Sensor for use in vehicle safety systems, primarily with retractors for seat belt restraints, has sensor mass in shape of upturned cup resting on post with lever rested on top surface of mass

摘要

The sensor has a sensor mass (21) in the form of an upturned cup that is formed in a single piece by injection molding or die casting and which rests on an upstanding post (22). A lever (23) rests on the top surface of the cup so that the lever is lifted in the event of a sudden acceleration/deceleration which causes the cup to tilt. A profiled pad (25) is formed either on the underside of the lever or on the upper surface of the cup, with the cup being formed from either metal or a high density plastic material. The geometry of the hollow inside the cup is such that the mass is constrained in its movement so that it does not come into contact with any components of the assembly other than the lever. The cup has a bell-shaped cross-section with a bulbous skirt bottom edge so that the center of mass is located as far as possible from the center of rotation.