Combined seat belt retractor and tensioner unit

US5641131A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Repa GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Johannes Schmid · Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE
• Thomas Modinger · Alfdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 1994
• Grant date: Jun 24, 1997
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R22/4633
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a belt tensioner for vehicular seat belt restraining systems the belt reel (16) of a belt retractor is caused to rotate by a linear drive unit via a step-up gear. The linear drive unit comprises a burstproof cylinder tube (42) closed off at both ends and a hollow piston (44) shiftable therein. Within said hollow piston a pyrotechnical propelling charge (50) with an igniter (52) is accommodated. The belt tensioner is distinguished by its compact configuration, low weight and low-cost production as well as by the linear drive unit being safe to handle.