt system includes a force transmission element (20) and means for driving the force transmission element (20).

Abstract: In a pretensioner mechanism, movement of a piston is anchored by an anchoring pin. The anchoring pin is crushed and the piston is allowed to move. Hence, a pinion is turned by a rack of the piston. A facilitating cavity is formed in the anchoring pin. Crushing and deformation of the anchoring pin in a diametric direction thereof due to a movement of the rack is facilitated by the facilitating cavity. Therefore, the anchoring pin may be easily crushed and deformed in the diametric direction by the movement of the rack, and the action of the anchoring pin caused by the movement of the rack may be effectively made consistent.

Abstract: In case one of three clutch pawls protrudes outwardly from the side surface of a pawl base and engages with a clutch gear and the remaining two clutch pawls are not yet engaged with the clutch gear, the peripheral portion of a deforming through hole of the clutch pawl engaging with the clutch gear is plastically deformed and the clutch pawl is deformed in a substantially L-shape while engaging with the clutch gear. Then, the pawl base can be rotated further and the remaining two clutch pawls further protrude outwardly from the side surface of the pawl base and engage with the clutch gear.

Abstract: Provided are a seat belt retractor and a seat belt apparatus, which can reduce the emanation of abutment noise upon switching of a clutch. A first embodiment of a seat belt retractor according to the present invention includes a spool for retracting a webbing W to restrain an occupant, a motor for generating drive torque to rotate the spool, a power transmission means for transmitting the drive torque of the motor to the spool, a clutch for connecting or disconnecting the power transmission means and the spool, and a casing for housing the clutch and the power transmission means. The clutch has a pawl rotatably connected to the casing, an actuating pin for rotating the pawl in conjunction with the power transmission means, and a stopper portion for limiting the rotation of the actuating pin.