JPH08133009A - Seat belt device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate discomfort of a belt operation in fastening a seat belt and at the same time smoothly wind up the belt. CONSTITUTION: An electroviscous fluid (R) is stored in a liquid storage chamber 3 of a housing 1 and a rotation shaft 6 is rotatably and pivotally mounted on the housing 1. An impeller 8 is fixedly arranged around the rotation shaft 6 facing to the inside of the liquid storage chamber 3 and a pair of electrodes 9A, 9B are arranged opposed to each other so as to face to the inside of the liquid storage chamber 3. One end of the second belt 10 is fixed to the rotation shaft 6 and wound around the rotation shaft 6, and one directional rotation force is applied on the rotation shaft 6 via an elastic member 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle collision accident,
The present invention relates to a seat belt device that decelerates an occupant together with a vehicle to prevent a secondary collision with a steering wheel, an instrument panel, or the like, or to prevent death or injury due to being discharged to the outside of the vehicle, and more particularly, to a winding device for a seat belt device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A winding device is a device for adjusting a belt length of an occupant in accordance with a sitting posture and a physique and storing the belt when not in use. Locking R
Electror) and ELR (Emergency L)
There is a locking Retractor). This AL
R is a device that, when the belt is pulled out and worn, it is locked at a position where it is wound up to a length that fits the occupant and cannot be pulled out anymore. Is provided and can usually be withdrawn freely.

In the above-mentioned ELR, a webbing clamp device is used that locks the belt by sandwiching it at the exit of the ELR in order to prevent an increase in the amount of feeding of the belt due to the tightening that occurs in the ELR portion during a collision. In this webbing clamp device, clamp teeth are arranged at a middle portion of the belt extending outward from a rotating shaft around which the belt is wound with a gap between the belt and the clamp roller when the belt is rapidly pulled out. The belt is pressed against the side of the clamp teeth against the spring force of the spring, and the belt is sandwiched by the clamp teeth to prevent the belt from being fed out. That is, when the belt is about to be pulled out rapidly in the event of a collision, the operation of the webbing clamp device mechanically prevents the belt from being fed out, thereby ensuring the safety of the driver.

[0004]

The conventional seat belt device, specifically, the webbing clamp device in the ELR winding device has the following problems. When the belt is pulled out, the belt is automatically locked by the pulling speed of the belt, which is extremely uncomfortable when worn. That is, when the occupant is seated in the seat and pulls out the belt without wearing the seat belt, the belt is locked and cannot be pulled out if the pulling speed is fast. Therefore, the occupant must pay attention so that the pulling speed of the seat belt does not become higher than a certain value.

Also, after wearing the seat belt,
The belt locks if the moving speed is high when leaning forward in order to pick up something dropped in front of the seat, or when looking back at the rear portion to move backward, which hinders forward leaning and backward moving of the occupant. This is something that the occupant will not feel uncomfortable.

When the tongue and the buckle are disengaged to separate the belt, the winding operation of the belt by the winding device may not be performed smoothly. This is considered to be due to the belt being caught by the clamp teeth.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and eliminates the discomfort of the belt operation at the time of wearing the seat belt and smoothes the winding of the belt by the winding device when the belt is disengaged. The purpose is to obtain a seat belt device that can.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object,
The present invention has a first belt having one end fixed and a buckle at the other end, and a second belt having one end connected to a winding device and a tongue at the other end. In the seat belt device for fitting and disengaging, the winding device includes a housing having a liquid storage chamber sealed inside, and a rotation shaft rotatably supported by the housing penetrating at least the liquid storage chamber. An elastic member that applies a rotational force in one direction to the rotating shaft, and a second member that has one end fixed to the rotating shaft and is wound around the outer periphery of the rotating shaft.
The belt and the impeller having a plurality of blades integrally attached to the rotation shaft facing the liquid storage chamber and extending toward the outer circumferential side of the rotation shaft are opposed to each other facing the liquid storage chamber. A first feature is that the electro-rheological fluid is housed and arranged in the liquid storage chamber by a pair of electrodes that are arranged.

Further, the present invention has a first belt having one end fixed and a buckle at the other end, and a second belt having one end connected to a winding device and a tongue at the other end. A seatbelt device for engaging and disengaging the tongue and the buckle, wherein the winding device is rotatably mounted on the housing having a liquid storage chamber sealed inside, and at least penetrating the liquid storage chamber. A rotating shaft supported, an elastic member that applies a rotating force in one direction to the rotating shaft, a second belt having one end fixed to the rotating shaft and wound around the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, and at least a liquid storage chamber A cylindrical first electrode made of a conductive material and integrally attached to a rotation shaft facing the liquid storage chamber; and a plurality of blades extending from the first electrode facing the liquid storage chamber toward the outer circumference. , Facing the liquid storage chamber, And a brush electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrode having an annular shape, which is disposed in the housing so as to face the electrode, and the electrorheological fluid is accommodated in the liquid storage chamber. This is the second feature.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the seat belt device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the seat belt device, one end is fixed and a buckle is provided at the other end.
Belt (the first belt may be only the buckle)
And a second belt having one end connected to the winding device and the other end provided with a tongue. In the embodiments described below, description will be made in relation to the winding device and the second belt. To do. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a winding device including a second belt in a seat belt device. FIG. 2 shows A of FIG.
-A longitudinal sectional view taken along the line A. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a housing, which is provided with a first recess 1B extending from the right end 1A to the left and a second recess 1D extending from the left end 1C to the right. The first cover 2 is arranged on the right end 1A of the housing 1, and the first recess 1B is closed by the first cover 2 to form the liquid storage chamber 3. Further, the second cover 4 is arranged on the left end 1C of the housing 1, and the opening of the second recess 1D is closed by the second cover 4. A belt guide hole 5 is formed in the second recess 1D so that a second belt, which will be described later, can move in the longitudinal direction. The guide hole 5 in this example opens upward.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a rotary shaft rotatably supported on the housing 1. Specifically, a bearing 7 provided on the second cover 4, a bearing 7 provided on an intermediate portion of the housing 1,
A bearing 7 provided on the first cover 2 is rotatably supported. That is, the rotating shaft 6 is arranged so as to cross substantially the center of the second recess 1D and also substantially the center of the liquid storage chamber 3.

An impeller 8 is composed of the following. 8A is
An annular attachment shaft portion that is fitted to the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 6, and a plurality of plate-shaped blade portions 8B that radially project radially outward are formed on the attachment shaft portion. To be done. This blade 8
The tip of B reaches the vicinity of the inner circumference of the cylindrical first recess 1B.

The blades 8B in this example were arranged at equal intervals on the circumference of the attachment shaft 8A. The impeller 8 is
The attachment shaft portion 8A is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 6 in the liquid storage chamber 3 by fitting the attachment shaft portion 8A, whereby the blade portion 8B is rotatably arranged in the liquid storage chamber 3.

Further, 9A and 9B are a pair of electrodes, which are attached to the housing 1 and face the liquid storage chamber 3 so as to face each other. The pair of electrodes 9A and 9B are not in contact with the blade portion 8B of the impeller 8 and are insulated from each other. Incidentally, such a state is often shown in FIG.

The electrorheological fluid R is filled in the liquid storage chamber 3 in which the rotary shaft 6 is inserted and the impeller 8 is integrally provided on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft. This electrorheological fluid R was published in 1993 in "Functions and Applications of Electrorheological Fluids"("Powder and Engineering" VOL25, No3, P.
50-55) and the like, and the electrorheological fluid R is, for example, a dispersion of electrically polarizable particles such as carbon particles in an insulating oil such as silicone oil.

When a voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid R, the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid between the electrodes continuously changes from a liquid state to a solid state according to the applied voltage. . That is, the electrorheological fluid R
Is a colloidal solution of small viscosity that has fluidity when no voltage is applied, and has an electrorheological effect in which the fluidity is lost instantaneously when a voltage is applied and the viscosity increases according to the applied voltage.

This is because when a voltage is applied to the electrorheological fluid R, the electric field generated between the electrodes polarizes the particles dispersed in the electrorheological fluid, and this polarization generates a force that attracts the particles to each other. It is considered that the particles are arranged in a bead shape in the meantime, and the chain of the particles hinders the flow of the fluid, so that the apparent viscosity of the fluid increases.

Reference numeral 10 is a second belt which is engaged with a first belt (not shown) to restrain the occupant on the seat. The second belt 10 is formed by weaving a synthetic fiber such as nylon or polyester into a belt shape having a width of 50 mm and a thickness of about 1.2 mm, and one end thereof is fixed to the rotary shaft 6 in the second recess 1D.
After being wound around the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 6, the belt guide hole 5
Tongue 11 at the other end
Is attached. The shaft portion 6A of the rotary shaft 6 around which the second belt 10 is wound has a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the rotary shaft 6 supported by the bearing 7, and the second belt 10
The collar portion 6B is provided so as not to collapse the winding. These are shown in FIG.
Well shown in.

Reference numeral 12 is an elastic member such as a coil spring or a spiral spring that applies a rotational force in one direction to the rotary shaft 6, and the coil spring 12 is used in this example. This coil spring 12
It was arranged on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft 6 in the second recess 1D, one end of which was locked to the rotary shaft 6 and the other end of which was locked to the second cover 4. The one direction of the rotational force of the coil spring 12 refers to the direction in which the second belt 10 is wound around the shaft portion 6A of the rotary shaft 6, and the one direction in this example is the clockwise direction. (Second
The rotation direction of the rotary shaft 6 when pulling out the belt 10 is counterclockwise. )

An electric circuit is connected to the pair of electrodes 9A and 9B in series with a power source and a collision sensor. The collision sensor closes the electric circuit only when a large impact force is generated as in the case of a collision. Then, a voltage is applied to the electrodes 9A and 9B.

Although the power source and the collision sensor are not shown, the collision sensor is a known electronic sensor (for example, strain gauge type or piezo type) or a roller mite type sensor (a roller-shaped mass around which a plate-shaped spring is wound). When an impact is received, the mass rolls and closes the electrical contacts), a ball cylinder type sensor (a type where a ball-shaped mass moves in the cylinder, the mass is attracted to the initial position by a magnet,
When the mass receives an impact, the mass attracts the magnet and overcomes the viscosity of the air passing through the gap between the cylinder and the mass to move and close the electrical contacts).

Next, the operation will be described. First, the state where no impact force is generated will be described. In this state, when the occupant is seated on the seat and the seat belt is fitted, or when the passenger leans forward of the seat,
For example, when looking back to check backwards, or when the vehicle is operating normally. In such a state, the collision sensor is in an inoperative state (electrical contacts are open), and the electrodes 9A,
The electric circuit of 9B is an open circuit, and no voltage is applied to the electrodes 9A and 9B.

According to the above, the particles in the electrorheological fluid R stored in the liquid storage chamber 3 are in a dispersed state, and the fluid has the viscosity in its natural state, that is, the smallest viscosity. The impeller 8 arranged in the chamber 3 is arranged in the electrorheological fluid having such a small viscosity.

Then, when the occupant pulls out the second belt 10 to fit the seat belt, or when the occupant pulls out the second belt 10 by bending forward, the occupant further turns around to make the second belt 10. Belt 1
When pulling out 0, for example, when the second belt 10 is pulled out, the rotary shaft 6 rotates counterclockwise and the impeller 8 also rotates counterclockwise.
Of the impeller 8 when the counterclockwise rotation of the
Does not receive any rotation blocking force by the electrorheological fluid R in the liquid storage chamber 3. This is because the impeller 8 is arranged in the electrorheological fluid R having a small viscosity.

Therefore, since the rotation of the rotary shaft 6 is not hindered at all, there is no resistance against the pulling out of the second belt 10, and the fitting operation of the second belt 10 and the like are prevented. Each operation can be performed extremely smoothly,
The passenger does not feel any discomfort.

Further, when the occupant is separated from the seat and the second belt 10 is disengaged from the seat, the rotary shaft 6 is rotated by the coil spring 12.
The second belt 10 is wound around the shaft portion 6A of the rotary shaft 6 by the spring force of, and the impeller 8 is placed in the electrorheological fluid R of low viscosity at this time. The second belt 10 can be wound very well because it has no meshing portion such as a gear.

Next, the state in which an impact force is generated on the vehicle will be described. This state is when the vehicle is suddenly braked or when an accident such as a rear-end collision or a collision occurs. In such a state, the collision sensor senses a large impact force generated in the above state and immediately closes the contact to form an electric circuit as a closed circuit, and applies a voltage to the electrodes 9A and 9B.

According to this, the dispersed particles in the electrorheological fluid R stored in the liquid storage chamber 3 are polarized, and due to this polarization, the particles attract each other, and the particles are arranged in a bead shape between the electrodes 9A and 9B. Particle chains are formed and become a solid state,
The apparent viscosity of the electrorheological fluid R instantly increases. Therefore, the impeller 8 arranged in the liquid storage chamber 3 is instantly fixed in the electrorheological fluid R in the solid state with an extremely large rotation blocking force.

According to the above, due to the generation of the impact force, the occupant wearing the seat belt receives the impact force and does not move forward, but the rotary shaft 6 to which one end of the second belt 10 is fixed is Since the impeller 8 is fixed by the electrorheological fluid R, its rotation is blocked and fixed, so that the second belt 10 is not further pulled out from the initial mounted state. Therefore, the movement of the occupant's seat due to the impact force and the discharge to the outside of the vehicle can be completely prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the seat belt device. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for the same structural parts as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 20 denotes a first electrode formed of a conductive material. The first electrode 20 has a cylindrical shape and is integrally fixed to the outer circumference of the rotary shaft 6 in the liquid storage chamber 3 and The right side of the first electrode 20 is supported by the first cover 2. Then, the first electrode 20 is
Rotates synchronously with. Reference numeral 21 is a brush that is in contact with the outer periphery of the first electrode 20 supported by the first cover 2 by the elastic force of the spring 22 and is electrically connected to the first electrode 20. A voltage is applied to 20 through this brush 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a plate-shaped vane portion arranged in the liquid storage chamber 3, and the vane portion radially projects outward from the first electrode 20 in the circumferential direction. The base portion of the blade portion 23 is implanted in the first electrode 20, and the tip end thereof is the cylindrical first concave portion 1B.
Reaches near the inner circumference. The blade portion 23 in this example is the first
Six electrodes were arranged on the circumference of the electrode 20 at regular intervals.

Reference numeral 24 is a ring-shaped second electrode arranged so as to face the liquid storage chamber 3 of the housing 1. According to this, the first electrode 20 and the second electrode 24 face each other in a ring shape. And the blade portion 23 is
Existing between the electrode 20 and the second electrode 24.

According to the second embodiment, the brush 2 is attached to the first electrode 20 that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary shaft 6.
A voltage is applied via 1. Then, in order to stop the rotation of the rotary shaft 6 when the impact force is generated, the first electrode 2
When voltage is applied to 0 and the second electrode 24, particles of the electrorheological fluid R stored in the liquid storage chamber 3 form particle chains from the first electrode 20 toward the second electrode 24. To be done. Further, since the particle chains are radially formed from the outer circumference of the first electrode 20 toward the second electrode 24 in the entire circumferential direction thereof, the blade portion 23 is different from that of the first embodiment.
In contrast, the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid R can be effectively given. According to the above, the rotation of the rotary shaft 6 can be stopped more effectively when a large impact force is generated.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first feature of the seat belt device of the present invention, the electrorheological fluid is stored in the liquid storage chamber formed in the housing, and the rotary shaft rotatably supported by the housing is provided with: The impeller facing the liquid storage chamber is fixedly arranged, one end of the second belt is fixedly wound and arranged, and the pair of electrodes are arranged facing each other facing the liquid storage chamber. Therefore, when a large impact force is generated and a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes by sensing the impact force, the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid in the liquid storage chamber is instantly increased to fix the impeller. The rotation of the rotary shaft is prevented, the pulling-out of the second belt is prevented, and the movement of the occupant and the discharge to the outside of the vehicle can be completely suppressed. Further, even when the pulling speed of the second belt is high, the movement of the second belt is not hindered, so that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable when wearing the belt. Further, since no gear is used in the winding device, the winding operation of the second belt can be performed extremely smoothly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical first electrode is fixed to the rotary shaft facing the liquid storage chamber containing the electrorheological fluid, and the first electrode is opposed to the first electrode. Then, the annular second electrode is arranged so as to face the liquid storage chamber, and the plurality of blade portions are arranged from the first electrode toward the outer circumferential side, so that the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid is further effectively increased. The blade can be acted on, the blade can be more effectively fixed, and the rotation stopping force of the rotary shaft can be further strengthened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a seal belt device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the seat belt device of the present invention.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Housing 3 Liquid Reservoir R Electrorheological Fluid 6 Rotating Shaft 8 Impeller 8B Blades 9A, 9B Pair of Electrodes 10 Second Belt 20 First Electrode 21 Brush 23 Blade 24 Second Electrode

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A tongue having a first belt having one end fixed and a buckle at the other end, and a second belt having one end connected to a winding device and a tongue at the other end. In a seatbelt device for engaging and disengaging a buckle, the winding device is rotatably attached to a housing 1 having a liquid storage chamber 3 hermetically sealed therein and at least penetrating at least the liquid storage chamber 3 into the housing 1. The rotating shaft 6 supported, the elastic member 12 that applies a rotating force in one direction to the rotating shaft 6, and one end fixed to the rotating shaft 6 and the rotating shaft 6
The second belt 10 wound around the outer periphery of the liquid storage chamber 3
An impeller 8 having a plurality of blade portions 8B attached integrally to the rotating shaft 6 facing inside and extending toward the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 6 faces the inside of the liquid storage chamber 3 and faces them. A seatbelt device comprising a pair of electrodes 9A and 9B arranged in a line, and an electrorheological fluid R is housed in the liquid storage chamber. 2. A tongue having a first belt having one end fixed and a buckle at the other end, and a second belt having one end connected to a winding device and a tongue at the other end. In a seatbelt device for engaging and disengaging a buckle, the winding device is rotatably attached to a housing 1 having a liquid storage chamber 3 hermetically sealed therein and at least penetrating at least the liquid storage chamber 3 into the housing 1. The rotating shaft 6 supported, the elastic member 12 that applies a rotating force in one direction to the rotating shaft 6, and one end fixed to the rotating shaft 6 and the rotating shaft 6
A second belt 10 wound around the outer circumference of the first electrode 20 and a cylindrical first electrode 20 made of a conductive material integrally attached to at least the rotary shaft 6 facing the liquid storage chamber 3; The plurality of blade portions 23 extending from the first electrode 20 facing the storage chamber 3 toward the outer circumferential side, and the inside of the liquid storage chamber 3 facing the first blade 20.
The second electrode 24 having an annular shape, which is arranged in the housing 1 so as to face the electrode 20 of FIG. 1, and the brush 21 electrically connected to the first electrode 20, are provided in the liquid storage chamber. A seat belt device characterized in that the seat belt is stored and arranged.