IP Library Granted Patent US 7,942,449
Granted Patent B2
US 7,942,449 · App. 12/923,585 · Granted May 17, 2011

Seat belt apparatus and seat belt retractor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,942,449
App. No.
12/923,585
Granted
May 17, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seat belt retractor includes a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate. The seat belt retractor also includes a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool, and an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor. The electronic control unit is mounted between the side walls of the frame and the back plate is disposed in an inner space of a vehicle body member and faces a vehicle interior direction.

Claims (28)

1. A seat belt retractor comprising:

a frame, the frame comprising:

a back plate, and

a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate;

a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt;

a motor configured to rotate the spool; and

an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor,

wherein the electronic control unit is fixed to the motor, and

wherein the electronic control unit and the motor are disposed above the side walls or below the side walls.

2. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is disposed below the lower edges of the side walls.

3. The seat belt retractor according to claim 2 , wherein the electronic control unit is fixed to a lower surface of the motor.

4. The seat belt retractor according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is disposed above the upper edges of the side walls.

5. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 , wherein the electronic control unit is fixed to an upper surface of the motor.

6. The seat belt retractor according to claim 4 , wherein the electronic control unit is surrounded by the back plate, the side walls, and an upper portion of the frame such that the electronic control unit is protected from an external force.

7. A seat belt apparatus comprising:

a seat belt retractor including a frame having a back plate and a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate;

wherein the retractor further includes a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt, a motor configured to rotate the spool in order to perform at least one of retracting and withdrawing operations for a seat belt, and an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor, wherein the electronic control unit is fixed to the motor and wherein the electronic control unit and the motor are disposed above the side walls or below the side walls;

a tongue slidably supported by the seat belt; and

a buckle with which the tongue is disengaged or engaged,

wherein an occupant is restrained by the seat belt when the tongue is engaged with the buckle.

8. A seat belt retractor comprising:

a frame, the frame comprising:

a back plate, and

a side wall protruding from each of multiple side edges of the back plate;

a spool supported by the frame and configured to rotate and wind a seat belt;

a motor configured to rotate the spool; and

an electronic control unit configured to drive and control the motor,

wherein the electronic control unit is fixed to the motor and wherein the electronic control unit and the motor are disposed above the side walls or below the side walls.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNEE CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jan 5, 2023
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN G.K.
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN G.K.
Reel/Frame 062299/0879 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 23, 2022
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN G.K.
Reel/Frame 062218/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
Reel/Frame 057775/0655 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 057828/0338 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 1, 2018
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K. K.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 046286/0789 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2018
From: TAKATA CORPORATION
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
Reel/Frame 045938/0931 →