Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method to reduce/eliminate lockup of seatbelt retractor during motorized pretensioning activation

US7744031B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
3References
9Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 11, 2006
Grant dateJun 29, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2022/4666
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A motorized seat belt retractor, comprising: a take-up spool configured to rotate in a winding direction and an unwinding direction; a motor for providing a driving force in a first direction and a second direction to the take-up spool, wherein the take-up spool rotates in the winding direction when the driving force is provided in the first direction; a mechanism coupled to a shaft of the motor, the mechanism being configured to rotate freely in the first direction and rotate in the second direction when either i) a predetermined force is applied to the take-up spool in the unwinding direction during or after application of the driving force in the first direction or ii) the motor applies the driving force in the second direction in order to overcome a predetermined resistance of the mechanism; and a locking retractor configured to prevent the take-up spool from rotating in the unwinding direction when the predetermined force is applied to the take-up spool in the unwinding direction during or after application of the driving force in the first direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.