Connecting part for connecting metal wire and braid

Abstract

A connection member for connecting a wire connected to a drive unit of a pretensioner and a webbing for restraining an occupant on a seat, the connection member being provided with: a fixing unit that extends in one direction from the connection member and fixes the webbing; and a shaft portion extending from the connection member in a direction opposite to the one direction to wind and erect the wire, the fixing portion and the shaft portion being provided so that a first plane including a wide surface of the webbing extending in the one direction and a second plane including a ring surface of a ring formed by the wire around a shaft of the shaft portion intersect with each other. If the connecting part is used, fatigue fracture of the metal wire cannot occur even if the passenger presses down the connecting part when getting on and off the bus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connecting component for connecting metal wires and webbing. Background Technology

[0002] In vehicle seatbelt devices, a pretensioner is known that activates in emergency situations such as vehicle collisions, pulling the webbing in via a wire to press the occupant against the seat for a more secure restraint (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-71614 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem the invention aims to solve To connect the wire and webbing, pretensioners are often equipped with different connecting components in different models. For models that use a pull-to-anchor waist system, a quick-release connector is often used as the connecting component; for models that use a pull-to-locking tongue system, a seatbelt buckle is often used. Models that use a quick-release connector for pull-to-anchor waist system are usually called pneumatic lumbar pretensioners (PLP), while models that use a seatbelt buckle for pull-to-locking tongue system are usually called pneumatic buckle pretensioners (PBP).

[0005] However, due to the installation of large batteries and various electronic devices under the chassis in recent vehicles, the gap between the vehicle floor and the seats has become narrower than before. Correspondingly, the installation position of the pretensioner drive unit has gradually moved closer to the seat surface. As the drive unit's installation position gets closer to the seat surface, the connecting component used to connect the wire and the webbing will be positioned slightly protruding from the seat surface on the side of the seat for an extended period. If the connecting component protrudes from the seat surface, the occupant's buttocks may press it down onto the seat surface when getting in and out of the vehicle. When the connecting component is pressed down, the flexible wire will bend and bear excessive tensile load. If this bending action occurs repeatedly, the wire may suffer fatigue fracture.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve such a problem and aims to provide a connecting component for a pretensioner that connects a metal wire and a webbing, so that the metal wire will not suffer fatigue breakage even if the occupant presses it down when getting on or off the vehicle.

[0007] Problem Solving Methods The connecting member of the first embodiment of the present invention is a connecting member for connecting a metal wire connected to the drive part of a pretensioner and a webbing for restraining an occupant to a seat. The connecting member includes: a fixing part that extends from the connecting member in one direction to fix the webbing; and a shaft part that extends from the connecting member in the opposite direction to the one-way direction and winds the metal wire around it. The fixing part and the shaft part are arranged such that a first plane including the wide surface of the webbing extending in one direction and a second plane including the annular surface of the metal wire forming a loop around the shaft part intersect each other.

[0008] Invention Effects According to the present invention, a connecting component for a pretensioner is provided, which connects a metal wire and a webbing, so that even if the wire is pressed down when passengers get on or off the vehicle, the metal wire will not suffer fatigue breakage. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the quick-connect coupling and its associated peripheral components involved in this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the quick-connect coupling.

[0011] Figure 3 From Figure 1 The arrow view shown indicates a specific direction of observation.

[0012] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view showing the structure of the channel.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of the guide ring.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the change in the metal wire that accompanies the tilting of the quick-connect fitting.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional view of the rivet ring involved in the first variation.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the state of the quick-fixing joint involved in the first modified example after it has been tilted.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the change in the tilting metal wire associated with the quick-fixing joint in the second variation.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the change in the tilting of the metal wire accompanying the quick-fixing joint in the third variation.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the seat belt buckle and its associated peripheral components involved in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 12 It is a 3D view of the rivet ring. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, components marked with the same symbols have the same or similar structures. It should be noted that the scope of the claims of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, all structures described in the embodiments are not necessarily the technical means necessary to solve the technical problems.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the quick-release connector 100 and its associated peripheral components according to this embodiment. The quick-release connector 100 is a type of connecting member for connecting a metal wire 210 connected to the drive unit of the pretensioner 200 and a webbing 300 for restraining an occupant to the seat 900. The webbing 300 is often referred to as a seat belt.

[0023] The pretensioner 200 operates in emergency situations such as vehicle collisions, pulling the webbing 300 in via the wire 210 to press the occupant onto the seat for a more secure restraint. The quick-release connector 100 described in this embodiment is used for the main lumbar support anchoring in the pretensioner 200, specifically a pneumatic lumbar pretensioner (PLP). Furthermore, the vehicle described in this embodiment can be of various types, such as electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and gasoline vehicles with low seating positions like sports cars, as well as other passenger and transport vehicles.

[0024] The pretensioner 200 is mounted on the side 920 of the seat 900 located inside the vehicle. Additionally, Figure 1 In the middle, the direction indicated by the hollow arrow is the front of the vehicle. The occupants enter the vehicle through a door (not shown) located on the side of the vehicle and sit on seat surface 910.

[0025] The pretensioner 200 mainly includes a steel wire 210, a cylinder 220, a gas generator 230, a piston 240, and a fixing bolt 250. The steel wire 210, for example, is a steel wire rope made of stranded metal wire, a tension transmission component known as a cable, and at least one end of the steel wire 210 is connected to the piston 240. The cylinder 220 is a cylindrical component that movably houses the piston 240. The gas generator 230 is a power source, for example, a miniature gas generator (MGG).

[0026] The cylinder 220, gas generator 230, and piston 240 function as the drive unit of the pretensioner 200. Specifically, the gas generator 230 is electrically connected to the ECU located in the vehicle and generates gas when it receives an action signal from the ECU. The generated gas flows into the cylindrical space within the cylinder 220, instantly increasing its internal pressure and causing the piston 240 to move rapidly. As the piston 240 moves, a portion of the wire 210 connected to the piston 240 is pulled into the cylindrical space. As a result, the webbing 300 connected via the quick-release connector 100 is also pulled under the seat 900, increasing the restraint force that holds the occupant to the seat 900.

[0027] The drive unit of the preload 200, which includes a cylinder 220, a gas generator 230, and a piston 240, is fixed to the frame of the vehicle or seat 900 via a fixing bolt 250. Additionally, as shown in the figure, a steel wire 210 is wound around the axis of the fixing bolt 250 and connected to the piston 240.

[0028] The end of the webbing 300 is connected to a waist anchor 310, for example, formed of a metal plate, which is fixed to a quick-release connector 100. If the waist anchor 310 is fixed to the quick-release connector 100 by the operator, the occupant, as the vehicle user, cannot easily remove the waist anchor 310 from the quick-release connector 100 without the use of tools or the like.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of the quick-connect coupling 100. The quick-connect coupling 100 mainly comprises a housing 110, a channel 120, a wire rivet 130, a guide ring 141, a locking pin 150, a locking plate 151, and a force-applying spring 152. The housing 110 includes a first housing 111 and a second housing 112, which are assembled opposite to each other to form the housing of the quick-connect coupling 100. The channel 120 is a substrate for connecting the wire 210 and the webbing 300, and is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate. The channel 120 can also be constructed by combining multiple bent metal plates to form a slit 123 for insertion into the waist anchor 310.

[0030] The front end of the wire rivet 130 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 in the channel 120 and riveted, serving as a shaft for winding and mounting the wire 210. As shown in the figure, the wire 210 forms a loop around the shaft of the wire rivet 130 and is wound and mounted. Two guide rings 141 are positioned opposite each other and clamp the wire 210 from both sides, inserting it into the shaft of the wire rivet 130. The guide rings 141 are retaining members that hold the wire 210 and allow it to rotate together with the wire rivet 130. The specific structure will be described later.

[0031] The locking pin 150, locking plate 151, and force-applying spring 152 are assembled on the channel 120, serving as a fixing part for securing the waist anchor 310. Specifically, the front end of the waist anchor 310 is inserted into the slit 123 of the channel 120, and the locking groove 311 provided at the front end engages with the locking plate 151, which is force-applied by the force-applying spring 152, thereby fixing the waist anchor 310 to the channel 120. In addition, as shown in the figure, the direction in which the metal wire 210 wound on the quick-lock connector 100 extends from the quick-lock connector 100 is opposite to the direction in which the webbing 300 fixed on the quick-lock connector 100 extends from the quick-lock connector 100.

[0032] Figure 3 From Figure 1 The arrow view shown is obtained by observing from a specific direction. In particular, Figure 3 (A) is from Figure 1 View A obtained by observing from direction A is shown. Figure 3 (B) is from Figure 1 View B is obtained by observing from direction B. (See image B.) Figure 3 As shown in (A), the metal wire 210 wound and mounted on the quick-connect coupling 100 forms a loop (the obliquely lined portion). The plane containing this loop is designated as the second plane. (See reference.) Figure 1 It can be understood that the second plane is a plane parallel to the width direction of the vehicle and is almost perpendicular to the side 920 of the seat 900. Additionally, the annular surface can be conceived as the surface in contact with the metal wire forming the annulus, or as the surface of the central axis forming the metal wire.

[0033] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown in (B), the plane comprising the wide section (diagonal portion) of the webbing 300 fixed to the quick-connect coupling 100 is designated as the first plane. (Reference) Figure 1 It can be understood that the first plane is a plane that is almost parallel to the side 920 of the seat 900 and is orthogonal to the width direction of the vehicle. Additionally, the wide surface can be either the surface or the back of the webbing 300.

[0034] In the quick-fix connector 100 of this embodiment, a shaft portion for winding and supporting the metal wire 210 and a fixing portion for fixing the waist anchor 310 are provided with the first and second planes defined as being orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, these shaft portions and fixing portions are implemented using metal wire rivets 130 or locking pieces 151 respectively disposed relative to the channel 120. However, as long as the first and second planes are orthogonal to each other, the structure of the shaft portion and fixing portion can be various. For example, the fixing portion can also directly clamp the end of the webbing 300 that does not have the waist anchor 310. That is, the connecting member for connecting the metal wire 210 and the webbing 300 is not limited to a quick-fix form. For example, it is also possible to provide a slit-shaped insertion hole at the end of the connecting member for inserting the webbing, and fix it to the connecting member by inserting the webbing through the insertion hole and folding it back and sewing it. In this case, the insertion hole for inserting the webbing functions as a fixing portion.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view showing the structure of channel 120. Specifically, Figure 4 (A) is a diagram showing the wire 210 wound and mounted on the wire rivet 130 from the head side of the wire rivet 130 riveted to the channel 120. Figure 4 (B) is Figure 4 (A) shows the C-C cross-sectional view.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown in (A), the metal wire 210 forms a loop with the metal wire rivet 130 as the winding axis. Additionally, as... Figure 4 As shown in (B), even when the wire 210 and the wire rivet 130 rotate together, two guide rings 141 are provided to guide the wire 210 so that the rings do not leave the wire rivet 130 and expand.

[0037] Specifically, at the shaft portion of the wire rivet 130, two guide rings 141, each having a groove for guiding the wire 210, are positioned opposite each other, clamping the wire 210 between them, and riveting the wire rivet 130 relative to the channel 120. Figure 5This is a perspective view of the guide ring 141. As shown, the guide ring 141 has a guide groove 141a for guiding the wire 210. The width of the guide groove 141a is set to be slightly wider than the diameter of the wire 210, allowing the wire 210 to slide somewhat on the guide groove 141a. Furthermore, the trajectory of the guide groove 141a is U-shaped to prevent the loop formed by the wire 210 from expanding around the axis of the wire rivet 130. When riveting the wire rivet 130, the two guide rings 141 are positioned opposite each other, with their respective guide grooves 141a clamping the loop of the wire 210, and are inserted through the axis of the wire rivet 130. When the wire rivet 130 is riveted relative to the channel 120, the two guide rings 141 are fixed relative to the axis of the wire rivet 130. In this case, the two guide rings 141 do not rotate relative to the wire rivet 130, but rotate together with the wire rivet 130 as it rotates. With this structure, the shaft of the wire rivet 130 indirectly supports the wire 210 via the guide ring 141.

[0038] However, due to the need for large batteries and various electronic devices to be mounted under the chassis in recent vehicles, the gap between the vehicle floor and the seats has become narrower than before. Correspondingly, the installation position of the pretensioner drive unit has gradually moved closer to the seat surface. Furthermore, sports cars and similar vehicles already have a low seating position, so the pretensioner drive unit is installed close to the seat surface. When the drive unit is installed close to the seat surface, the quick-release connectors connecting the wires and webbing, as well as the seatbelt buckles, will be positioned slightly protruding from the seat surface on the side of the seat for extended periods. If the quick-release connectors and seatbelt buckles protrude from the seat surface, occupants may press them down towards the seat surface when getting in and out of the vehicle. If the quick-release connectors and seatbelt buckles are pressed down, the flexible wires at their boundaries will bend and bear excessive tensile loads. If this bending action occurs repeatedly, the wires may suffer fatigue fracture.

[0039] In this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the quick-release connector 100 also protrudes from the seat surface 910. Therefore, it is also conceivable that it could be pressed down by the occupant's buttocks, but in this embodiment, the quick-release connector 100 prevents the wire 210 from becoming partially bent. Figure 6 To explain in detail.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the change in the tilted metal wire 210 accompanying the quick-connect coupling 100. Additionally, in Figure 6 In order to show the state of the wire 210, the shaft of the housing 110 and the wire rivet 130 are represented by dashed lines.

[0041] Figure 6 (A) shows the quick-connect coupling 100 not tilted, and... Figure 1 The same state is shown. In this state, since the webbing 300 is suspended towards the shoulder anchor point or hung horizontally around the occupant's waist, the webbing 300 and the wire 210 extend in a roughly straight line if limited to the periphery of the quick-lock connector 100. In this state, the wire 210 does not bend beyond the curvature along the axis of the wire rivet 130, but forms a gentle loop.

[0042] However, as described above and shown in the figure, before the occupant gets into the vehicle, the quick-lock connector 100 is also in a state of being suspended towards the shoulder anchor point, with at least a portion of it protruding beyond the seat surface 910 of the seat 900. In this state, when the occupant attempts to sit on the seat 900 from outside the vehicle, they may press the quick-lock connector 100 down in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow with their buttocks.

[0043] Figure 6(B) shows the quick-release connector 100 being pressed down onto the seat surface 910. In this state, the guide ring 141 also tilts along with the channel 120, and the originally downward-facing U-shaped guide groove 141a rotates 90 degrees. At this time, the wire 210 is pulled horizontally from the shaft of the wire rivet 130. On the other hand, since the wire 210 is connected to the drive part of the pretensioner 200, it bends along a curve that smoothly connects the horizontal direction and the drive part direction, as shown in the figure. In particular, the guide ring 141 allows the wire 210 to slide on the guide groove 141a, so even if a large tension is applied to the wire 210, it will not buckle locally, but will release the tension through moderate sliding and self-adjust to form a larger radius of curvature.

[0044] In other words, such as Figure 3 As shown in (A) and (B), the quick-lock connector 100 maintains a first plane containing the wide surface of the webbing 300, which is substantially perpendicular to a second plane containing the annular surface of the wire 210. Therefore, when the quick-lock connector 100 is tilted down, the annular surface of the wire is substantially perpendicular to the seat surface 910, and the wire 210 is pulled horizontally while sliding moderately, thus preventing local buckling. It will not be bent beyond the curvature along the axis of the wire rivet 130. Therefore, even if the quick-lock connector 100 is repeatedly tilted, the wire 210 will not break. Furthermore, Figure 6 Although the situation when passengers board the vehicle is considered, even if the quick-fix connector 100 tilts in the opposite direction when passengers disembark, it is only a matter of the bending direction of the metal wire 210 being reversed, which can also avoid the local buckling of the metal wire 210.

[0045] Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment above, a guide ring 141 that allows the metal wire 210 to slide on the guide groove 141a is used. However, the guide ring 141 can also be replaced with the one described below. Figure 12 The rivet ring described herein is used to clamp the wire 210 by crimping to prevent slippage. This type of rivet ring also serves as a retaining component for holding the wire 210 and rotating it with the wire rivet 130. When this type of rivet ring is used, with the quick-connect coupling 100 tilted, the wire 210 will not slip within the rivet ring, but will extend horizontally from the shaft of the wire rivet 130 and smoothly bend towards the drive unit. Furthermore, if using… Figure 12 As explained, the structure of the rivet ring is not limited to the case where a sliding anti-protrusion mechanism is provided on the guide groove to snap onto the metal wire 210; any structure that clamps the metal wire 210 is acceptable.

[0046] Here, a first modification that differs from the above-described embodiment will be further described. The difference between the first modification and the above-described embodiment is the presence of a ring structure for fixing and clamping the metal wire 210. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the rivet ring 144 involved in the first modified example. Similar to the guide ring 141, the rivet ring 144 also has a guide groove 144a for clamping the wire 210, but its shape is not U-shaped; its outer peripheral wall is semi-circular, and its inner peripheral wall is annular. Furthermore, an anti-slip block 144b is provided on the surface of the guide groove 144a, in an area roughly surrounded by the outer peripheral wall. Therefore, when the two rivet rings 144 face each other and the wire rivet 130 is riveted relative to the channel 120 so that the wire 210 is clamped between them, the wire 210 and the rivet ring 144 are integrally fixed. That is, such a rivet ring 144 also serves as a retaining member that holds the wire 210 and allows it to rotate together with the wire rivet 130. Additionally, in the area where the outer peripheral wall is not provided, the wire 210 can be displaced about the axis of the wire rivet 130.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the state of the quick-connect coupling 100a involved in the first modified example after it has been tilted, and is related to... Figure 6 (B) Corresponding figure. When the quick-locking connector 100a of the riveting ring 144 involved in the first modified example is tilted and pressed onto the seat surface 910, the annular metal wire 210 is subjected to a large tension on the upper side of the wire rivet 130. As a result, the upper part of the metal wire 210 is wound around the axis of the wire rivet 130 and bends towards the drive unit. On the other hand, the lower part of the metal wire 210 bends towards the drive unit according to the remaining part of the wire length (the part protruding relative to the shortest path) generated by the tilting of the quick-locking connector 100a. Even with such a quick-locking connector 100a, it is possible to prevent the metal wire 210 from becoming locally buckled.

[0048] Further explanation of the variations follows. Figure 9 This diagram illustrates a variation of the tilted wire 210 in the quick-lock connector 100b according to the second modification of the above-described embodiment. The quick-lock connector 100b in the second modification differs from the quick-lock connector 100 described above in that a stepped wire rivet 130' is used instead of a wire rivet 130, and a rotating ring 142 is used instead of a guide ring 141. Since other structures are the same as in the quick-lock connector 100, the same symbols are used for the same elements, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0049] Figure 9 (A) is with Figure 6 (A) The corresponding figure shows the quick-connect coupling 100b in its untilted state. As described above, the wire rivet 130' is a stepped rivet that, when riveted to the channel 120, forms a small gap with the rotating ring 142 to ensure that the rotating ring 142, which clamps and secures the wire 210, can rotate about its axis. The rotating ring 142 is a rotating component that rotates about the axis of the wire rivet 130' while holding the wire 210 in its loop, and it passes through the shaft of the wire rivet 130' while clamping and holding the wire 210. The rotating ring 142 can essentially be the same component as the guide ring 141, and two of them clamping the wire 210 opposite each other can be used as a group. However, since the wire 210 does not need to slide along the guide groove, it can also be a structure in which two opposing rotating rings 142 clamp the wire 210 and press them together.

[0050] Figure 9 (B) is with Figure 6 (B) The corresponding figure shows the quick-lock connector 100b being pressed down and pressed against the seat surface 910. In this modified example, since the rotating ring 142 can rotate about the axis of the wire rivet 130', even if the wire rivet 130' riveted to the channel 120 rotates as the channel 120 is tilted, the rotating ring 142 can maintain its posture approximately while the wire 210 is clamped. That is, even if the quick-lock connector 100b is pressed down, the ring of the wire 210 can maintain its posture and shape approximately. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the wire 210 from becoming locally buckled.

[0051] Furthermore, as in this modified example, by positioning the rotating ring 142 between the wire rivet 130' and the loop of the wire 210, friction between the shaft portion of the wire rivet 130' and the wire 210 is reduced. This structure prevents wear on the shaft portion of the wire rivet 130'. Additionally, by clamping and retaining the wire 210 with the rotating ring 142, the wire 210 is prevented from leaving the wire rivet 130' and expanding, thus maintaining its loop shape.

[0052] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates a variation of the tilted wire 210 in the quick-connect coupling 100b according to the third modification of the above-described embodiment. The quick-connect coupling 100c in the third modification differs from the quick-connect coupling 100b in that it omits the rotating ring 142 while employing the wire rivet 130' as described in the second modification, and it also employs a wire strap 211. Since other structures are the same as those in the quick-connect coupling 100b, the same symbols are used for the same elements, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0053] Figure 10 (A) is with Figure 9 (A) The corresponding figure shows the quick-connect coupling 100c in its untilted state. As described above, the wire rivet 130' is a stepped rivet, which forms a shaft portion with a length longer than the diameter of the wire 210, so that when riveted to the channel 120, the loop of the wire 210 can rotate about its shaft. The wire 210 is bound at the root of the loop by a wire bundle 211 to maintain the shape of the loop.

[0054] Figure 10 (B) is with Figure 9 (B) The corresponding figure shows the quick-connect coupling 100c being pressed down and pressed onto the seat surface 910. In this modified example, since the loop of the wire 210 can rotate about the axis of the wire rivet 130', even if the wire rivet 130' riveted to the channel 120 rotates as the channel 120 tilts, the loop of the wire 210 can maintain its posture and shape approximately. That is, by making at least a portion of the loop of the wire 210 contact the outer periphery of the wire rivet 130' and rotating relative to the wire rivet 130 about its axis, the posture and shape of the loop are maintained approximately. Therefore, even with such a simple structure, the wire 210 can be prevented from becoming locally buckled.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment and its three variations, the quick-fix connector of the pneumatic waist pretensioner (PLP), which is mainly used for pulling and anchoring the waist in the pretensioner 200, has been described. However, the same structure can also be applied to the seat belt buckle used in the pneumatic buckle pretensioner (PBP), which is a type of locking tongue. Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing a seatbelt buckle 400 and its associated peripheral elements according to another embodiment of this invention. Figure 11 Is with Figure 1 In the corresponding figures, for structures that are the same as those in the above-described embodiments, unless otherwise specifically mentioned, the same symbols are used and their descriptions are omitted.

[0056] In the case of a pneumatic buckle pretensioner (PBP), the connecting component for connecting the metal wire 210, which is connected to the drive unit of the pretensioner 200, and the webbing 300, which is used to restrain the occupant to the seat, is the seatbelt buckle 400. Unlike the quick-release coupling 100, which detachably secures the webbing 300, the seatbelt buckle 400 has a detachable mechanism for securing the webbing 300.

[0057] Specifically, the latch 320, which slidably inserts into the webbing 300, has a tongue plate 321 detachably connected to the seatbelt buckle 400, which has a locking mechanism for locking the tongue plate 321. The locking mechanism is, for example, a mechanism that is locked by a force hook when the tongue plate 321 is inserted, and the locking state is released when a button is pressed.

[0058] The latch 320 has the function of dividing the webbing 300 into a part that hangs diagonally relative to the occupant's chest and a part that hangs laterally relative to the occupant's waist. However, when the latch 320 is mounted on the seat belt buckle 400, the direction in which the webbing 300 extends from the seat belt buckle 400 is roughly opposite to the direction in which the wire 210 wound on the seat belt buckle 400 extends from the seat belt buckle 400.

[0059] The seatbelt buckle 400, like the quick-lock connector 100, features a wire rivet 130, with the wire 210 looping around the axis of the wire rivet 130 and wound around it. Therefore, in the seatbelt buckle 400, the first plane including the wide surface of the webbing 300 and the second plane including the loop surface of the wire 210 are approximately orthogonal. Thus, when the seatbelt buckle 400 is tilted down, the loop surface is approximately perpendicular to the seat surface 910, and the wire 210 is pulled horizontally, thus preventing localized buckling. Therefore, even if the seatbelt buckle 400 is repeatedly tilted, the wire 210 will not break. This is also true when the latch 320 disengages from the seatbelt buckle 400, and only the seatbelt buckle 400 is tilted.

[0060] The seatbelt buckle 400 is more often pressed down by the occupant when the latch 320 is disengaged. That is, the latch 320 is engaged with the seatbelt buckle 400 after the occupant is seated on the seat surface 910. Therefore, to facilitate the engagement of the latch 320, the seatbelt buckle 400 is preferably upright even when the latch 320 is disengaged. Therefore, in the seatbelt buckle 400, a sliding inhibition member is used instead of the guide ring 141 to prevent sliding around the axis.

[0061] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the rivet ring 143, an example of a sliding inhibition component. Like the guide ring 141, the rivet ring 143 has a guide groove 143a for clamping the wire 210, but a plurality of sliding prevention protrusions 143b are arranged on the surface of the guide groove 143a. Therefore, when two rivet rings 143 are placed opposite each other and the wire 210 is clamped between them to rivet the wire rivet 130 to the channel 120, the sliding prevention protrusions 143b lock the wire 210, preventing the wire 210 from sliding.

[0062] The above description illustrates examples of the quick-release coupling 100 and the seatbelt buckle 400. The quick-release coupling 100 has a fixing portion for securing the webbing 300 and a shaft portion for winding and mounting the wire. A first plane including the wide surface of the webbing 300 and a second plane including the annular surface of the wire 210 are approximately orthogonal to each other. However, when the quick-release coupling 100 or the seatbelt buckle 400 is pressed down, the first and second planes can also be intersecting if the wire 210 does not bend to a degree greater than the curvature along the shaft portion of the wire rivet 130. This relationship also depends on the thickness of the wire 210 and the diameter of the shaft portion of the wire rivet 130, but it is acceptable as long as the first and second planes intersect within a range of approximately 60 to 120 degrees.

[0063] Alternatively, if the seatbelt buckle 400 is not required to be upright even when the locking tongue 320 is disengaged, the seatbelt buckle 400 may also adopt the winding structure of the wire 210 in the quick-lock connector 100b or the winding structure of the wire 210 in the quick-lock connector 100c.

[0064] Symbol Explanation 100, 100a, 100b, 100c… Quick-connect couplings 110…shell 111…first shell 112…Second housing 120…Channel 121, 122… through holes 123… slits 130, 130'... wire rivet 141... guide ring 141a…Guide groove 142…Rotating ring 143…Rivet ring 143a…Guide groove 143b…Sliding to prevent protrusions 144…Rivet ring 144a…Guide groove 143b…Sliding to prevent protrusion 150…locking pin 151…locking plate 152…Force spring 200…Preload 210…metal wire 211…metal wire bundle 220… cylinder 230… gas generator 240…piston 250…fixing bolt 300…webbing 310…waist anchoring 320…Lock tongue 321…Lock plate 311… Locking groove 400… Seat belt buckle 900… Seat 910… Seat surface 920…side view

Claims

1. A connecting component, This connecting component is used to connect the metal wire connected to the drive unit of the pretensioner and the webbing used to restrain the occupant to the seat. It possesses: A fixing part extends from the connecting member in one direction to fix the webbing; The shaft portion extends from the connecting member in the opposite direction and is wound around and supported by the metal wire. The fixing part and the shaft part are arranged such that a first plane including the wide surface of the webbing extending in the one direction and a second plane including the annular surface of the metal wire forming the loop around the shaft part intersect each other.

2. The connecting component as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The fixing part and the shaft part are configured such that the first plane and the second plane are orthogonal to each other.

3. The connecting member as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, It has a retaining member that holds the metal wire and is able to rotate together with the shaft.

4. The connecting member as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The retaining member is provided with a guide groove that allows the ring to slide along a trajectory set around the shaft portion.

5. The connecting member as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The retaining member is provided with a guide groove that allows a portion of the ring to bend along the outer periphery of the shaft.

6. The connecting member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, It has a rotating component capable of holding the metal wire and rotating it about the shaft.

7. The connecting member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least a portion of the ring is in contact with the outer periphery of the shaft and is capable of rotating about the shaft.

8. The connecting member as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The fixing part has a loading and unloading mechanism for loading and unloading the webbing.

Images