Magnetorheological seat belt actuator
US6805381B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2022/288
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seatbelt retractor is operably coupled to a belt dereeling retarder mechanism which utilizes a magnetorheological fluid and a coil for imposing a magnetic field on the fluid to selectively change the fluid properties and a braking or retarding effect imposed on the belt retractor during dereeling or payout of the belt. The retarder may include a piston coupled to a rotatable shaft coupled to the belt retractor reel and displacing fluid through the magnetic field in response to actuation of the belt. Alternate embodiments include a multiple disc brake coupled to the retractor reel through a gear drive speed increaser or a cylindrical housing and core member defining an annular space occupied by the magnetorheological fluid and connected to the belt retractor reel through a speed increasing gear drive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.