US 12,263,807 B2
Adaptive load-limiting seatbelt assembly
Jean Alain van Poppel, Shenandoah, TX (US)
Filed by Jean Alain van Poppel, Shenandoah, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/078,043.
Prior Publication US 2024/0270201 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. B60R 22/343 (2006.01); B60R 22/48 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 22/343 (2013.01) [B60R 22/48 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seatbelt assembly for restraining an occupant of a passenger vehicle during a dynamic event comprising:
a spool drum mounted on a frame and rotatable with respect to the frame about a drum axis in a pay-out direction for paying out seatbelt webbing carried on the spool drum, a friction device, and a rotary clutch;
the friction device comprising a first friction member and a second friction member, the first friction member, the second friction member, and the spool drum being separate bodies from one another;
the first and second friction members being disposed about a common axis of the friction device, the first friction member being rotatable with respect to the second friction member about the said common axis of the friction device, the second friction member being a fixed member with respect to the frame, the first and second friction members comprising facing bearing surfaces concentric with the friction device axis, the bearing surfaces defining an interference fit between the first and second friction members, the interference fit generating friction resisting relative rotation of the first friction member with respect to the second friction member when the first friction member is being urged to rotate relative to the second friction member;
the rotary clutch comprising a first clutch member and a second clutch member, the first clutch member being non-rotatably connected to the spool drum and conjointly rotatable with the spool drum, the second clutch member being non-rotatably connected to the first friction member; and
the rotary clutch being switchable from a disengaged state to an engaged state, the spool drum being capable of rotating in the pay-out direction independently of the friction device when the rotary clutch is in the disengaged state, the rotary clutch switching from the disengaged state to the engaged state when rotation of the spool drum in the pay-out direction in response to the dynamic event causes the first clutch member to rotate above a threshold rate of rotation or above a threshold rate of angular acceleration wherein the rotary clutch in the engaged state non-rotatably connects the spool drum and the first friction member and rotation of the spool drum in the payout direction is resisted by the friction generated by the friction device.