Pretensioner drive
US6520443B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2022/468
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pretensioner 10 for a seat belt 12 employs a strap 30 fixed about a pulley 34 and also fixed at an opposite end 36 to a housing 18. Upon pretensioner activation, an actuator 20 is propelled across a rectangular passage 72 thereby impelling a portion 31 of the strap 30 extending across the passage 72. Torque created by the strap 30 about the pulley 34 effects slideable and rotary engagement of the geared pulley 34 with a geared hub 38. The geared hub 38 co-axially and rotatably communicates with a seat belt retractor spool 46 wherein a seat belt retractor spool shaft 40 axially extends through hub 38 and spool 46. Activation of the pretensioner 10 therefore results in ignition of a gas generant 22 that produces sufficient gas pressure to drive the actuator 20, thereby effecting rotary movement in the pulley 34, the hub 38, the shaft 40, and the spool 46. A seat belt 12 wound about the spool 46 is thereby pretensioned.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.