Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Trw Limited

Robert D Sayles

Charles E Steffens, Jr

Matthew C Frank

Brian K Blackburn

Scott B Gentry

Barney J Bauer

Wendell C Lane, Jr

Bob L McFalls

Lawrence J Verellen

A seat belt buckle (12) includes a latch mechanism (20) and a field effect device (26). The latch mechanism (20) includes a latch (42) which is movable into and out of a locking position in which it engages a seat belt tongue (16) to interlock the tongue (16) with the latch mechanism (20). The field effect device (26) provides a first output if the seat belt tongue (16) is not interlocked with the latch mechanism (20) and provides a second, different output if the seat belt tongue (16) is interlocked with the latch mechanism (20).

Seat belt buckle with field effect locking indicator and method of use

A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster (10) includes a base (50) having first and second columns of openings (84, 86, 104, 106) disposed in a staggered relationship on opposite sides of an axis (61). A carriage (140) is supported on the base (50) for axial movement relative to the base. A seat belt webbing guide (24) is disposed on the carriage (140). A first latch part (200) on the carriage (140) is movable between a first condition in which the first latch part is movable axially past the first openings (84, 86) and a second condition in which the first latch part is located in one of the first openings to block axial movement of the first latch part and the carriage relative to the base (50). A second latch part (210) on the carriage (140) is movable between a first condition in which the second latch part is movable axially past the second openings (104, 106) and a second condition in which the second latch part is located in one of the second openings to block axial movement of the second latch part and the carriage relative to the base (50). The height adjuster (10) includes springs (228, 246) for biasing the first and second latch parts (200, 210) into the second condition, and a release lever (260) for moving the first and second latch parts to the first condition.

D-ring height adjuster

A seat belt height adjuster (30) includes a track (34), a slider (36) movable vertically along the track (34), and a latch (102) mounted on the slider (36). The track (34) has a plurality of latch openings (62) which are spaced apart along the track (34). The latch (102)is receivable in each latch opening (62) to block movement of the slider (36) downward along the track (34). The track (34) further has a plurality of spaced-apart directing portions (80) corresponding to the plurality of latch openings (62). Each directing portion (80) of the track (34) is configured to constrain the latch (102) to move into the next lower latch opening (62) upon movement of the latch (102) downward along the track (34) from a latch opening (62) to the next lower latch opening (62).

Height adjuster for seat belt webbing

An apparatus comprises a rotatable structure (40) having an axis of rotation (41). The rotatable structure (40) includes a spool (16), a ratchet wheel (44), and a deflectable part (42) which deflects upon rotation of the spool (16) about the axis (41) relative to the ratchet wheel (44). An alarm apparatus (60) responds to deflection of the deflectable part (42) by providing an audible alarm upon subsequent rotation of the rotatable structure (40).

Seat belt retractor with deflection alarm

A spool sleeve (78) is rotatable in webbing withdrawal and webbing retraction directions (A, B). A lock pawl (122) engageable with a ratchet wheel (114), stops rotation of the spool sleeve (78) in the webbing withdrawal direction (A). The spool sleeve (78) is rotatable relative to the ratchet wheel (114) upon the occurrence of tension in webbing (16) above a predetermined amount. A cutter (94) is located radially within the spool sleeve (78) for cutting the spool sleeve (78) when the spool sleeve (78) rotates relative to the stopped ratchet wheel (114). In one preferred embodiment, the cutter (220) includes a portion (226) which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis (164) of the spool sleeve (192) to cause the cutter (220) to move axially relative to the spool sleeve. In another preferred embodiment, the spool sleeve (284, 286) is comprised of a plurality of pieces fitted together to extend around the axis (164). In another preferred embodiment, the rotation of the spool sleeve (396, 398) is resisted and the amount of resistance can be changed. Two cutters (472, 510) provide different amounts of resistance when they cut the spool sleeve (396, 398).

Seat belt retractor with energy management

A vehicle seat belt system (10) includes a length of seat belt webbing (14). An energy absorber (32) connected with the belt webbing (14) is actuatable in response to the tensile load on the belt webbing exceeding a predetermined load. The system (10) includes a D-ring (24) having a webbing opening (46) through which the belt webbing (14) extends. The D-ring (24) is supported for movement from a first position to a second position upon actuation of the energy absorber (32). A signalling mechanism (40, 72) is actuatable in response to movement of the D-ring (24) from the first position to the second position for providing a signal perceptible to the vehicle occupant and indicative of actuation of the energy absorber (32). In a preferred embodiment, the signalling mechanism (40, 72) includes an electric switch (40) which is actuated in response to movement of the D-ring (24) from the first position to the second position, and a lamp (72) which is energized in response to the actuation of the electric switch.

Seat belt system energy management device replacement indicator

A seat belt webbing retractor (10) includes a spool assembly (60) around which seat belt webbing (16) is wound. The spool assembly (60) is rotatable in webbing withdrawal and webbing retraction directions (A,B). A member, such as a ratchet wheel, (70) is rotatable in the withdrawal and retraction directions (A,B) with the spool assembly (60). A lock pawl, (190) is engageable with the rotatable member (70) for blocking rotation of the rotatable member (70) and the spool assembly (60) in the withdrawal direction (A). The spool assembly (60) is rotatable relative to the rotatable member (70) upon the occurrence of a tension above a predetermined amount in the webbing (16). A deformable member (78) is plastically deformed to absorb energy during rotation of the spool assembly (60) relative to the rotatable member (70). A hub (112) and a ring (140), are also rotatable upon rotation of the spool assembly (60) relative to the rotatable member (70). The deformable member (78) has a plurality of annular projections (94, 102), and the hub and ring (112, 140) deform the projections to absorb energy.

A seat belt retractor (10) has a spool assembly (14) with a spool sleeve (34) on which a seat belt webbing (16) is wound. The spool sleeve (34) is supported for rotation in webbing retraction and webbing withdrawal directions (A, B). A ratchet wheel (48) is provided for stopping rotation of the spool sleeve (34) in the webbing withdrawal direction (B). The ratchet wheel (48) is rotatable with the spool sleeve (34) in the webbing retraction and webbing withdrawal directions (A, B). A blocking mechanism (72) prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel (48) in the webbing withdrawal direction (B) to stop rotation of the spool sleeve (34). A portion (62, 64) of said spool sleeve (34) can deform a portion (54, 58) of the ratchet wheel (48). When the ratchet wheel (48) is prevented from rotating by the blocking mechanism (72) and a withdrawal force above a predetermined amount is applied to the webbing (16), the spool sleeve (34) is permitted to rotate in the webbing withdrawal direction (B) relative to the ratchet wheel (48) by deformation of the ratchet wheel, thereby absorbing kinetic energy. In another embodiment, a member (120) is mounted to rotate with a ratchet wheel (110) as a unit. Deformation of the member (120) can occur to absorb energy when the ratchet wheel (110) is blocked. In another embodiment a wheel (330) and a ratchet wheel (358) are provided and deformation of each can occur. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A seat belt webbing retractor (10) includes a spool assembly (60) around which seat belt webbing (16) is wound. The spool assembly (60) is rotatable in webbing withdrawal and webbing retraction directions (A,B). A ratchet wheel (70) is rotatable in the withdrawal and retraction directions (A,B) with the spool assembly (60). A lock pawl (146) is engageable with the ratchet wheel (70) for blocking rotation of the ratchet wheel (70) and the spool assembly (60) in the withdrawal direction (A). The spool assembly (60) is rotatable relative to the ratchet wheel (70) upon an occurrence of a tension above a predetermined amount in the webbing (16). A take-up member (102) is rotatable with the spool assembly (60) relative to the ratchet wheel (70). A deformable member (120) is plastically deformed during a plurality of rotations of the take-up member (102) and spool assembly (60) relative to the ratchet wheel (70). In one embodiment, a plurality of deformable members (266) are included, and a controller (362) controls the deformation of the plurality of deformable members, thereby to change the amount of energy absorption.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MI, United States of America

Robert D Sayles