Patent ID: 8979129
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A retractor for a seat belt system of a vehicle, comprising: a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing wherein the webbing moves in an extraction direction and a retraction direction upon rotation of the spool; a frame configured to rotatably support the spool: a cover fixedly coupled to the frame and including a cavity therein: a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, wherein the locking member is configured to move between a free position and a locked position relative to the spool, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction and when the locking member is in the free position, the spool is freely rotatable; a sensor located in the cavity and directly supported by the cover, wherein the sensor is configured to move in a first direction relative to the cover in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration, wherein the first direction is in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle, and wherein movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member from the free position to the locked position; and an insert member that is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, wherein the second direction is in a side to side direction of the vehicle, wherein the sensor consists of a single ball or a single standing man that is movable relative to the insert member, and wherein the insert member is in direct contact with the sensor.