JP2003191822A - Operation state detector for seat belt winding device having alr, seat belt winding device having alr, operation state displaying device for seat belt winding device having alr, and air bag expansion controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation state detector capable of detecting whether a seat belt winding device having an ALR lies in an ELR state or an ALR state. <P>SOLUTION: When the seat belt is pulled substantially entirely, the rotation of a ring cam 24 is transmitted to a lock plate 25, the lock plate 25 rotates, and a cam part 26a of a lever 26 abutting on the circumferential collar 25b of the lock plate engages with the inside of a notch 25c. Thus, the lever 26 turns, and its engaging part 26b engages with a ratchet gear for operating an ELR mechanism (not shown) to lock the pull of the seat belt. This is the ALR state. The motion of the lever 26 is detected by a switch assembly 31. Thus, it is detected whether the seat belt winding device having the ALR lies in the ELR state or the ALR state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seat belt retractor with an ALR having an operation detection device for detecting whether the vehicle is in the ELR state or the ALR state, an operation display for displaying the operation, and an airbag. The present invention relates to a deployment control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a passenger car or the like, there is a seat belt retractor for restraining safety by restraining an occupant to a seat when an emergency such as a collision occurs, called a seat belt retractor with ALR. This is normally the ELR
(Emergency lock) act as a seat belt retractor,
The seat belt pull-out is locked only when the seat belt is pulled out at a speed higher than a predetermined speed, when abnormal acceleration acts on the vehicle, or when the posture of the vehicle becomes abnormal. When the seat belt is pulled out (usually the full amount or an amount close to the full amount), the ALR (automatic lock) state in which the seat belt is always pulled out is locked until the seat belt is wound up by a predetermined amount.

Such an ALR-equipped seat belt retractor is mainly used when a child seat or the like is fixed to a seat by a seat belt. That is, when fixing a child seat or the like to the seat, first, if the seat belt is pulled out by an amount close to the total amount, the seat belt retractor is in the ALR state, and the seat belt can be retracted but cannot be pulled out. It becomes such a state. In this state, the child seat or the like is fixed to the seat while the seat belt is being wound. At that time, since the seat belt once wound is not rewound, the child seat can be securely fixed to the seat, and
Can be held fixed.

When the ALR state is released, the child seat is removed by some means and the seat belt is further wound up. When the seat belt is wound up by a predetermined amount, the ALR state is mechanically released, To return to the ELR state.

[0005]

As described above,
In the seat belt retractor with an ALR, a mechanical mechanism is used to switch from the ELR state to the ALR state and from the ALR state to the ELR state.

However, in such a conventional seat belt retractor with ALR, there is no means for detecting whether the seat belt retractor is in the ELR state or in the ALR state, and the seat belt retractor is not provided. However, there is a problem in that the state of can not be detected objectively.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an operating state detecting device capable of detecting whether the vehicle is in an ELR state or an ALR state, a seat belt retractor with an ALR, and an operating state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an airbag display control device that uses a device for displaying the above, and an operation state detection device in the seat belt retractor with ALR.

[0008]

A first means for solving the above problems has a lever that changes its position according to the rotation amount of a spool around which a seat belt is wound, and the position of the lever is a predetermined position. If the seat belt retractor with ALR, which is designed to realize the ALR state by the ELR mechanism being locked by the lever, is in the ELR state or in the ALR state. A detection device for detecting, comprising a sensor for detecting the movement of the lever, and detecting whether it is in the ELR state or the ALR state by a position signal of the lever sensed by the sensor. It is an operating state detection device (claim 1) of a seat belt retractor with an ALR.

In the seat belt retractor with ALR, the ELR state or the ALR state is mechanically determined depending on the position of the lever that moves in accordance with the seat belt winding amount. Therefore, if the sensor detects the movement of the lever, it is possible to reliably detect whether the seat belt retractor is in the ELR state or the ALR state with a simple mechanism.

A second means for solving the above problems is
An ALR seat belt retractor having the ALR seat belt retractor operation state detecting device as the first means (claim 2).

According to this means, it is possible to reliably detect whether the seat belt retractor is in the ELR state or the ALR state.

A third means for solving the above problems is
An AL having a function of receiving a signal from the first means and displaying whether the seat belt retractor with ALR is in the ELR state or the ALR state.
It is an operating state display device of the seat belt retractor with R (claim 3).

With this means, it is possible to reliably display whether the seat belt retractor is in the ELR state or the ALR state, so that the seat belt retractor in which the occupant is in the ELR state is ALR. You can prevent misunderstanding that you are in a state.

A fourth means for solving the above problems is
An airbag deployment control device (claim 4) having a function of softly deploying an airbag when the seatbelt retractor with ALR is in the ALR state in response to a signal from the first means. is there.

According to this means, when the child seat is fixed by the seat belt, the airbag can be softly deployed.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ALR-equipped seat belt retractor to which an operation state detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. Hereinafter, a brief description will be added to this figure, but since the seat belt retractor with an ALR having such a configuration is actually widely used and well known to those skilled in the art, a portion related to the present invention will be described. Only a brief description will be given, and a detailed description of operating functions will be omitted.

Between the left and right frames 1a of the base unit 1,
A spool 2 around which the seat belt is wound is provided. The shaft 2a on one side of the spool 2 passes through the central axis of the lock gear 3 and is pivotally supported by the retainer 5 via a pin 4. The other shaft (not shown) of the spool 2 is pivotally supported by the spring cover 7 via the bush shaft 6.

The bush shaft 6 is connected to a return spring 9 housed in a spring cover 7 and a spring case 8, and the spool 2 is biased by a turn spring 9 in the direction in which the seat belt is wound.

Holes 2 formed in both collars 2b of the spool 2
The pin 10 is inserted into c, and the two pawls 11 are respectively attached to the pin 10 on the left and right frames 1 of the base unit 1.
It is rotatably supported at a position corresponding to a. Pin 1
0 passes through the long hole 3a provided in the lock gear 3, and the spool 2 and the lock gear 3 can be relatively rotated by the length of the long hole 3a. And Paul 11
Is urged toward the radial center of the spool 2 in a steady state by the urging force of the pawl spring 12. Therefore, in the steady state, the ratchet teeth provided at the tip of the pawl 11 and the frame 1 of the base unit 1
The tooth portion of the ratchet gear-shaped hole 1b provided in a does not mesh, and the spool 2 can freely rotate. At this time,
The pin 10 is located at one end of the long hole 3a.

When the seat belt is suddenly pulled out, the spool 2 around which the seat belt is wound suddenly rotates. With the rotation of the spool 2, the lock gear 3 attached to the shaft of the spool 2 and the flywheel 14 pivotally supported on the lock gear 3 also rotate. The flywheel 14 is restrained from rotating on the lock gear 3 by the hook spring 15. However, when the inertial force generated by the sudden pulling out of the seat belt overcomes the force of the hook spring 15, the flywheel 14 moves together with the lock gear 3. While rotating (revolving), it rotates (rotates) in the direction opposite to the rotating direction.

On the other hand, on the side of the retainer 5 facing the lock gear 3 (shown as the back side in the figure), internal teeth are formed, and the flywheel 1 rotated by inertial force.
4 is engaged with the locking claw 14a. As a result, the rotation of the lock gear 3 in the seat belt withdrawal direction is locked.

With the rotation of the lock gear 3 stopped,
When the spool 2 further attempts to rotate in the seat belt withdrawal direction, the pin 10 overcomes the biasing force of the pawl spring 12 and reaches the opposite end of the elongated hole 3a.
The spool 2 and the lock gear 3 rotate relative to each other, so that
The tip of the pawl 11 is arranged to project outward in the radial direction of the spool 2. When this happens,
The ratchet tooth portion provided at the tip of the pawl 11 and the tooth portion of the ratchet gear-shaped hole 1b provided in the frame 1a of the base unit 1 mesh with each other to prevent the spool 2 from rotating in the seat belt withdrawing direction. It

This is the locking action of the ELR by a mechanical sensor mechanism called a webbing sensor.
In addition to the webbing sensor, a sensor mechanism called a vehicle sensor that responds to the deceleration of the automobile is usually attached to the LR.

The vehicle sensor 13 is a sensor case 13.
A has a weight 13b and an actuator 13c that are held so as to be tiltable, and these are fitted into a cap 13d and held by the frame 1a of the base unit 1.
When a large acceleration acts on the vehicle or the posture of the vehicle leans abnormally, the weight 13b leans and the actuator 1
Push up 3c. Thereby, the actuator 13c
The engaging portion 13e of is engaged with the ratchet gear 3b provided on the outer periphery of the lock gear 3 to stop the rotation of the lock gear 3 in the seat belt withdrawing direction. As a result, as described above, when the spool 2 tries to rotate in the seat belt withdrawing direction, the pawl 11 pops out and meshes with the tooth portion of the ratchet gear-shaped hole 1b to stop the rotation of the spool 2.

Once the vehicle sensor or the webbing sensor operates and the pawl 11 and the ratchet gear hole 1b are ratchet-coupled, even if the vehicle sensor or the webbing sensor returns, as long as the force in the pulling direction acts on the seat belt. , Paul 11 and ratchet gear hole 1b
The ratchet connection is maintained and the seat belt drawer is locked. With the vehicle sensor or the webbing sensor returned, when the force in the seat belt withdrawal direction disappears and the seat belt is slightly unwound, the pawl 11 is pushed inward in the radial direction of the spool 2 by the urging force of the pawl spring 12. The ratchet connection between the pawl 11 and the ratchet gear hole 1b is released, and thereafter, the spool 2 is allowed to freely rotate so that the seat belt can be pulled out.

There is a seat belt retractor with an ALR in which an ALR mechanism is added to the seat belt retractor having the ELR function, and the one shown in FIG. 1 has such a function. That is, the tip of the pin 4 is the bearing hole 5 of the retainer 5.
The gear 21 is fitted through the hole a and is rotated together with the spool 2.

The mechanism will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 and enlarged view of FIG. The gear 21 meshes with a large-diameter gear 23a of a gear 23 pivotally supported by the shaft of the cover 22, and a small-diameter gear 23b of the gear 23 is an internal gear (in the figure, provided on the inner circumference of one side of the ring cam 24). It is on the back side and is engaged with (not shown). The ring cam 24 is the cover 22
Is supported by. Therefore, the ring cam 24 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the spool 2.

The protrusion 24a of the ring cam 24 is fitted in a circular recess (not shown in the figure on the back side) provided on the half surface of the lock plate 25, so that the ring cam 24 and the lock plate 25 can rotate relative to each other. Has become. However, the ring cam 24 is provided with a cam portion 24b, which is the cutout portion 25 of the lock plate 25.
It fits in a. Therefore, relative rotation between the ring cam 24 and the lock plate 25 is possible only while the cam portion 24b is in the cutout portion 25a, and when the cam portion 24b contacts the end portion of the cutout portion 25a, the ring cam 24 and the lock plate 25 are locked. The plate 25 is adapted to rotate together.

As for the size of the cutout portion 25a, when the seatbelt is pulled out from the spool 2 by almost the entire amount, the cam portion 24b contacts the end portion of the cutout portion 25a, and the lock plate 25 rotates clockwise in the drawing. In addition, when the seat belt is wound around the spool 2 by a predetermined amount, the cam portion 24b contacts the end portion on the opposite side of the cutout portion 25a, and the lock plate 25 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. It is supposed to be such a size. A circumferential flange portion 25b is provided on the opposite side (right side in the drawing) of the lock plate 25 from the side where the cutout portion 25a is provided, and a part thereof is cut out to form a cutout portion 25c. ing.

In the steady state, the cam portion 26a of the lever 26 pivotally supported by the shaft 22a provided on the cover 22.
Is urged toward the center of the lock plate by the lever spring 27 so as to come into contact with the circumferential flange portion 25b.

When the seat belt is pulled out almost completely,
The cam portion 24b contacts the end portion of the cutout portion 25a, and the lock plate 25 rotates clockwise in the drawing. Then, the cam portion 26a of the lever 26 comes to be located in the cutout portion 25c of the lock plate 25, and the circumferential flange portion 25b is not formed in that portion, so that the lever spring 2
Due to the urging force of 7, the cam portion 26a of the lever 26 fits into the notch portion 25c of the lock plate 25. Therefore, the lever 26 rotates clockwise in the drawing.

Then, the engaging portion 26b of the lever 26 engages with the ratchet gear 3b of the lock gear 3 to stop the rotation of the lock gear 3 in the seat belt withdrawing direction. Therefore, when attempting to pull out the seat belt in this state, the pawl 11 pops out and meshes with the tooth portion of the ratchet gear-shaped hole 1b as described above, and the rotation of the spool 2 is stopped. That is, the withdrawal of the seat belt is blocked. This is the ALR state.

Once in the ALR state, this state is not released until the seat belt has been wound considerably.
That is, as the seat belt is wound up, the ring cam 24 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, but the cam portion 24b only rotates along the inside of the cutout portion 25a, and the rotation is not applied to the lock plate 25. Since it is not transmitted, the lever 26 is kept as it is.

When the seat belt is pulled out by a predetermined amount, the cam portion 24b comes into contact with the end portion on the opposite side of the cutout portion 25a, and the rotation of the ring cam 24 is transmitted to the lock plate 25 only at that stage. Like When the lock plate 25 rotates counterclockwise, the cam portion 26a of the lever 26 rides on the circumferential flange portion 25b of the lock plate again, whereby the engagement portion 26b of the lever 26 and the ratchet gear 3b of the lock gear 3 engage. It is the first time that it is out. As a result, the ALR state is released and the normal EL is restored.
Return to R state.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a switch assembly 31 is provided, which means that the lever 26 is in a state in which its cam portion 26a rides on the circumferential flange portion 25b of the lock plate. Cutout 25c
It is designed to detect whether or not it is fitted into. The switch assembly 31 is attached to the retainer 5.

The details of the operation are shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are views in which these main parts are viewed from the cover 22 side, and illustrations of parts unrelated to the operation are omitted.
Further, since FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for showing the operation,
It should be noted that the mechanical arrangement of the parts does not necessarily correspond to FIG. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the same reference numerals are given to the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3 is a view in the ELR state, in which the cam portion 26a of the lever 26 rides on the circumferential collar portion 25b of the lock plate 25. At that time, the leaf spring 32 of the switch assembly is pushed by the lever 26 and pushes the contact portion of the micro switch 33, whereby the micro switch is turned on.
In FIG. 3, numeral 5b is a hole provided in the retainer 5, and the engaging portion 26b of the lever 26 penetrates the hole 5b and extends to the position of the ratchet gear 3b of the lock gear 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram when in the ALR state. That is, by the mechanism as described above, the lock plate 2
5 rotates counterclockwise (clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 2), the cam portion 26a of the lever 26 fits into the cutout portion 25c of the lock plate 25, and rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 22. It shows a moving state. At this time, lever 2
The engaging portion 26b of 6 is the ratchet gear 3b of the lock gear 3.
Engage with.

In this state, the leaf spring 32 is separated from the contact portion of the micro switch 33 by its elastic force, and the micro switch 33 is turned off. In this way
By the switch assembly that detects the movement of the lever 26 that switches between the ELR state and the ALR state depending on the position,
Is the seat belt retractor with ALR in the ELR state? A
It is possible to detect whether it is in the LR state.

Therefore, the on / off signal of the micro switch 33 is taken into the control device, and an indicator is provided in a place easily visible to the occupant, for example, the instrument panel of the instrument panel, and when the micro switch 33 is in the off state, That is, the fact that the ALR mechanism is operating may be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner by means such as turning on the indicator when the ALR function is operating. Thereby, the occupant can confirm that the state in which the child seat is fixed is surely in the ALR mode.

Further, the ALR signal generated by the micro switch 33 is sent to the control device for controlling the expansion of the air bag so that the air bag is not inflated or softly inflated when the ALR is operating. can do. As a result, when the child seat is fixed to the vehicle seat, the airbag does not deploy or softly deploys, and it is not necessary to add extra weight to the child seat.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An operating state detection device capable of detecting whether the ALR seat belt retractor is in the ELR state or the ALR state, an ALR seat belt retractor, a device for displaying the operating state, and the operating state detection device. An airbag deployment control device using the device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ALR-equipped seat belt retractor to which an operating state detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of a lever and a switch assembly in an ELR state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of a lever and a switch assembly in an ALR state.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base unit, 1a ... Frame, 1b ... Ratchet gear-shaped hole, 2 ... Spool, 2a ... Shaft, 2b ... Collar part, 2c ...
Hole, 3 ... Rock gear, 3a ... Long hole, 3b ... Ratchet gear, 4 ... Pin, 5 ... Retainer, 5a ... Bearing hole, 5b ...
Hole, 6 ... Bush shaft, 7 ... Spring cover, 8
… Spring case, 9… Return spring, 10…
Pin, 11 ... Paul, 12 ... Paul spring, 13 ...
Vehicle sensor, 13a ... Sensor case, 13b ... Weight, 13c ... Actuator, 13d ... Cap, 13
e ... Locking part, 14 ... Flywheel, 14a ... Locking claw,
15 ... Hook spring, 21 ... Gear, 22 ... Cover,
22a ... Shaft, 23 ... Gear, 23a ... Large diameter gear, 23b ...
Small diameter gear, 24 ... Ring cam, 24a ... Projection, 24b
... Cam section, 25 ... Lock plate, 25a notch section,
25b ... Circular collar part, 25c ... Notch part, 26 ... Lever, 26a ... Cam part, 26b ... Locking part, 27 ... Lever spring, 31 ... Switch assembly, 32 ... Leaf spring,
33 ... Micro switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ELR mechanism is locked by a lever having a lever that changes its position according to the amount of rotation of a spool around which a seat belt is wound, and when the lever reaches a predetermined position. The seatbelt retractor with an ALR that is designed to realize the ALR state is a detection device that detects whether the seatbelt retractor is in the ELR state or the ALR state, and includes a sensor that detects the movement of the lever. An operating state detection device for an ALR-equipped seat belt retractor, characterized by detecting whether the vehicle is in an ELR state or an ALR state based on a position signal of the lever sensed by a sensor. 2. An ALR-equipped seat belt retractor having the operating state detection device for the ALR-equipped seat belt retractor according to claim 1. 3. The ALR receiving a signal from the operation state detecting device of the seat belt retractor with an ALR according to claim 1.
Is the seat belt retractor with a switch in the ELR state?
An operating state display device for an ALR seat belt retractor having a function of displaying whether or not the vehicle is in an R state. 4. The ALR, which receives a signal from an operation state detection device of the seat belt retractor with an ALR according to claim 1.
An airbag deployment control device having a function of softly deploying an airbag when the attached seat belt retractor is in the ALR state.