WO2008049181A1

WO2008049181A1 - Absorption system of vibration/noise used on safety belts

Info

Publication number: WO2008049181A1
Application number: PCT/BR2007/000288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christos Argyrios Mitropoulos
Original assignee: Chris Cintos De Segurança Ltda.
Priority date: 2006-10-23
Filing date: 2007-10-23
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Also published as: BRPI0604333A

Abstract

System of absortion of vibration/noise applied in safety belts, of the retractile type, provided with a retractor (1) consisting of box (2), which lodges internal bobbin where the braid winds and unwinds (3), said bobbin being interconnected to the gear wheel (4), in which the system of blockade acts, configured by lock (5), system of blockade which is triggered by a triggering mechanism (6), made up by lower support (6a), upper lever (6b) and metallic sphere (6c), being still foreseen a finishing cover (7), the absorption system herein innovated foreseeing inserts (8) and (9), the first one arranged between the lower support (6a) and the sphere (6c), and the second placed between the upper lever (6b) and the sphere (6c), inserts (8) and (9), these made in resilient plastic material, with excellent muffling properties and equipped with means of appropriate fixation to be fixed respectively in the referred support (6a) and in the referred lever (6b).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

"ABSORPTION SYSTEM OF VIBRATION/NOISE USED ON SAFETY BELTS"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

As it is of technical knowledge, the safety belts on motor vehicles in general are destined to reduce damage to their users, in cases of abrupt decel of the vehicle, seen that, when it occurs, such belts limit the user's body movements forward, avoiding, therefore, a rough chock against the wheel and the windshield of the vehicle (when seated on front seats) or against the front seat's backs (when seated on back seats).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several types of safety belts, among those, the retractable, which have a retractor that automatically stop the unrolling of the braid, in case the vehicle suffers decel. Such belts provide more comfort to the user, for, the vehicle navigating in normal conditions, allow the natural movement of the user's body, but, in case of abrupt decel, they limit that movement, minimalizing the shock.

On the aforesaid belts (retractable), the retractor is usually assembled in a box conveniently fixed of the vehicle's structure, that store a reel where it roll and unroll the braid, such reel is interconnected to a spur gear, on which acts a blockage system, normally configured by a lock, this blockage system is, operated by a driving unit.

The absorption system of vibration/noise, now innovated, object of the present patent, acts on the referred driving unit of the blockage system of the usual safety belts' retractor, as following explained. In many ways can be the way of realization of the referred driving unit. One of them will be described herein and shown on the attached images, solely to illustrative ends, and to better explain the object of the present patent. However, the absorption system of vibration/noise now innovated may be deployed on others type of driving units of the safety belts blockage system, being obviously protected by the herein patent, independently of the realization form of the referred driving units.

Accordingly, one of the realization forms of the referred driving units of the safety belts blockage system of the retractor consist in an ensemble of three pieces conveniently assembled among them, this ensemble is fit on its corresponding lodging previewed on the retractor.

Such ensemble is formed by an inferior support, made in adequate plastic material, being that, between both pieces, is foreseen a metallic sphere, liable of movimentation.

Once such ensemble is assembled on the retractor, the free edge of the superior handspike is close to the retractor blockage device system's handspike, but, not interfering, yet, on it.

This driving unit works as follow: with the vehicle navigating on normal conditions, the metallic sphere stays duly fit on the referred inferior support, and the superior handspike is supported on the referred sphere, with its free edge away from the retractor blockage device system's handspike. When the vehicle suffers abrupt decel, the referred metallic sphere moves itself over the inferior support, and makes the handspike go up through the metallic sphere, its free edge touches the blockage system handspike, and pushes it to meet one of the spur of the spur gear of the retractor, blocking the unrolling of the braid of the safety belt, which limits, therefore, the user's movement on the seat, protecting him and reducing the eventual shocks suffered by him.

This is how this usual driving unit of the retractor blockage device system's of safety belts works.

It is known that, during the movement of the sphere with excellent damping properties, and with its own configuration to fit on the referred support, and to lodge, over itself, the metallic sphere between the inferior support and the superior handspike, occur some noises and vibrations, provoked by the contact between the metallic sphere and the two plastic pieces that wrap it, that are the inferior support and the superior handspike.

As a matter of fact, those two plastic pieces, for safety matters, need to be made of very rigid plastic materials, and as a consequence, with very low absorption characteristics. For this reason, the contact among the metallic sphere and the two plastic pieces causes vibrations and some noises.

Even thou those vibrations and noises do not cause great disturb to the users, they are perfectly in accordance with the technical norms and specifications, it would be convenient that those would be maximum reduced, to propitiate more comfort and facility to the users. SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

With this differential in mind, to differ it from the others safety belts

already known by the technical, it was created the "Absorption system of

vibration/noise used on safety belts" more specifically deploying the driving units of the retractor blockage device system's of safety belts, this absorption system consists on an insert on the referred driving unit, established between the inferior support and the superior sphere of the device, this insert is made of resilient plastic material, with excellence damping properties, and with its own configurations to fit in the referred support, and to lodge, on itself, the metallic sphere in a option of realization, the absorption systems herein innovated additionally foresees a second insert, provided between the upper lever and the mechanism sphere, a second insert equally made in a resilient plastic material, with excellent buffering properties, and, also, with own set-up in order to fit in the referred lever, and to "embrace" on the upper part the metallic sphere.

With the provision of this(these) insert(s) in the driving mechanism of the safety belt retractor blocking system, it was possible to substantially reduce noises and vibrations caused by the movement of the sphere inside the referred mechanism, providing its users with more comfort and easiness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective of the safety belt retractor, in which it is foreseen the vibration/noise energy absorption system, now innovated;

- Figure 2 is the same perspective of the previous figure, now with exploded retractor side closing cover, in a way to allow the visualization of the of the absorption system herein innovated, applied on the driving mechanism of the blocking system of the referred retractor;

- Figure 3 is enlarged detail of the referred retractor blocking system driving mechanism, in which it was foreseen the absorption system herein innovated, which driving mechanism has been shown here only for illustrative purposes and not restrictive one; - Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show the driving mechanism shown on previous figure, respectively through the side view, lower view and cross- sectioned side view;

- Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show the same driving mechanism shown on figure 3, also respectively through side view, lower view and cross-sectioned side view, and also showing a realization option of the absorption system herein innovated;

- Finally, figures 6 and 7 are respectively upper and lower exploded perspectives of inserts foreseen by the absorption system herein innovated, which embrace the retractor device blocking system driving mechanism metallic sphere. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present patent of invention is a

"VIBRATION/NOISE ABSORPTION SYSTEM APPLIED ON SAFETY BELTS", which retractor-type safety belts, that is, provided with a retractor (1) that automatically holds the unwinding of the rope, in case of a vehicle suffers sudden speed reduction.

The said retractor (1) is assembled on a box (2) properly fixed on the vehicle frame, which houses an internal reel where the rope winds and unwinds ((3); the said reel is interconnected to a toothed wheel (4), in which there actuates a blocking system, set up by a lock (5), which blocking system that on its turn is driven by a driving mechanism (6).

In a possible form of realization of the referred driving mechanism, described throughout this report and shown on drawings attached only for illustrative purposes, and not restrictive ones, the said driving mechanism (6) consists in a three-part assembly which are a lower holder (6a), made of proper plastic material, an upper lever (6b), equally made of proper plastic material and conveniently jointed onto the upper part of the referred holder (6a), and a metallic sphere (6c), duly housed between the two first parts, and possible of moving.

One finishing cover (7) is foreseen to cover and protect all parts - toothed wheel (4), lock (5) of the blocking system, and holder (6a), lever (6b) and sphere (6c) of the driving mechanism (6).

According to the "VIBRATION/NOISE ABSORPTION SYSTEM APPLIED ON SAFETY BELTS" herein innovation, object of the present Invention patent, it is foreseen an insert (8) between the lower holder (6a) and the sphere (6c) of the referred driving mechanism (6), which insert (8) is made of resilient plastic material, with excellent buffering properties, and provided with holding means proper to hold the referred holder (6a), said insert (9) further presenting an own set-up to fit and allow the movement of a metallic sphere(6) on itself (see figures 3, 4A, 4B and 4C).

In a possible form of realization, said insert (8) is made of a basically rectangular plate (8a), developed in a bent surface, with the concavity turned upwards, and which four corners are slightly pointed upwards and outwards, delimiting four protruding ends (8b), of contention for the metallic sphere (6c) of the driving mechanism (6) of the blocking system, which plate (8a) delimiting also a central circular housing (8c), slightly lowered, in which it is laid the referred metallic sphere (6c), when the system is in relax position (see detail on figures 6 and 7). Also in a possible form of realization, the referred means of holding said insert (8) on the lower holder (6a) of the driving mechanism (6) are presented set up for housing, through a short lower cylindrical and tubular protusion (8d), foreseen as from the center of the plate convex lower face (8a) and likable to fit into the corresponding hole (6) foreseen in the driving mechanism (6) lower holder (6a) central part (see figure 4C).

In another possible form of execution, said means of holding of said insert (8) in the lower support (6a) of the triggering mechanism (6) are configured by over-injection, where both referred to parts, lower support (6a) and insert (8), remain integrated among themselves. Thus, with this insert (8) duly fixed in the support (6a), when the vehicle runs under normal conditions, the metallic sphere (6c) of the triggering mechanism (6) remains duly settled on the central circular dwelling (8c) slightly lowered from the plate (8a) that makes up said insert (8); when the vehicle undergoes abrupt slow-downs, said metallic sphere (6a) is forced to move now on the referred to insert (8), a movement that is restricted by the edges (8b) foreseen in the referred to plate (8a); with this movement, the metallic sphere (6c) pushes the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6) upwards; at the time of this movement, the free end (6bb) of said lever (6b) touches the lock (5) of the blockage system, and pushes it toward one of the dents of the gear wheel (4) of the retractor (1), blocking the unwinding of the braid (3) of the safety belt, which thus limits the movement of the user in the seat, protecting him and reducing eventual shocks suffered by him.

With the forecast of this insert (8) in the triggering mechanism (6) of the blockage system of the retractors (1) of the safety belts, we were able to substantially reduce the noise and the vibration caused by the movement of the sphere (6c) inside the referred to mechanism (6), thus providing more comfort and convenience to the users.

In an performance option, illustrated in figures 5A, 5B and 5C, the absorption system innovated herein additionally foresees a second insert (9), placed between the upper lever (6b) and the sphere (6c) of the triggering mechanism (6); such a second insert (9) is equally made in a resilient plastic material, with excellent muffling properties, and equipped with appropriate fitting means so that it will be able to be fitted into the referred to lever (6b), said insert (9) presenting still its own configuration to lodge and to "embrace" the metallic sphere on top (6c).

In a possible form of performance, said insert (9) is configured by a circular skullcap (9a), with the concavity turned downwards, a skullcap which embraces the upper part of the metallic sphere (6c) of the triggering mechanism (6) of blockade system (see detail in figures 6 and 7).

Also in a possible form of performance, the referred means of fixation of said insert (9) at the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6) can be seen configured by fitting, through a short upper projection (9b), cylindrical and tubular, foreseen as of the center of the upper convex face of the skullcap (9a), and liable to be fitted into corresponding orifice (6e) foreseen in the central part of the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6).

In another possible form of performance, the referred to means of fixation of said insert (9) at the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6) are configured in over-injection, where both referred parts, upper lever (6b) and insert (9), remain integrated among themselves.

In this performance option, the forecast of two inserts (8) and (9) reduces even more the noises and the vibrations caused by the movement of the sphere (6c) inside the referred to mechanism (6), assuring even higher comfort and convenience to the users.

Claims

1^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", safety belts which are of the retractile type, provided with a retractor (1), which holds automatically the unwinding of the braid, in case the vehicle undergoes abrupt slow-downs, said retractor (1) being mounted in a box (2) that is conveniently fixed in the structure of the vehicle and that lodges the internal bobbin where the braid winds and unwinds (3), said bobbin being interconnected to the gear wheel (4) in which the system of blockage acts configured by a lock (5); such a blockage system is triggered by a triggering mechanism (6), made up by lower support (6a), made in appropriate plastic material, upper lever (6b), equally made in appropriate plastic material and conveniently articulated in the upper part of the referred to support (6a), and metallic sphere (6c), duly lodged between the two referred parts (6a) and (6b), being further foreseen a finishing cover (7), the system of absorption herein innovated being characterized to foresee insert (8) arranged between the lower support (6a) and the sphere (6c) of the referred triggering mechanism (6) of the blockade system of the retractor (1), insert (8) whish is made of resilient plastic material, with excellent muffling properties and equipped with appropriate fixation means to be fixed at the referred to support (6a), said insert (8) presenting its own configuration to lodge and allow the movement of the metallic sphere (6c) over itself.

2^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claim 1 and in a possible form of performance, characterized by said insert (8) being configured by a basically rectangular plate (8a), developed on a curved surface, with the concavity turned upwards, and whose four corners are slightly projected upwards and outwards, delimiting four salient edges (8b), for the containment of the metallic sphere (6c) of the triggering mechanism (6) of the blockade system, said plate (8a) delimiting central circular lodging (8c), slightly lowered, in which the referred metallic sphere is settled (6c).

3^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claim 1 and in a possible form of performance, characterized by the referred means of fixation of said insert (8) in the lower support (6a) of the triggering mechanism (6) being configured by fitting, through the short lower projection (8d), cylindrical and tubular, foreseen as of the center of the lower convex face of the plate (8a), and liable to fit into the corresponding orifice (6d) foreseen in the central part of the lower support (6a) of the triggering mechanism (6).

4^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claim 1 , and in a possible form of performance, characterized by the referred means of fixation of said insert (8) in the lower support (6a) of the triggering mechanism (6) being configured through over-injection, where both the referred parts, the lower support (6a) and the insert (8), remain integrated among themselves.

5^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claim 1 , and in an option of performance, characterized because it foresees additionally a second insert (9), arranged between the upper lever (6b) and the sphere (6c) of the triggering mechanism (6), made in resilient plastic material, with excellent muffling properties, and equipped with appropriate fixation means to be fixed at the referred to lever (6b), said insert (9) presenting its own configuration to lodge and to embrace the metallic sphere at the top (6c). 6^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claims 1 and 5, and in a possible form of performance, characterized by said insert (9) being configured by circular skullcap (9a), with the concavity turned downwards, which embraces the upper part of the metallic sphere (6c) of the triggering mechanism (6) of the blockage system.

7^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claims 1 and 5, and in a possible form of performance, characterized by the referred means of fixation of said insert (9) at the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6) being configured by fitting, through the short upper projection (9b), cylindrical and tubular, foreseen as of the center of the upper convex face of the skullcap (9a) and liable to be fitting into corresponding orifice (6e) foreseen in the central part of the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6). 8^a) "SYSTEM OF ABSORPTION OF VIBRATION / NOISE APPLIED IN SAFETY BELTS", in accordance with claims 1 and 5, and in a possible form of performance, characterized by the referred means of fixation of said insert (9) at the upper lever (6b) of the triggering mechanism (6) being configured through over-injection, where both the referred to parts, upper lever (6b) and insert (9), remain integrated among themselves.