Seat belt anchor

Abstract

A seat belt anchor includes an attachment portion. The seat belt anchor includes a seat belt support portion that is spaced apart from the attachment portion to define a slot therebetween. The seat belt anchor includes a pair of connecting portions that are spaced apart from each other with the slot disposed therebetween and connect the attachment portion to the seat belt support portion and include a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the seat belt support portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicle equipment and, more particularly, to seat belt anchors. Background Art

[0002] The seatbelt portion of a vehicle restraint system secures the occupants of a vehicle to prevent harmful movement that may result from a vehicle collision. The function of the seatbelt is to reduce the likelihood of injury by reducing the impact forces on the occupants from the vehicle's internal structure. In this role, the seatbelt applies loads to the occupant's chest or knees. Controlling or reducing these loads can reduce the risk of occupant injury during a collision. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided a seat belt anchor, comprising:

[0004] Attachment part;

[0005] a seat belt support portion spaced apart from the attachment portion to form a channel therebetween; and

[0006] A pair of connecting portions are spaced apart from each other with a groove provided therebetween and connect the attachment portion to the belt supporting portion and include a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the belt supporting portion.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lattice structure has a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment portion is formed of metal.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the groove defines an axial direction, and the pair of connecting portions are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment portion is spaced apart from the belt supporting portion in the lateral direction, and the pair of connection portions are plastically deformable in the lateral direction.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment portion comprises a lattice structure.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt supporting portion comprises a lattice structure.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pair of connecting portions are formed of metal.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, one pair of connecting parts is 3D printed.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, the attachment portion is formed of a first material and the belt support portion is formed of a second material different from the first material.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt anchor further comprises a housing covering the attachment portion, the connection portion and the seat belt supporting portion.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt anchor further comprises a seat belt positioning portion connected to the attachment portion.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt positioning portion includes a lattice structure defining a first density, and the attachment portion includes a lattice structure defining a second density greater than the first density.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt positioning portion includes a lattice structure defining a first density, and the seat belt supporting portion includes a lattice structure defining a second density, the second density being greater than the first density.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt positioning portion has a first strength, and the attachment portion has a second strength greater than the first strength.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt positioning portion has a first strength, and the seat belt supporting portion has a second strength greater than the first strength.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat belt positioning portion extends from the attachment portion toward the seat belt supporting portion.

[0023] According to the present invention, there is provided a seat belt assembly, comprising:

[0024] Retractor;

[0025] an anchor including an attachment portion, a seat belt support portion, and a pair of connecting portions, the seat belt support portion being spaced apart from the attachment portion to define a slot therebetween, the pair of connecting portions being spaced apart from each other with the slot disposed therebetween and connecting the attachment portion to the seat belt support portion and including a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the seat belt support portion; and

[0026] A webbing is extendable from the retractor and slidably received in the slot.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lattice structure has a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, one pair of connecting parts is 3D printed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle including a plurality of seat belt assemblies;

[0030] Figure 2 is a side view of an exemplary vehicle and one of the seat belt assemblies during a vehicle impact;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a perspective view of an exemplary seat belt anchor of a seat belt assembly;

[0032] Figure 4 The tensile force applied to the connection and the resulting change in the length of the connection Figure 3 A perspective view of an exemplary seat belt anchor;

[0033] Figure 5 has a negative Poisson's ratio Figure 3 Illustration of an example lattice structure of a seat belt anchor;

[0034] Figure 6 Is a tensile force applied Figure 4 Illustration of an example lattice structure;

[0035] Figure 7 has a negative Poisson's ratio Figure 3 An illustration of another exemplary lattice structure unit of a seat belt anchor;

[0036] Figure 8 Is a tensile force applied Figure 7 An illustration of an example unit of;

[0037] Fig. 9 yes Figure 3 A side sectional view of a seat belt anchor;

[0038] Fig.10 It is a graph that depicts the tensile force applied to a connection and the resulting change in the length of the connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The seat belt anchor includes an attachment portion. The seat belt anchor includes a seat belt support portion that is spaced apart from the attachment portion to define a slot therebetween. The seat belt anchor includes a pair of connecting portions that are spaced apart from each other with the slot disposed therebetween, and the pair of connecting portions connect the attachment portion to the seat belt support portion and include a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the seat belt support portion.

[0040] Lattice structures can have a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0041] The attachment portion may be formed of metal.

[0042] The groove may define an axial direction, and the pair of connection portions may be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction.

[0043] The attachment portion may be spaced apart from the belt supporting portion in the lateral direction, and the pair of connection portions may be plastically deformed in the lateral direction.

[0044] The attachment portion may include a lattice structure.

[0045] The seat belt support portion may include a lattice structure.

[0046] The pair of connection portions may be formed of metal.

[0047] The pair of connecting parts may be 3D printed.

[0048] The attachment portion may be formed of a first material and the seat belt support portion may be formed of a second material different from the first material.

[0049] The seat belt anchor may include a housing covering the attachment portion, the connecting portion and the seat belt supporting portion.

[0050] The seat belt anchor may include a seat belt retaining portion connected to the attachment portion.

[0051] The belt positioning portion may include a lattice structure defining a first density, and the attachment portion may include a lattice structure defining a second density greater than the first density.

[0052] The belt positioning portion may include a lattice structure defining a first density, and the seat belt supporting portion may include a lattice structure defining a second density, the second density being greater than the first density.

[0053] The seat belt positioning portion may have a first strength, and the attachment portion may have a second strength greater than the first strength.

[0054] The seat belt positioning portion may have a first strength, and the seat belt supporting portion may have a second strength greater than the first strength.

[0055] The seat belt positioning portion may extend from the attachment portion toward the seat belt supporting portion.

[0056] The seat belt assembly includes a retractor. The seat belt assembly includes an anchor including an attachment portion, a seat belt support portion (which is spaced from the attachment portion to define a slot therebetween), and a pair of connecting portions spaced from each other with the slot disposed therebetween and connecting the attachment portion to the seat belt support portion and a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the seat belt support portion. The seat belt assembly includes a webbing extending from the retractor and slidably received in the slot.

[0057] Lattice structures can have a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0058] The pair of connecting parts may be 3D printed.

[0059] Referring to the drawings, a seat belt anchor 20 for a seat belt assembly 22 includes an attachment portion 24. The seat belt anchor 20 includes a seat belt support portion 26 that is spaced apart from the attachment portion 24 to define a slot 28 therebetween. The seat belt anchor 20 includes a pair of connecting portions 30 that are spaced apart from each other with the slot 28 disposed therebetween and connect the attachment portion 24 to the seat belt support portion 26 and include a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26.

[0060] The attachment portion 24, the seat belt support portion 26, the connecting portion 30 and the seat belt positioning portion 52 (discussed below) are arranged in a Figure 3 and 4 The portions 24, 26, 30, 52 may change immediately at the dotted lines, or may change gradually along the dotted lines.

[0061] Plastic deformation of the connecting portion 30 relative to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26 absorbs energy, thereby reducing forces on an occupant 42 of the vehicle 36 , such as during a collision with the vehicle 36 .

[0062] like Figure 1 and 2 The seat belt assembly 22 shown may include a retractor 32 and a webbing 34. The seat belt assembly 22 may be part of a vehicle 36. The vehicle 36 may be any passenger or commercial motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, crossover, van, minivan, taxi, bus, etc. The vehicle 36 may include the seat belt assembly 22, one or more seats 38, one or more vehicle pillars 40, etc. The seat belt assembly 22 restrains an occupant 42 of the seat 38 and / or limits displacement of the occupant 42 relative to the seat 38 during, for example, a frontal and / or rear impact.

[0063] like Figure 2 , 3 , 4 and 9, secures the seat belt anchor 20 to the vehicle 36. For example, the attachment portion 24 can include, for example, a hole 44 sized to receive a fastener. The fastener (e.g., a bolt) can secure the seat belt anchor 20 to the vehicle 36, for example, to one of the seats 38, one of the pillars 40, etc. The attachment portion 24 can be formed of metal.

[0064] The attachment portion 24 may include a lattice structure. Figures 5 to 8 The lattice structure shown in can be a honeycomb structure including a plurality of interconnected cells 46, i.e., the lattice structure can include a repeating pattern of cells 46 connected to each other. Each cell can be, for example, 1-2 mm in all directions. In such an embodiment, the lattice structure can be integral, i.e., the cells 46 are connected to each other as an integral unit. The cells 46 can be integral to each other, i.e., the cells 46 are integral without seams, joints, fasteners, or adhesives that hold the cells together. As an example, as described below, the cells can be simultaneously formed as a single continuous unit, for example, by 3D printing.

[0065] The cells 46 may have any suitable geometric shape, such as a rectangle, a hexagon, a pyramid, a pentagon, etc. In one example, the cells 46 may have similar sizes and / or shapes. For example, the cells 46 may be rectangular and have similar sizes. Alternatively, some cells 46 may have different sizes and / or shapes than other cells 46.

[0066] The cells 46 may each include a strap 48 connected to each other and / or to straps 48 of adjacent cells 46. The straps 48 may define one or more voids 50 within the cells 46. When the lattice structure is subjected to a tensile force F exceeding a threshold value, the straps 48 deform by bending and / or stretching, causing the lattice structure to elongate. The plastic deformation of the lattice structure may be designed based on the thickness and shape of the straps 48, the ratio of the material of the straps 48 to the voids 50, etc. The ratio of the straps 48 to the voids 50 defines the volume fraction of the cells 46. The volume fraction may be based on the size of each cell, the thickness of the sheet of material used to produce each cell, etc.

[0067] The lattice structure may be produced using various production techniques. For example, the lattice structure may be 3D printed. For example, the lattice structure may be 3D printed using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. SLM is a specific rapid prototyping technology, such as 3D printing, Additive Manufacturing (AM), etc., designed to melt and fuse metal powders together using high power density lasers. Other 3D printing processes, techniques, and materials may be used.

[0068] The lattice structure of the attachment portion 24 can define a density. The density of the lattice structure can be defined by the volume fraction of the cells 46, e.g., the greater the volume fraction, the greater the density. The density of the lattice structure can be defined by the number of straps 48 in a fixed volume of material, e.g., the greater the number of straps 48 in a fixed volume of material, the greater the density. In other words, the density of the lattice structure is the ratio of the straps 48 relative to the total volume of the lattice structure including the gaps between the straps 48. The density of the lattice structure of the attachment portion 24 can be greater than the density defined by the lattice structure of the seat belt positioning portion 52 (discussed below).

[0069] The attachment portion 24 may have strength. The greater the strength, the greater the tensile force F required to deform and / or break the attachment portion 24. The strength of the attachment portion 24 may be based on the size and shape of the attachment portion 24, the material of the attachment portion 24, the lattice structure of the attachment portion 24, etc.

[0070] The seat belt support portion 26 supports the webbing 34. For example, during a collision with the vehicle 36, the occupant 42 applies a tensile force F to the webbing 34, such as Figure 2 The tension F on the webbing 34 is transmitted to the seat belt anchor 20 via the seat belt support portion 26 .

[0071] The seat belt support portion 26 may be formed of metal, as described above for the attachment portion 24. The seat belt support portion 26 may be 3D printed, as described above for the attachment portion 24. The seat belt support portion 26 may include a lattice structure of defined density, as described above for the attachment portion 24. The seat belt support portion 26 may have strength, as described above for the attachment portion 24. The seat belt support portion 26 may be formed of a different material than the material forming the attachment portion 24. For example, the density of the lattice structure of the seat belt support portion 26 may be different than the density of the lattice structure of the attachment portion 24.

[0072] like Figure 2 , 3 , 4 and 9 are spaced from the attachment portion 24 to define a slot 28 therebetween. The slot 28 provides an opening extending from a front surface 54 of the seat belt anchor 20 to a rear surface 56 of the seat belt anchor 20. The slot 28 defines an axial direction A, e.g., extending along the length of the slot 28.

[0073] The attachment portion 24 may be spaced apart from the seat belt support portion 26 in a lateral direction L1. The lateral direction L1 may be perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0074] like Figure 2 , 3, 4 and 9, a pair of connecting portions 30 connect the attachment portion 24 to the seat belt support portion 26. The pair of connecting portions 30 may be spaced apart from each other with the groove 28 disposed therebetween. For example, the connecting portions 30 may be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction A.

[0075] The pair of connecting portions 30 may be formed of metal. The pair of connecting portions 30 may be 3D printed, as described above for the attachment portion 24. The connecting portion 30 may include a lattice structure, as described above for the attachment portion 24.

[0076] The lattice structure of the connecting portion 30 is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26. In other words, a tensile force F applied to the seat belt support portion 26 by the webbing 34, for example, during a collision of the vehicle 36, is applied to the seat belt anchor 20, causing the connecting portion 30 to be plastically deformed more than the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26. For example, when the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26 are not deformed, the application of the tensile force F can cause the connecting portion 30 to be plastically deformed. During this plastic deformation, the length of the connecting portion 30, for example, between the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26, increases to relieve the force applied to the torso of the occupant 42, for example, through the restraint of the webbing 34 to reduce chest compression and / or abdominal compression caused by the inertia of the occupant 42 during a collision of the vehicle 36.

[0077] In the context of the present disclosure, plastic deformation is a deformation of a solid material in which its shape undergoes an irreversible change in response to an applied force. For example, the connecting portion 30 may be plastically deformed when a tensile force F, such as caused during a collision of the vehicle 36, exceeds a threshold value. The connecting portion 30 is plastically deformed when the tensile force F exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value at which the tensile force F plastically deforms the lattice structure of the connecting portion 30 may be defined based on the size, shape, material, etc. of the connecting portion 30. For example, the threshold value at which the tensile force F plastically deforms the lattice structure of the connecting portion 30 may be defined based on the size of the cells 46 of the lattice structure, the shape of the cells 46 of the lattice structure, the volume fraction of the lattice structure, etc. The characteristics of the connecting portion 30 and the characteristics of the lattice structure of the connecting portion 30 may be selected based on the threshold value at which the tensile force F plastically deforms the lattice structure, the estimated weight of the occupant 42, the estimated deceleration force of the vehicle 36 during a collision, etc.

[0078] The pair of connecting portions 30 are plastically deformable in the transverse direction L1. For example, the lattice structures of the connecting portions 30 can be aligned to provide plastic deformation in the transverse direction L1. For example, the opposite ends 58 of the bow-tie lattice structure 60 (discussed below) can be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction L1.

[0079] The deformation of the connection portion 30 in the lateral direction may be relative to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26. For example, the connection portion 30 may be designed to be plastically deformed when a tensile force F is applied to the seat belt anchor 20 in the lateral direction L1, and the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26 may be designed not to be deformed when the tensile force F is applied to the seat belt anchor 20, for example, the connection portion 30 may have a lattice structure with lower strength, lower density, etc. compared to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26.

[0080] The connecting portion 30 may have an initial length D1, such as Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the original length D1 refers to the length of the connecting portion 30 before deformation, such as stretching due to the tensile force F. When the connecting portion 30 is plastically deformed relative to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26, the length of the connecting portion 30 may be extended. In other words, the connecting portion 30 may be stretched from the original length D1 to the length D2 after undergoing plastic deformation. Figure 4 For example, the original length D1 may be, for example, 3 cm, and in response to the pulling force F exceeding a threshold, such as caused by a vehicle collision, the connecting portion 30 may be deformed to an extended length D2 (eg, 4 cm).

[0081] The lattice structure of the connecting portion 30 may have a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR). In other words, the lattice structure of the connecting portion 30 expands in a direction transverse to the direction in which the tensile force is applied. In other words, the material becomes wider when stretched.

[0082] For example, each connecting portion 30 may have an original width W1 such as Figure 3 In this context, the original width refers to the width of one of the connecting portions 30 before deformation, such as stretching due to the tensile force F. When the connecting portion 30 is plastically deformed relative to the attachment portion 24 and the seat belt support portion 26, the width of the connecting portion 30 can increase. In other words, the connecting portion 30 can be stretched from the original width W1 to the extended length W2 after undergoing plastic deformation, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown.

[0083] For example, when a tensile force F is uniformly applied to the opposite ends 58 of the bow-tie lattice structure 60, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The bow-tie lattice structure 60 shown in FIG. 1 provides NPR. Other NPR lattice structures such as the connecting portion 30 may be designed to unfold when a tensile force F is applied in any direction, such as in FIG. Figure 7 and 8The deployment of the NPR structure absorbs energy generated, for example, by the occupant 42 and applied to the webbing 34 during a collision of the vehicle 36. Materials having an NPR lattice structure may be referred to as auxetic materials.

[0084] Fig.10 A graph including a tensile force F and the length of the connecting portion 30 is shown. The connecting portion 30 may have an original length D1. In response to the application of a tensile force F exceeding a threshold value, the connecting portion 30 is deformed to an extended length D2. Fig.10 In the example shown, the lattice structure has a negative Poisson's ratio. In this case, the length of the connecting portion 30 increases as the lattice structure plastically deforms. As the length of the connecting portion 30 increases, due to the negative Poisson's ratio of the lattice structure, when the connecting portion 30 is stretched to the extended length D2, the force required for plastic deformation decreases before rising again.

[0085] exist Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Fig. 9 The seat belt anchor 20 shown may include a seat belt positioning portion 52. The seat belt positioning portion 52 positions the webbing 34 within the slot 28, for example narrowing the slot 28 to inhibit the webbing 34 from folding, rolling, etc. therein. The seat belt positioning portion 52 may be connected to the attachment portion 24. The seat belt positioning portion 52 may extend from the attachment portion 24 toward the seat belt support portion 26. For example, the seat belt positioning portion 52 may extend from the attachment portion 24 into the slot 28.

[0086] The seat belt positioning portion 52 may be formed of metal. The seat belt positioning portion 52 may include a lattice structure of a defined density, as described above with respect to the attachment portion 24. The density of the lattice structure of the seat belt positioning portion 52 may be less than the density of the lattice structure of the attachment portion 24 and / or the density of the lattice structure of the seat belt support portion 26. In other words, the density of the lattice structure of the attachment portion 24 and / or the density of the lattice structure of the seat belt support portion 26 is greater than the density of the lattice structure of the seat belt positioning portion 52.

[0087] The seat belt positioning portion 52 may have strength as described above for the attachment portion 24. The strength of the seat belt positioning portion 52 may be less than the strength of the attachment portion 24 and / or the strength of the seat belt support portion 26. In other words, the strength of the attachment portion 24 and / or the strength of the seat belt support portion 26 may be greater than the strength of the seat belt positioning portion 52.

[0088] The attachment portion 24, the belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30, and / or the belt positioning portion 52 may be formed of the same type of material (e.g., the same type of metal), and may have the same lattice structure, etc. The attachment portion 24, the belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30, and / or the belt positioning portion 52 may be formed of different types of materials (e.g., different types of metal), and may have a lattice structure, etc. The attachment portion 24, the belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30, and / or the belt positioning portion 52 may be formed with a combination thereof, e.g., the attachment portion 24 and the belt support portion 26 may be formed of the same type of material, the connection portion 30 may be formed of a different material than the attachment portion 24 and the belt support portion 26, and the belt positioning portion 52 may be formed of a different material than the connection portion 30, the attachment portion 24, and the belt support portion 26.

[0089] The attachment portion 24, the seat belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30 and / or the seat belt positioning portion 52 can be monolithic, i.e., integral, without seams, joints, fasteners or adhesives that hold the portions 24, 26, 30 together. As an example, the attachment portion 24, the seat belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30 and / or the seat belt positioning portion 52 can be formed in a single 3D printing operation, etc. As an alternative to being monolithic, the attachment portion 24, the seat belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30 and / or the seat belt positioning portion 52 can be formed separately and subsequently connected. For example, the attachment portion 24, the seat belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30 and / or the seat belt positioning portion 52 can be formed separately and subsequently connected by fusion, laser welding, etc.

[0090] The seat belt anchor 20 may include a housing 64 covering the attachment portion 24, the connection portion 30, the seat belt support portion 26, and / or the seat belt positioning portion 52. The housing 64 may be a polymer (e.g., nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), vinyl resin, etc.). The housing 64 presents a uniform appearance of the seat belt anchor 20, i.e., the attachment portion 24, the seat belt support portion 26, the connection portion 30, and / or the seat belt positioning portion 52 may look like a single piece rather than a multi-part piece. In one example, when the connection portion 30 is deformed (elongated), the surface of the housing 64 may be broken.

[0091] The belt retractor 32 may be attached to a component of the vehicle 36 (e.g., one of the pillars 40, one of the seats 38, etc.). The belt retractor 32 may be mounted in any suitable manner (e.g., with one or more fasteners, etc.). The belt retractor 32 may include a spool. The spool may be freely rotatable within the retractor 32. The spool may be adapted to receive the webbing 34, such as by including a webbing connection slot and allowing the webbing 34 to be wound around the spool. The belt retractor 32 may include a locking mechanism that prevents rotation of the spool when the vehicle 36 is subjected to a deceleration exceeding a threshold amount (e.g., during a collision of the vehicle 36).

[0092] The webbing 34 may be formed of a fabric in the shape of a strip. The webbing 34 may be attached to a reel on which the webbing 34 is wound. For example, when the reel is not prevented from rotating by a locking mechanism, the webbing 34 may be extended from the retractor 32. The webbing 34 may be slidably received in the groove 28. For example, the groove 28 may extend in the axial direction A by a distance greater than the width of the webbing 34, and the groove 28 may extend in the transverse direction L1 by a distance greater than the thickness of the webbing 34.

[0093] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A seat belt anchor, comprising: Attachment part; a seat belt support portion spaced apart from the attachment portion to form a channel therebetween; and a pair of connecting portions, the pair of connecting portions being spaced apart from each other with the groove disposed therebetween and connecting the attachment portion to the seat belt support portion and comprising a lattice structure that is plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the seat belt support portion, wherein the lattice structure comprises interconnected cells having straps that define voids within the interconnected cells.

2. The seat belt anchor of claim 1, wherein the lattice structure has a negative Poisson's ratio. 3 . The seat belt anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the groove defines an axial direction, and the pair of connecting portions are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. 4 . The seat belt anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is spaced apart from the seat belt supporting portion in a lateral direction, and the pair of connecting portions are plastically deformable in the lateral direction. The seat belt anchor according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of connecting portions are formed of metal.

6. The seat belt anchor of claim 1, wherein the pair of connecting portions are 3D printed.

7. The seat belt anchor of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is formed of a first material and the seat belt support portion is formed of a second material different from the first material.

8. The seat belt anchor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a housing covering the attachment portion, the connecting portion and the seat belt supporting portion.

9. The seat belt anchor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a seat belt positioning portion connected to the attachment portion.

10. The seat belt anchor of claim 9, wherein the seat belt positioning portion includes a lattice structure defining a first density, and the attachment portion includes a lattice structure defining a second density greater than the first density.

11. The seat belt anchor of claim 9, wherein the seat belt positioning portion includes a lattice structure defining a first density, and the seat belt supporting portion includes a lattice structure defining a second density, the second density being greater than the first density.

12. The seat belt anchor of claim 9, wherein the seat belt positioning portion extends from the attachment portion toward the seat belt supporting portion.

13. A seat belt assembly, comprising: Retractor; an anchor including an attachment portion, a seat belt support portion, and a pair of connecting portions, the seat belt support portion being spaced apart from the attachment portion to define a slot therebetween, the pair of connecting portions being spaced apart from each other with the slot disposed therebetween and connecting the attachment portion to the seat belt support portion, and including a lattice structure plastically deformable relative to the attachment portion and the seat belt support portion, wherein the lattice structure includes interconnected cells having straps defining voids within the interconnected cells; as well as A webbing is extendable from the retractor and slidably received in the slot.

14. The seat belt assembly of claim 13, wherein the lattice structure has a negative Poisson's ratio.

15. A seat belt assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the pair of connecting parts are 3D printed.

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