Seat belt anchors

Abstract

A seat belt assembly includes an integral anchor having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, and a spring connecting the first plate to the second plate. The first plate has a webbing mount. The second plate has a vehicle mount.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle restraint systems, and more particularly to vehicle restraint systems having seat belt anchors. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle restraint system includes a seat belt assembly for reducing the likelihood of death or serious injury in a traffic collision or emergency stop by reducing the force of a secondary impact. In the process of restraining an occupant, a load may be applied across the chest or lap by the seat belt webbing. In particular, the seat belt assembly includes a webbing that extends across the chest and lap of the occupant. During a vehicle collision, the webbing applies a load across the chest or lap of the occupant while securing the occupant to the seat. Summary of the invention

[0003] A seat belt assembly includes a monolithic anchor having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, and a spring connecting the first plate to the second plate. The first plate has a webbing mount. The second plate has a vehicle mount.

[0004] The spring may be a coil spring.

[0005] The integral anchor may be metallic.

[0006] The seat belt assembly may include a sleeve and the integral anchor may be disposed within the sleeve.

[0007] The sleeve may include an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, and the first plate may extend from the sleeve at the open end.

[0008] The sleeve may define a cavity, and the spring may be disposed entirely within the cavity.

[0009] The sleeve may be plastic.

[0010] The vehicle mount may be a first aperture, and the sleeve may define a second aperture axially aligned with the first aperture.

[0011] The spring may be designed to deform when a threshold amount of force is applied, which may be based on a standard crash test dummy.

[0012] The standard crash test dummy may be a Hybrid Type III 50th percentile male dummy.

[0013] The integral anchor may be 3-D printed.

[0014] The integral anchor may have a longitudinal axis, and the first plate, the second plate, and the spring may be aligned along the longitudinal axis, and the spring may be less stiff than the first plate and the second plate along the longitudinal axis.

[0015] The spring may be less stiff than the first plate and the second plate in tension.

[0016] The integral anchor may have a transverse axis and may include a plurality of springs spaced apart from one another along the transverse axis connecting the first plate to the second plate.

[0017] The seat belt assembly may include a webbing secured to the first plate.

[0018] The webbing mount may be a slot and the webbing may be disposed within the slot.

[0019] The first plate, the second plate and the spring may be formed from the same type of material.

[0020] The integral anchor may be made of stainless steel.

[0021] The first plate may have a first thickness, the second plate may have a second thickness, and the spring may have a third thickness that is equal to or less than the first thickness and the second thickness.

[0022] The first plate may have a first thickness, and the spring may have a second thickness that is less than half of the first thickness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a plurality of seat belt assemblies.

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of an anchor of a seat belt assembly.

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an anchor of a seat belt assembly.

[0026] Figure 4 It is accompanied by a force Figure 1 A perspective view of an anchor of a seat belt assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring to the drawings, a seat belt assembly 20 for a vehicle 22 includes an integrated anchor 24 having a first plate 26, a second plate 28 spaced apart from the first plate 26, and one or more springs 30 connecting the first plate 26 to the second plate 28. The first plate 26 has a webbing mount 32. The second plate 28 has a vehicle mount 34.

[0028] The seat belt assembly 20 restrains an occupant 36 of the vehicle 22 and helps control the movement of the occupant 36 during a collision of the vehicle 22. In particular, the spring 30 of the integral anchor 24 expands during such a collision, thereby absorbing energy and reducing the likelihood of injury to the occupant 36, for example, by reducing the tension applied to the occupant 36.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown in , the seat belt assembly 20 may include an anchor 24 , a retractor 38 , a webbing 40 , one or more additional anchors 42 , a buckle system 44 , etc. The seat belt assembly 20 may be part of a vehicle 22 .

[0030] The vehicle 22 may be any type of passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle, such as a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, crossover, van, minivan, taxi, bus, etc. The vehicle 22 may include a seat belt assembly 20, one or more seats 46, one or more vehicle pillars, etc. The seat belt assembly 20 restrains an occupant 36 of the seat 46 and / or limits displacement of the occupant 36 relative to the seat 46 during, for example, a frontal and / or rear-end collision.

[0031] The anchors 24 secure the seat belt assembly 20 to a component of the vehicle 22 , such as a floor, a frame of a seat 46 , a body pillar, etc. For example, the first plate 26 may be secured to the webbing 40 and the second plate 28 may be secured to the seat 46 .

[0032] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in , the anchor 24 is unitary, that is, the first plate 26, the second plate 28, and the spring 30 are a one-piece unit without any fasteners, joints, welds, adhesives, etc., securing such components to each other. For example, the first plate 26, the second plate 28, and the spring 30 may be formed simultaneously as a continuous unit, such as by 3-D printing or other suitable manufacturing process.

[0033] The anchor 24 can have a longitudinal axis A1. For example, the anchor 24 can include a first distal end 48 and a second distal end 50 opposite the first distal end 48. The longitudinal axis A1 can extend between the first distal end 48 and the second distal end 50. The anchor 24 can be elongated along the longitudinal axis A1. The first plate 26, the second plate 28, and the spring 30 can be aligned along the longitudinal axis A1, for example, the spring 30 can be between the first plate 26 and the second plate 28 along the longitudinal axis A1.

[0034] The anchor 24 may have a transverse axis A2. The transverse axis A2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1.

[0035] The anchor 24 can be a metal such as aluminum AlSi10Mg, Inconel 625, Inconel718, titanium Ti64, and cobalt chromium CoCrMo. The integral anchor 24 can be made of stainless steel, such as stainless steel 17-4Ph, stainless steel 316L, etc. The anchor 24 can be a single type of material. For example, the first plate 26, the second plate 28, and the spring 30 can be the same type of material. The anchor 24 can be multiple types of materials. For example, the first plate 26 and the second plate 28 can be one type of material, and the spring 30 can be another type of material.

[0036] The anchor 24 can be 3-D printed. The 3-D printed anchor 24 includes a more uniform microstructure than traditional casting or forging materials, thereby providing increased strength. The microstructure can be a lattice structure designed to provide specific properties for the anchor 24. As an example, the anchor 24 can be 3-D printed using selective laser melting (SLM) technology. SLM is a special rapid prototyping technology, such as 3D printing, additive manufacturing (AM), etc., which is intended to use a high power density laser to melt and fuse metal powder together. As another example, fused deposition molding (FDM) can be used, which uses extruded beads or material streams that are hardened to form layers. As another example, electron beam melting (EMB) can be used, which melts metal powder layers with an electron beam in a high vacuum. Other 3D printing processes, technologies and materials can be used.

[0037] The first plate 26 secures the anchor 24 to the webbing 40, for example, via the webbing mount 32. The first plate 26 may extend from the first distal end 48 to the spring 30. The first plate 26 may be elongated along the longitudinal axis A1. The first plate 26 may be planar. The first plate 26 may include a top surface 52 and a bottom surface 54 opposite the top surface 52. The top surface 52 and the bottom surface 54 may extend along the longitudinal axis A1 and the transverse axis A2.

[0038] The first plate 26 has a first thickness T1, such as Figure 3 The first thickness T1 may be between the top surface 52 and the bottom surface 54 of the first plate 26. For example, the first thickness T1 may be 3 mm.

[0039] The webbing mount 32 provides a structure for securing the webbing 40 to the anchor 24. The webbing mount 32 may be a slot 56. Additionally or alternatively, the webbing mount 32 may be one or more holes, one or more fasteners such as clips, bolts, screws, etc., one or more hooks, one or more extrusions, one or more recesses, or any other structure suitable for securing the webbing 40 to the first plate 26, including combinations thereof.

[0040] The second plate 28 secures the anchor 24 to the vehicle 22, for example, to the seat 46, a support column, a floor, etc. The second plate 28 may extend from the second distal end 50 to the spring 30. The second plate 28 may be elongated along the longitudinal axis A1. The second plate 28 may be planar. The second plate 28 may include a top surface 58 and a bottom surface 60 opposite the top surface 58. The top surface 58 and the bottom surface 60 may extend along the longitudinal axis A1 and the transverse axis A2.

[0041] The second plate 28 is spaced apart from the first plate 26, for example, by a spring 30 positioned therebetween.

[0042] The second plate 28 has a second thickness T2. The second thickness T2 may be between the top surface 58 and the bottom surface 60 of the second plate 28. The second thickness T2 may be the same as the first thickness T1. For example, the second thickness T2 may be 3 millimeters.

[0043] The vehicle mount 34 provides a structure for securing the anchor 24 to the vehicle 22. The vehicle mount 34 may be a hole 62. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle mount 34 may be a plurality of holes, one or more slots, one or more fasteners such as clips, bolts, screws, etc., one or more hooks, one or more extrusions, one or more recesses, or any other structure suitable for securing the second plate 28 to the vehicle 22, including combinations thereof.

[0044] One or more springs 30 are designed to deform during a collision of the vehicle 22, for example to absorb energy. For example, the spring 30 can be a coil spring 30, for example, having a circular coiled shape. For example, the spring can be a torsion spring, a tension spring, a disc spring, or any other suitable spring design.

[0045] Each of the one or more springs 30 may include a first end 64 and a second end 66 opposite the first end 64. The first end 64 may be spaced apart from the second end 66 along the longitudinal axis A1, for example, each spring 30 may be aligned along the longitudinal axis A1. The spring 30 may be designed to deform, for example, stretch, along the longitudinal axis A1. For example, the coils of the spring 30 may define an axial axis A3, that is, the coils of the spring 30 are arranged around the axial axis A3. The axial axis A3 of the spring 30 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis A1.

[0046] The springs 30 may connect the first plate 26 to the second plate 28. For example, each of the springs 30 may extend from the first plate 26 at a first end 64 of each spring, and each of the springs 30 may extend from the second plate 28 at a second end 66 of each spring 30.

[0047] The springs 30 may be spaced apart from one another along the transverse axis A2. For example, the springs 30 may be parallel to one another and disposed adjacent to one another along the transverse axis A2. In other words, the first ends 64 of the springs 30 may be aligned with one another along the transverse axis A2, and the second ends 66 of the springs 30 may be aligned with one another along the transverse axis A2.

[0048] Each of the springs 30 may have a third thickness T3. The third thickness T3 may be the outer diameter of the coil spring 30. The third thickness T3 may be equal to or less than the first thickness T1 and the second thickness T2. The third thickness T3 may be less than half the thickness of the first plate 26. For example, the third thickness T3 may be 0.7 mm.

[0049] The spring 30 may be designed to deform when a threshold amount of force F is applied to the anchor 24. In other words, the spring 30 will not deform when less than the threshold amount of force is applied to the spring. The threshold amount of force F may be based on a standard crash test dummy. The standard crash test dummy may be a hybrid III 50th percentile male dummy, a hybrid III 95th percentile male dummy, a hybrid III 5th percentile female dummy, a hybrid III child dummy, etc. For example, the vehicle 22 may be subjected to a standard crash test with a standard crash test dummy as an occupant 36, such as an IIHS medium overlap frontal test, a EuroNCAP medium overlap test, an NHTSA vehicle-to-vehicle side impact test, etc. If the results of such a test show that the dummy is subjected to a greater force than expected, the anchor 24 may be designed to have fewer springs 30, and the spring 30 may be designed to have a less stiffness, for example, through material selection, geometric design changes, etc.

[0050] The spring 30 can be stiffer along the longitudinal axis A1 than the first plate 26 and the second plate 28. For example, the force F along the longitudinal axis A1 (e.g., along the axial axis A3) required to deform the spring 30 can be less than the force required to deform the first plate 26 and / or the second plate 28 along the longitudinal axis A1.

[0051] The spring 30 can be less stiff than the first plate 26 and the second plate 28 in a tension state. For example, the amount of tension F required to deform the spring 30 can be less than the amount of tension required to deform the first plate 26 and / or the second plate 28. For example, the webbing 40 can apply a force F to the first plate 26 of the anchor 24 along the longitudinal axis A1 (e.g., along the axial axis A3) and away from the anchor 24, and the securing of the second plate 28 to the vehicle 22 component can provide a reaction force RF in the opposite direction, thereby placing the first plate 26, the second plate 28, and the spring 30 in a tension state. In this tension state, the spring 30 can deform while the first plate 26 and the second plate 28 do not deform.

[0052] The anchor 24 may have a coating, such as paint. The coating may protect the anchor 24, for example, from corrosion, and provide the anchor 24 with an aesthetic appearance.

[0053] The seat belt assembly 20 may include a sleeve 68. The sleeve 68 may cover and protect the anchor 24. The sleeve 68 may be plastic, such as nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), vinyl, etc., or any other suitable material.

[0054] The sleeve 68 can define a cavity 70. The sleeve 68 can include an open end 72 and a closed end 74 opposite the open end 72. The open end 72 provides access to the cavity 70.

[0055] The sleeve 68 can define a bore 76. The bore 76 can be proximate the closed end 74, ie, the bore 76 can be closer to the closed end 74 than to the open end 72.

[0056] The anchor 24 can be disposed within the sleeve 68, for example, within the cavity 70. The second plate 28 and the spring 30 can be disposed entirely within the cavity 70. For example, the second distal end 50 of the anchor 24 can abut the closed end 74 of the sleeve 68. The aperture 62 of the second plate 28 can be axially aligned with the aperture 76 of the sleeve 68, for example, thereby allowing a fastener to be disposed within the apertures 62, 76 to secure the anchor 24 to the vehicle 22. The first plate 26 can extend from the sleeve 68 at the open end 72, for example, such that the webbing mount 32 is outside of the cavity 70.

[0057] The seat belt retractor 38 may be attached to a component of the vehicle 22, for example, to a spool in a vehicle pillar, to one of the seats 46, etc. The seat belt retractor 38 may be attached in any suitable manner, for example, using one or more fasteners, etc. The seat belt retractor 38 may include. A spool may be freely rotatable within the retractor 38. The spool may be adapted to receive the webbing 40, for example, by including a webbing attachment slot and allowing the webbing 40 to be wound around the spool. The seat belt retractor 38 may include a locking mechanism that inhibits rotation of the spool when the vehicle 22 is subjected to deceleration exceeding a threshold amount (e.g., during a collision of the vehicle 22).

[0058] The webbing 40 may be formed of a strip of fabric. The webbing 40 may be attached to the reel by wrapping the webbing 40 around the reel. The webbing 40 may be pulled out from the retractor 38, for example, when the locking mechanism does not prevent the reel from rotating.

[0059] The webbing 40 may be secured to the first panel 26, e.g., to the webbing mount 32. For example, the webbing 40 may be disposed within the slot 56. In other words, the webbing 40 may enter one side of the slot 56, e.g., at the top surface 52, and exit an opposite side of the slot 56, e.g., at the bottom surface 54. Such webbing 40 may be secured to itself, e.g., by sewing or the like, thereby defining a loop, wherein a portion of the first panel 26 between the slot 56 and the first distal end 48 is disposed within the loop.

[0060] During a collision of the vehicle 22, the webbing 40 may restrain the occupant 36 of the vehicle 22, thereby generating a tension F in the webbing 40. This force F is transmitted to the anchor 24 and applied along the axial axis A3. The tension F causes the spring 30 to expand, such as Figure 4 , thereby absorbing some of the energy transferred to the webbing 40 during a collision.

[0061] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology used is intended to have the nature of words of description rather than limitation. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible, and the present disclosure can be practiced in ways other than as specifically described.

[0062] According to the present invention, a seat belt assembly is provided having: an integral anchor having a first plate, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, and at least one spring connecting the first plate to the second plate; the first plate having a webbing mount; the second plate having a vehicle mount; and a sleeve extending from the first plate to the second plate and completely surrounding the spring.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the spring is a helical spring.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the integral anchor is metallic.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the sleeve includes an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, and the first plate extends from the sleeve at the open end.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the sleeve defines a cavity and the spring is disposed entirely within the cavity.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the sleeve is plastic.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the vehicle mount is a first aperture and the sleeve defines a second aperture axially aligned with the first aperture.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the spring is designed to deform when a threshold amount of force is applied, the threshold amount of force being based on a standard crash test dummy.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the standard crash test dummy is a Hybrid Type III 50th percentile male dummy.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the integral anchor is 3-D printed.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the integral anchor has a longitudinal axis, and the first plate, the second plate, and the spring are aligned along the longitudinal axis, and the stiffness of the spring is less than the stiffness of the first plate and the second plate along the longitudinal axis.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the spring is less stiff than the first plate and the second plate in tension.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the integral anchor has a transverse axis, and wherein the at least one spring comprises a plurality of springs spaced apart from one another along the transverse axis and connecting the first plate to the second plate.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the above invention also features a webbing secured to the first panel.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the webbing mount is a slot and the webbing is disposed within the slot.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the first plate, the second plate and the spring are formed from the same type of material.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the integral anchor is made of stainless steel.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the first plate has a first thickness, the second plate has a second thickness, and the spring has a third thickness that is equal to or less than the first thickness and the second thickness.

Claims

1. A seat belt assembly, comprising: a unitary anchor having a first plate, a second plate spaced from the first plate, and a spring connecting the first plate to the second plate; The first panel has a webbing mount; and The second plate has a vehicle mounting, The first plate has a first thickness, the second plate has a second thickness, and the spring has a third thickness that is equal to or less than the first thickness and the second thickness.

2. The seat belt assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil spring.

3. The seat belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring is designed to deform when a threshold amount of force is applied, the threshold amount of force being based on a standard crash test dummy.

4. The seat belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the integral anchor is 3-D printed.

5. The seat belt assembly of claim 1 , wherein the integral anchor has a longitudinal axis, and the first plate, the second plate, and the spring are aligned along the longitudinal axis, and the stiffness of the spring is less than the stiffness of the first plate and the second plate along the longitudinal axis.

6. The seat belt assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring is less stiff than the first plate and the second plate in tension.

7. The seat belt assembly of claim 1, wherein the integral anchor has a transverse axis and includes a plurality of springs spaced apart from one another along the transverse axis connecting the first plate to the second plate.

8. The seat belt assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the spring are formed of the same type of material.

9. The seat belt assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a webbing secured to the first plate.

10. The seat belt assembly of claim 9, wherein the webbing mount is a slot and the webbing is disposed within the slot.

11. The seat belt assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a sleeve, the integral anchor being disposed within the sleeve.

12. The seat belt assembly of claim 11, wherein the sleeve includes an open end and a closed end opposite the open end, and the first plate extends from the sleeve at the open end.

13. The seat belt assembly of claim 11, wherein the sleeve defines a cavity and the spring is disposed entirely within the cavity.

14. The seat belt assembly of claim 11, wherein the vehicle mount is a first aperture and the sleeve defines a second aperture, the first aperture being axially aligned with the second aperture.

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