Ejector clutch and belt tensioner

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ejector clutch (1) for a belt tensioner, comprising a first shaft (10), a second shaft (20), and a coupling part (30), wherein the coupling part (30) is arranged between the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) in a longitudinal axis (X) defining an axial direction, wherein the coupling part (30) has at least one clutch finger (40), which engages in a first recess (15) of the first shaft (10) for transmitting a torque (M) and, when a torque (M2) to be transmitted is exceeded, said clutch finger is displaced, against a spring force in the axial direction, from the first recess (15) of the first shaft (10) into a second recess (25) of the second shaft (20). The invention further relates to a belt tensioner with an ejector clutch (1).

Claims

1. An ejector clutch (1), comprising: a first shaft (10), a second shaft (20), and a coupling part (30), the coupling part (30) arranged between the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) in a longitudinal axis (X) defining an axial direction, and the coupling part (30) operatively coupled to a drive shaft, wherein the coupling part (30) has at least one clutch finger (40), which engages in a first recess (15) of the first shaft (10) for transmitting a torque (M) and, when a torque (M2) to be transmitted is exceeded by a predetermined value, said clutch finger is displaced, against a spring force in the axial direction, from the first recess (15) of the first shaft (10) into a second recess (25) of the second shaft (20) and as the torque (M2) to be transmitted again falls below the predetermined value, the clutch finger (40) is moved, by the spring force, from the second recess (25) back into the first recess (15) of the first shaft (10).

2. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one clutch finger (40) is connected to the coupling part (30) by a spring bar (35).

3. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring bar (35) is arcuate and has a free end region (36) on which the clutch finger (40) is arranged.

4. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clutch finger (40) is arranged a distance away from the longitudinal axis (X) and has a first end region (41) and a second end region (42), in that the first end region (41) protrudes from the coupling part (30), in the longitudinal axis (X), on the side facing the first shaft (10), and in that the second end region (42) protrudes from the coupling part (30), in the longitudinal axis (X), on the side facing the second shaft (20).

5. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a distance (A) between the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) is less than a length (L) of the clutch finger (40).

6. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clutch finger (40) is wedge-shaped or conical.

7. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first recess (15) and/or the second recess (25) has at least one contact surface (16, 26), wherein the contact surface (16, 26) is designed to apply a force, directed in the axial direction, to the clutch finger (40) when a torque (M) is transmitted.

8. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one contact surface (16, 26) is designed as a wedge surface (17, 27) tapering in the axial direction.

9. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one contact surface (16, 26) lies in a plane (E) which is inclined at an angle (a) to a plane in which the longitudinal axis (X) lies.

10. The ejector clutch (1) according claim 1, characterized in that the coupling part (30) has multiple clutch fingers (40) about the longitudinal axis (X), arranged circumferentially-symmetrically about the longitudinal axis (X).

11. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) have multiple recesses (15, 25), which arranged circumferentially-symmetrically about the longitudinal axis (X).

12. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaft (10) and/or the second shaft (20) has a gearwheel.

13. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first shaft (10) and/or the second shaft (20) is rotatably supported on the drive shaft (60).

14. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 1, connectable to a seat belt tensioner to provide a pretensioning function, and characterized in that the first shaft (10) supports a first gearwheel (10a) and the second shaft (20) supports a second gearwheel (20a), and the first and second garwheels (10a, 20a) form gearing with a gear ratio such that the first gearwheel (10a) has a larger gear ratio than the second gearwheel (20a), wherein a seat belt can first be pre-tensioned in a high gear and the seat belt tightened sharply with a low gear to achieve a high torque when reaching a predetermined switching moment corresponding to the torque (M2) to be transmitted being exceeded by the redetermined value.

15. An ejector clutch (1) of a belt tensioner, comprising: a first shaft (10), a second shaft (20), and a coupling part (30), the coupling part (30) arranged between the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) in a longitudinal axis (X) defining an axial direction, and the coupling part (30) operatively coupled to a drive shaft; and the first shaft (10) supporting a first gearwheel (10a) and the second shaft (20) supporting a second gearwheel (20a), and the first and second gearwheels (10a, 20a) form gearing with a gear ratio such that the first gearwheel (10a) has a larger gear ratio than the second gearwheel (20a), wherein the coupling part (30) has at least one clutch finger (40), which engages in a first recess (15) of the first shaft (10) for transmitting a torque (M) and, when a torque (M2) to be transmitted is exceeded by a predetermined value, said clutch finger is displaced, against a spring force in the axial direction, from the first recess (15) of the first shaft (10) into a second recess (25) of the second shaft (20) and as the torque (M2) to be transmitted again fails below the predetermined value, the clutch finger (40) is moved, by the spring force, from the second recess (25) back into the first recess (15) of the first shaft (10).

16. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one clutch finger (40) is connected to the coupling part (30) by a spring bar (35); and the spring bar (35) is arcuate and has a free end region (36) on which the clutch finger (40) is arranged.

17. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the clutch finger (40) is arranged a distance away from the longitudinal axis (X) and has a first end region (41) and a second end region (42), in that the first end region (41) protrudes from the coupling part (30), in the longitudinal axis (X), on the side facing the first shaft (10), and in that the second end region (42) protrudes from the coupling part (30), in the longitudinal axis (X), on the side facing the second shaft (20); and a distance (A) between the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) is less than a length (L) of the clutch finger (40).

18. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that: the first recess (15) and/or the second recess (25) has at least one contact surface (16, 26), wherein the contact surface (16, 26) is designed to apply a force, directed in the axial direction, to the clutch finger (40) when a torque (M) is transmitted; and the at least one contact surface (16, 26) is designed as a wedge surface (17, 27) tapering in the axial direction.

19. The ejector clutch (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that: the first recess (15) and/or the second recess (25) has at least one contact surface (16, 26), wherein the contact surface (16, 26) is designed to apply a force, directed in the axial direction, to the clutch finger (40) when a torque (M) is transmitted; and the at least one contact surface (16, 26) lies in a plane (E) which is inclined at an angle (a) to a plane in which the longitudinal axis (X) lies.

20. The ejector clutch (1) according claim 15, characterized in that the coupling part (30) has multiple clutch fingers (40) about the longitudinal axis (X), arranged circumferentially-symmetrically about the longitudinal axis (X); and the first shaft (10) and the second shaft (20) have multiple recesses (15, 25), arranged circumferentially-symmetrically about the longitudinal axis (X).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An inventive exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following is shown:

(2) FIG. 1 a greatly simplified and partially sectioned view of the ejector clutch according to the invention, comprising a first shaft, a second shaft, and a coupling part disposed between the shafts, said coupling part transmitting a torque between the coupling part and the first shaft;

(3) FIG. 2 a view of the ejector clutch according to FIG. 1 when the switching moment is reached;

(4) FIG. 3 a simplified and partially sectioned view of the ejector clutch according to FIGS. 1 and 2 during the transmitting of a torque between the coupling part and the second shaft;

(5) FIG. 4 a side view of the coupling part according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

(6) FIG. 5 a top view of the coupling part of the ejector clutch with four clutch fingers;

(7) FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C an exemplary embodiment of an ejector clutch with toothed edges applied to the first shaft and second shaft according to FIG. 1, in the non-coupled state. FIG. 6A is a side view; FIG. 6B is a plan view and FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view;

(8) FIGS. 7, 7B and 7C the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 6A-6C in a state upon reaching the switching moment, similar to FIG. 2. FIG. 7A is a side view; FIG. 7B is a plan view and FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view; and

(9) FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C the ejector clutch from FIGS. 6A-6C in the coupled state, similar to FIG. 3. FIG. 8A is a side view; FIG. 8B is a plan view and FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view.

(10) In the following, identical or functionally identical components are identified with the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all identical or functionally identical parts are provided with a reference number in the individual figures.

(11) FIG. 1 shows an ejector clutch 1 according to the invention of a belt tensioner, having a first shaft 10, a second shaft 20, and a coupling part 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The first shaft 10, the second shaft 20, and the coupling part 30 are rotatably supported along a longitudinal axis X which defines an axial direction and are preferably aligned coaxially with respect to one another. The coupling part 30 is arranged between the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 20, the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 20 being arranged at a distance A from one another.

(13) The coupling part 30 can be coupled to a drive shaft 60 (not shown) and driven by a drive by means of the drive shaft. The coupling part 30 can have one or more means 33 for forming a shaft-hub connection. For example, the means 33 can include cams which, as shown in FIG. 5, are designed to engage in the drive shaft 60 in the manner of a feather key.

(14) The first shaft 10 and the second shaft 20 can be rotatably supported on the drive shaft and can further be connected to a tensioning mechanism (not shown) through which a seat belt (not shown) can be tensioned.

(15) On the side facing the coupling part 30, the first shaft 10 has four symmetrically arranged first recesses 15 around the circumference about the longitudinal axis X. According to FIGS. 1-3, the respective first recess 15 is provided with two contact surfaces 16, which are designed in the manner of a wedge surface 17 in the axial direction such that the respective recess 15 tapers as the distance away from the coupling part 30 increases. The two contact surfaces 16 on the diametrical sides of the recess 15 can each be arranged in a first plane E1 and a second plane E2—see FIG. 2—the first plane E1 being arranged at an angle α1 to a plane in which the longitudinal axis X lies, and the second plane E2 being arranged at an angle α2.

(16) In the exemplary embodiment shown, angles α1 and α2 are approximately 15°. However, angles α1 and α2 can also be in an angle range of 2.5°≤α≤85°, the angle α preferably being in an angle range of 5°≤α≤60°, and more preferably 15°≤α≤45°.

(17) The first recesses 15 can be incorporated or molded into the first shaft 10 on the side facing the coupling part 30 and can furthermore penetrate the first shaft 10 completely or partially in the axial direction.

(18) The second shaft 20 is arranged on the side of the coupling part 30 opposite the first shaft 10 and likewise has four second recesses 25 arranged symmetrically around the circumference about the longitudinal axis X. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the second recesses 25 are designed as passages in the second shaft 20 on the side facing the coupling part 30 and are provided with contact surfaces 26. The contact surfaces 26 are designed in the manner of a wedge surface 27 in the axial direction such that the second recess 25 tapers as the distance away from the coupling part 30 increases.

(19) The two contact surfaces 26 on the diametrical sides of the second recess 25 can each be arranged in a third plane E3 and a fourth plane E4—see FIG. 2—the third plane E3 being arranged at an angle α3 to a plane which lies in the longitudinal axis X lies, and the fourth plane E2 being arranged at an angle α4.

(20) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fourth angle α4 is greater than the third angle α3, angles α3 and α4 being in an angle range of 2.5°≤α≤85°, more preferably the angle α lies in an angle range of 5°≤α≤60° and more preferably 15°≤α≤45°. In the exemplary embodiment shown and illustrated, the third angle α3 is approximately 10° and the fourth angle α4 is approximately 15°, the contact surfaces 26 being designed such that the cross-section of the second recesses 25 increases as the distance away from the coupling part 30 increases.

(21) The coupling part 30 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 and comprises an annular base body, which is preferably made of spring steel. The coupling part 30 is also plate-shaped with a thickness t and has four clutch fingers 40 arranged around the circumference symmetrically about the longitudinal axis X.

(22) The clutch fingers 40 are each inserted at a free end in an end region 36 of a spring bar 35 into an insertion opening 38 and can be attached there by means of flanging, pressing, and/or welding. The spring bar 35 connects the clutch finger to the base body of the coupling part 30, the base body and the spring bar 35 preferably being formed in one piece. The coupling part 30 can be manufactured as a stamped part.

(23) The respective spring bar 35 is surrounded by a U-shaped groove 34, by means of which the spring bar 35 forms a partial section of a ring. At the end region of the U-shaped groove 34, expansions can be provided, by means of which the notch effect is reduced when the spring bar 35 moves in a spring manner.

(24) In particular, FIG. 5 shows that the coupling part 30 has four spring bars 35. The clutch fingers 40 can be deflected together with the free end of the respective spring bar 35, the thickness t and the shape of the spring bars 35 largely determining a spring force against which the clutch fingers 40 can be deflected.

(25) As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the clutch fingers 40 can be wedge-shaped or conical and have a first end region 41 and a second end region 42. As is shown, the first end region 41 is provided with a tip and the second end region 42 with a stump, the clutch finger 40 having an opening angle β, which is typically in a range of 5°≤β≤90°, more preferably 15°≤β≤60°. In the specific exemplary embodiment shown, the opening angle β≈is 20°.

(26) The respective clutch finger 40 can have a transition region 43 between the first end region 41 and the second end region 42, said transition region being configured to establish a connection with the spring bar 35. The transition region 43 can comprise a shaft shoulder which is adapted to the insertion opening 38.

(27) With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the respective clutch finger 40 has a length L, the length L being a multiple of the thickness t. The following ratio preferably applies: L≥3 t, more preferably L≥5 t.

(28) It is further preferred if the length L is greater than the distance A between the first shaft 10 and the second shaft 20.

(29) With reference again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the respective clutch finger 40 of the coupling part 30, more precisely the respective first end region 41 of the clutch finger 40, engages in a first recess 15 of the first shaft 10. In this state, the coupling part 30 can transmit a torque M to the first shaft 10, the torque M being transmitted by a form fit between the clutch fingers 40 and the first recesses 15 or the first contact surfaces 16 thereof.

(30) As soon as a torque M is transmitted from the coupling part 30 to the first shaft 10, a force results in the axial direction, according to the principle of the inclined plane, between the first contact surface 16 and the wedge-shaped or conical clutch finger 40, by means of which the clutch finger 40 is pushed out of the first recess 15, against the spring force. The greater the torque M to be transmitted, the farther the spring bar 35 is deflected, together with the clutch finger 40, and pushed out of the first recess 15 in the direction of the second shaft 20.

(31) In FIG. 2, the torque M to be transmitted reaches a predetermined value which corresponds to a switching moment M.sub.S. As soon as the switching moment M.sub.S is reached, the clutch fingers 40 dip into the respective second recesses 25 of the second shaft 20 and henceforth a torque M is transmitted to the second shaft 20.

(32) As soon as the clutch fingers 40—see FIG. 3—dip into the respective second recess 26, the second end region 42 comes into active contact with the second contact surfaces 26, wherein, according to the principle of the inclined plane, a further axial force is applied to the clutch finger 40, by means of which the clutch finger 40 is completely pulled out of the first recesses 15 of the first shaft 10, and the mechanical coupling between the coupling part 30 and the first shaft 10 is interrupted.

(33) When the torque M to be transmitted decreases, the clutch finger 40 is pushed or moved back from the second recesses 25 in the direction of the first recesses 15 in the axial direction due to the spring force.

(34) The first shaft 10 and/or the second shaft 20 can be made of a plastic or a metal. It is further preferred if the first shaft 10 and/or the second shaft 20 has a gearwheel or is a gearwheel. The gearwheels can each engage in a further gearwheel, as a result of which the seat belt can be tensioned by means of a corresponding tensioning mechanism. It is preferred if the first gearwheel of the first shaft 10 and the second gearwheel of the second shaft 20 form gearing with a gear ratio with the respective further gearwheel, the first shaft 10 having a larger gear ratio than the second shaft. For example, the seat belt can first be pre-tensioned in a high gear and the seat belt tightened sharply with a low gear and high torque when the switching moment is reached.

(35) An arrangement in which gearwheels 10a and 20a are arranged on shafts 10 and 20, respectively, is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. Specific exemplary embodiments of an ejector clutch according to FIGS. 1 to 3 are shown there. In addition, in contrast to the representations in FIGS. 1 to 3, a toothed edge 10a is applied to the first shaft 10 and a second toothed edge 20a is applied to the second shaft 20. The toothed edges 10a and 20a can be designed in one piece with shafts 10 and 20 or can be attached to shafts 10 and 20 as separate toothed rings. Shafts 10 and 20 with associated toothed edges 10a and 20a are coupled to one another in the aforementioned manner via the coupling part 30 and the clutch fingers 40 when a predetermined switching point is reached.

(36) FIGS. 6 to 7 show shafts 10 and 20 to be coupled with toothed edges 10a and 20a at the top in a the top view, in the middle in a side view, and at the bottom in a partial sectional view. Similar to the basic illustration in FIG. 1, FIGS. 6A-6C show shafts 10 and 20 and thus toothed edges 10a and 20a in the non-coupled state—reaching the switching point for coupling is shown in FIGS. 7A-7C and the coupled state is shown in FIGS. 8A-8C. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the two gearwheels formed by toothed edges 10a and 20a are coupled to one another on shafts 10 and 20, such that, for example, a different toothed edge selection of toothed edge 20a compared to toothed edge 10a enables a greater gear ratio to be selected in a drive train. If the torque is reduced again, the coupling pins 40 can couple again into the first shaft 10, such that the greater gear ratio is canceled again.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(37) 1 Ejector clutch 10 First shaft 10a Toothed edge on 10 15 First recess 16 Contact surface 17 Wedge surface 20 Second shaft 20a Toothed edge on 20 25 Second recess 26 Contact surface 27 Wedge surface 30 Coupling part 33 Means 35 Spring bar 36 End region 38 Insertion opening 40 Clutch finger 41 First end region 42 Second end region 43 Transition region 60 Drive shaft E Plane A Distance L Length T Thickness M Torque X Longitudinal axis A Angle β Angle