Abstract An electromagnetically controlled seat belt retractor mechanism including a spring-loaded reel to which a belt section is coupled for protraction against the resistance of the spring and retraction by action of the spring. A locking bar is engagable with the reel to lock the same against rotation in belt protraction direction. A cam means is journalled concentrically with the reel and is biased axially into frictional engagement with the latter for limited rotation therewith. The cam means, after movement in belt protraction direction, is adapted to block movement of the locking bar into reel locking position until the cam means is restored to its initial position by rotation of the reel in retraction direction upon release of the protraction causing tension on the belt section. The improvement comprises an electromagnetic means energizable under selected conditions of vehicle operation to immobilize the cam means in locking bar blocking position to permit repeated protraction and retraction movements of the reel.
Inventors
👤 Jeffrey A Erion
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-29 02:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/343
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
An electromagentically controlled seat belt retractor mechanism having a frame journalling a spring-loaded reel to which a seat belt is coupled for protraction and retraction, the reel having fixed thereto at least one toothed ratchet wheel, a pivotally mounted locking bar biased for movement into engagement with the ratchet wheel to lock the wheel against rotation in protraction direction, a cam disk biased axially of the reel into frictional engagement with the side face of the ratchet wheel, the cam disk being rotatable by the ratchet wheel to a position in which a blocking portion thereon lies in the path of the locking bar to block the latter against movement into ratchet wheel locking engagement whereby the reel remains freely movable in either protracting or retracting directions, wherein the improvement comprises: a solenoid mounted on the retractor mechanism frame externally of one side of the latter and a contact member mounted on the cam disk, the contact member having a part thereof projecting outwardly through a slot in the one side wall in position to engage the solenoid when the cam disk blocking portion is in locking bar movement blocking position, the contact member when in solenoid engaging position being magnetically locked to the solenoid upon the latter being energized, thereby immobilizing the cam disk in locking bar blocking position and maintaining the free movement condition of the reel, and a source of current for energizing the solenoid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
An electromagentically controlled seat belt retractor mechanism having a frame journalling a spring-loaded reel to which a seat belt is coupled for protraction and retraction, the reel having fixed thereto at least one toothed ratchet wheel, a pivotally mounted locking bar biased for movement into engagement with the ratchet wheel to lock the wheel against rotation in protraction direction, a cam disk biased axially of the reel into frictional engagement with the side face of the ratchet wheel, the cam disk being rotatable by the ratchet wheel to a position in which a blocking portion thereon lies in the path of the locking bar to block the latter against movement into ratchet wheel locking engagement whereby the reel remains freely movable in either protracting or retracting directions, wherein the improvement comprises: a solenoid mounted on the retractor mechanism frame externally of one side of the latter and a contact member mounted on the cam disk, the contact member having a part thereof projecting outwardly through a slot in the one side wall in position to engage the solenoid when the cam disk blocking portion is in locking bar movement blocking position, the contact member when in solenoid engaging position being magnetically locked to the solenoid upon the latter being energized, thereby immobilizing the cam disk in locking bar blocking position and maintaining the free movement condition of the reel, and a source of current for energizing the solenoid.