Force limiter
US8116948B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2022/288
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy-absorbing force limiter for a safety device comprises a first component (5) and a second component (2), such as a seat-belt, that is moveable relative to the first component (5). The force limiter provides an energy-absorbing movement-resisting effect, for example by means of a frictional brake (4, 5), to resist movement of the second component relative to the first. An adjustable control element (6) actuates the brake. The magnitude of the frictional effect is a function of the degree of adjustment of the control element and at least one parameter, such as temperature, which influences the coefficient of friction. The control mechanism (9) adjusts the adjustable control element (6) to control the magnitude of the movement-resisting effect in response to a signal (12) representative of the desired resistance to movement together with a signal (10, 11) representative of that at least one parameter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.