Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Harley L Kapanka

Michael K Hishon

Steven Stoll

Ivanna G Malinow

Lloyd M Snyder

A seat belt retractor ( ) comprises a spool ( ) supported on a base ( ) for rotation relative to the base about an axis ( ) in a belt retraction direction and an opposite belt withdrawal direction. A length of belt webbing ( ) wound on the spool ( ) is extensible from the retractor ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. The retractor ( ) includes a spool locking mechanism ( ) for blocking rotation of the spool ( ) in the belt withdrawal direction. A sensor mechanism ( ) is supported on the base ( ). A cover ( ) secured to the base ( ) has a main body portion ( ) covering the sensor mechanism ( ). The cover ( ) has a plurality of legs ( ) projecting from the main body portion ( ). The legs ( ) are resiliently deformable to absorb energy of impact to the retractor ( ).

Seat belt retractor with energy absorbing cover

A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (100) on which belt webbing (16) is wound. The spool (100) is fixed for rotation with a shaft (110). The shaft (110) is acted upon by gravity with a first force. The seat belt webbing (16) provides a second force on the shaft acting counter to the first force. A means, such as a pair of M-shaped springs (130, 140), provides a biasing force on the shaft acting counter to the first force. The springs (130, 140) may also bias the spool (100) axially away from side walls (34, 36) of the retractor frame (30).

Seat belt webbing retractor

A seat belt retractor spool (14) has a seat belt (16) wound on the spool. Ratchet wheels (22) are fixed for rotation with the spool (14). A pawl (30) is movable into a position for blocking rotation of the ratchet wheels (22) and the spool (14) in a belt withdrawal direction (A). A lever (50) is pivotable to move the pawl (30) to the blocking position. A control ring gear assembly (94) is driven upon rotation of the spool (14) to cause the lever (50) to pivot after a predetermined length of the seat belt (16) is withdrawn from the spool (14). The control ring gear assembly (94) includes two members (96 and 118) which are mounted together, and which have projections (114, 122L), respectively, for engaging and pivoting the lever (50). The members (96 and 118) have interlocking portions (104 and 122) which are locked during mounting of the members (96 and 118) for preventing relative movement between the members. The interlocking portions (104 and 122) are unlocked during dismounting of the members to permit repositioning of the members relative to each other, which repositions the projection (122L). Changing the position of the projection (122L) changes the amount of rotation of the ring gear assembly (94) required prior to the projection (122L) pivoting the lever (50) to cause a lock-up of the retractor. This changes the predetermined length of the seat belt (16) that can be withdrawn.

Adjustable automatic locking retractor

A seat belt retractor (10) includes a spool (14) on which a seat belt (16) is wound. Ratchet wheels (22) are fixed for rotation with the spool (14). A pawl (30) is movable into a blocking position for blocking rotation of the ratchet wheels (22) and the spool (14) in a belt withdrawal direction (A). A lever (50) is pivotable to move the pawl (30) to the blocking position after a predetermined length of the seat belt (16) is withdrawn from the spool 14. A control ring gear assembly (94) causes the lever (50) to pivot. The control ring gear assembly (94) includes two members (96 and 108), which have projections (104, 116), respectively, for engaging and pivoting the lever (50). The member (108) is movable relative to the member (96) for changing the amount of rotation of the ring gear assembly (94) required prior to the projection (116) moving the lever ( 50) to cause a lock-up of the retractor. This, in turn, changes the predetermined length of the seat belt (16) which must be withdrawn to cause the retractor to lock up.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MI, United States of America

Harley L Kapanka