Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Donald E Foxworth

Steven G Corrion

Franklin L Kiiskila

Russell L Hardy, Sr

A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (70) which is rotatable about a first axis (52). An idler gear (270) is disposed in an opening (254) in a drive disc (240) which is rotatable about the first axis (52). The idler gear (270) rotates, in response to rotation of the spool (70), about a second axis (256) which is spaced from the first axis (52). As the idler gear (270) rotates about the second axis (256), it also orbits about the first axis (52) and causes the drive disc (240) to rotate about the first axis. The drive disc (240) moves a cinch lever (200) into a cinching position to block rotation of the spool (70) in a belt withdrawal direction (76) after a first predetermined amount of webbing (16) is withdrawn from the spool (70) and then a second predetermined amount of webbing is rewound on the spool.

Seat belt retractor with cinch mechanism

A seat belt retractor (18) includes a frame (110), a spool (112), and a locking pawl (126). The spool (112) has ratchet teeth (122) and is supported on the frame (110) for rotation in a seat belt winding direction and a seat belt unwinding direction. The pawl (126) is movable into a locking position in which it extends into the path of movement of the ratchet teeth (122) to block rotation of the spool (112) in the unwinding direction. The retractor (18) further includes an actuator assembly (150) for moving the pawl (126) into the locking position. The actuator assembly (150) includes a first actuator member (152), a second actuator member (154) and a spring (156). The first actuator member (152) is supported for movement into an actuated position against the bias of the spring (156). The second actuator member (154) is supported for movement with the first actuator member (152). The second actuator member (154 ) is thus movable against the pawl (126) to move the pawl (126) into the locking position upon movement of the first actuator member (152) into the actuated position.

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Macomb Township, MI, United States of America

Donald E Foxworth