Seat belt webbing guide

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "seat belt webbing guide". A restraint system includes: a webbing guide shell, the webbing guide shell including a guide portion and an inclined portion; and a member reinforcing the inclined portion. The guide portion includes a slot and an opening passing through the guide portion from the slot, and the inclined portion includes a top surface that is inclined downward in a vehicle inner side direction. The material of the member is stronger than the material of the webbing guide shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle restraint systems, and more particularly to seat belt webbing guides. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle includes a seat belt for each seat in the vehicle. The seat belt includes a webbing that, when the safety buckle is tightened, extends across the occupant of the seat. An anchor attaches one end of the webbing to the seat frame. The other end of the webbing is fed into a retractor, which includes a reel for paying out and retrieving the webbing. A tongue slides freely along the webbing and, when engaged with the buckle, separates the webbing into a lap belt and a shoulder belt. One type of seat belt is a three-point seat belt, which means that the seat belt is attached at three points around the occupant when tightened: the anchor, the retractor, and the buckle. Summary of the invention

[0003] A restraint system includes: a webbing guide shell including a guide portion and an inclined portion; and a member for reinforcing the inclined portion. The guide portion includes a slot and an opening passing through the guide portion from the slot, and the inclined portion includes a top surface that is inclined downward in a vehicle inner side direction. The material of the member is stronger than the material of the webbing guide shell.

[0004] The top surface may be inclined at less than 45° from the horizontal.

[0005] The restraint system may include a seat frame, and the member may be secured to the seat frame. The member may be secured to the seat frame. The member may be secured to the vehicle outboard half of the top surface of the seat frame. The restraint system may include a retractor positioned behind the webbing guide housing. The restraint system may include webbing extending from the retractor to the front of the webbing guide housing. The restraint system may include a cover surrounding the seat frame and extending between the webbing guide housing and the seat frame.

[0006] The member may be press fit into the webbing guide housing.

[0007] The member may include a vertical portion extending vertically and a horizontal portion extending horizontally. The vertical portion may include a top edge that is inclined relative to a horizontal plane at substantially the same angle as the top surface. The restraint system may include a fastener extending through the horizontal portion. The webbing guide shell may include a hole positioned to allow access to the fastener, and the restraint system may also include a cover engageable with the hole. The hole may be positioned on the inclined portion below the top surface. The vertical portion may be press-fit into the webbing guide shell.

[0008] The webbing guide shell may be a single piece.The member may be a single piece.

[0009] The webbing guide housing may be plastic.

[0010] The member may be metal. The member may be steel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including seats.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the seat.

[0013] Figure 3 is a front view of a portion of a seat including a webbing guide.

[0014] Figure 4 is a front view of the seat frame with the webbing guides.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a front cutaway view of a portion of a seat.

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the webbing guide.

[0017] Figure 7 is a rear view of the webbing guide.

[0018] Figure 8 is a top view of the webbing guide.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a top view of the webbing guide with the cover removed for illustration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The restraint system 48 includes: a webbing guide shell 68 including a guide portion 70 and an inclined portion 72; and a member 66 reinforcing the inclined portion 72. The guide portion 70 includes a slot 74 and an opening 76 passing through the guide portion 70 from the slot 74, and the inclined portion 72 includes a top surface 78 that is inclined downward in the vehicle inner side direction. The material of the member 66 is stronger than that of the webbing guide shell 68.

[0021] The webbing guide 64 allows the webbing 52 to be placed inside or outside of the webbing guide 64 at the occupant's option. When, for example, the seat 34 is folded down, the occupant can remove the webbing 52 from the webbing guide 64 so that the webbing 52 provides less obstruction to loading the vehicle 30. The webbing guide 64 is operable both when the webbing 52 is in the webbing guide 64 and in the event that the occupant purposefully or inadvertently positions the webbing 52 outside of the webbing guide 64. When the webbing 52 is outside of the webbing guide 64, the webbing guide 64 provides nominal or no twisting of the webbing 52 and has nominal or no effect on the load limiting and / or pretensioning of the webbing 52. The webbing guide 64 is designed to increase the likelihood of resistance to damage that would affect performance during a collision.

[0022] refer to Figure 1 The vehicle 30 includes a passenger compartment 32 to accommodate occupants of the vehicle 30 (if any). The passenger compartment 32 includes a plurality of seats 34, such as one or more front seats 34 disposed in front of the passenger compartment 32 and one or more rear seats 34 disposed behind the front seats 34. The passenger compartment 32 may also include a third row of seats 34 at the rear of the passenger compartment 32. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the seat 34 is shown as a bucket seat, but the seat 34 can be other or multiple different types. The position and orientation of the seat 34 and its components can be adjusted by the occupant.

[0023] refer to Figure 2 , the seat 34 may include a seat back 36, a seat bottom 38, and a headrest 40. The headrest 40 may be supported by the seat back 36 and may be fixed or movable relative to the seat back 36. The seat back 36 may be supported by the seat bottom 38 and may be fixed or movable relative to the seat bottom 38. The seat back 36, the seat bottom 38, and / or the headrest 40 may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. Specifically, the seat back 36, the seat bottom 38, and / or the headrest 40 may themselves be adjustable, in other words, the seat back 36, the seat bottom 38, and / or the headrest 40 may have adjustable components therein, and / or may be adjustable relative to each other.

[0024] refer to Figure 5 , the seat back 36 includes a seat frame 42. The seat frame 42 may include panels and / or may include tubes, beams, etc. The seat frame 42 may be formed of any suitable plastic material, such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced semi-finished thermoplastic composite materials (organic sheets). Alternatively, for example, some or all components of the seat frame 42 may be formed of a suitable metal (e.g., steel or aluminum).

[0025] refer to Figure 2 , a cushion 44 is supported on the seat frame 42. The cushion 44 can be made of a cushioning material and covered with a cover 46. The cushion 44 can be formed of foam or any other suitable support material. The cover 46 can be formed of cloth, leather, artificial leather, or any other suitable material. The cover 46 extends around the cushion 44 and the seat frame 42. The cover 46 can be sewn into a panel around the cushion 44 and the seat frame 42.

[0026] refer to Figure 2, the seat 34 includes a restraint system 48. The restraint system 48 includes a seat belt 49, which includes a webbing 52. The seat belt 49 includes an anchor 50 and a retractor 54, each of which is fixed to other components of the vehicle 30. The anchor 50 fixes one end of the webbing 52 relative to the seat frame 42. The other end of the webbing 52 is fed into the retractor 54, which may include a spool (not shown) that extends and retracts the webbing 52. The tongue 56 slides freely along the webbing 52 and, when engaged with the buckle 58, separates the webbing 52 into a lap belt 60 and a shoulder belt 62. The seat belt 49 may be a three-point seat belt, which means that the seat belt 52 is attached at three points around the occupant when fastened: the anchor 50, the retractor 54 and the buckle 58. Alternatively, the seat belt 49 may include another number and / or arrangement of attachment points.

[0027] refer to Figures 3 to 9 , the restraint system 48 includes a webbing guide 64. The webbing guide 64 can be attached to the seat 34, for example, to the seat back 36, for example, to the vehicle outboard half of the top surface 65 of the seat frame 42 of the seat back 36. The retractor 54 can be positioned behind the webbing guide 64, i.e., in the vehicle rearward direction from the webbing guide 64, and the retractor 54 can be positioned above the webbing guide 64, i.e., in the vehicle upward direction from the webbing guide 64, and the retractor 54 can be positioned outboard of the webbing guide 64. When the tongue 56 is fastened to the buckle 58, the webbing 52 extends from the retractor 54 behind the webbing guide 64 to the front of the webbing guide 64, and then the webbing 52 extends in front of the seat back 36, i.e., in the vehicle forward direction.

[0028] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Fig. 9 , the webbing guide 64 includes a member 66 and a webbing guide shell 68. The member 66 is disposed inside the webbing guide shell 68. The webbing guide shell 68 may surround the member 66 on all sides except the bottom (i.e., the side of the member 66 facing the vehicle downward direction). The member 66 may be press-fitted into the webbing guide shell 68, i.e., the member 66 fits tightly enough inside the webbing guide shell 68 so that friction holds the member 66 inside the webbing guide shell 68. For example, the webbing guide 64 may be formed by heat-staking the member 66 into the webbing guide shell 68.

[0029] refer to Figures 3 to 9 , the webbing guide shell 68 may be integral, i.e., one piece, i.e., continuous without a seam passing through the webbing guide shell 68. The webbing guide shell 68 includes a guide portion 70 and an inclined portion 72. The guide portion 70 is disposed from the inclined portion 72 in the vehicle outer side and seat outer side direction, and the inclined portion 72 is disposed from the guide portion 70 in the vehicle inner side and seat inner side direction.

[0030] The guide portion 70 defines a slot 74 and an opening 76. The slot 74 may be sized to be taller and wider than the cross-section of the webbing 52, that is, sized to allow the webbing 52 to slide freely through the slot 74. The opening 76 may be a gap from the slot 74 to the outside of the guide portion 70. The opening 76 may be wider than the thickness of the webbing 52, and the opening 76 may therefore allow the webbing 52 to enter the slot 74 and be removed from the slot 74 by the occupant. The webbing 52 may be placed in the slot 70, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in the solid line in FIG. , or placed outside the slot 70, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown by the dotted line in .

[0031] The inclined portion 72 includes a top surface 78. The top surface 78 faces generally upward, that is, in the upward direction of the vehicle. The top surface 78 can be generally straight. The top surface 78 is inclined downward in the direction of the inside of the vehicle; that is, the top surface 78 is inclined downward in the direction away from the guide portion 70. The top surface 78 can be inclined at an angle θ less than 45° to the horizontal plane. For the purposes of this disclosure, the "horizontal plane" is defined as a plane that is orthogonal to the direction of gravity when the seat 34 has the same orientation as when the vehicle 30 is on horizontal ground. The angle θ is an acute angle relative to the top surface 65 of the seat frame 42. The angle θ can be less than 45° relative to a plane parallel to the top surface 65 of the seat frame 42.

[0032] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Fig. 9 , member 66 is secured to the vehicle outboard half of the top surface 65 of the seat frame 42. Member 66 is shaped and positioned to reinforce the angled portion 72 of the webbing guide shell 68; that is, member 66 is shaped and positioned to resist collapse or deformation of the angled portion 72. Member 66 is shaped and positioned to transfer force from the angled portion 72 (e.g., from the top surface 78) to the seat frame 42. In other words, when force pushes downward on the top surface 78 of the angled portion 72, member 66 resists the force and transfers the force to the seat frame 42.

[0033] The member 66 may be unitary, i.e., one piece, i.e., continuous, with no seams passing through the webbing guide shell 68. The member 66 includes a horizontal portion 80 and a vertical portion 82. The horizontal portion 80 extends horizontally and in the vehicle outer side direction. The vertical portion 82 extends vertically and in the vehicle outer side direction. The horizontal portion 80 and the vertical portion 82 may be plate-shaped. The horizontal portion 80 and the vertical portion 82 may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The horizontal portion 80 and the vertical portion 82 may intersect at a corner 84 and form an L-shape. The horizontal portion 80 may extend horizontally from the corner 84 in the vehicle rearward direction. The vertical portion 82 may extend vertically from the corner 84 in the vehicle upward direction. The vertical portion 82 may be press-fitted into the inclined portion 72 of the webbing guide shell 68. The vertical portion 82 includes a top edge 86 spaced apart from the corner 84. The top edge 86 may be inclined relative to the horizontal direction in the vehicle inner side direction at substantially the same angle as the top surface 78 of the inclined portion 72.

[0034] The member 66 is secured to the seat frame 42. Specifically, the member 66 can be secured to the seat frame 42 by one or more fasteners 87. The fasteners 87 can extend through the horizontal portion 80 and through the seat frame 42. The cover 46 extends between the webbing guide shell 68 and the seat frame 42, and the cover 46 does not extend between the member 66 and the seat frame 42. The webbing guide shell 68 is secured to the member 66, and the fasteners 87 can hold the webbing guide shell 68 down against the cover 46.

[0035] refer to Figures 7 to 9 , the webbing guide housing 68 includes an aperture 88 positioned to allow access to the fastener 87. The aperture 88 can be positioned on the angled portion 72 of the webbing guide housing 68 below the top surface 78. The aperture 88 can be positioned on the vehicle rearward side of the webbing guide housing 68. A cover 90 can engage the aperture 88. For example, the cover 90 can include one or more hook arms 92, and the webbing guide housing 68 can include one or more gripping edges 94 sized to grip the hook arms 92 when the cover 90 is installed in the aperture 88.

[0036] The material of the member 66 can be stronger than the material of the webbing guide shell 68. For the purposes of this disclosure, "stronger" means that a greater force is required to induce plastic deformation. For example, the webbing guide shell 68 can be a plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc., and the member 66 can be a metal, such as steel.

[0037] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it will be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be words of description rather than limitation in nature. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the present disclosure may be practiced in other ways than specifically described.

[0038] According to the present invention, there is provided a restraint system having: a webbing guide shell including a guide portion and an inclined portion, the guide portion including a narrow slot and an opening passing through the guide portion from the narrow slot, the inclined portion including a top surface inclined downward in a vehicle inner side direction; and a member for reinforcing the inclined portion, the material of the member being stronger than the material of the webbing guide shell.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the top surface is inclined at less than 45° to the horizontal.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the invention also features a seat frame, wherein the member is secured to the seat frame.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the member is fastened to the seat frame.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the member is secured to the vehicle outboard half of the top surface of the seat frame.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the invention also features a retractor positioned behind the webbing guide housing.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the invention also features a webbing extending from the retractor to the front of the webbing guide housing.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the invention also features a cover that surrounds the seat frame and extends between the webbing guide shell and the seat frame.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the member is press-fit into the webbing guide housing.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the member comprises a vertically elongated vertical portion and a horizontally elongated horizontal portion.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the vertical portion comprises a top edge which is inclined relative to the horizontal plane at substantially the same angle as the top surface.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the invention also features a fastener that extends through the horizontal portion.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the webbing guide shell includes an aperture positioned to allow access to the fastener, the restraint system further comprising a cover engageable with the aperture.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the hole is positioned on the inclined portion below the top surface.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the vertical portion is press fit into the webbing guide housing.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the webbing guide shell is a single piece.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the member is a single piece.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the webbing guide shell is plastic.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the member is metallic.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the component is steel.

Claims

1. A restraint system, comprising: a webbing guide shell including a guide portion and an inclined portion, the guide portion including a slot and an opening extending from the slot through the guide portion, the inclined portion including a top surface inclined downward in a vehicle inner side direction; and a member for reinforcing the inclined portion, the material of the member being stronger than the material of the webbing guide shell, The member includes a vertically elongated vertical portion and a horizontally elongated horizontal portion, the vertical portion includes a top edge, and the top edge is inclined relative to a horizontal plane at substantially the same angle as the top surface.

2. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the top surface is inclined at less than 45° from horizontal.

3. The restraint system of claim 1 further comprising a seat frame, wherein the member is secured to the seat frame.

4. The restraint system of claim 3 wherein the member is secured to a vehicle outboard half of a top surface of the seat frame.

5. The restraint system of claim 4 further comprising a retractor positioned behind the webbing guide housing.

6. The restraint system of claim 5, further comprising a webbing extending from the retractor to a front of the webbing guide housing.

7. The restraint system of claim 3 further comprising a cover surrounding the seat frame and extending between the webbing guide shell and the seat frame.

8. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the member is press fit into the webbing guide shell.

9. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the guide portion is disposed in a vehicle outer side and seat outer side direction from the inclined portion, and the inclined portion is disposed in a vehicle inner side and seat inner side direction from the guide portion.

10. The restraint system of claim 9, wherein the top surface slopes downwardly in a direction away from the guide portion.

11. The restraint system of claim 9 further comprising a fastener extending through the horizontal portion.

12. The restraint system of claim 11, wherein the webbing guide shell includes an aperture positioned to allow access to the fastener, the restraint system further comprising a cover engageable with the aperture.

13. The restraint system of claim 12, wherein the aperture is positioned on the sloped portion below the top surface.

14. The restraint system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the webbing guide shell is a single piece.

15. The restraint system of claim 14, wherein the member is a single piece.

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