Belt retractor

Abstract

The invention relates to a belt rectractor (10) for a seatbelt of a motor vehicle. The belt retractor (10) comprises a belt spool (14) which is rotationally connected to a belt spool-side end of a torsioning rod, said torsioning rod being operatively connected to a locking mechanism (20) at a locking mechanism-side end. In a locked state, the locking mechanism-side end of the torsioning rod is rotationally fixed to a frame (12). The belt spool-side end can then be rotated relative to the locking mechanism-side end in an unwinding direction (16) under the effect of torsion from the torsioning rod. The belt spool (14) is additionally rotationally fixed to the frame (12) in the unwinding direction (16) in a stopped state of a stopping mechanism (22). The stopped state is set of the belt spool-side end is rotated by a specified number of rotations relative to the locking mechanism-side end in the locked state of the locking mechanism (20). The stopping mechanism (22) comprises a locking pawl which is mounted on the belt spool (14).

Claims

1. A belt retractor (10) for a seat belt of a motor vehicle, having a belt reel (14) which is mounted in a frame (12) so as to be rotatable in an unwinding direction (16) and a winding direction (18), which is in the opposite direction to the unwinding direction (16), and is non-rotatably connected to a belt-reel-side end (30) of a torsion rod (28) which is arranged substantially coaxially to the belt reel (14), wherein the torsion rod (28) is operatively connected by way of a locking-mechanism-side end (26), which is opposite the belt-reel-side end (30), to a locking mechanism (20) and, with the locking mechanism (20) in a locked state, the locking-mechanism-side end (26) of the torsion rod (28) is fixed to the frame (12) so as to be non-rotatable in the unwinding direction (16), wherein in the locked state, with the torsion rod (28) under torsion, the belt-reel-side end (30) is rotatable in the unwinding direction (16) relative to the locking-mechanism-side end (26), wherein the belt reel (14), with a stopping mechanism (22) in a stopped state, is fixed to the frame (12) so as to be non-rotatable in the unwinding direction (16), and wherein the stopped state is set up when the belt-reel-side end (30) is twisted by a predefined number of revolutions in relation to the locking-mechanism-side end (26), with the locking mechanism (20) in the locked state, wherein the stopping mechanism (22) includes a pawl (38) which is mounted on the belt reel (14), and with the stopping mechanism (22) in a released state, the pawl (38) is retained in such a manner by a locking pin (40) that it does not engage in the toothing (36), wherein the locking pin (40) is mounted so as to be displaceable in the belt reel (14), wherein in the released state the locking pin (40) is arranged in a retaining opening (42) of the pawl (38) and in the stopped state it is arranged outside the retaining opening (42), and wherein a counting mechanism (33) is provided which is set up for the purpose of removing the locking pin (40) from the retaining opening (42) when the belt-reel-side end (30) is twisted by the predefined number of revolutions in relation to the locking-mechanism-side end (26).

2. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the stopped state, the belt reel (14) is fixed on a side of the frame (12) opposite the locking mechanism (20).

3. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the stopped state the pawl (38) engages in a toothing (36) of an actuating disk (34) of a clutch (32) and the clutch (32) couples the belt reel (14) with the frame (12) so as to be non-rotatable in the unwinding direction (16), in particular wherein the pawl (38) is spring-loaded in the direction of the toothing (36).

4. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuating disk (34) is a first actuating disk (34a) and, in the stopped state, the first actuating disk is rotated by a predefined first rotational angle relative to a second actuating disk (34b) of the clutch (32), wherein, in the stopped state, the first actuating disk (34a) and the second actuating disk (34b) are rotationally coupled in an actuating direction of the clutch (32).

5. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, with the stopping mechanism (22) in a released state, the first actuating disk (34a) and the second actuating disk (34b) are rotatable by the predefined first rotational angle relative to one another in the actuating direction of the clutch (32).

6. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a third actuating disk (34c) of the clutch (32) is interposed between the first actuating disk (34a) and the second actuating disk (34b), wherein in the stopped state the third actuating disk (34c) is rotated by a predefined second rotational angle in relation to the first actuating disk (34a) and in the stopped state the third actuating disk is rotationally coupled with the first actuating disk (34a) in an actuating direction of the clutch (32), and wherein in the stopped state the second actuating disk (34b) is rotated by a predefined third rotational angle in relation to the third actuating disk (34c) and in the stopped state the second actuating disk is rotationally coupled with the third actuating disk (34c) in an actuating direction of the clutch (32).

7. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third actuating disk (34c) and the first actuating disk (34a), with the stopping mechanism (22) in a released state, are rotatable by the predefined second rotational angle in relation to one another in the actuating direction of the clutch (32) and the third actuating disk (34c) and the second actuating disk (34b), with the stopping mechanism (22) in a released state, are rotatable by the predefined third rotational angle in relation to one another in the actuating direction of the clutch (32).

8. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the counting mechanism (33) includes a latching continuation (56) which is arranged on the locking pin (40), a latching element (60) and an actuating disk (64) which is arranged substantially coaxially to the torsion rod (28), wherein the latching element (60) is arranged so as to be functional between the latching continuation (56) and the actuating disk (64).

9. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the actuating disk (64) is coupled non-rotatably with the locking-mechanism-side end (26) of the torsion rod (28), in particular wherein the actuating disk (64) is arranged on a locking disk of the locking mechanism (20).

10. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the latching element (60) engages by way of a latching-continuation-side end in a latching toothing (58) which is arranged on the latching continuation (56), in particular wherein the latching-continuation-side end (62) is realized as a resilient latching arm.

11. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the latching toothing (58) is designed in such a manner that the latching element (60) is displaceable in a direction of extraction (70) of the locking pin (40) relative to the latching continuation (56) only under entrainment of the latching continuation (56) and in a direction opposite to the direction of extraction (70) by traveling over part of the latching toothing (58).

12. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein in the stopped state, the latching continuation (56) is displaced so far in the direction of the direction of extraction (70) that the locking pin (40) is removed from the retaining opening (42).

13. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein in the released state the latching continuation (56) is not displaced or is displaced to a maximum extent in the direction of the direction of extraction (70) that the locking pin (40) is arranged in the retaining opening (42).

14. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in one of claim 8, wherein the latching element (60) abuts against an actuating contour (67) of the actuating disk (64) by way of an actuating-disk-side end (66), wherein the latching element (60) is spring-loaded in the direction of the actuating disk (64).

15. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the latching element (60) is displaceable relative to the latching continuation (56) by means of the actuating contour (67).

16. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the actuating contour (67) is matched to the predefined number of revolutions.

17. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the latching continuation (56) and the latching element (60) are arranged in a housing (69) which is immovable relative to the belt reel (14), in particular wherein the latching continuation (56) and the latching element (60) extend substantially parallel.

18. The belt retractor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the counting mechanism (33) includes a thread (50) and a winding disk (52) which is arranged substantially coaxially to the torsion rod (28), wherein the thread (50) is connected to the locking pin (40) at one end and to the winding disk (52) at another end.

19. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the winding disk (52) is coupled non-rotatably with the locking-mechanism-side end (26) of the torsion rod (28), in particular wherein the winding disk (52) is arranged on a locking disk of the locking mechanism (20).

20. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the thread (50) includes a thread reserve (53) which is arranged, in the released state, between the locking pin (40) and the winding disk (52).

21. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the thread reserve (53) is wound on the winding disk (52) in the stopped state and the size of a free length of the thread is such that the locking pin (40) is removed from the retaining opening (42).

22. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 20, wherein a length of the thread reserve (53) is matched to the predefined number of revolutions.

23. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the thread (50) is arranged in a housing (54) which is connected non-rotatably to the belt reel (14).

24. The belt retractor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the counting mechanism (33) includes a locking pin continuation (72) which is arranged on an end of the locking pin (40) remote from the pawl (38), a contact surface (74) and a cutting disk (76), wherein the locking pin continuation (72) abuts against the contact surface (74).

25. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 24, wherein the contact surface (74) and the cutting disk (76) are coupled non-rotatably with the locking-mechanism-side end (26) of the torsion rod (28), in particular wherein the contact surface (74) and the cutting disk (76) are arranged on a locking disk of the locking mechanism (20).

26. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cutting disk (76) is at a spacing from the contact surface (72) in a direction of extension of the locking pin continuation (72).

27. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in one of claim 24, wherein the locking pin continuation (72) is spring-loaded in the direction of the contact surface (74).

28. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in one of claim 24, wherein the cutting disk (76) is realized for the purpose of severing a segment (77) from the locking pin continuation (72) when the locking pin (40) is moved relative to the cutting disk (76).

29. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 28, wherein the segment (77) is defined in the locking pin continuation (72) by a notch (78), wherein the separation is effected in the region of the notch (78).

30. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 28, wherein one or multiple segments (77) are severed in the stopped state so that the locking pin (40) is removed from the retaining opening (42).

31. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 28, wherein no segments (77) or so few segments (77) are severed in the released state that the locking pin (40) is arranged in the retaining opening (42).

32. The belt retractor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the counting mechanism (33) includes a triggering disk (80) which is arranged substantially coaxially to the torsion rod (28) and is connected non-rotatably to the locking-mechanism-side end (26) of the torsion rod (28), wherein the triggering disk (80) comprises a retaining surface (82), which extends substantially around the torsion rod (28) and against which, with the stopping mechanism (22) in the released state, abuts against an end of the locking pin (40) which is remote from the pawl (38), and wherein the triggering disk (80) includes an indentation (84) which interrupts the retaining surface (82) and in which the end of the locking pin (40) remote from the pawl (38) engages in the stopped state.

33. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 32, wherein the retaining surface (82) extends around the torsion rod (28) substantially by between 290° and 310°, wherein the indentation (84) extends around the torsion rod (28) substantially by between 50° and 70°.

34. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 32, wherein the locking pin (40) is pre-stressed in the direction of the triggering disk (80), is pre-stressed in particular by means of a spring (86).

35. The belt retractor (10) as claimed in claim 32, wherein the locking pin (40) extends substantially parallel to the torsion rod (28) and is mounted on the belt reel (14).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained below by way of various exemplary embodiments which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a belt retractor according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of the belt retractor according to the invention from FIG. 1, a housing part having been removed,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detail of a stopping mechanism of a belt retractor according to the invention in the released state,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the detail of a stopping mechanism of a belt retractor according to the invention from FIG. 3 but in the stopped state,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a belt retractor according to the invention according to a first embodiment based on a thread,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a belt reel assembly of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the first embodiment,

(8) FIG. 7 shows a detail of a counting mechanism of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the first embodiment,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a further detail of a counting mechanism of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the first embodiment,

(10) FIG. 9 shows a belt retractor according to the invention according to a second embodiment based on a latching principle,

(11) FIG. 10 shows a further view of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the second embodiment,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the second embodiment,

(13) FIG. 12 shows a further view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the second embodiment,

(14) FIG. 13 shows a belt retractor according to the invention according to a third embodiment based on a separation principle,

(15) FIG. 14 shows a further view of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the third embodiment,

(16) FIG. 15 shows a view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the third embodiment,

(17) FIG. 16 shows a further view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the third embodiment,

(18) FIG. 17 shows an additional view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the third embodiment,

(19) FIG. 18 shows a perspective side view of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the third embodiment,

(20) FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of a belt retractor according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment,

(21) FIG. 20 shows a view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

(22) FIG. 21 shows a further view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

(23) FIG. 22 shows an additional view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

(24) FIG. 23 shows another view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

(25) FIG. 24 shows a supplementary view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment,

(26) FIG. 25 shows a further view of a detail of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment and

(27) FIG. 26 shows a side view of a belt retractor according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

(28) FIG. 1 shows a belt retractor 10 having a belt reel 14 which is mounted so as to be rotatable in a frame 12. The belt reel 14, in this case, can be rotated in the frame 12 in an unwinding direction 16 and a winding direction 18, which is in the opposite direction to the unwinding direction 16. Webbing is not shown for reasons of clarity.

(29) The belt retractor 10 includes furthermore a locking mechanism 20, a stopping mechanism 22 and a belt force limiting mechanism 24 (see for example FIGS. 5 and 6).

(30) In this case, the locking mechanism 20 and the stopping mechanism 22 are arranged on opposite sides of the belt reel 14.

(31) The locking mechanism 20, which is not shown in detail, serves for the purpose of setting up a locked state in a webbing-sensitive and/or vehicle-sensitive manner and thus of blocking a rotational movement of the belt reel 14 relative to the frame 12 in the unwinding direction 16.

(32) In the locked state, a locking-mechanism-side end 26 of a torsion rod 28 is fixed non-rotatably in the unwinding direction 16 on the frame 12 for this purpose. This is effected on the side of the frame 12 on which the locking mechanism 20 is arranged. The torsion rod 28 is therefore operatively connected to the locking mechanism 20.

(33) The belt force limiting mechanism 24, which limits the force acting on the passenger, then acts in the locked state. This occurs as a result of the torsion rod 28 being twisted.

(34) A belt-reel-side end 30 of the torsion rod 28, which is always non-rotatably connected to the belt reel 14, is rotated relative to the locking-mechanism-side end 26 for this purpose.

(35) The stopping mechanism 22 is set up for the purpose of fixing the belt reel 14 on the frame 12 by means of a clutch 32, the clutch 32 fixing the belt reel 14 on the side of the frame 12 on which the stopping mechanism 22 is arranged.

(36) The stopping mechanism 22 is then in a stopped state. This is always set up when the belt-reel-side end 30 is twisted by a predefined number of revolutions in relation to the locking-mechanism-side end 26 and the locking mechanism 20 is situated in the locked stated.

(37) A counting mechanism 33, in this case, records whether the predefined number of revolutions has been reached. The counting mechanism 33 also sets up the stopped state of the stopping mechanism 22.

(38) A housing part, which covers the stopping mechanism 22, has been left out from FIG. 2 so that an actuating disk 34 of the clutch 32 is visible. A toothing 36, which interacts with a pawl 38 of the stopping mechanism 22, is arranged in the actuating disk 34.

(39) The pawl, in this case, is pivotably mounted on the belt reel 14.

(40) With the stopping mechanism 22 in a stopped state (see FIG. 4), the pawl 38 engages in the toothing 36 of the actuating disk 34. The actuating disk 34 is then entrained via the pawl 38 and rotated in such a manner that the clutch 32 is closed and the belt reel 14 is fixed on the frame 12. This is effected such that the belt reel 14 is at least no longer able to rotate in the unwinding direction 16 in relation to the frame 12.

(41) With the stopping mechanism 22 in a released state (see FIG. 3), the pawl 38 does not engage in the toothing 36. The clutch 32 consequently remains open and the belt reel 14 is able to rotate freely in the frame 12, at least as regards the stopping mechanism 22.

(42) In the released state, the pawl 38 is retained by a locking pin 40, which is arranged in a retaining opening 42 of the pawl 38. The locking pin 40, in this case, is mounted so as to be displaceable in the belt reel 14.

(43) The locking pin 40 is removed from the retaining opening 42 in the stopped state.

(44) The pawl 38, in this case, is acted upon by a spring 44 in the direction of the toothing 36 of the actuating disk 34. This means that the pawl 38 is pretensioned in the direction of the locked state.

(45) The stopped state is set up when the belt-reel-side end 30 is rotated by a predefined number of revolutions in relation to the blocking-mechanism-side end 26 with the blocking mechanism 20 in the blocked state. The torsion rod 28 is the twisted by the predefined number of revolutions.

(46) The counting mechanism 33 is explained below by way of various embodiments. The counting mechanism 33 is set up for the purpose of removing the locking pin 40 from the retaining opening 42 when the predefined number of revolutions has been reached.

(47) In a first embodiment of the belt retractor 10 shown in FIGS. 5-8, the counting mechanism 33 is based on a thread 50.

(48) The thread 50 is connected to the locking pin 40 at one end. The thread 50 is connected to a winding disk 52 at its other end.

(49) The winding disk 52, in this case, is connected non-rotatably to the locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28. It is additionally arranged substantially coaxially to the torsion rod 28.

(50) The winding disk 52 can be arranged furthermore on a locking disk (not shown in any detail) of the locking mechanism 20.

(51) The released state of the stopping mechanism 22 is shown in FIGS. 5-8. This means that the thread 50 includes a thread reserve 53 which is arranged between the winding disk 52 and the locking pin 40 but is not tensioned.

(52) With the stopping mechanism 22 in a stopped state (not shown in any detail), the thread reserve 53 is so small that the thread 50 is tensioned between the winding disk 52 and the locking pin 40 and the locking pin 40 is removed from the retaining opening 42 by means of the thread 50.

(53) The thread can be arranged, in this case, in a housing 54 which is connected non-rotatably to the belt reel 14. The locking pin 40 is also situated at least in part in the housing 54 in the stopped state.

(54) The stopping mechanism 22 and the counting mechanism 33 of the first embodiment of the belt retractor 10 function as follows.

(55) In a released state, the locking pin 40 is situated initially in the retaining opening 42 of the pawl 38. The thread reserve 53 of the thread 50 rests loosely inside the housing 54.

(56) If the locked state of the locking mechanism 20 is then set up, that is to say the locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28 is fixed to the frame 12, the belt reel 14 is only able to be rotated in the unwinding direction 16 within the framework of the belt force limitation still with the torsion rod 28 under torsion.

(57) In the case of said rotation, the thread 50 is wound onto the winding disk 52 as the winding disk 52 is also rotated relative to the locking pin 40 and consequently the two ends of the thread 50 are rotated relative to one another.

(58) The length of the thread reserve 53, that is to say also the length of the thread 50 overall, is matched in this case such that at a predefined number of revolutions, the thread 50 is tensioned between the winding disk 52 and the locking pin 40 and the thread 50 pulls the locking pin 40 out of the retaining opening 42. The locking pin 40 then rests at least in part inside the housing 54.

(59) The pawl 38 then engages in the toothing 36 and the stopping mechanism 22 is in the stopped state.

(60) A second embodiment of the belt retractor 10 is shown in FIGS. 9-12

(61) In this embodiment the counting mechanism 33 differs from that of the first embodiment.

(62) The counting mechanism 33 here includes a latching continuation 56 which is realized on the locking pin 40 and is produced in one piece with the locking pin 40.

(63) A latching toothing 58, via which the latching continuation 56 interacts with a latching element 60, is arranged on the latching continuation 56. The latching element 60 includes a latching-continuation-side end 62, which can be a resilient latching arm, for this purpose.

(64) Furthermore, the latching element 60 interacts with an actuating disk 64. An actuating-disk-side end 66 is provided on the latching element 60 for this purpose.

(65) The latching element 60 is pretensioned in the direction of the actuating disk 64 by means of a spring 68 so that the latching element 60, more precisely the actuating-disk-side end 66, always abuts against an actuating contour 67 of the actuating disk 64.

(66) The actuating disk 64 is coupled non-rotatably with the locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28 and is arranged coaxially thereto. In this case, the actuating disk 64 can be arranged in particular on a locking disk of the locking mechanism 20.

(67) The latching continuation 56, the latching element 60 and the spring 68 are preferably arranged in a housing 69 which is mounted non-rotatably on the belt reel 14.

(68) The latching element 60 and the latching continuation 56 extend substantially parallel inside the housing.

(69) The method of operation of the second embodiment is as follows.

(70) Proceeding with the stopping mechanism 22 in a released state, in which the locking pin 40 is arranged at least in part in the retaining opening 42 of the pawl 38, the locking mechanism 20 is moved in a locked state.

(71) The locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28 is therefore fixed in the frame 12 of the belt retractor 10.

(72) If, within the framework of the belt force limitation, the belt-reel-side end 30 of the torsion rod 28 is rotated in relation to the locking-mechanism-side end 26, the latching continuation 56 and the latching element 60 are rotated relative to the actuating disk 64 and the actuating contour 67.

(73) On account of the spring loading provided by the spring 68, the actuating-disk-side end 66 of the latching element 60 always abuts, in this case, against the actuating contour 67 of the actuating disk 64.

(74) In dependence on the actuating contour 67, the latching element 60 can then be displaced relative to the latching continuation 56 in opposition to a direction of extraction 70 of the locking pin 40. The latching toothing 58 and the latching-continuation-side end 62 interact, in this case, in such a manner that the latching toothing 58 is traveled over by the latching-continuation-side end 62, i.e. the latching element 60 is moved 70 relative to the latching continuation 56 in opposition to the direction of extraction without moving said latching continuation.

(75) The latching element 60, however, always entrains the latching continuation 56 in the direction of extraction 70, i.e. there is no relative movement between the latching element 60 and the latching continuation 56 in the direction of extraction 70.

(76) The latching continuation 56, and consequently the locking pin 40, is therefore moved in a controlled manner in the direction of extraction 70 in dependence on the position of the actuating contour 67 of the actuating disk 64.

(77) The actuating contour 67 includes a ramp in the embodiment shown see in particular FIG. 12).

(78) If the locking-mechanism-side end 26 and the belt-reel-side end 30 of the torsion rod 28 are rotated in relation to one another in such a manner that the ramp cooperates with the actuating-disk-side end 66 of the latching element 60, the latching element 60 is displaced in opposition to the force of the spring 68. In this case, the latching-continuation-side end 62 travels over, for example, a tooth of the latching toothing 58.

(79) If the actuating contour 67 is rotated further so that the actuating-disk-side end 66 no longer engages the ramp, the latching element 60 is moved back in the direction of the actuating disk 64 by the spring 68. In this case, the latching-continuation-side end 62 entrains the latching projection 56.

(80) In the embodiment shown, with each full relative rotation of the actuating disk 64, the latching continuation 56, and consequently the locking pin 40, is therefore pulled out of the retaining opening 42 by an increment.

(81) The actuating contour 67 of the actuating disk 64, in this case, is designed such that after the predefined number of revolutions, the locking pin 40 is removed fully from the retaining opening 42. The pawl then engages in the toothing 36 and the stopping mechanism 22 is in its stopped state.

(82) A third embodiment of the belt retractor 10 is shown in FIGS. 13-18. Said embodiment differs from the first and the second embodiment of the belt retractor 10 with regard to the counting mechanism 33.

(83) The counting mechanism 33 here includes a locking pin continuation 72 which is arranged on the locking pin 40.

(84) The locking pin continuation 72 extends, in this case, up to a contact surface 74 which is coupled non-rotatably with the locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28. It therefore extends substantially over the entire length of the torsion rod 28.

(85) The locking pin continuation 72 is spring-loaded in the direction of the contact surface 74 so that it always abuts against the contact surface 74. The associated spring is not shown in the figures.

(86) Furthermore, said embodiment includes a cutting disk 76 which is also connected non-rotatably to the locking-mechanism-side end 26. The cutting disk 76, in this case, is at a spacing from the contact surface 74 in the direction of the pawl 38.

(87) The contact surface 74 and the cutting disk 76 can be arranged in particular on a locking disk (not shown further) of the locking mechanism 20.

(88) The locking pin continuation 72, in this case, is mounted in a guide which is fixed with reference to the belt reel 14. The guide can also be arranged, in this case, in a housing (not shown in any detail).

(89) The method of operation of the counting mechanism 33 is as follows.

(90) Proceeding with the locking mechanism 20 in a locked state and the stopping mechanism 22 in a released state where the locking pin 40 is arranged in the retaining opening 42, the locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28 is fixed on the frame 12.

(91) The contact surface 74 and the cutting disk 76 are consequently also connected non-rotatably to the frame 12.

(92) Within the framework of the belt force limitation, however, the belt-reel-side end 30, the belt reel 14 and consequently also the locking pin 40 and the locking pin continuation 72 can also be rotated relative to the locking-mechanism-side end 26.

(93) In the case of such a rotation, the locking pin continuation 72 runs circumferentially against the cutting disk 76 in a predefined position so that a segment 77, which corresponds substantially in its length to the distance between the cutting disk 76 and the contact surface 74, is severed from the locking pin continuation 72.

(94) The cutting disk 76 is realized with sharp edges at the corresponding positions for this reason.

(95) The locking pin continuation 72 is shortened as a result and is moved by a section which corresponds to the length of the severed segment 77 in the direction of the locking-mechanism-side end 26.

(96) The cutting disk 76, the locking pin continuation 72 and the contact surface 74 are set up, in this case, such that after the predefined number of revolutions a sufficient quantity of segments 77 are severed from the locking pin continuation 72 so that the locking pin 40 is removed from the retaining opening 42.

(97) The pawl 38 then engages in the toothing 36 and the stopping mechanism 22 is situated in the stopped state.

(98) The segments 77 of the locking pin continuation 72 which are to be severed individually can be separated from one another by notches 78. The cutting disk 76 then severs the segments 77 from the remainder of the locking pin continuation 72 preferably in the region of the notches 78.

(99) FIGS. 19 to 26 show a fourth embodiment of the belt retractor 10.

(100) In this case, the counting mechanism 33 includes a triggering disk 80 which is arranged substantially coaxially to the torsion rod 28 and is connected non-rotatably to the locking-mechanism-side end 26 of the torsion rod 28.

(101) The triggering disk 80 can be formed integrally with other components of the locking mechanism 20.

(102) The triggering disk 80 comprises a retaining surface 82 which extends substantially around the torsion rod 28 and against which, in the released state, an end of the locking pin 40 remote from the pawl 38 abuts (see in particular FIG. 20 and FIG. 21).

(103) In addition, the triggering disk 80 includes an indentation 84 which interrupts the retaining surface 82 and in which the end of the locking pin 40 remote from the pawl 38 engages in the stopped state (see in particular FIG. 22 and FIG. 23). This results in the locking pin no longer engaging in the retaining opening 42 of the pawl 38 and releasing it.

(104) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 26, the retaining surface extends around substantially 301°. The indentation 84 supplements this to form a full ring, extending therefore substantially 59° around the torsion rod 28.

(105) The locking pin 40 is pretensioned by means of a spring 86 in the direction of the triggering disk 80. Consequently, the end of the locking pin 40 remote from the pawl 38 always abuts reliably against the retaining surface 82 or the indentation 84.

(106) The spring 86, in this case, can act on a collar 88 which is provided on the locking pin 40.

(107) Additionally, in the present embodiment, the spring 86 is arranged in a housing 90 which is mounted on the belt reel 14 and is preferably produced from plastics material.

(108) At the same time, the locking pin 40 extends substantially parallel to the torsion rod 28 and is mounted on the belt reel 14.

(109) The pawl 38 is additionally retained in the present embodiment by means of a safety element 92.

(110) The safety element 92, in this case, serves for the bearing arrangement of the pawl 38 and of the end of the locking pin 40 which engages in said pawl. In this case, the safety element 92 is not specific to the fourth embodiment. It is able to be used in conjunction with all named embodiments.

(111) In addition, an actuating mechanism of the clutch 32 is shown in the fourth embodiment of the belt retractor 10. Said actuating mechanism is also able to be used in conjunction with all embodiments.

(112) It includes a first actuating disk 34a, a second actuating disk 34b and a third actuating disk 34c of the clutch 32. In this case, the third actuating disk 34c is interposed between the first actuating disk 34a and the second actuating disk 34b.

(113) The toothing 36, in which the pawl 38 engages in the stopped state, is provided on the first actuating disk 34a.

(114) In the stopped state, the first actuating disk 34a is rotated by a predefined first rotational angle in relation to the second actuating disk 34b and both actuating disks 34a, 34b are rotationally coupled in an actuating direction of the clutch 32.

(115) Additionally, in the stopped state, the third actuating disk 34c is rotated by a predefined rotational angle in relation to the first actuating disk 34a and the third actuating disk is rotationally coupled with the first actuating disk 34a in the stopped state in an actuating direction of the clutch 32.

(116) The same applies to the second and the third actuating disks 34b, 34c: In the stopped state, the second actuating disk 34b is rotated by a predefined third rotational angle in relation to the third actuating disk 34c and the second actuating disk is rotationally coupled with the third actuating disk 34c in an actuating direction.

(117) Proceeding from the first actuating disk 34a which is rotationally blocked by means of the pawl 38, the clutch 32 is therefore actuated by means of the second actuating disk 34b and the third actuating disk 34c, that is to say is transferred into a state in which it fixes the belt reel 14 to the frame 12.

(118) With the stopping mechanism 22 in the released state, the first actuating disk 34a is rotatable by the predefined first rotational angle in relation to the second actuating disk 34b in the actuating direction of the clutch 32.

(119) The third actuating disk 34c is also rotatable in the released state by the predefined second rotational angle in relation to the first actuating disk 34a in the actuating direction of the clutch 32 and the third actuating disk 34c is rotatable by the predefined third rotational angle in relation to the second actuating disk 34b.

(120) The first, the second and the third rotational angles consequently supplement the rotational angles about which the torsion rod 28 is able to be rotated before the clutch 32 fixes the belt-reel-side end 30 to the frame 12.

(121) In other words, the actuating disks 34a, 34b, 34c realize a secondary counting mechanism, by means of which the angles or numbers of revolutions which can be recorded by means of the counting mechanism 33 are able to be supplemented.