Illuminated seat belt lock for a seat belt device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an illuminated seat belt buckle (1) for a seat belt device of a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing (2); -a push button (3) which can be moved in the housing (2); an insertion groove (4) for inserting a latch plate which can be locked in the seat belt buckle (1); the invention relates to a seat belt buckle (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising:-at least one annular light source (5), which comprises an insertion groove (4) and a push button (3), and-a cover element (6), which covers the annular light source (5) towards the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle (1) and towards the end face of the seat belt buckle, the cover element (6) being integrally made of a translucent material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an illuminated seat belt buckle for a seat belt arrangement of a motor vehicle, having the features according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Seat belt buckles for seat belt arrangements of motor vehicles are generally used to securely lock a latch plate, which is movably guided on a seat belt webbing or firmly connected to an end of the seat belt webbing, to the vehicle. To this end, the seat belt buckle has an insertion slot for the latch plate and a locking mechanism which can be released via a button. The locking mechanism is spring-loaded and automatically locks the latch plate when inserted into the insertion slot. In order to release the locking plate, the occupant fastening the seat belt presses the button, whereby the locking mechanism is released and the latch plate is ejected by the released spring force of the locking mechanism.

[0003] Such seat belt buckles have been known for many years. The problem with such seat belt buckles is that, in order to fasten the seat belt, the occupant has to find the relatively narrow insertion slot of the seat belt buckle into which the occupant inserts the latch plate for fastening the seat belt.

[0004] It is known from DE 39 04 125 A1 to provide a seat belt buckle with a light source, wherein the light source is coupled via a light guide material with a predetermined light emission surface of the seat belt buckle. In this case, the light emission surface is the button itself and / or a radiation surface arranged on the side of the insertion slot opposite the button. Since the button has to be designed to be displaceable for its function, the light guide material fixedly arranged in the button has to be positioned in the button in such a way that a light entry surface of the light guide material is in the unpressed position of the button in optical connection with an external light source. If the light entry surface of the light guide material is not in this position in optical connection with the external light source due to manufacturing-related shape deviations and position deviations or mechanical influences, light is not or not completely introduced into the button, so that the button itself is not illuminated or is illuminated more weakly than desired.

[0005] It is further known from DE 10 2007 047 704 A1 to provide a light guide in the seat belt buckle, which light guide has at least two light emission surfaces arranged on the end of the insertion slot. The light emission surfaces themselves are triangular and are arranged in the free triangular area of the end face of the housing between the edge of the housing and the conical side of the button. The light emission surfaces are in particular dimensioned in such a way that they fill the free area in the corner of the housing end face as large-area as possible in order to achieve the best possible brightness.

[0006] From US 5 892 436 A a lighted seat belt buckle is known, wherein a light source is connected via a plurality of light conductors, wherein the light conductors exit at an end face of the housing and thus form a plurality of light emission points, which are arranged circumferentially around a button of the seat belt buckle or around an insertion slot. However, this solution is complex and expensive; furthermore, the light conductors are located in the movement direction of the button, so that there is a risk of damaging the light conductors when the button is operated to open the seat belt buckle.

[0007] From the document DE 10 2015 215 254 B4 a lighted seat belt buckle is known, wherein a light emission surface is formed by circumferential surface light sources on an end face of the housing, wherein the surface light sources are designed as light-emitting film parts. On the end face of the housing an additional annular element is provided, which covers the surface light sources on the end face of the seat belt buckle and on the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle and thus protects the surface light sources from damage. The annular element is manufactured in a two-component injection molding method and has a translucent area in the form of a continuous circumferential band on the end face and an opaque area on its radially outer side, so that the seat belt buckle is only purposefully illuminated on the end face.

[0008] It is an object of the present application to provide a cheap seat belt buckle of the general type with improved illumination, wherein the insertion slot and the button for fastening and loosening are particularly easy to find.

[0009] In order to achieve this object, a lighted seat belt buckle having the features according to claim 1 is proposed. Further preferred embodiments of the present application can be found from the dependent claims, the drawings and the related description.

[0010] According to claim 1 a lighted seat belt buckle for a seat belt arrangement of a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a housing, a button which is movable in the housing, an insertion slot for inserting a latch plate which can be locked in the seat belt buckle, and at least one annular light source which comprises the insertion slot and the button, and a cover element which covers the annular light source towards the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle and towards the end face of the seat belt buckle, wherein the cover element is made integrally from a translucent material.

[0011] The proposed solution has the advantage that light is emitted not only towards the end face of the seat belt buckle, but also radially towards the outside via the cover element, wherein this is only possible by the one-piece design of the cover element and its translucent design. This makes the proposed solution particularly cost-effective, while at the same time improving the illumination of the seat belt buckle.

[0012] It is further proposed that the cover element has an integrally formed fastening attachment by which the cover element is fastened to the housing of the seat belt buckle. This makes the attachment of the cover element and the associated assembly process particularly simple and cost-effective. In order to fasten the cover element, a corresponding fastening surface is provided on the housing of the seat belt buckle, which enables the cover element to be fastened via its fastening attachment.

[0013] It is further proposed that the fastening attachment has a latching hook with which the fastening attachment is latched into an undercut of the housing. The locking mechanism is advantageous because it can be carried out very easily during installation and does not require any additional fastening means.

[0014] It is further proposed that the housing has a closed annular segment comprising an insertion slot and a button, which annular segment delimits an annular cavity towards the radially inner face, which annular cavity is delimited by the cover element towards the radially outer face and towards the end face of the seat belt buckle, and that a light source is arranged in the annular cavity. Thus, the cover element encloses a cavity in the housing, in which cavity the light source is arranged. Since the cover element is translucent and the housing of the seat belt buckle is otherwise opaque, this ensures that all light emitted by the light source is only emitted outwards through the cover element. This means that the illumination of the seat belt buckle is defined exclusively by the cover element. In this context, the shape of the cover element can be designed on the one hand and its translucent properties on the other in a targeted manner in order to achieve a high-quality visual illumination of the seat belt buckle.

[0015] In this regard, it is proposed that the cover element preferably adjoins the annular segment of the housing in the region of the end face of the seat belt buckle, so that no additional parts are required to form the cavity.

[0016] It is further proposed that the annular segment protrudes from a base surface of the housing and that the cover element adjoins the segment of the housing forming the base surface radially outwards. Thus, the cavity is formed by the cover element, the annular segment and the base surface, wherein the annular segment and the base surface are part of the housing and form the inner wall of the cavity and the cover element covers the cavity towards the outside.

[0017] It is further proposed that the light source is of annular design and is arranged radially outwards on the annular segment of the housing on the base surface. The proposed annular design of the light source and its arrangement on the base surface allow a particularly uniform illumination of the cavity and thus of the cover element.

[0018] It is further proposed that the cover element has an integrally formed light guide section, which has a light entry surface which is arranged parallel and opposite to the light emission surface of the light source. By the proposed arrangement of the integrally formed light guide section and its light entry surface, light emitted by the light source is coupled into the cover element with increased efficiency, wherein the light guide body purposefully establishes a light guide connection of the light entry surface to the radially outer radiation surface of the cover element.

[0019] It is further proposed that a gap is provided between the integrally formed light guide section and the radially outer edge of the cover element. Through this gap, the cover element can perform a slight spring movement with its outer edge towards the light guide section, which can be used to tighten the cover element during assembly. This is particularly advantageous because the light guide section, in principle, hardens the cover element due to its volume, which is compensated by the spring elasticity of the edge of the cover element resulting from the gap.

[0020] It is further proposed that the light source is formed by a ring-shaped light guide body which adjoins the radially outer face of the ring-shaped section and has a light exit surface. The ring-shaped light guide body forms the light source with its light exit surface, wherein the light exit geometry is defined by the light exit surface established thereon. For the input of light, the light guide body is connected with an external light source, which can be arranged in the housing or in the cavity of the seat belt buckle or any external position at which light is coupled into the light guide body.

[0021] In this regard, the light guide body is preferably designed to be partially circular in cross-section, wherein light is emitted from the light guide body not only towards the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle but also towards the end face of the seat belt buckle. This illuminates the cavity between the cover element and the ring-shaped section or illuminates the cover element radially outward and in the direction of the end face of the seat belt buckle.

[0022] It is further proposed that the cover element is arranged contactlessly with the light source. The contactless arrangement of the light source relative to the cover element prevents the light source from being exposed to mechanical stress during the attachment of the cover element. Furthermore, the contactless arrangement of the cover element is advantageous for the uniform illumination of the cover element, since the light emitted by the light source is additionally distributed before entering the cover element.

[0023] It is further proposed that the cover element has a first section which extends in the direction of the end face of the seat belt buckle and a second section which extends on the end face of the seat belt buckle in the direction of the button and the insertion slot. Thus, the cover element is structurally divided into two sections, wherein the first section is arranged in the direction of the end face of the seat belt buckle and thus forms the radially outer side of the cover element, while the second section extends in the direction of the button and the insertion slot and is thus arranged on the end face of the seat belt buckle.

[0024] It is further proposed that the second section has a greater thickness than the first section. The first section serves to radiate light laterally through the cover element, while the second section is provided to radiate light at the preferably observer-facing end face of the seat belt buckle. In this case, the greater thickness of the second section is advantageous, since it scatters more light in the second section than in the first section, which leads to the observer perceiving that the seat belt buckle is illuminated more uniformly overall.

[0025] It is further proposed that a marking, preferably an information symbol, is provided on the first section and / or the second section. The marking or information symbol can comprise a company logo, a warning sign or a simple aesthetic pattern. Overall, the cover element can also have a second function as an information carrier or as a decorative element and thus further increase the value of the seat belt buckle.

[0026] It is further proposed that the cover element has a different surface finish on the outside of the first section than on the outside of the second section. Due to the different surface properties of the cover element in the two sections, the cover element can be designed differently in terms of feel and appearance on its end face in the area of the seat belt buckle than in the first section on the radially outer side. This allows the seat belt buckle to be customized in terms of appearance as well as feel for individual customers.

[0027] It is further proposed that the cover element is locally opaque in the area of the first section due to a coating, printing or surface treatment. This intentionally locally achieved opacity can be used by appropriate shaping to achieve an improved visual appearance or to intentionally display symbols or characters when the light source is activated.

[0028] The application is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 A seat belt buckle according to the application is shown according to a first embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 2 A seat belt buckle according to the application is shown in a preferred further development in Figure 1 ; and

[0031] Figure 3 A seat belt buckle according to the application is shown in Figure 1 ; and

[0032] Figure 4 A seat belt buckle according to the application is shown with a cover element having different thicknesses; and

[0033] Figure 5A seat belt buckle according to the application is shown, which has a light source in the form of a ring-shaped light conductor according to a third embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 6 A cover element with information symbols is shown.

[0035] In Figure 1 A lighting seat belt buckle 1 according to the application is shown, which has a housing 2, a push button 3 arranged on an end face, and an insertion slot 4 arranged adjacent to the push button for inserting and locking a latch plate (not shown) of a seat belt device. In the housing 2, a locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the latch plate is provided, which can be released by actuating the push button 3 for ejecting the latch plate in the described manner.

[0036] On the end face of the housing 2, a ring segment 8 is provided, which protrudes from a base surface 10 of the housing 2 and surrounds the push button 3 and the insertion slot 4 of the seat belt buckle 1. The base region 10 of the housing 2 is also designed to be ring-shaped and extends on the radially outer side of the ring segment 8 over the entire circumference of the housing 2. Furthermore, a cover element 6 is provided, which is also ring-shaped and is fastened to the outer side of the housing 2 via fastening attachments 7 in the segment forming the base surface 10. In order to fasten the cover element 6, the cover element can be, for example, glued or welded to the fastening attachments 7 on the outer side of the housing 2.

[0037] The cover element 6 extends from the fastening attachments 7 in a first segment 20, which extends in the direction of the end face of the housing, and continues from the first segment 20 via a curved segment into a second segment 19, which points in the direction of the ring segment 8 on the end face of the housing 2. With the fastening attachments 7, the cover element 6 adjoins the housing 2 radially outwardly and, with the end face of the second segment 19, adjoins the ring segment 8, wherein the fastening attachments 7 continue or extend the first segment 20 of the cover element 6. The cover element 6 thus surrounds a ring-shaped cavity 9, which is delimited toward the radially inner side by the ring segment 8 and toward the lower side by the base region 10. The ring-shaped light source 5 is arranged on the base surface 10 of the cavity 9. The light source 5 can be a surface light source, a LED chain or even a light conductor with a corresponding light exit surface.

[0038] The cover element 6 is made of a translucent material in one piece. Upon activation of the light source 5, the cavity 9 is completely illuminated, wherein, due to the overall, translucent design of the cover element 6, light is emitted outward through the first segment 20, the second segment 19 and the curved segment of the cover element 6 arranged therebetween. Thus, the seat belt buckle 1 is illuminated annularly uniformly over the entire outer surface of the first segment 20, the second segment 19 and the curved segment of the cover element 6, wherein the pushbutton 3 and the insertion slot 4 are arranged within the light-emitting ring. Since the cover element 6 adjoins the housing 2 on the outside with the fastening attachment 7 and the second segment 19 adjoins the annular segment 8 as flat as possible and without gaps within the possible manufacturing precision, light is only emitted via the outer surface of the cover element 6, so that a visually high-quality illumination of the seat belt buckle 1 can be achieved. Here, according to the customer's requirements, in order to increase the scattering of light, the radiation properties can be changed by intentionally roughening the cover element 6, for example by surface etching or by a specific embossed surface structure on its radially outer side or on its radially inner side. It is also conceivable to provide a partially transparent coating of the cover element 6, which allows light to escape when the light source 5 is activated, but prevents a view through the cover element 6 when the light source 5 is deactivated. The cover element 6 has a first segment 20 and a second segment 19, wherein the first segment 20 is arranged on the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle 1 and the second segment 19 is arranged on the end face of the seat belt buckle 1. In this case, the cover element 6 can be intentionally designed differently in the area of the first segment 20 and the second segment 19 in order to achieve a uniform appearance of the illuminated seat belt buckle 1, wherein for this purpose the thickness, the surface quality or the arrangement of locally opaque areas of the two segments 19 and 20 are provided.

[0039] In Figure 2 , further developments of the embodiments in Figure 1 can be seen. The fastening attachment 7 is here formed by a latching arm, which latches into a recess 17 of the housing 2 in order to fasten the cover element 6. The latching arm and / or the recess 17 can be formed over the entire circumference of the housing 2 or the cover element 6 or only partially in the form of a plurality of latching arms and a plurality of spaced-apart recesses 17. Furthermore, the cover element 6 is intentionally provided with a segment 18 in the area of the first segment 20, in which additional logos of customers or other types of information symbols can be provided.

[0040] In Figure 3 , further developments of the embodiments in Figure 1A further development of the implementation scheme involves the covering element 6 having a different thickness in the region of the second segment 19. Depending on the desired radiation characteristics, the covering element 6 can be designed such that the second segment 19 is thicker or thinner, while the covering element 6 remains constant in the region of the first segment 20 and the fastening attachment 7. It is also conceivable that the covering element 6 has a different circumferential thickness in the region of the second segment 19, such that the covering element 6 has different radiation characteristics along its circumference. Thus, the stiffness of the covering element 6 can also be designed differently circumferentially. However, it is preferred that the covering element 6 be designed to be thicker in the region of the second segment 19 than in the region of the first segment 20.

[0041] exist Figure 4 In the middle, you can see Figure 1 Further development of the implementation scheme, wherein the covering element 6 has an integrally formed optical guide segment 11. Additionally, according to... Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, the covering element 6 may be designed to be specifically located in the region of the fastening section 7 and the first section 20. The light-guiding section 11 extends into the cavity 9 and has a light-incident surface 13, which is parallel to and opposite to the light-emitting surface 12 of the light source 5, forming a gap with a constant gap width.

[0042] The luminescent surface 12 of the light source 5 is considered an idealized luminescent surface. When the light source 5 is designed to have multiple LEDs, this luminescent surface is considered to be a plane in which the LEDs are arranged. In the case that the light source 5 is a surface light source, the luminescent surface will be the surface of the surface light source. In the case that the light source 5 is designed in the form of a light conductor, the luminescent surface 12 will be the average plane of the light emitting surface of the light conductor.

[0043] Furthermore, the cover element 6 has a gap 14 between the light conductor 11 and the first section 20 of the outer wall of the cover element 6, which allows the fastening section 7 to pop out radially when the cover element 6 is fastened.

[0044] The light emitted by the light source 5 is then emitted through the light-emitting surface 12 and coupled into the light conductor 11 through the opposing light-incident surfaces 13. The light is then conducted in the light conductor 11 to the first section 20, the second section 19 and the curved section of the covering element 6 located therebetween, and emitted outward through these sections.

[0045] exist Figure 5In Fig. 6, a further exemplary embodiment of the application can be seen, in which the light source 5 is formed by a light conductor 15 which adjoins the side surface of the annular segment 8. The light conductor 15 has a light exit surface 16 which, on the inner side, is opposite the first segment 20 of the cover element 6 in the cavity 9. The cross section of the light exit surface 16 is partially circular, in the present case semicircular, so that light exits from the light conductor 15 not only in the direction of the first segment 20 of the cover element 6 but also in the direction of the second segment 19 of the cover element and in the direction of the curved segment of the cover element 6 which is arranged between the first segment and the second segment via the light exit surface 16. The light conductor 15 is annular and has an inner surface which corresponds to the outer surface of the annular segment 8, so that its inner side lies flat against the outer side of the annular segment 8. The cover element 6 can also be designed according to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 5. Figures 1 to 4

[0046] In Fig. 6, a further exemplary embodiment of the application can be seen, in which the light source 5 is formed by a light conductor 15 which adjoins the side surface of the annular segment 8. The light conductor 15 has a light exit surface 16 which, on the inner side, is opposite the first segment 20 of the cover element 6 in the cavity 9. The cross section of the light exit surface 16 is partially circular, in the present case semicircular, so that light exits from the light conductor 15 not only in the direction of the first segment 20 of the cover element 6 but also in the direction of the second segment 19 of the cover element and in the direction of the curved segment of the cover element 6 which is arranged between the first segment and the second segment via the light exit surface 16. The light conductor 15 is annular and has an inner surface which corresponds to the outer surface of the annular segment 8, so that its inner side lies flat against the outer side of the annular segment 8. The cover element 6 can also be designed according to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 5. Figure 6 In Fig. 6, a further exemplary embodiment of the application can be seen, in which the light source 5 is formed by a light conductor 15 which adjoins the side surface of the annular segment 8. The light conductor 15 has a light exit surface 16 which, on the inner side, is opposite the first segment 20 of the cover element 6 in the cavity 9. The cross section of the light exit surface 16 is partially circular, in the present case semicircular, so that light exits from the light conductor 15 not only in the direction of the first segment 20 of the cover element 6 but also in the direction of the second segment 19 of the cover element and in the direction of the curved segment of the cover element 6 which is arranged between the first segment and the second segment via the light exit surface 16. The light conductor 15 is annular and has an inner surface which corresponds to the outer surface of the annular segment 8, so that its inner side lies flat against the outer side of the annular segment 8. The cover element 6 can also be designed according to the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 5.​

Claims

1. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) for a seat belt arrangement of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a housing (2), - a push button (3) displaceable in the housing (2), - an insertion slot (4) for an insertion of a latch plate lockable in the seat belt buckle (1), and - at least one ring light source (5) comprising the insertion slot (4) and the push button (3), and - a cover element (6) covering the ring light source (5) towards a radially outer side of the seat belt buckle (1) and towards an end face of the seat belt buckle, characterized in that - the cover element (6) is integrally made of a translucent material.

2. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the cover element (6) has an integrally formed fastening attachment (7) by which the cover element is fastened to the housing (2) of the seat belt buckle (1).

3. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that - the fastening attachment (7) has at least one latching hook (21) by which the fastening attachment is latched into an undercut of the housing (2).

4. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that - the housing (2) has a closed ring section (8) surrounding the insertion slot (4) and the push button (3) and delimiting a ring cavity (9) towards a radially inner side, - the ring cavity (9) is delimited by the cover element (6) towards the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle (1) and towards the end face of the seat belt buckle, and - the light source (5) is arranged in the ring cavity (9).

5. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that - the cover element (6) abuts the ring section (8) of the housing (2) in the area of the end face of the seat belt buckle (1).

6. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that - the ring section (8) protrudes from a base surface (10) of the housing (2), and - the cover element (6) radially abuts a section of the housing (2) forming the base surface (10) on the outer side.

7. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that - the light source (5) is arranged radially on the base surface (10) on the outer side of the ring section (8) of the housing (2).

8. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that - the light source (5) is arranged radially on the base surface (10) on the outer side of the ring section (8) of the housing (2). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ - the cover element (6) has an integrally formed light guide section (11) which has a light entry surface (13) which is arranged parallel and opposite to a light emission surface (12) of the light source (5).

9. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that - a gap (14) is provided between the integrally formed light guide section (11) and a radially outer edge of the cover element (6).

10. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that - the light source (5) is formed by a ring-shaped light guide body (15) which adjoins a radially outer face of the ring-shaped section (8) and has a light exit surface (16).

11. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that - the light guide body (15) is designed to be partially circular in cross section, and - light exits from the light guide body (15) not only towards the radially outer side of the seat belt buckle (1) but also towards the end face of the seat belt buckle (1).

12. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that - the cover element (6) is arranged contactlessly with respect to the light source (5).

13. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that - the cover element (6) has a first section (20) which extends in the direction of an end face of the seat belt buckle (1), and - the cover element (6) has a second section (19) which extends on the end face of the seat belt buckle (1) in the direction of the push button (3) and the insertion slot (4).

14. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that - the second section (19) has a greater thickness than the first section (20).

15. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that - a marking (22), preferably an information symbol, is provided on the first section (20) and / or the second section (20).

16. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that - the cover element (6) has a different surface finish on the outside of the first section (20) than on the outside of the second section (19).

17. Illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that - the cover element (6) is locally opaque in the region of the first section (20) due to a coating, a print or a surface treatment.

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