Seat belt retractor and torsion bar providing secondary load limiting
US7954854B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2022/287
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A torsion bar, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an elongated bar has a first end, a second end, and a mid-section between the first and second ends. The first end of the elongated bar has a material void. The first end preferably has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the mid-section. In one design, the material void is a slot extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending longitudinally. In another design, the material void is a bore extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of slots extending longitudinally and extending from the bore through an exterior surface of the elongated bar to leave a plurality of fingers at the first end. In these designs and other, the torsion bar and the material void may be cold forged, thereby eliminating a second forming step. The torsion bar may also include a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.