Patent US4363501A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4363501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Passive type vehicle occupant restraint belt system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-01-30
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2001-01-30
Abstract
Abstract Drive device for a movable belt transfer guide in a passive seat belt system includes a friction coupling that is housed separately from the gears to isolate it from the gear lubricant. The coupling normally transmits the driving force, but slips if the transfer guide tends to be overdriven thereby minimizing overloading and shock loads.
Inventors
- 👤 Juichiro Takada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
In a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system having a belt guide member that is coupled to a restraint belt and is movable between a restraint location in which the belt engages an occupant and a release location in which the belt releases the occupant, a reversible drive motor, control means for activating the motor to drive it in one direction in response to opening of the vehicle door and in the opposite direction in response to closing of the vehicle door, a semi-flexible drive element coupled to the guide member, and a reduction device for transmitting power from the motor to the drive element, the improvement wherein the reduction device comprises a housing having first and second closed compartments separated by a common dividing partition, an output shaft journaled in the partition and having a first portion located in the first compartment and a second portion located in the second compartment; an output drive element affixed to the first portion of the output shaft and coupled to the guide element to drive it; an input shaft having its axis disposed orthogonically to the axis of the output shaft and extending into the second compartment; a worm gear affixed on the input shaft; a worm wheel rotably carried on the second portion of the output shaft and meshing with the worm gear; and an enclosed friction coupling received within the second compartment and interposed between the worm wheel and the output shaft, the compartmentalization of the casing and enclosing of the friction coupling enabling the input and output gears to be lubricated while excluding lubricant from the friction coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
In a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system having a belt guide member that is coupled to a restraint belt and is movable between a restraint location in which the belt engages an occupant and a release location in which the belt releases the occupant, a reversible drive motor, control means for activating the motor to drive it in one direction in response to opening of the vehicle door and in the opposite direction in response to closing of the vehicle door, a semi-flexible drive element coupled to the guide member, and a reduction device for transmitting power from the motor to the drive element, the improvement wherein the reduction device comprises a housing having first and second closed compartments separated by a common dividing partition, an output shaft journaled in the partition and having a first portion located in the first compartment and a second portion located in the second compartment; an output drive element affixed to the first portion of the output shaft and coupled to the guide element to drive it; an input shaft having its axis disposed orthogonically to the axis of the output shaft and extending into the second compartment; a worm gear affixed on the input shaft; a worm wheel rotably carried on the second portion of the output shaft and meshing with the worm gear; and an enclosed friction coupling received within the second compartment and interposed between the worm wheel and the output shaft, the compartmentalization of the casing and enclosing of the friction coupling enabling the input and output gears to be lubricated while excluding lubricant from the friction coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the worm wheel includes a hub portion supported on the output shaft and a peripheral flange on the hub having external teeth, thereby to defining a cavity within the flange, and wherein the friction coupling is received within the cavity, and further comprising a cap joined to the worm wheel flange to close the cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein the friction coupling includes an input disc coupled to the worm wheel for rotation therewith, an output disc coupled to the output shaft to drive it, a friction disc interposed between the input and output discs, and spring means for urging the input and output discs into engagement with the friction disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a system according to claim 1 in which the drive motor is a reversible electric motor, the further improvement wherein the control means comprises a first electrical circuit adapted to connect the motor to a power source for rotation in one direction to drive the guide member from the release location to the restraint location, and including a seat switch adapted to be closed in response to a weight on the seat, a restraint location detector switch adapted to be closed when the guide member is not at the restraint location, and a control switch adapted to be closed in response to closing of the vehicle door, whereby the motor is driven in said one direction only when the seat is occupied, the belt guide member is away from the restraint location and the door is closed; and a second electrical circuit adapted to connect the motor to the power source for rotation in the other direction to drive the guide member from the restraint location to the release location and including a release location detection switch adapted to be closed when the belt guide member is away from the release location and a control switch adapted to be closed in response to opening of the vehicle door, whereby the motor is driven in said other direction only when the belt guide is away from the release location and the vehicle door is open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement according to claim 4 wherein the first circuit further includes an electrical resistance means for reducing the voltage across the motor when it is driven in said one direction, thereby tending to equalize the speeds at which the belt guide member is driven in both directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improvement according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the detection switches are transferred in response to the rotational position of a switching member coupled to the output shaft of the reduction device by a reduction gear for rotation of less than 360° during rotation of the output shaft corresponding to full movement of the belt transfer guide member between the release and restraint locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein each detector switch includes a pair of fixed contacts and the switching member includes a rotary conductive contact adapted to electrically connect the fixed contacts selectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein the detector switches are microswitches and the switching member is a rotary cam having cam surfaces adapted to transfer the detector switches selectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |