Seat belt for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat belt (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor (11) embedded in the seat belt. The electrical conductor is electrically connected to a contact element (12) on the seat belt.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, having at least one electrical conductor.

[0002] Seat belts may require electrical conductors extending along them for various additional electrical functions. In addition to electrical devices such as microphones (which can be fastened to the seat belt and operated and potentially controlled via the conductors), conductors for seat belt heating are particularly important. In principle, the conductors can be used to supply current to a dedicated heating element and / or even serve as the resistance heater itself.

[0003] When it comes to the proper use of electrical conductors within seat belts, the variable extension and flexibility of seat belts place high demands on the electrical contact with the conductors within the seat belts.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a seat belt for a motor vehicle, wherein at least one electrical conductor of the seat belt is advantageously in contact.

[0005] To achieve this objective, a seat belt having the features described in claim 1 has been proposed. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, drawings, and related description.

[0006] A seat belt for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one electrical conductor embedded therein, wherein the electrical conductor is electrically connected to contact elements on the seat belt. The electrical conductor may be, for example, a wire or a metallized or carbonized plastic filament.

[0007] For example, embedded electrical conductors can be woven into the seat belt. Furthermore, the electrical conductors can be pulled into and / or guided within the seat belt. Contact elements establish an electrical connection on the surface of the webbing with at least one electrical conductor in the seat belt. Therefore, contact elements can be used to establish electrical contact with a power source. Additionally, contact elements can be used to connect two electrical conductors in the seat belt to each other.

[0008] According to an advantageous improvement, an electrical conductor is proposed to be guided out of the seat belt in a loop and back into the seat belt, and the loop is electrically connected to a contact element.

[0009] This ring allows for an expanded contact area with high geometric tolerances in the electrical contacts. The ring is preferably produced during the manufacture of the seatbelt. In this way, the seatbelt can be manufactured in a continuous process. The ring is also very easy to grip and therefore can be positioned accordingly to establish contact with minimal force.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the ring is cut. This allows contact with the free end of the electrical conductor. Furthermore, the electrical conductor can thus be electrically isolated at a later stage. Therefore, electrical contact can be restricted to a specific area.

[0011] In one advantageous embodiment, the ring is welded to the contact element. This allows for particularly effective electrical contact.

[0012] According to a favorable improvement, it is proposed that the electrical conductor be embroidered with conductive embroidery thread.

[0013] This allows for simple and flexible contact with electrical conductors embedded in the seatbelt. Using conductive embroidery thread, electrical contact can be easily established with electrical conductors on the exterior of the seatbelt. Simultaneously, the seatbelt largely retains its flexibility in this area. The flexible embroidery thread preferably has a resistance of less than 100 ohms per meter.

[0014] In addition, the electrical conductor can also be embroidered with conductive thread in the area of ​​the loop already placed on the outside of the seat belt. This allows the loop to be secured in one position and prevents unnecessary insertion into the loop. By embroidering the loop with conductive thread, the available contact area can be significantly increased, making further electrical contact easier.

[0015] A further preferred embodiment involves forming a contact pad on the seatbelt using conductive embroidery thread on an embroidered electrical conductor. This contact pad allows for easy contact between the electrical conductors and contact elements within the seatbelt over a large surface area, thereby ensuring contact at the flexible seatbelt location.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that contact pads are formed on a ring of electrical conductors. This allows the rings to be secured particularly effectively and promotes further contact with the electrical conductors.

[0017] According to an advantageous improvement, the contact element is secured to the contact pad. This allows the electrical conductors in the seat belt to be connected to the contact element particularly effectively. The contact pad enables good contact with the contact element, for example, via surface contact. Preferably, the electrical connection can be made to the contact element in a conventional manner, such as by means of a plug, socket, and / or terminal.

[0018] Preferably, the contact element has at least one covering element that covers the electrical connection between the contact element and the electrical conductor. This prevents unwanted electrical contact and parasitic currents.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the seat belt has markings for positioning contact elements. This allows the contact elements to be easily installed on the seat belt.

[0020] Furthermore, the contact elements are secured to both sides of the seatbelt. This allows for a very durable connection between the contact elements and the seatbelt.

[0021] Furthermore, it is proposed that the contact element has a guide pin that extends through the seat belt. In this way, the contact element can be secured to both sides in a particularly secure manner.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, multiple electrical conductors are provided in the seat belt, with contact elements making contact with these conductors along a line perpendicular to the seat belt's extension. This allows multiple electrical conductors to be contacted and / or connected in a simple manner, for example, for electrically heated seat belts. For instance, in each case, two adjacent electrical conductors can be connected to each other.

[0023] In an alternative implementation, it is proposed to incorporate multiple electrical conductors within the seatbelt, with contact elements engaging with these conductors on at least two distinct lines extending perpendicular to the seatbelt. This allows for individual contact with multiple electrical conductors in a simple manner and with greater positioning tolerances. Furthermore, incorrect contact can be avoided through appropriate geometric coding.

[0024] Preferably, the contact element comprises a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board may be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0025] For example, an electrical conductor (e.g., in a loop) extending from the webbing can be soldered to and thus into contact with the flexible circuit board. In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible circuit board is folded after contact, such that the electrical contact with the flexible circuit board is protected by both the flexible circuit board and the seatbelt webbing. In an advantageous embodiment, an additional cover is provided.

[0026] The proposed seat belt webbing is preferably hydrophobic.

[0027] The invention will now be explained using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 The seat belt includes an electrical conductor and two contact elements;

[0029] Figure 2 A seatbelt with offset embroidered contact pads on an electrical conductor is shown;

[0030] Figure 3 A seat belt is shown that includes an embroidered contact pad on an electrical conductor arranged in a line.

[0031] Figure 4 The seat belt is shown, which includes an electrical conductor loop that is formed as a line.

[0032] Figure 5A seatbelt including an offset electrical conductor loop is shown;

[0033] Figure 6 A seatbelt with an embroidered contact pad on a ring containing an electrical conductor is shown;

[0034] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the contact elements arranged on both sides of the seat belt;

[0035] Figure 8 A flexible circuit board is shown as a contact element on a seatbelt; and

[0036] Figure 9 The seat belt includes conductive warp and weft threads.

[0037] Figure 1 An advantageous embodiment of a seat belt 10 for a motor vehicle is shown, wherein two electrical conductors 11 are embedded in the seat belt 10. In this embodiment, the electrical conductors 11 are woven into the seat belt 10. The seat belt 10 has two contact elements 12 that establish electrical contact with the electrical conductors 11 in the seat belt 10. The lower contact element 12 has a terminal 19 for connection to the vehicle, such that the electrical conductors 11 can be supplied with current and thus electrically heated, for example. In this embodiment, the upper contact element 12 also contacts and connects the two electrical conductors 11, thereby forming a closed circuit, and the seat belt 10 can be heated via the lower contact element 12 and its terminal 19.

[0038] In other possible embodiments, the number of embedded electrical conductors 11 may be more than two, such as four, six, or eight. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, terminals 19 may also be located on the upper contact element 12 or at another location.

[0039] Figure 2 A portion of an embodiment of a seatbelt 10 is shown, comprising four electrical conductors 10 embroidered with conductive embroidery thread in the area of ​​contact elements 12 used to establish contact. Contact pads 14 are formed with conductive embroidery thread such that the embedded conductors 11 can easily make electrical contact with the contact elements 12 arranged thereon. In this embodiment, each contact pad 14 is offset from a line extending perpendicular to the seatbelt 10 and the electrical conductors 11, thereby enabling an increased distance between the contact pads 14.

[0040] Figure 3 Another embodiment of the seat belt 10 including four electrical conductors 11 is shown, wherein, with Figure 2Compared to the previous implementation, the contact pad 14, made of conductive embroidery thread, for establishing electrical contact with the embedded electrical conductor 11, is arranged in a line perpendicular to the extension of the seat belt 10 and the electrical conductor 11. This allows for a reduction in the space required for the contact element 12.

[0041] Figure 4 A portion of a seatbelt 10 comprising four electrical conductors 11 is shown in an alternative embodiment, wherein the conductors 11 are guided out in the form of loops 13 for establishing contact, preferably during the manufacture of the webbing. The loops 13 may, for example, be laid flat. Furthermore, the loops 13 facilitate easy electrical contact with contact elements 12. Contact can be achieved, for example, by clamping or welding. In a possible advantageous embodiment, the loops 13 are cut such that contact with the free ends of the conductors 11 can be achieved by clamping or welding. Another portion of the conductors 11 preferably remains embedded in the seatbelt 10 and is preferably no longer electrically connected due to the separation of the conductors 11 from the loops 13. In this embodiment, the loops 14 are arranged as lines perpendicular to the extension of the seatbelt 10. Furthermore, the loops 13 are covered by the contact elements 12.

[0042] Figure 5 A portion of a seatbelt 10 in another embodiment is shown, wherein a loop 13 is offset relative to a line extending perpendicular to the electrical conductor 11 and the seatbelt 10. A contact element 12 covers the loop 13, thereby protecting the electrical contact and the free electrical conductor 11.

[0043] Figure 6 A portion of another embodiment of the seat belt 10 is shown. (See example...) Figure 4 and Figure 5 As in the embodiment described, each of the electrical conductors 11 is guided out of the surface of the seat belt 10 within the ring 13. In this advantageous embodiment, each of the contact pads 14 is embroidered onto the ring 13 using conductive yarn, and electrical contact is made on the contact pad by a contact element 12. For this purpose, the contact element 12 is fastened to the contact pad 14.

[0044] Figure 7This is an exploded view of a portion of a seatbelt 10 including contact elements 12 fastened to both sides. In this embodiment, the seatbelt 10 has two electrical conductors 11, and two contact pads 14 are embroidered onto the electrical conductors 11 with conductive embroidery thread. Contact elements 12 are arranged on both sides of the seatbelt 10, with electrical contact with the electrical conductors 11 taking place on the upper portion of the contact elements 12. The contact pads 14 are covered by a covering element 15 of the contact elements 12 and insulated relative to the environment, wherein the covering element 15 is non-conductive. Four markings 16 are applied to the webbing of the seatbelt 10 to simplify the positioning of the contact elements 12. In this advantageous embodiment, the lower portion of the contact elements 12 has four guide pins 17 that are pushed through the seatbelt 10 in the area of ​​the markings 16 and connected to the upper portion of the contact elements 12 to permanently secure the contact elements 12. Terminals 19 are provided on the upper portion of the contact elements 12, allowing the contact elements 12 to make contact, for example, by means of a plug. In this way, for example, a contact element 12 with terminal 19 can be provided, as well as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0045] Figure 8 Another embodiment of the contact element 12 is shown, in which no terminal 19 for connection to a vehicle system or power source is provided. Figure 8 The contact element 12 is used to connect the embedded electrical conductors 11 to each other, thereby creating a closed circuit for heating the seat belt 10. The contact element 12 can be used for example... Figure 1 The upper contact element 12 in the embodiment. The contact element 12 may include, for example, a flexible circuit board (PCB) on which soldered connections of adjacent electrical conductors 11 are arranged to create a closed circuit for heating the seat belt 10.

[0046] Figure 9 Another embodiment of the seatbelt 10 is shown, which is configured for resistance heating. In addition to the electrical conductors 11 extending parallel to the warp in a possible embodiment, a portion of the weft is also designed as an electrical conductor in this embodiment, thus forming a network of conductive warp and weft. In this advantageous embodiment, the resistance of the weft is preferably more than 100 times greater than the resistance of the electrical conductors 11 parallel to the warp. The electrical conductors 11 parallel to the warp are alternately subjected to different potentials, indicated by the + and - symbols. Heating preferably occurs primarily through the conductive conductors 11 perpendicular to the warp, which connect to the electrical conductors 11 parallel to the warp and having higher resistance in the network. The electrical conductors 11 parallel to the warp are preferably in direct electrical contact with the electrical conductors 11 parallel to the weft.

[0047] The conductive weft threads in the form of conductor 11 preferably have a resistance of 500 kiloohms per meter. The conductive weft threads in the form of conductor 11 alternate with other non-conductive weft threads of the seat belt. For example, the conductive weft threads in the form of conductor 11 may follow ten non-conductive weft threads. Other sequences are also possible, such as 20 non-conductive weft threads followed by two conductive weft threads. Furthermore, in possible embodiments, the distance between the weft threads in the form of conductor 11 in the seat belt 10 can also be variable, for example, in the range of 3 mm to 10 mm. The conductor 11 in the warp threads preferably has a resistance of 5 ohms per meter and can further preferably be embedded individually or in bundles in the seat belt 10.

Claims

1. A seat belt (10) for a motor vehicle, having at least one electrical conductor (11) embedded in the seat belt (10), characterized in that - The electrical conductor (11) is electrically connected to the contact element (12) on the seat belt (10).

2. The seat belt (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical conductor (11) is guided out of the seat belt (10) in the ring (13) and back into the seat belt, and the ring (13) is electrically connected to the contact element (12).

3. The seat belt (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ring (13) is cut.

4. The seat belt (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that, The ring (13) is welded to the contact element (12).

5. The seat belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The electrical conductor (11) is embroidered with conductive embroidery thread.

6. The seat belt (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The contact pad (14) is formed on the seat belt (10) by means of the conductive embroidery thread on the embroidered electrical conductor (11).

7. The seat belt (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The contact pad (14) is formed on the ring (13) of the electrical conductor (11).

8. The seat belt according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that, The contact element (12) is fastened to the contact pad (14).

9. The seat belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The contact element (12) has at least one covering element (15) that covers the electrical connection between the contact element (12) and the electrical conductor (11).

10. The seat belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The seat belt (10) has markings (16) for positioning the contact element (12).

11. The seat belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The contact element (12) is fastened to the seat belt (10) on both sides.

12. The seat belt 10 according to claim 11, characterized in that, The contact element (12) has a guide pin (17) that extends through the seat belt (10).

13. The seat belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Multiple electrical conductors (11) are disposed in the seat belt (10) and are contacted by the contact element (12) on a line perpendicular to the extension of the seat belt.

14. The seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, Multiple electrical conductors (11) are disposed in the seat belt (10) and are contacted by the contact element (12) on at least two different lines extending perpendicular to the seat belt.

15. The seat belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The contact element (12) includes a flexible printed circuit board (18).

Images