WO2020055354A2

WO2020055354A2 - Impact dampening system for seat belt

Info

Publication number: WO2020055354A2
Application number: PCT/TR2019/050546
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zafer CAKMAK; Muharrem CAKMAK; Resat Oguzhan SUMER; Mustafa Cemal CAKIR; Huseyin KOLUK
Original assignee: Alupam Ileri Teknolojik Malzeme A.S; Avrotas Avrupa Tasarim Muhendislik Ic Ve Dis Ticaret Ltd.Sti.
Priority date: 2018-07-15
Filing date: 2019-07-09
Publication date: 2020-03-19
Also published as: WO2020055354A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to configuration of impact dampening systems which can be applied to the seat belts (1) particularly in motorized vehicles and to the seat belts (1) in case of accident for providing increase of performance. Accordingly, impact dampening apparatus can be added to the determined zones of the seat belts system.

Description

IMPACT DAMPENING SYSTEM FOR SEAT BELT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to impact dampening systems developed for use particularly in vehicle seat belt systems.

PRIOR ART

In the general usage known in the literature, there is a small lock mechanism under the gear which controls the winding and release amount of seat belt. When the seat belt is drawn in a very rapid manner or in case of an accident, a ball, which is generally in silver color and which is a part of this lock mechanism, moves forwardly. During this movement, the lock, provided inside the mechanism, is pushed upwardly and is fixed to the gear which controls the release of the belt. Meanwhile, the belt is locked and stays at this locked position, and thus, the passenger is prevented from moving forwardly

Particularly, in motorized vehicles where seat belt usage is obligatory, high amount of energy occurs in case of accident. The seat belt locks itself for preventing driving away of the user. During this, the user is under a great pressure because of the occurring energy and because of locking of the seat belt and there is the risk of crushing and twisting of the chest cage, shoulder and waist regions.

The patent with number US5620234 (A) with name“Seat Belt Cushion” comprises addition of soft substance, made of foam material, onto the seat belt for preventing probable injuries which may occur on the collar bone and chest region due to usage of seat belt.

The patent with number JPH08192720 (A) with name“Energy Absorbing Device for Shoulder Anchor of Seat Belt” comprises shock absorbing material addition to the shoulder anchor region of the seat belt system. This shock absorbing material is positioned in the space between the connection coating and the connection bolt head. The shock absorbing material is made of polyurethane or polystyrene foam.

As a result, since no such study related to seat belt systems has been made beforehand, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbing of the high energy which occurs in case of an accident, for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

The main object of the present invention is to provide impact dampening systems where the high energy, which occurs during accident, is dampened and where the amount of the effect of this energy on the passengers is reduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide impact dampening systems which increase energy dampening amount in an integrated manner with the seat belt.

Another object of the present invention is to provide impact dampening systems which can be applied to the seat belts of any vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide impact dampening systems which reduce and/or eliminate the need for a force limiter.

The present invention relates to impact dampening systems which absorb the high energy which occurs in case of accident particularly in motorized vehicles, said seat belt retractor mechanism comprises a first impact dampening system which can be positioned at the bottom, top and front part and a second impact dampening system integrated to the inner part thereof.

The first impact dampening system and the second impact dampening system can be used together or in a single manner at the seat belt. The subject matter invention comprises a guide embodied in shaft form in said first impact dampening system; at least one upper part plate permits integration of the first impact dampening system to the seat belt; a first impact dampener positioned so as to wrap the guide and which absorbs the energy by means of crushing with the dampening plate as a result of the drawing movement of the guide during impact; a sheath is provided which prevents distribution of the first impact dampener as a result of crushing and wherein the first impact dampener is positioned and the first impact dampener is positioned at the points of connection of the seat belt to the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said first impact dampener is made of metal foam material.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said first impact dampener is made of aluminum foam material.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a jacket is provided which wraps the first impact dampener and made of at least one of aluminum or polymer based materials and having thickness range between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is positioned in the spaced area, provided at the vehicle side wall, in a manner connected to the vehicle base chassis or to the vehicle floor and to the retractor mechanism of the seat belt.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is positioned in the spaced area, provided at the vehicle side wall, in a manner connected to the vehicle side wall and to the retractor mechanism of the seat belt.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is positioned to the lower part of the seat belt buckle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is positioned to the lower part of the fixation point of the seat belt. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is positioned between a fixed part assembled onto the vehicle side wall and a movable part movably supported by the seat belt pillar loop.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is connected to retractor mechanism of the seat belt through an upper part plate positioned on the auxiliary dampening element placed to one end thereof and it is connected to the vehicle floor through a base plate associated with the sheath which accommodates the auxiliary dampening element placed to the other end thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system is connected to the vehicle side wall or to the vehicle floor by means of the lower connection bracket from one end and it is connected to the retractor mechanism by means of the upper connection bracket from the other end.

The first impact dampener is integrated with the seat belt in case of accident and the protective sheath has inclination to move in the vehicle orthogonal axis, and as a result, the dampener is crushed and it absorbs the energy.

In the main embodiment of the present invention, the second impact dampening system is characterized by a movable support positioned in a concentric or eccentric manner with the center of the retractor mechanism; a stopper is provided in a fixed and integrated manner in the retractor mechanism; a second impact dampener material is provided which facilitates dampening an amount of the forces which occur during the accident and which provides compressing and crushing of said movable support by making rotational movement around its own axis, as the seat belt moves in the vehicle orthogonal axis during accident.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said second impact dampener is metal foam alloy. The second impact dampener has cylindrical, sliced or pieced forms inside the retractor mechanism.

The seat belt obtained by means of the present invention can dampen the energy which corresponds to a force between 800 N and 8000 N.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic representative view of the integration of the impact dampening systems to the seat belt system.

Figure 2 is a representative view of the sheath wherein the first impact dampener is positioned.

Figure 3 is a representative view of the inner structure of the sheath.

Figure 4 is a representative view of the first impact dampening system and the second impact dampening system by means of the retractor mechanism.

Figure 5 is the assembled view of the sheath and the connection brackets of the first impact dampening system.

Figure 6 is the view of the sheath comprising the first impact dampener.

Figure 7 is the view of another mechanism which facilitates dampening by using aluminum foam.

Figure 8 is the view of the first impact dampener with conical embodiment.

Figure 9 is another view of the first impact dampener with conical embodiment.

Figure 10 is the schematic view of the second dampening system provided inside the retractor mechanism. Figure 1 1 is the schematic view of the other embodiment of the second dampening system provided inside the retractor mechanism.

Figure 12 is the schematic view of another application of the first impact dampening system.

Figure 13 is the view of the position of the first impact dampener of another application of the impact dampening system.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

I Seat belt

10 First impact dampening system

I I Sheath

1 11 Sheath upper plate

12 First impact dampener

13 Dampening plate

14 Guide

15 Jacket

16 Upper part plate

17 Connection element

18 Base plate

19 Connection plaques

191 Upper connection bracket

192 Lower connection bracket

20 Second impact dampening system

21 Movable support

22 Second impact dampener

23 Stopper

30 Retractor mechanism

40 Side wall

50 Fixed part

60 Movable part

70 Seat belt pillar loop 80 Seat belt buckle

81 Seat belt tongue

90 Fixation point

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter relates to an impact dampening system to be used in seat belts (1 ) of motorized vehicles and is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

The subject matter relates to configuration of impact dampening systems to seat belts (1 ) for increasing the performances in case of accident and which can be applied to seat belts (1 ) as shown in Figure 1 particularly in motorized vehicles. Accordingly, the impact dampening apparatus can be placed to the determined zones of the seat belts system.

The seat belt (1 ) obtained by means of the present invention comprises two impact dampening systems, namely, the first impact dampening system (10) and the second impact dampening system (20). Accordingly, in the seat belt (1 ), there is a first impact dampening system (10) which can be positioned at the bottom, top and front parts of the retractor mechanism (30); and there is a second impact dampening system (20) provided in an integrated manner to the inner part of the retractor mechanism (30).

The first impact dampening system (10) shown in Figure 3 is integrated to the seat belt system (1 ), and a first impact dampener (12) preferably made of metal foam material comprises a jacket (15) in a manner wrapping said first impact dampener (12); a sheath (11 ) which covers the first impact dampener (12) and the jacket (15); at least one dampening plate (13) and a guide (14) connected to said dampening plate (13). In the preferred embodiment, the guide (14) is positioned in a manner extending between the dampening plate (13) and the upper part plate (16) positioned mutually with each other. The first impact dampener (12) is positioned in a manner encircling said guide (14). The guide (14) has shaft-like embodiment, and it can have the forms of cylindrical, triangular prismatic, quadrangular prismatic or polygonal prismatic.

The first impact dampener (12) is made of metal foam material and preferably, aluminum foam is used.

The sheath (1 1 ) can have rectangular, square, triangular, honey comb and various polygonal forms. The sheath (1 1 ) can be made of plastic material. In another embodiment of the present invention, the related sheath (1 1 ) can also be made of sheet material.

In the main embodiment of the present invention, the first impact dampening system shown in Figure 2 is connected to the vehicle chassis from one side and is connected to the retractor mechanism (30), which provides retractor of the seat belt (1 ) when not in use, from the other side. In order to provide connection of the first impact dampener (12) onto the vehicle chassis, the base plate (18) is used, and at the same time, an upper part plate (16) is provided associated with the upper part of a sheath (1 1 ) for providing connection of the first impact dampener (12) to the retractor mechanism (30). The connection of the base plate (18) and the upper part plate (16) to the vehicle chassis and to the retractor mechanism (30) is provided by means of pluralities of connection elements (17).

The first impact dampening system (10) is positioned inside the spaced area existing at the vehicle side wall (40) together with the retractor mechanism (30) so as to remain between the retractor mechanism (30) and the vehicle base chassis. The first impact dampening system (10) is connected to the retractor mechanism (30) by means of the upper part plate (16) and the connection elements (17). The first impact dampening system (10) is connected to the vehicle chassis or to the floor by means of the base plate (18) and by means of the connection elements (17).

In another application of the present invention, with reference to Figure 4, the first impact dampening system (10) is positioned inside the spaced area existing at the vehicle side wall (40) together with the retractor mechanism (30) so as to remain between the retractor mechanism (30) and the vehicle base chassis. In a different manner from the other embodiment, the first impact dampening system (10) is positioned to the retractor mechanism (30) by means of an upper connection bracket (191 ) connected to the sheath (1 1 ) and positioned in a connected manner to a side wall (40) or to the vehicle floor existing on the vehicle chassis by means of the lower connection bracket (192) connected to the guide (14).

As shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13, in another application of the present invention, the first impact dampening system (10) is configured to be assembled to the front part of the retractor mechanism (30). The operation principle of the application shown in Figure 12 is the same as the operation principle of the other first impact dampening systems (10). In said application, the dampener is positioned inside the fixed part (50) and the movable part (60) at the front part of the retractor mechanism (30).

The first impact dampener is integrated to the seat belt in case of accident and the dampener is crushed and absorbs energy since the protective sheath will have inclination to move in the orthogonal axis of the vehicle.

The form of the first impact dampener can be rectangular, square, triangular, honey comb and various polygonal forms.

In case the present invention is preferred, as shown in Figure 9, the first impact dampener (12) structure is used which widens from the small cross area towards the great cross area (conical, pyramide, etc. shaped) and which can have different densities and which is at least one in number and/or which can have different densities in a stepped manner inside its structure. In conical form, in case the first impact dampener (12) is in conical form, the density of the first impact dampener (12) changes from the end part towards the base part. By means of this, the force which occurs can be dampened in a stepped manner.

In the alternative embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Figure 7, the first impact dampening system (10) is positioned between a movable part (60) and a fixed part (50) assembled onto the vehicle side wall (40). The movable part (60) is movably supported with the seat belt pillar loop (70). In case of an accident, thanks to the drawing movement of the seat belt (1 ), the movable part (60) crushes the first impact dampener (12) and realizes the dampening function.

The embodiment, where the first impact dampener (12) is positioned between the movable part (60) and the fixed part (50), is positioned in the area existing on the vehicle side wall (40) and on the upper part of the seat belt pillar loop (70). In alternative applications, the embodiment, where the first impact dampener (12) is positioned between the movable part (60) and the fixed part (50), is positioned in the spaced area existing inside the lower part of the retractor mechanism (30) and the vehicle side wall (40).

In another alternative application, the embodiment, where the first impact dampener (12) is positioned between the movable part (60) and the fixed part (50), is positioned on the lower part of the seat belt buckle (80) or to the lower part of the fixation point (90) of the seat belt.

The second impact dampening system (20), shown in Figure 10, is provided in the retractor mechanism (30) of the seat belt (1 ). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a movable support (21 ), which is concentric or eccentric with the center of the second impact dampener (22) and which is concentric or eccentric with the center of the retractor mechanism (30), is positioned in the retractor mechanism (30). During accident, as the seat belt (1 ) moves in the vehicle orthogonal axis (known as axis z in the art), said movable support (21 ) realizes rotational movement around its own axis, the second impact dampener (22) is compressed and crushed with the help of the stopper (23) and facilitates dampening of an amount of the forces which occur during the accident. Said second impact dampener (22) can have a cylindrical form, and it can have forms like sliced, pieced, etc. so as to fill the volume inside the retractor mechanism (30) where it will be positioned. The second impact dampener (22) is made of metal foam material and preferably, aluminum foam is used.

As shown in Figure 1 1 , in another preferrable embodiment of the present invention, there is a movable support (21 ) which is moved by means of the rotational movement of the retractor mechanism (30) around its own axis and which is one-piece with the drum of the retractor mechanism (30) and which is concentric or eccentric with the center of the second impact dampener (22) and which is concentric or eccentric with the center of the retractor mechanism (30). A stopper (23) part fixed to the shaft of the retractor mechanism (30) and which is concentric or eccentric with the center of the retractor mechanism (30) is positioned in the retractor mechanism (30). During accident, as the seat belt (1 ) moves in the vehicle orthogonal axis (known as axis z in the art), because of the rotational movement of the retractor mechanism (30) in its own axis, the movable support (21 ) compresses and crushes the second impact dampener (22) with the help of the stopper (23), and facilitates dampening of an amount of the forces which occur during the accident. The second impact dampener (22) can have a cylindrical form and it can have sliced, pieced, etc. forms in a manner filling the volume inside the retractor mechanism (30) where it will be positioned.

The first impact dampener (12) and the second impact dampener (22) have been designed in the form of cartridge system and they have a modular and changeable structure. By means of this, in order to change the first impact dampener (12) and the second impact dampener (22), made of aluminum foam material and which is crushed and deformed after the accident, with new dampeners, the base plate (18) and movable support (21 ) are designed in a modular manner.

The energy, which occurs during accident, may lead to abrasions/injuries at the chest cage, in the abdominal region, the shoulder and the neck region of the passengers in the vehicle. Thanks to the obtained invention, the first and big dampening of the energy, which occurs during the accident, can be provided by the impact dampening systems, and strong dampening values can be obtained even at intense pressures.

The impact dampening systems obtained by means of the present invention can dampen energy corresponding to a force in the range of 800 N and 8000 N. Thus, the effect of the energy, which occurs during the accident, is transferred to the user after said energy is reduced, and the effect of the instant pressure on the users is minimized.

The impact dampening systems integrated to the subject matter seat belt is an alternative embodiment for the force limiters known in the art, and it is embodied to be suitable for any vehicle. The energy which occurs during impact is dampened by means of the orthogonal drawing force exerted to the first impact dampener (12) and to the second impact dampener (22) by the impact dampening systems, and the intensity which is reflected to the user is minimized.

All alternative embodiments and applications of the subject matter impact dampening system can be positioned at the connection points of the seat belt (1 ) to the vehicle, and the need for the force limiter is minimized and/or eliminated and the subject matter can be applied to all types of motorized vehicles like aeroplane, racing car, automobile, bus, truck, train, etc.

Claims

1. Impact dampening systems of the seat belt (1 ) which dampens the high energy which occurs in case of accident particularly in motorized vehicles, wherein a first impact dampening system (10) is provided which can be positioned at the bottom, top and front part of the retractor mechanism (30) of said seat belt (1 ) and a second impact dampening system (20) is provided which is integrated to the inner part of the retractor mechanism.

2. The impact dampening systems of the seat belt (1 ) which dampens the high energy which occurs in case of accident in motorized vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein said first impact dampening system (10) and said second impact dampening system (20) can be used together or in a single manner in the seat belt (1 ).

3. The impact dampening systems of the seat belt (1 ) which dampens the high energy which occurs in case of accident in motorized vehicles according to claim 1 , wherein the seat belt (1 ) can dampen the energy which corresponds to a force between 800 N and 8000 N.

4. A first impact dampening system (10) which can be positioned at the bottom, top and front part of the retractor mechanism (30) of the seat belt (1 ) which dampens the high energy which occurs in case of accident in motorized vehicles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a guide (14) is embodied in shaft form; at least one upper part plate (16) permits integration of the first impact dampening system (10) to the seat belt (1 ); a first impact dampener (12) positioned so as to wrap the guide (14) and which absorbs the energy by means of crushing with the dampening plate (13) as a result of the drawing movement of the guide (14) during impact; a sheath (1 1 ) is provided which prevents distribution of the first impact dampener (12) as a result of crushing and wherein the first impact dampener (12) is positioned and the first impact dampener (12) is positioned at the points of connection of the seat belt (1 ) to the vehicle.

5. The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein said first impact dampener (12) is made of metal foam material.

6. The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the first impact dampener (12) is made of aluminum foam material.

7. The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the impact dampener (1 ) is positioned in the spaced area, provided at the vehicle side wall (40), in a manner connected to the vehicle base chassis or to the vehicle floor and to the retractor mechanism (30) of the seat belt (20).

8. The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the impact dampener (1 ) is positioned to the lower part of a seat belt buckle (80).

9. The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the impact dampener (1 ) is positioned to the lower part of the fixation point (90) of the seat belt (1 ).

10.The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the impact dampener (1 ) is positioned in the spaced area, provided at the vehicle side wall (40), in a manner connected to the vehicle side wall (40) and to the retractor mechanism (30) of the seat belt (20).

11. The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the first impact dampener (12) is positioned between a fixed part (50) assembled onto the vehicle side wall (40) and a movable part (60) movably supported by the seat belt pillar loop (70).

12.The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein it is connected to the vehicle side wall (40) or to the vehicle floor by means of the lower connection bracket (192) from one end and it is connected to the retractor mechanism (30) by means of the upper connection bracket (191 ) from the other end.

13.The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein a jacket (15) is provided in the thickness range of 0.5 mm and 2 mm and made of at least one of the aluminum or polymer based materials and which wraps the first impact dampener (12).

14.The first impact dampening system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the first impact dampener (12) is positioned in the spaced area, provided at the vehicle side wall (40), in a manner connected to the vehicle base chassis or to the vehicle floor and to the retractor mechanism (30) of the seat belt (1 ).

15.A second impact dampening system (20) integrated to the inner part of the retractor mechanism (30) of the seat belt (1 ) which dampens the high energy which occurs in case of accident in motorized vehicles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a movable support (21 ) is positioned in a concentric or eccentric manner with the center of the retractor mechanism (30); a stopper (23) is provided in a fixed and integrated manner in the retractor mechanism (30); a second impact dampener (22) material is provided which facilitates dampening an amount of the forces which occur during the accident and which provides compressing and crushing of said movable support (21 ) by making rotational movement around its own axis, as the seat belt moves in the vehicle orthogonal axis during accident.

16.The second impact dampening system (20) according to claim 15, wherein said second impact dampener (22) is metal foam alloy.

17.The second impact dampening system (20) according to claim 15, wherein the second impact dampener (22) is aluminum alloy of metal foam.

18.The second impact dampening system (20) according to claim 15, wherein the aluminum metal foam is in cylindrical, sliced or pieced forms inside the retractor mechanism (30).

19. Impact dampening systems of the seat belt (1 ) which dampens the high energy which occurs in case of accident in motorized vehicles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the impact dampeners in the impact dampening systems are designed in the form of a cartridge system.