Energy Or Stress Absorption Structure Patents (Class 242/379.1)
  • Patent number: 12060034
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of passenger seats equipped with seat belts for mitigating seat damage and spinal tension from free-flail movements. In embodiments, the assembly includes a seat back, a first slip ring positioned proximate a top of the seat back, a second slip ring positioned lower on the seat back, a retractor, and a webbing threaded through each of the first and second slip rings. During normal use of the seat the first slip ring forms a first pivot for the webbing, and during a qualifying deceleration event the second slip ring forms a new pivot for the webbing lower on the seat back. In a further embodiment, first and second webbings form primary and auxiliary restraints guided by respective first and second pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Huiyu Fang, James R. Penley, Mark B. Dowty
  • Patent number: 12043206
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seatbelt retractor. The seatbelt retractor includes a housing. The seatbelt retractor includes a spool having a first end and a second end each rotatably supported by the housing. The spool is elongated on an axis from the first end to the second end. The seatbelt retractor includes a torsion bar having a first end fixed to the first end of the spool and a second end operatively engaged with the housing. The torsion bar has a central cavity. The seatbelt retractor includes a heating filament disposed in the central cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 12012020
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback and a child seat tether anchor supported by the seatback. The child seat tether anchor has a first member fixed to the seatback and a second member rotatably supported by the seatback. One of the first member and the second member defines a cavity with internal threads and the other of the first and second member is received in the cavity and has external threads engaged with the internal threads. A strap is on the second member. An energy absorber is in the cavity. The energy absorber is compressible relative to the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Saeed D. Barbat
  • Patent number: 11691592
    Abstract: A CPU of an ECU is configured to compute an estimated acceleration that is estimated to be applied to a vehicle and a remaining time that is taken from present time to acceleration occurrence time at which the estimated acceleration occurs from a road surface condition detected by a road surface condition detection unit and a vehicle status detected by a vehicle speed determination unit and a steering angle velocity determination unit. The CPU is configured to, when the remaining time becomes shorter than or equal to a predetermined value, drive a retractor motor. The webbing is retracted before an occupant moves with an acceleration that is applied to the vehicle, so the occupant is held in a normal seated position. The retractor motor is driven when the time that is taken from present time to acceleration occurrence time becomes shorter than or equal to the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Fukuta
  • Patent number: 11535483
    Abstract: A pawl-less retractable comprises an inner frame with a drum-sperrad assembly mounted to the inner frame between side members of the frame to rotate relative to the frame and a stop cap which, during a fall, engages said drum-sperrad assembly to prevent further rotation of said drum. The inner frame can be pivotally mounted to the stop cap such that the inner frame and the drum-sperrad assembly pivot relative to the step cap, or the stop cap can pivot relative to the drum-sperrad assembly. The stop cap comprises a central body, a leading wing extending from a first side of the central body and a trailing wing extending from a second side of the central body opposite said first side. In use, the drum-sperrad assembly and the stop cap pivot relative to each other between an unlocked position in which the teeth of the sperrad are inside of an engagement zone circle and a locked position in which the teeth are outside of the engagement zone circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: RELIANCE INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Choate, Joshua Smith, Austin Sagel
  • Patent number: 11447094
    Abstract: A belt retractor comprises a frame (10), a belt reel (12) rotatably arranged in the frame (10) and having a first end (16) and an opposite second end (17) as well as comprising a blocking mechanism (18) arranged at an end face of the belt reel (12) by which the belt reel (12) can be blocked within the frame (10). The belt retractor further comprises an axially extending first load limiter which is releasably coupled to the belt reel (12) by means of a disconnecting clutch (24), a second load limiter which is coupled to be rotationally fixed to the first load limiter or a hub, and a third load limiter which can be coupled to be rotationally fixed to the belt reel (12) by means of a connecting clutch (38). Moreover, a method for controlling such belt retractor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Sautter, Philipp Göltz, Markus Däuber, Marco Braun
  • Patent number: 11235722
    Abstract: A seatbelt system includes a take-up device configured to take up a seatbelt, and an electronic control unit configured to, when any one of first and second conditions is satisfied, cause a motor to take up the seatbelt. In the first condition, after occurrence of a collision whose physical quantity detected by a detector configured to detect the physical quantity associated with a magnitude of the collision is less than or equal to a first threshold, the physical quantity decreases to less than or equal to a second threshold. In the second condition, after occurrence of a collision whose physical quantity is less than or equal to the first threshold, a first predetermined time elapses, which is estimated to be equivalent to a decrease in the physical quantity to less than or equal to the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Nezaki, Motoki Sugiyama, Fumihito Komeno
  • Patent number: 11180111
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a spool. The seatbelt retractor includes a torsion bar elongated along an axis within the spool and defining passages elongated parallel to the axis, the passages spaced from each other surrounding the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Michael James Whitens
  • Patent number: 11046285
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a spool elongated along an axis. The seatbelt retractor includes a cylinder supported in the spool and having a thread. The seatbelt retractor includes a torsion bar in the cylinder and having a thread engaged with the thread of the cylinder. The seatbelt retractor includes a stopper supported by the torsion bar at the thread of the torsion bar and spaced from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11027695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor comprising a frame (10), a belt reel (12) rotatably arranged within the frame, a blocking mechanism (18) by which the belt reel (12) can be blocked within the frame (10), and a load limiter (14) which is detachably coupled to the belt reel (12), characterized in that for coupling the load limiter (14) at least one load-transmitting bar (28) is used which is arranged at the belt reel (12) and is retained in a coupling position by a support ring (32), wherein the support ring (32) can be moved from a supporting position to a release position by means of an actor (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Daeuber, Stefan Eisele, Martin Roehrle
  • Patent number: 10994695
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises (a) a rotatable spool on which seat belt webbing is wound and (b) a load-limiting system to limit a load applied to a vehicle occupant by the webbing. The load-limiting system includes a flow control orifice through which fluid is forced when a load in excess of a predetermined load is applied to the rotatable spool by the webbing. The cross-sectional flow area of the flow control orifice is adjustable in response to unwinding of webbing from the rotatable spool prior to a vehicle crash event and ceases to be adjustable after the crash event is in progress. The load-limiting system also includes a piston in a cylinder. The piston and cylinder are operatively coupled to the spool such that rotation of the spool causes the piston to move relative to the cylinder, which movement causes fluid to be forced through the flow control orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Edgar H. Schlaps, George G. Moser, Adam Ostapowicz
  • Patent number: 10744975
    Abstract: Provided is a webbing take-up device including (i) a spool onto which webbing worn by an occupant is taken up as a result of the spool being rotated in a take-up direction, (ii) a rotating body that is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the spool, has plural teeth disposed an interval apart from each other along a circumferential direction of rotation of the spool, and is rotated as a result of a moving member being moved and becoming engaged with the plural teeth so that the spool is rotated in the take-up direction, and (iii) a regulating portion that opposes the plural teeth in an axial direction of rotation of the spool, is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the rotating body, and regulates movement, in a direction away from the plural teeth, of the moving member engaged with the plural teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 10525923
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor, a controller, and a seatbelt retractor. The controller is programmed to receive a signal from the sensor indicating detection of a vehicle front oblique impact. The seatbelt retractor includes a load limiting mechanism selectively releasable from a high load mode to a low load mode. The controller is programmed to release the load limiting mechanism from the high load mode to the low load mode at a predetermined time in response to a signal from the sensor indicating a vehicle front oblique impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee, Elizabeth G. Owen, Keith Trudgeon, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Patent number: 10518744
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes a spool, a lock gear that restricts pull-out direction rotation of the spool, a force limiter mechanism that permits pull-out direction rotation of the spool at or above a force limiter load, and a pawl that switches the force limiter load. The webbing take-up device further includes a cylinder section that includes a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion, a gas generator that supplies gas into the second cylindrical portion, and a piston section that is moved along the first cylindrical portion by an increase in pressure inside the second cylindrical portion and the first cylindrical portion so as to press and displace the pawl. An axial center of the second cylindrical portion is disposed offset with respect to an axial center of the first cylindrical portion, and an abutted portion that is abutted by the piston section is provided at a boundary between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kosuke Miida, Akira Sumiyashiki, Kaoru Yuasa, Wataru Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 10518741
    Abstract: In a seat belt retractor (12) for a vehicle, comprising a frame (14) in which a belt reel (10) is supported which includes a reel body (26) as wed as a first flange (32) and a second flange (34), said flanges being provided at the axial ends (28, 30) of the reel body (26) and each being arranged in a seat (22) of the frame (14), wherein the first flange (32) is rotatable relative to the reel body (26) and wherein between the first flange (32) and the reel body (26) a force limiter is provided, and at the seat (22) locking teeth (24) are provided and at the first flange (32) a toothing corresponding to the locking teeth is provided, the second flange (34) is rotatable relative to the reel body (26) and at the second flange (34) and/or at the reel body (26) interacting stops (50, 54, 58) are provided for limiting rotation of the second flange (34) relative to the reel body (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Anna Grosskopf, Jens Bohn, Thomas Kielwein, Beate Pfister
  • Patent number: 10507789
    Abstract: An increase in structural complexity is suppressed in a webbing take-up device provided with a force limiter load switching mechanism and a pre-tensioner mechanism. The webbing take-up device includes a spool that takes up a webbing, a pre-tensioner mechanism that takes up the webbing onto the spool by rotating the spool in the take-up direction in a vehicle emergency, and a lock mechanism that restricts pull-out direction rotation of the spool in a vehicle emergency. The webbing take-up device further includes a force limiter mechanism that permits pull-out direction rotation of the spool at a force limiter load or greater when the lock mechanism has restricted pull-out direction rotation of the spool, and a force limiter load switching mechanism that switches a force limiter load value by being input with a portion of an actuation force that actuates the pre-tensioner mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Motoki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10434978
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes a spool that takes up a webbing worn by an occupant, and that is rotated in a pull-out direction due to the webbing being pulled out, and a lock base that limits pull-out direction rotation of the spool in a vehicle emergency. The webbing take-up device further includes an energy absorbing wire that undergoes deformation so as to permit pull-out direction rotation of the spool at or above a force limiter load when the lock base has limited pull-out direction rotation of the spool, and a second force limiter mechanism that adjusts the pressing force of the energy absorbing wire according to a remaining take-up amount of the webbing on the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Motoki Sugiyama, Akira Sumiyashiki, Shinichi Okubo, Wataru Yanagawa, Yasunori Hata
  • Patent number: 10399540
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for a seat belt device in a vehicle. The retractor includes a frame and a spool configured to be fixed to one end of a seat belt webbing so that the webbing may be wound around the spool. The spool is rotatably mounted at both ends to the frame and configured to rotate in a webbing extraction direction and a webbing retraction direction. The retractor includes primary and secondary torsion bars positioned end to end in the spool along an axis of rotation of the spool. The primary and secondary torsion bars are configured to be locked at second ends of the torsion bars opposite to the first end. The first ends of the torsion bars are configured to rotate relative to the second ends so that the primary and secondary torsion bars deform to absorb force when a vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 10391971
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor that has a simple structure, easy to manufacture and operates accurately is provided, and a seat belt apparatus provided with the seat belt retractor is also provided. The seat belt retractor includes energy absorbing mechanisms that absorb and alleviate the energy of a vehicle occupant by limiting a load applied to a seat belt. The energy absorbing mechanisms is coaxially incorporated in a spool, whose one end portion is retained by the spool and the other end can be locked by the lock mechanism, and obtains a rotational force when being twisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hayato Uchibori
  • Patent number: 10351385
    Abstract: A pawl-less retractable comprises an inner frame with a drum-sperrad assembly mounted to the inner frame between side members of the frame to rotate relative to the frame. The inner frame is pivotally mounted to a stop cap above the drum-sperrad assembly such that the frame, and hence the drum-sperrad assembly, can pivot relative to the stop cap. The stop cap comprises a central body, a leading wing extending from a first side of the central body and a trailing wing extending from a second side of the central body opposite said first side. In use, the inner frame and drum-sperrad assembly can pivot relative to the stop cap or alternatively an outer frame, between an unlocked position in which the teeth of the sperrad are inside of an engagement zone circle and a locked position in which the teeth are outside of the engagement zone circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Reliance Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 10322306
    Abstract: A rotational energy absorber typically for use in a fall arrest system has a coiler, a length of plastically deformable strip and a deformer structure. The plastically deformable strip has a first end attached to the coiler and a second free end and extends past the deformer structure at a position between the first and second ends. Relative rotation of the coiler member and deformer structure causes the strip to be drawn past the deformer structure, plastically deforming the strip and winding the strip coil form about the coiler member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Latchways PLC
    Inventors: Karl Jones, Owain Jones
  • Patent number: 10214178
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device in which, when a pretensioner mechanism is activated and turning of a pinion relative to a spool is allowed, a lock pawl is turned by the pinion and a trigger wire is sheared by the lock pawl. Thereafter, the pinion turns more relative to the lock pawl and shears a lock pin of the lock pawl. Hence, the lock pawl turns and activates an activation mechanism. Therefore, the activation mechanism may be activated without a torsion shaft of a force limiter mechanism allowing turning of a lock base in the take-up direction relative to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Akira Sumiyashiki, Wataru Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 10207673
    Abstract: Provided are a seat belt retractor and a seat belt device with which it is possible to improve an occupant-restraining property and energy absorption characteristics. A seat belt retractor 1 including a spool 2 that winds up a webbing W for restraining an occupant, a shaft 3 inserted through an axial center of the spool 2, and a locking base 4 connected to the shaft 3 and capable of switching between a rotating state and a non-rotating state, further includes an energy absorption device 5 capable of changing an energy absorption amount according to a relative rotation speed between the spool 2 and the shaft 3, and a load adjustment member 6 that blocks or reduces load transmission when a load equal to or greater than a threshold is applied to the shaft 3 or the spool 2. The spool 2, the shaft 3, the locking base 4, the energy absorption device 5, and the load adjustment member 6 are serially connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Hayato Uchibori, Daichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10202098
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes a spool, a lock base that restricts pull-out direction rotation of the spool in a vehicle emergency, and a linear energy absorbing wire that deforms so as to permit pull-out direction rotation of the spool at or above a force limiter load when the lock base has restricted pull-out direction rotation of the spool. The webbing take-up device further includes a housing with which the energy absorbing wire engages along a radial direction inside face of the housing, and a winder section provided at a radial direction inside of the housing. The winder section is capable of rotating together as a unit with the spool, and takes up the energy absorbing wire by being rotated. Moreover, a wire guide and a lever are provided between the winder section and the housing. The wire guide and the lever pinch and deform the energy absorbing wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yuji Suga, Shinichi Okubo, Wataru Yanagawa, Motoki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10196034
    Abstract: A switching mechanism (100) in a force limiter mechanism of a seat belt retractor including: a locking mechanism including a locking element (68) that locks a torque tube (64) with respect to a spindle (61) so that the torque tube (64) rotates together with the spindle (61) and a spindle ring (70); a switch ring (120) rotatable to unlock the locking mechanism; and a switch housing (101) that stores the switch ring (120), a switch piston (115) adapted to activate the switch ring (120). A switching gas generator (116) generates gas for pushing out the switch piston (115) upon activation of the switching mechanism. The switch housing (101) of the switching mechanism (100) has a protrusion (110) that protrudes in an incoming direction of an operated part (122) at an abutment part hit by the switch ring (120) rotated by the switch piston (115) to control movement of the switch ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Takaomi Sasahara
  • Patent number: 10189440
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes: a spool that takes up webbing worn by an occupant and is rotated in a pull-out direction due to the webbing being pulled out; a base lock that is provided capable of rotating integrally with the spool and is restricted from rotating in the pull-out direction of the spool in vehicle emergency; a pawl that is rotated together with the spool and that, by being displaced to an engaged position, engages with a winding ring and transmits rotation force of the spool to the winding ring; and a trigger ring that is provided capable of being displaced in a rotation circumferential direction of the spool with respect to the spool and includes a pawl-abut portion, abutting the pawl and displacing the pawl to the engaged position when the spool is rotated in the pull-out direction with respect to the lock section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yuji Suga, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 10189439
    Abstract: Provided are a seat belt retractor and a seat belt device with which it is possible to improve energy absorption characteristics and a restraining property. The seat belt retractor includes a spool that performs winding of a webbing for restraining an occupant, a shaft inserted through an axial center of the spool, and a locking base connected to the shaft and capable of switching between a rotating state and a non-rotating state. The seat belt retractor further includes a load adjustment member disposed between the shaft and the locking base and that blocks or reduces load transmission in a case where a load equal to or greater than a threshold is applied to the shaft, and an energy absorption device disposed between the spool and the locking base and capable of changing an energy absorption amount according to a relative rotation speed between the spool and the locking base. The energy absorption device is connected in parallel with the load adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSOFT SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Hayato Uchibori, Daichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10173637
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes a spool taking up webbing worn by an occupant, that is rotated in a pull-out direction by the webbing being pulled-out; a base lock that is provided capable of rotating integrally with the spool and restricts rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction in vehicle-emergency; a pawl that is rotated together with the spool and, by being displaced, engages with a winding ring and transmits rotation force of the spool to the winding ring, and a trigger ring including a restricting portion that is disposed in a restricting position at which displacement of the pawl is restricted in a state prior to the spool being rotated with respect to the base lock, and is disposed in a permitting position at which displacement of the pawl is permitted when the spool has been rotated in the pull-out direction with respect to the base lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yuji Suga, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 10173638
    Abstract: To provide an energy absorbing device, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt apparatus that can vary an energy absorbing amount depending on increase and decrease of rotation speed between relatively rotating objects and can improve durability. An energy absorbing device includes a casing connected to one object, an annular first clutch disc disposed in the casing, an annular second clutch disc disposed in the casing, and an annular clutch plate connected to the other object and having an engaging surface that faces both the first clutch disc and the second clutch disc, wherein the engaging outer teeth of the first clutch disc and the engaging inner teeth of the second clutch disc alternately engage with the engaging teeth of the clutch plate so as to absorb an energy generated by a relative rotation between one object and the other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Hayato Uchibori, Daichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10118589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor for a safety belt, having: a belt reel (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for winding up the safety belt; a locking base (120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620) which during normal operation is conjointly rotated with the belt reel and the rotary motion of which upon abrupt belt extraction is locked by means of a locking mechanism; and a belt force limiting installation which upon locking of the locking base permits relative rotation between the belt reel and the locking base. It is provided according to the invention that the belt retractor has a deactivation installation which after a predefined maximum relative rotary angle between the locking base and the belt reel blocks the relative rotation which is permitted between the belt reel and the locking base by the belt force limiting installation and, on account thereof, deactivates the belt force limiting installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hasse, Robert Fleischmann, Joachim Nuesseler, Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Schwer, Armin Toth, Dirk Buchlaub, Jochen Lang, Thomas Rupp
  • Patent number: 10112576
    Abstract: A retractor assembly for a seatbelt system having a webbing for restraining a secured occupant, the retractor comprising a spool configured to wind and unwind the webbing about an axis of rotation, the spool includes a side with an opening therein; a collar including an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface configured to engage the opening; a locking base configured to operatively engage the inner surface; and an energy absorbing member configured to provide a progressive level of load resistance upon relative rotation between the spool and the locking base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventor: Gary Lee Stroik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10099652
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device, a seat belt retractor, and a seat belt device, that can change an energy absorption characteristic continuously, and improve durability. A base plate that is connected to a spool and has a corrugated groove annularly formed, a cover plate that is opposingly connected to the base plate and has a corrugated groove synchronized with the corrugated groove of the base plate, a plurality of driving pins with a first end inserted into the corrugated groove of the base plate and a second end inserted into the corrugated groove of the cover plate, a plurality of mass bodies that are arranged in respective intermediate portions of the driving pins, and intermediate plates that are inserted with the driving pins, arranged on both sides of the mass bodies, and connected to a locking base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Hayato Uchibori, Daichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10053051
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a belt shaft pivot-mounted in a retractor frame, wherein the belt shaft shows an at least two-part design with a first and a second part. A load limiting device includes at least two parts, which can be moved relative to each other and have teeth, with which they alternately engage and disengage. Each of the parts of the load limiting device is allocated to a different part of the belt shaft. A tensioning device is located on the second part of the belt shaft and, upon activation, abruptly drives the belt shaft in the winding direction. One of the parts of the load limiting device, via a transmission device, is connected in a rotationally-fixed manner to the second part of the belt shaft through the first part, which is a hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Günter Clute, Hiroki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10046733
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a safety belt, having a belt reel for winding or unwinding the safety belt, and a belt force limiting installation which comprises a first and second torsion bar for limiting belt force. The belt retractor has a free-wheeling transmission which operates depending on the rotation angle and which after activation of the belt force limiting installation initially leaves the second torsion bar so as to be inactive, while the first torsion bar for limiting belt force is already being twisted, and the free-wheeling transmission activates the second torsion bar as soon as the free-wheeling transmission has been rotated about a predefined maximum free-wheeling rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Fleischmann, Armin Toth, Christoph Pechhold, Thomas Schwer, Karl-Friedrich Haug
  • Patent number: 10046062
    Abstract: A retractor assembly comprising a spool configured to wind and unwind the webbing, a lock base, and an energy absorbing member having a first end operatively connected to the locking base and a second end operatively connected to the spool. The energy absorbing member provides a progressive level of load resistance upon relative rotation between the spool and the locking base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventor: Gary Lee Stroik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10046731
    Abstract: To provide an energy absorption apparatus, a seatbelt retractor, and a seatbelt apparatus that are capable of changing the energy absorption amount according to increases and decreases in the rotation speed between objects that rotate relative to each other and capable of improving endurance. The energy absorption apparatus includes a first plate connected to one of the objects and having a wave-shaped groove formed in an annular shape, a second plate connected to another one of the objects, disposed so as to be adjacent to the first plate, and having a plurality of radial grooves formed at locations that face the wave-shaped groove, a plurality of driving pins that are inserted, at one end, in the wave-shaped groove and inserted, at another end, in the radial grooves, and a plurality of follower bodies that are housed in the wave-shaped groove or the radial grooves and that slide along the wave-shaped groove as the driving pins move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Hayato Uchibori, Daichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10040419
    Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a base cartridge receives pressure of gas generated by an MGG, load from a piston that is moved by the pressure of the gas, and reaction force acting on the MGG when gas has been ejected from the MGG. This enables strength retention with respect to the above-described pressure, load, and reaction force to be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Motoki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10023150
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a seat belt retractor that is capable of generating a more stable load when restricting a load acting on the seat belt and when absorbing energy, and a seat belt apparatus including the same. [Solution] A seat belt retractor 3 includes a frame 11, a seat belt 4, a spool 12 that is rotatably supported by the frame 11 and that retracts the seat belt 4, a lock mechanism 60 that allows rotation of the spool 12 while not in operation and that prevents rotation of the spool 12 in a seat belt withdrawing direction while in operation, and an energy absorption mechanism 20 that restricts a load acting on the seat belt 4 and that absorbs energy of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Tetsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9908504
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle seat belt comprises a rotatably supported belt reel from which webbing can be unwound, a force limiting means which in a force limiting phase permits controlled webbing extension in the webbing extension direction when the belt reel is blocked and a particular force threshold is exceeded, and a change-over device for performing a change-over operation during which it is changed between a low force limitation level and a high force limitation level. In accordance with the invention, the change-over device includes a control means which in response to the identification of an installed child safety seat suppresses a change-over operation from the low force limitation level to the high force limitation level and/or triggers a change-over operation from the high force limitation level to the low force limitation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Stegmeier, Frederic Michel
  • Patent number: 9884607
    Abstract: To provide a seatbelt retractor and a seatbelt device that can suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise. A seatbelt retractor 1 includes a spool 2 that retracts webbing configured to restrain an occupant, a base frame 3 that houses the spool 2 rotatably, and a lock mechanism 4 that restricts rotation of the spool 2. The lock mechanism 4 includes a locking base 41, a pawl 42, a pawl spring 43, and a lock gear 44. The pawl 42 includes a first restraint portion 42a that restrains movement of the pawl 42 in one rotating direction of the spool 2 while being located inside an outer periphery of the locking base 41, and a second restraint portion 42b that restrains the movement of the pawl 42 in an opposite rotating direction of the spool 2 while the movement is retrained by the first restraint portion 42a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichiro Hodatsu
  • Patent number: 9751494
    Abstract: A force limiting device for a belt retractor is reversible from a higher restraining force level to a lower restraining force level by means of a reversing means during a force limiting phase, wherein the second restraining force level is largely determined by a performance of at least one force limiting element. The reversing means is arranged so that it accomplishes a significant work share upon reversing which is added to the performance of the force limiting element and thus temporarily increases the restraining force of the force limiting device. In this manner undershooting of the characteristic line of the force limiting device upon reversing to the lower restraining force level is compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Roehrle
  • Patent number: 9718437
    Abstract: The present invention provides a winder used for a force limiting safety belt, comprising: a winder frame, a reel and a torsion bar. wherein, the winder frame comprises two opposite sidewalls, the corresponding positions of the two sidewalls having circular openings provided, the circular openings having internal toothed segments; the reel comprising a spindle through hole provided along the central axis of the spindle, two detachable end covers provided respectively on the two ends of the spindle, the end covers having external teeth provided along the periphery of the end covers; the torsion bar is divided into two segments in axial direction which are connected to each other by adjoining ends; in a free state, the reel is able to rotate and float provided within the winder frame, two end covers being provided in the circular through opening on the two sidewalls of the winder frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HELIA TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD
    Inventor: Xuejun Liu
  • Patent number: 9688237
    Abstract: A lock member includes a closed cylindrical portion having lock teeth and a fixation boss provided inside the cylindrical portion and inserted in a fitting hole formed at one end of the take-up drum and facing the take-up drum along an axial direction of the cylindrical portion. A stopper mechanism includes a ring member whose inner peripheral surface is mounted on the fixation boss and whose outer peripheral surface is fitted in the fitting hole so as to prohibit relative rotation with respect to the fitting hole. The ring member is movable relative to the fixation boss in the axial direction of the take-up drum by the relative rotation with respect to the fixation boss. Further, movable area allowed for the ring member to move on the fixation boss axially outward with respect to the take-up drum has an movable end located inside of the closed cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Ijiri
  • Patent number: 9650015
    Abstract: A belt retractor comprising a safety belt reel (1) rotatably mounted on a frame (7) and a load limiter (2) which acts on a rotational movement of the belt reel (1) and has a switchable energy consumption, said load limiter having a granulate (3), which is enclosed in a closed load limiter chamber (8) and consists of dry, granular solid, and at least one rotating member (4) which can be rotated relative to the granulate (3), the energy consumption resulting from shear forces acts between the grains of granulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Guillem Aranda, Antonio Ferrao
  • Patent number: 9616846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor for a seat belt having a belt reel for winding up and unwinding the seat belt and a torsion bar which is arranged outside the belt reel and is connected at one bar end to a switchable fixing device. The switchable fixing device keeps the bar end rotationally fixed in one state and permits rotation of the bar end in another state. The switchable fixing device has a displaceable piston which, with a piston portion, in a locking position, can secure the bar end against rotation and, in a release position displaced in relation to the locking position, releases the bar end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TAKATA AG
    Inventors: Oliver Gloeckler, Wolfgang Schrade, Peter Linde, Uwe Eisemann, Armin Toth
  • Patent number: 9573563
    Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a FL lock pawl is actuated by rotation of a spool in a pull-out direction relative to a lock base, coupling the spool and a lock ring of an energy absorption mechanism together by the FL lock pawl. A reduction in number of times the FL lock pawl is actuated is thereby enabled in comparison to a case in which the FL lock pawl always actuates on actuation of a lock mechanism. The occurrence of wear or the like of ratchet teeth of the FL lock pawl is suppressed as a result. Accordingly, improvement of margin for durability of the FL lock pawl that actuates the energy absorption mechanism is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Kenji Fukuta, Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Patent number: 9573562
    Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a lock ring of an energy absorption mechanism is disposed coaxially to a spool. An anchor hook (one end portion) of a wire is anchored to the lock ring, and the wire is wound around a wire attachment face (outer peripheral portion) of the lock ring from the anchor hook to another end portion of the wire. Most of the wire excluding a second energy absorption portion is accordingly disposed around the wire attachment face of the lock ring that is disposed coaxially to the spool, thereby enabling an increase in size of the body of the webbing take-up device to be suppressed in comparison to a case in which the lock ring is disposed parallel to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Kenji Fukuta, Nao Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9555766
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor is provided that can be formed in a smaller size yet properly operated, and capable of smoothly providing seatbelt tension, and a seatbelt assembly including such a seatbelt retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9505379
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor with an electromotive winding aid (4) comprising a belt shaft (1) which is pretensioned in the winding-up direction by a spring and is mounted rotatably in a frame (3) of the belt retractor on which a belt strap (2) can be wound up. The electromotive winding aid (4) can be activated as a function of the belt-strap-retraction speed (BRS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Patrick Süllau, Andreas Lucht, Hans-Jörg Langhoff, Hans-Otto Kock, Philip Rings
  • Patent number: RE47450
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a seat belt includes a spool for winding the seatbelt, a first seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting load applied on the seat belt in an emergency, a second seat belt load limiting mechanism for limiting the load applied to the seat belt when a predetermined condition based on an emergency situation is satisfied in the emergency, a driving member for actuating the second seat belt load limiting mechanism, and a controller for controlling the driving member. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an operative state by not actuating the driving member. When the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the controller sets the second seat belt load limiting mechanism in an inoperative state by actuating the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Takahiro Nohara