Energy Absorption Restraint System

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an "energy absorption restraint system". A restraint system includes: a housing that defines a cavity that tapers towards an end; and a plug disposed in the cavity. The plug is larger than the end of the housing. A seat belt buckle is fixed relative to one of the housing and the plug and is movable relative to the other of the housing and the plug from a first position to a second position. During movement from the first position to the second position, the plug is movable relative to the housing towards the end. During movement from the first position to the second position, one of the housing and the plug is plastically deformed by the other of the housing and the plug.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle restraint systems, and more particularly to energy-absorbing restraint systems. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles include seat belts for each of the seats. The seat belt includes a webbing that extends across an occupant of the seat when the seat belt is buckled. An anchor attaches one end of the webbing to the seat frame. The other end of the webbing is fed into a retractor that includes a spool for paying out the webbing and retracting the webbing. A clip slides freely along the webbing and, when engaged with the buckle, divides the webbing into an overlap strap and a shoulder strap. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The restraint system includes a housing that defines a cavity that tapers towards an end. A plug is disposed in the cavity and is larger than the end of the housing. A seat belt buckle is fixed relative to one of the housing and the plug and is movable relative to the other of the housing and the plug from a first position to a second position. During movement from the first position to the second position, the plug is movable relative to the housing towards the end. During movement from the first position to the second position, one of the housing and the plug is plastically deformable by the other of the housing and the plug.

[0004] The restraint system may include a cable attached to the plug and extending to an end spaced from the plug. The end of the cable may be outside the cavity.

[0005] The end of the housing may be disposed between the plug and the end of the cable.

[0006] The restraint system may include a vehicle body. The seat belt buckle is movable relative to the vehicle body from a first position to a second position.

[0007] The end of the cable may be fixed to the vehicle body.

[0008] The restraint system may include a pretensioner fixed to the vehicle body. The end of the cable may be fixed to one of the pretensioner and the seat belt buckle.

[0009] The pretensioner may include a link connected to one of the housing and the seat belt buckle.

[0010] The housing may be fixed relative to the other of the pretensioner and the seat belt buckle.

[0011] The housing may have a frustoconical shape.

[0012] The seat belt buckle may be disposed arbitrarily in the cavity.

[0013] The end of the housing may include a wall extending across the cavity. The wall may include a hole extending into the cavity.

[0014] The restraint system may include a cable attached to the plug. The cable may extend from the plug through the hole in the wall.

[0015] The housing may include a stop disposed between the plug and the end of the housing. The plug may engage with the stop.

[0016] The plug may be hollow.

[0017] The plug may have a circular cross-section.

[0018] The plug may be a sphere.

[0019] The plug may be a cylinder.

[0020] The plug and the housing may be formed of different materials. The material of one of the plug and the housing may be more ductile than the material of the other of the plug and the housing.

[0021] The restraint system may include a webbing that may engage with the seat belt buckle.

[0022] The restraint system may include a clamp that may slidably engage with the webbing and may releasably engage with the seat belt buckle. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle including a restraint system.

[0024] Figure 2A is a side view of one embodiment of a seat belt buckle in a first position, the seat belt buckle being fixed relative to the housing and movable relative to a plug engaged with the housing.

[0025] Figure 2B is a seat belt buckle in a second position Figure 2A of the embodiment in which the housing is plastically deformed by the plug.

[0026] Figure 2C is a seat belt buckle in a second position Figure 2A of the embodiment in which the plug is plastically deformed by the housing.

[0027] Figure 3A is a side view of another embodiment of a seat belt buckle in a first position, the seat belt buckle being fixed relative to the plug and movable relative to the housing.

[0028] Figure 3Bof the seat belt buckle in the second position Figure 3A Side view of the embodiment in which the housing is plastically deformed by the plug.

[0029] Figure 3C of the seat belt buckle in the second position Figure 3A Side view of the embodiment in which the plug is plastically deformed by the housing.

[0030] Figure 4 Graph of the force absorbed by the restraint system versus the displacement of one of the plug and the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle 10 is generally shown. The vehicle 10 includes a restraint system 14. The vehicle 10 includes a seat 12, and the restraint system 14 has a seat belt buckle 16 that is movable relative to the seat 12. During a vehicle impact, the momentum of the occupant biases the occupant relative to the seat 12. For example, in a frontal impact, the momentum of the occupant can bias the occupant away from the seat 12. When the occupant moves away from the seat 12, the restraint system 14 can apply a force to the occupant to hold the occupant in the seat 12. During a frontal impact, the seat belt buckle 16 can move from a first position (as shown in Figure 2A and Figure 3A ) to a second position (as shown in Figures 2B to 2C and Figures 3B to 3C ) to allow load limiting when the restraint system 14 holds the occupant in the seat 12. In particular, the seat belt buckle 16 can be released a limited amount to give a limited amount of slack to the webbing of the restraint system 14 during high loads (as described below) in order to reduce chest compression of the occupant during a vehicle impact. During such a release, the restraint system 14 can absorb energy to reduce the force applied to the occupant's chest during a vehicle impact.

[0032] The restraint system 14 includes a housing 18 that defines a cavity 20 that tapers towards an end 22; and a plug 24 disposed within the cavity 20. The plug 24 is larger than the end 22 of the housing 18. A seatbelt buckle 16 is fixed relative to one of the housing 18 and the plug 24, i.e., when the seatbelt buckle 16 moves from a first position to a second position, the seatbelt buckle 16 moves (e.g., pulls) one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 relative to the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24 and is movable from the first position to the second position relative to the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24. During movement of the seatbelt buckle 16 from the first position to the second position, the plug 24 is movable relative to the housing 18 towards the end 22. During movement of the seatbelt buckle 16 from the first position to the second position, one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 can be plastically deformed by the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24. When the seatbelt buckle 16 moves from the first position to the second position, the seatbelt buckle 16 causes one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 to move relative to the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24. When one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 moves relative to the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24, one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 is plastically deformed by the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24. By allowing one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 to be plastically deformed, the said one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 absorbs energy from an occupant and can reduce chest compression of the occupant during a vehicle impact.

[0033] The vehicle 10 can be, for example, any suitable type of motor vehicle. The vehicle 10 can include a body 26 that defines a passenger compartment 28 for accommodating the occupant(s) (if any) of the vehicle 10. The body 26 can include a floor 30 and a plurality of pillars 32, 34 extending in an upward direction D from the floor 30. For example, the pillars 32, 34 can include an A-pillar 32 and a B-pillar 34 spaced apart from the A-pillar 32, as Figure 1 shown. The pillars 32, 34 can include additional pillars, such as a C-pillar (not shown).

[0034] Referring Figure 1 to, one or more seats 12 can be disposed in front of the passenger compartment 28, for example, between the A-pillar 32 and the B-pillar 34. In this case, the seat 12 can be a front seat. The passenger compartment 28 can include one or more rear seats (not shown) disposed behind the front seat. The passenger compartment 28 can also include a third row seat (not shown) at the rear (not numbered) of the passenger compartment 28, in which case, instead of or in addition to the front seat, the seat 12 can be a second row seat (not numbered). As Figure 1 shown, the seat 12 is a bucket seat, but the seat 12 can be other suitable types of seats, e.g., a bench seat.

[0035] Continuing to refer Figure 1, the seat 12 may include a seat back 36 and a seat bottom 38. The seat back 36 may be supported by the seat bottom 38 and may extend upwardly from the seat bottom 38. The seat back 36 may be stationary or movable relative to the seat bottom 38. The seat back 36 and / or the seat bottom 38 may be adjustable in a plurality of degrees of freedom. In particular, the seat back 36 and / or the seat bottom 38 are themselves adjustable, in other words, having adjustable components within themselves and / or being adjustable relative to each other.

[0036] The seat 12 may be supported on the floor 30, i.e., directly or through an intermediate member. The seat 12 may be fixed to the floor 30 of the vehicle 10, for example. In other words, the seat bottom 38 may be fixed to the floor 30. Alternatively, the seat 12 (i.e., the seat bottom 38) may be slidably coupled to a support member (not shown) fixed to the floor 30. The seat 12 may be fixed to the floor 30 of the vehicle 10 in any suitable manner (e.g., fasteners).

[0037] Reference Figure 1 , the restraint system 14 may include a retractor 40, a webbing 42 retractably dispensed from the retractor 40, an anchor 44 coupled to the webbing 42, and a clip 46 that engages the seat belt buckle 16. The restraint system 14 may be arranged adjacent to the seat 12. For example, the restraint system 14 is adjacent to a front seat, as Figure 1 shown. The restraint system 14 holds an occupant on the seat 12 when fastened, for example during a sudden deceleration of the vehicle 10.

[0038] The retractor 40 may be attached to the vehicle body 26. For example, the retractor 40 may be attached to the B-pillar 34, as Figure 1 shown. As another example, when the restraint system 14 is adjacent to a rear seat, the retractor 40 may be attached to the C-pillar. Alternatively, the retractor 40 may be attached to the front seat, such as the frame of the front seat (not shown). The retractor 40 may be attached to the vehicle body 26 in any suitable manner (e.g., fasteners).

[0039] The retractor 40 may include a locked state and an unlocked state. The retractor 40 in the locked state locks the webbing 42 to prevent the webbing 42 from extending from the retractor 40. In the unlocked state, the webbing 42 may selectively extend from the retractor 40. For example, the retractor 40 may be in the unlocked state by default, i.e., in the absence of a sudden deceleration. In other words, the retractor 40 may change from the unlocked state to the locked state during a sudden deceleration of the vehicle 10, i.e., actuating a trigger member of the retractor 40 to change from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0040] Reference Figure 1, the webbing 42 may include a first end 48 and a second end 50. The first end 48 of the webbing 42 is retractably engaged with the retractor 40, i.e., fed into the retractor 40. The second end 50 of the webbing 42 may be attached to the anchor 44. The anchor 44 may be attached to the seat 12, for example, the seat bottom 38. Alternatively, the anchor 44 may be attached to the vehicle body 26, such as the B-pillar 34, the floor 30, etc. The anchor 44 may be attached to the seat 12 in any suitable manner (e.g., using fasteners).

[0041] The webbing 42 extends continuously from the first end 48 to the second end 50. In other words, the webbing 42 is a one-piece unit from the first end 48 to the second end 50 and cannot be separated in a non-destructive manner between the first end 48 and the second end 50. The webbing 42 may be formed of woven fibers (e.g., woven nylon).

[0042] The clip 46 may be slidably engaged with the webbing 42. The clip 46 may, for example, slide freely along the webbing 42 and selectively engage with the seat belt buckle 16. In other words, the webbing 42 may be engageable with the seat belt buckle 16. For example, the clip 46 may be releasably engaged with the seat belt buckle 16 from a latched position to an unlatched position. In the latched position, the webbing 42 may be fixed relative to the seat belt buckle 16. In other words, the seat belt buckle 16 may prevent the webbing 42 from retracting into the retractor 40. In this case, during a vehicle impact, the webbing 42 may pull the seat belt buckle 16 from a first position to a second position. When the clip 46 is engaged with the seat belt buckle 16 (i.e., in the latched position), the clip 46 may divide the webbing 42 into an overlap strap and a shoulder strap. In the unlatched position, the clip 46 may move relative to the seat belt buckle 16. In other words, the webbing 42 may be retractable into the retractor 40.

[0043] The restraint system 14 may be a three-point harness, as Figure 1 shown, which means that when fastened, the webbing 42 attaches around the occupant at the following three points: the anchor 44, the retractor 40, and the seat belt buckle 16. Alternatively, the restraint system 14 may include another arrangement of attachment points.

[0044] Refer to Figure 1, the restraint system 14 can include a buckle support 52 spaced apart from the anchor 44. For example, the seat 12 can be disposed between the buckle support 52 and the anchor 44. In other words, the buckle support 52 and the anchor 44 can be disposed on opposite sides of the seat 12. The buckle support 52 can be disposed adjacent to the seat 12 (e.g., the seat bottom 38). The buckle support 52 can be attached, for example, to the floor 30 of the vehicle 10. The buckle support 52 can extend upward from the floor 30 (i.e., in the upward direction D). Alternatively, the buckle support 52 can be attached to the seat bottom 38 of the seat 12. The buckle support 52 can be formed of any suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.). The buckle support 52 can be attached to the floor 30 of the vehicle 10 in any suitable manner (e.g., fasteners, welding, adhesives, etc.).

[0045] Reference Figures 2A to 3C , the restraint system 14 can include a pretensioner 54 fixed to the vehicle body 26 (e.g., the floor 30, the B-pillar 34, etc.) for applying tension to the webbing 42 during a vehicle impact. When a vehicle impact is sensed, the pretensioner 54 can be actuated to retract the webbing 42 in order to remove slack from the webbing 42 and in order to pull the occupant into the seat 12, i.e., to apply a force to the occupant to hold the occupant in the seat 12. The pretensioner 54 can be fixed to the vehicle body 26 (e.g., the floor 30, the B-pillar 34, etc.) in any suitable manner (e.g., fasteners).

[0046] The pretensioner 54 can include a link 56 that is connected to one of the housing 18 and the seat belt buckle 16. For example, when the housing 18 is fixed relative to the seat belt buckle 16 (as Figures 2A to 3B shown), the link 56 can be connected to the housing 18. As another example, when the seat belt buckle 16 is movable relative to the housing 18, the link 56 can be connected to the seat belt buckle 16.

[0047] The link 56 can be of any suitable type, such as a piston link where an explosive charge drives a piston attached to a cable, as Figures 2A to 3C shown; a ball tube link where an explosive charge advances a ball or balls through a pinion gear connected to a cable; a mechanical link where a compressed spring attached to a cable is released; a rack and pinion link where an explosive charge advances a rack bar to engage a gear connected to a cable; or any other suitable type. The link 56 can be connected to one of the housing 18 and the seat belt buckle 16 in any suitable manner (e.g., fasteners, welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.).

[0048] The housing 18 can be received by the buckle support 52. For example, the buckle support 52 can extend around the housing 18. When the seat belt buckle 16 is in a first position (as Figure 2A and Figure 3A shown) and in a second position (asFigures 2B to 2C and Figures 3B to 3C as shown, the buckle support 52 can support the housing 18. The housing 18 can be at least partially disposed within the buckle support 52. For example, the housing 18 can extend outwardly from the buckle support 52 (i.e., in the upward direction D from the floor 30), as Figures 2A to 2C shown. As another example, the housing 18 can be completely disposed within the buckle support 52, as Figures 3A to 3C shown.

[0049] The housing 18 can include an opening 58 spaced from the end 22 along the axis A. The opening 58 can be larger than the end 22 of the housing 18, i.e., the opening 58 can extend farther from the axis A than the end 22. For example, the opening 58 can be larger than the plug 24, e.g., having a larger diameter than the plug 24. In other words, the housing 18 can have a larger cross-section at the opening 58 than at the end 22. As another example, the size of the opening 58 can be set to receive the buckle support 16, as Figure 2A shown. As described above, the housing 18 can taper towards the end 22 of the housing 18. For example, the housing 18 can taper along the axis A from the opening 58 towards the end 22. As another example, the housing 18 can taper towards the end 22 from any suitable position between the opening 58 and the end 22. The cavity 20 can extend along the axis A from the opening 58 to the end 22 of the housing 18.

[0050] The housing 18 can have a frustoconical shape, such as a conical frustum, a square frustum, etc. The housing 18 can have any suitable cross-section, such as circular, square, etc. In other words, the housing 18 can be one of a circular frustum (i.e., the cavity 20 has a circular cross-section) and a right frustum (i.e., the opening 58 and the end 22 of the housing 18 extend transversely to the axis A).

[0051] The end 22 of the housing 18 can include a wall 60 that extends across the cavity 20, i.e., encloses the end 22 of the housing 18. In other words, the wall 60 can extend transversely to the axis A. The wall 60 can include a hole (not shown) that extends along the axis A through the wall 60. As described below, the size of the hole can be set to hold the plug 24 within the cavity 20 of the housing 18. In other words, the hole can be smaller than the plug 24, e.g., the hole can have a diameter smaller than the plug 24.

[0052] The plug 24 can be disposed at any suitable position within the cavity 20, i.e., between the mouth 58 and the end 22 of the housing 18. The plug 24 can be disposed on the axis A and extend across the cavity 20 to the housing 18. In other words, when the seat belt buckle 16 is in the first position, the plug 24 can be in an interference fit with the housing 18. As described above, the plug 24 is larger than the end 22 of the housing 18. For example, the plug 24 can have a diameter larger than that of the end 22 of the housing 18. In other words, the plug 24 can extend farther from the axis than the wall 60 of the end 22 of the housing 18.

[0053] The plug 24 can have any suitable shape. For example, the plug 24 can have a circular cross-section, for example, along the upward direction D. In this case, the plug 24 can be a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, a cone, etc. Alternatively, the plug 24 can be a cube, a pyramid, a cuboid, etc. The plug 24 can be hollow. In other words, the plug 24 can be a shell surrounding an internal void. Alternatively, the plug 24 can be, for example, a solid material. In other words, the plug 24 can have no internal void.

[0054] When the seat belt buckle 16 is moved from the first position to the second position, the plug 24 can remain within the cavity 20. For example, the wall 60 can prevent the plug 24 from escaping from the cavity 20. In this case, when the housing 18 is plastically deformed by the plug 24, the wall 60 can limit the deformation of the housing 18. Alternatively, the restraint system 14 can include a stop (not shown) disposed within the cavity 20. The stop can be disposed at any suitable position between the plug 24 and the end 22 of the housing 18. The plug 24 can be capable of engaging with the stop. For example, when the seat belt buckle 16 is moved to the second position, the plug 24 impacts the stop. The stop can be of any suitable type, for example, a rib extending from the housing 18 around the axis A into the cavity 20, a wedge adjacent to the wall 60 of the end 22 of the housing 18, etc. The stop can be formed of any suitable material to prevent relative movement between the end 22 of the housing 18 and the plug 24 so as to hold the plug 24 within the cavity 20. In other words, when the plug 24 impacts the stop, the stop prevents further plastic deformation of either the housing 18 or the plug 24.

[0055] The restraint system 14 can include a cable 62 attached to the plug 24 and extending to an end 64 spaced apart from the plug 24. The end 64 of the cable 62 can be outside the cavity 20. For example, the end 22 of the housing 18 can be disposed between the end 64 of the cable 62 and the plug 24. In this case, the cable 62 can extend through a hole in the wall 60. The cable 62 can be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, nylon, etc.

[0056] The end 64 of the cable 62 can be fixed to any suitable vehicle component. As an example, the end 64 of the cable 62 can be fixed to either the pretensioner 54 or the seat belt buckle 16. When the end 64 of the cable 62 is fixed to the seat belt buckle 16 (as Figure 3A shown), the plug 24 is fixed relative to the seat belt buckle 16. When the end 64 of the cable 62 is fixed to the pretensioner 54 (as Figure 2A shown), the seat belt buckle 16 can move relative to the plug 24. As another example, the end 64 of the cable 62 can be fixed to the vehicle body 26 (such as the floor 30, B-pillar 34, etc.). In this case, the plug 24 is anchored to the vehicle body 26, that is, the plug 24 is stationary along the axis A and can rotate about the axis A. As yet another example, the end 64 of the cable 62 can be fixed to the seat 12, such as the seat frame (not shown). In this case, the plug 24 is anchored to the seat 12, that is, the plug 24 is stationary along the axis A and can rotate about the axis A.

[0057] The cable 62 can have any suitable length. For example, when the seat belt buckle 16 is in the first position (as Figure 2A and Figure 3A shown), the cable 62 may have slack. In other words, when the seat belt buckle 16 is in the first position, the seat belt buckle 16 can be spaced from the plug 24 along the axis A by less than the length of the cable 62. As described above, the slack can be removed by the pretensioner 54 during a vehicle impact. When the seat belt buckle 16 is in the second position, the cable 62 can be taut, that is, without slack, as Figures 2B to 2C and Figures 3B to 3C shown. In other words, the seat belt buckle 16 can be spaced from the plug 24 by the length of the cable 62.

[0058] The housing 18 can be fixed to, for example, the other of the pretensioner 54 and the seat belt buckle 16. When the housing 18 is fixed to the seat belt buckle 16 (as Figures 2A to 2C shown), the housing 18 can move relative to the plug 24. Additionally, in this case, the housing 18 can move relative to the buckle support 52. For example, the housing 18 can slide from a first position (as Figure 2A shown) to a second position (as Figures 2B to 2C shown) relative to the buckle support 52. In other words, the housing 18 can extend further upward from the buckle support 52 in the second position than in the first position. When the housing 18 is fixed to the pretensioner 54 (as Figures 3A to 3C shown), the seat belt buckle 16 and the plug 24 can move relative to the housing 18. Alternatively, the housing 18 can be fixed to the vehicle body 26, such as the floor 30. In this case, the housing is fixed relative to the plug 24 and the seat belt buckle 16.

[0059] The housing 18 and the plug 24 may be formed of different materials. The housing 18 and the plug 24 may be formed of any suitable material. The material of one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 may be more ductile than the material of the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24. In other words, one material may be plastically deformed by the other material. For example, one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 may be stainless steel, and the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24 may be low carbon steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.

[0060] Figure 4 is a graph showing a curve 66 that depicts the relationship between the force absorbed by the restraint system 14 and the displacement of one of the housing 18 and the plug 24. When the displacement of one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 increases, i.e., when one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 is plastically deformed, the force absorbed by the restraint system 14 initially increases. When the displacement continues to increase, the absorbed force reaches the maximum absorbed force F m and one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 no longer plastically deforms. The maximum absorbed force F m may be the inflection point of the curve 66, that is, the point at which the direction of the curvature of the curve 66 changes, that is, the point that separates the region of the curve 66 with an increasing slope from the region of the curve 66 with a decreasing slope.

[0061] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 3A , the seat belt buckle 16 may be received by the buckle support 52. For example, the buckle support 52 may extend around the seat belt buckle 16. In other words, the buckle support 52 may support the seat belt buckle 16 in a first position. The seat belt buckle 16 may be partially disposed within the buckle support 52. For example, the seat belt buckle 16 may extend outwardly from the buckle support 52 (i.e., in an upward direction D from the floor 30). The seat belt buckle 16 may be capable of moving relative to the buckle support 52. For example, the seat belt buckle 16 may slide relative to the buckle support 52 from the first position to the second position. The seat belt buckle 16 may extend further upward from the buckle support 52 in the second position than in the first position.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 , the seat belt buckle 16 may be disposed in any suitable position relative to the seat bottom 38. For example, the seat belt buckle 16 may be disposed below the seat bottom 38. In other words, the seat belt buckle 16 may be disposed between the seat bottom 38 of the vehicle 10 and the floor 30. Alternatively, the seat belt buckle 16 may partially extend above the seat bottom 38. In other words, the seat bottom 38 may be disposed between a portion of the seat belt buckle 16 of the vehicle 10 and the floor 30.

[0063] Reference Figures 2A to 2C, the seat belt buckle 16 can be disposed arbitrarily in the cavity 20 of the housing 18. In other words, the size of the cavity 20 of the housing 18 can be set to receive the seat belt buckle 16. In this case, the seat belt buckle 16 can be fixed to the housing 18 in the cavity 20. In particular, the seat belt buckle 16 can be fixed to the mouth 58 of the housing 18. The seat belt buckle 16 can be fixed to the housing 18 by any suitable means (e.g., fasteners, welding, etc.).

[0064] When the seat belt buckle 16 moves from the first position to the second position, the plug 24 moves relative to the housing 18 towards the end 22 of the housing 18, as described above. For example, compared to when the seat belt buckle 16 is in the first position, when the seat belt buckle 16 is in the second position, the plug 24 is closer to the end 22 of the housing 18. When the seat belt buckle 16 is fixed relative to the housing 18, the end 22 of the housing 18 is disposed between the plug 24 and the seat belt buckle 16, as Figures 2A to 2C shown. For example, the end 22 of the housing 18 can be adjacent to the pretensioner 54. In this case, during the movement of the seat belt buckle 16 from the first position to the second position, the end 22 of the housing 18 moves towards the plug 24 along the axis A (e.g., in the upward direction D). When the seat belt buckle 16 is fixed relative to the plug 24, the plug 24 is disposed between the end 22 of the housing 18 and the seat belt buckle 16, as Figures 3A to 3C shown. For example, the end 22 of the housing 18 can be adjacent to the seat belt buckle 16. In this case, during the movement of the seat belt buckle 16 from the first position to the second position, the plug 24 moves towards the end 22 of the housing 18 along the axis A (e.g., in the upward direction D).

[0065] When the seat belt buckle 16 moves from the first position to the second position, one of the housing 18 and the plug 24 is plastically deformed by the other of the housing 18 and the plug 24, as described above. For example, during the movement of the seat belt buckle 16 from the first position to the second position, as Figure 2B and Figure 3B shown (the original shape of the housing 18 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 2B and Figure 3B ), when the housing 18 is deformed by the plug 24, the housing 18 can extend away from the axis A when the plug 24, for example, obstructs the housing 18 along the wedge portion of the housing 18. Alternatively, when the plug 24 is deformed by the housing 18, during the movement of the seat belt buckle 16 from the first position to the second position (as Figure 2C and Figure 3C shown), the plug 24 can be compressed by the housing 18 towards the axis A. In other words, when the seat belt buckle 16 is in the second position, the housing 18 can compress the plug 24 such that the plug 24 has an elliptical cross-section, for example, along the upward direction D.

[0066] Under normal operating conditions (i.e., not a vehicle impact), an occupant may occupy seat 12 using seat belt buckle 16 in a first position. During a vehicle impact, vehicle 10 may be subjected to an impact force. The impact force may cause vehicle 10 to decelerate faster than the occupant. During a vehicle impact, restraint system 14 may increase the tension on webbing 42. For example, retractor 40 may be in a locked state to hold the occupant on seat 12. In such a case, the momentum of the occupant may cause restraint system 14 (e.g., webbing 42) to apply a force to the occupant. When restraint system 14 applies a force to the occupant, seat belt buckle 16 may move from the first position to the second position. When seat belt buckle 16 moves, seat belt buckle 16 may pull one of housing 18 and plug 24 relative to the other along axis A. In other words, one of housing 18 and plug 24 may be fixed relative to seat belt buckle 16. The other of housing 18 and plug 24 may be fixed relative to pretensioner 54. When plug 24 moves toward end 22 of housing 18 relative to housing 18, plug 24 obstructs housing 18 because plug 24 is larger than end 22 of housing 18. In such a case, one of plug 24 and housing 18 plastically deforms by the other of plug 24 and housing 18. For example, plug 24 may be compressed by housing 18, and the cross-sectional shape of plug 24 may change from circular to oval, for example. As another example, during movement from the first position to the second position, housing 18 may expand away from axis A along the wedge portion of housing 18 when plug 24 and housing 18 obstruct each other. When seat belt buckle 16 is in the second position, housing 18 may hold plug 24 in cavity 20, for example, using a stop, by interference fit with wall 60 of end 22, etc. When one of plug 24 and housing 18 plastically deforms, the one of plug 24 and housing 18 may absorb the energy of the force applied by restraint system 14 to the occupant. In such a case, restraint system 14 may help reduce the force applied to the occupant and cause injury to the occupant.

[0067] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it will be understood that the terms used are intended to be descriptive in nature rather than restrictive words. 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.

[0068] According to the present invention, there is provided a restraint system having: a housing defining a cavity that tapers towards an end; a plug disposed in the cavity and larger than the end of the housing; a seat belt buckle fixed relative to one of the housing and the plug and movable relative to the other of the housing and the plug from a first position to a second position, during which movement from the first position to the second position, the plug is movable relative to the housing towards the end; and during movement from the first position to the second position, one of the housing and the plug is plastically deformable by the other of the housing and the plug.

[0069] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a cable attached to the plug and extending to an end spaced from the plug, the end of the cable being outside the cavity.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the end of the housing is disposed between the plug and the end of the cable.

[0071] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a vehicle body, the seat belt buckle being movable relative to the vehicle body from a first position to the second position.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the end of the cable is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0073] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a pretensioner fixed to the vehicle body, the end of the cable being fixed to one of the pretensioner and the seat belt buckle.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the housing is fixed relative to the other of the pretensioner and the seat belt buckle.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the pretensioner includes a link connected to one of the housing and the seat belt buckle.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the housing has a frustum shape.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the seat belt buckle can be disposed arbitrarily in the cavity.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the end of the housing includes a wall extending across the cavity, the wall including a hole extending into the cavity.

[0079] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a cable attached to the plug, the cable extending from the plug through the hole in the wall.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the housing includes a stop disposed between the plug and the end of the housing, and the plug is capable of engaging with the stop.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the plug is hollow.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the plug has a circular cross-section.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the plug is a sphere.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the plug is a cylinder.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the plug and the housing are formed of different materials, and the material of one of the plug and the housing is more ductile than the material of the other of the plug and the housing.

[0086] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a webbing capable of engaging with the seat belt buckle.

[0087] According to an embodiment, a further feature of the above invention is a clamp that slidably engages with the webbing and is capable of releasably engaging with the seat belt buckle.

Claims

1. A restraint system, which comprises: a housing that defines a cavity tapering towards an end; a plug disposed in the cavity and larger than the end of the housing; a seat belt buckle fixed relative to one of the housing and the plug and movable relative to the other of the housing and the plug from a first position to a second position, during which movement from the first position to the second position, the plug is movable relative to the housing towards the end; and during movement from the first position to the second position, one of the housing and the plug can be plastically deformed by the other of the housing and the plug; it further comprises a cable attached to the plug and extending to an end spaced from the plug; it further comprises a pretensioner disposed at a distance from the plug, and the end of the cable is fixed to one of the pretensioner and the seat belt buckle.

2. The restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the end of the cable is outside the cavity.

3. The restraint system according to claim 2, wherein the end of the housing is disposed between the plug and the end of the cable.

4. The restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is fixed relative to the other of the pretensioner and the seat belt buckle.

5. The restraint system according to claim 1, wherein the pretensioner comprises a link connected to one of the housing and the seat belt buckle.

6. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the housing has a frustoconical shape.

7. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the seat belt buckle can be disposed in the cavity.

8. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the end of the housing comprises a wall extending across the cavity, and the wall comprises a hole extending into the cavity.

9. The restraint system according to claim 8, it further comprises a cable attached to the plug, and the cable extends from the plug through the hole in the wall.

10. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the housing comprises a stop disposed between the plug and the end of the housing, and the plug can engage with the stop.

11. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the plug is hollow.

12. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the plug has a circular cross-section.

13. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the plug and the housing are formed of different materials, and the material of one of the plug and the housing is more ductile than the material of the other of the plug and the housing.

14. The restraint system according to any one of claims 1-5, it further comprises a webbing that can engage with the seat belt buckle.

Images