End joint tensioning device

Abstract

The invention relates to an end joint tensioning device of a safety belt, comprising a tensioning mechanism device, a hollow belt shaft which can be driven by the tensioning mechanism in a winding direction, and a locking device which can lock a mating element connected to the end of the safety belt in the belt shaft, the belt shaft comprising an insertion groove through which the mating element is inserted into the belt shaft. According to the invention, a mating element mounted on the seat belt can be inserted radially inside the belt shaft, the locking mechanism is triggered when the mating element is inserted into the belt shaft, a movable locking element of the locking mechanism is moved from an unlocked position into a locked position, so that the mating element is locked in the seat belt shaft, and the locked position can be fixed by means of a fixing element. According to the invention, the securing element is mounted on the locking element and moves together with the locking element when the locking element is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of vehicle safety technology, specifically to a seat belt end connector tensioning device. Background Technology

[0002] German patent document DE102012204810 B3 describes a seat belt device with an end-joint tensioner, including a tensioning mechanism, a hollow belt shaft that can be driven by the tensioning mechanism in the winding direction, and a locking mechanism capable of locking a mating element connected to the safety end within the belt shaft. The belt shaft includes an insertion slot through which the mating element connected to the seat belt is radially inserted. When the mating element is inserted into the belt shaft, the locking mechanism is triggered, and a movable locking element of the locking mechanism moves from an unlocked position to a locked position, thereby locking the mating element in the belt shaft. The locked position can be fixed by a fixing element. While this patent allows for relatively quick connection between the webbing and the tensioning device, the installer cannot constantly observe the position of the locking element during installation, which may lead to improper installation and errors. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an end joint tensioning device in which incorrect installation can be avoided with particular safety.

[0004] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the end joint tensioning device having the features of claim 1. An optimized design of the end joint tensioning device according to the present invention is defined in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the present invention, the fixing element is mounted on the locking element, and the fixing element moves together with the locking element when the locking element changes from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0006] A significant advantage of the end joint tensioning device of the present invention is that, during installation, the position of the locking element can be identified by the position of the fixing element. Therefore, the installer can determine whether the locking element is in the locked position by the position of the fixing element, and can reset the locking state of the fixing element until the locking element actually reaches the locked position, which the installer can confirm by the position of the fixing element.

[0007] When the locking element is in the unlocked position, the fixing element is covered from the outside and cannot be seen from the mounting side. Only when the locking element is in the locked position is the fixing element released outward and visible from the mounting side. This design reliably prevents incorrect installation.

[0008] The space-saving design involves mounting the locking element inside the belt shaft, allowing it to rotate around the shaft and switch the locking element from the unlocked position to the locked position by rotating around the shaft.

[0009] What is particularly space-saving is that the fixing elements are arranged entirely or at least partially inside the belt shaft, and the fixing elements inside the belt shaft also rotate about the rotation axis when the locking elements rotate about the rotation axis.

[0010] The rotating shaft and the pivot shaft are preferably coaxial, or preferably formed by the same axis.

[0011] In one particularly advantageous embodiment, in the unlocked position of the locking element, the fixing element is outwardly covered by the tubular belt wall with a shaft, and in the locked position of the locking element, it is released to the outside through a through hole on the belt arm and can be observed from the mounting side.

[0012] Advantageously, when the locking element is in the locked position, the fixing element can move radially outward, at least into the radially outer through hole on the belt shaft wall, thereby preventing subsequent rotation of the fixing element and the locking element by the obstruction of the hole edge on the belt shaft wall.

[0013] The fixing element is preferably a screw threaded onto the locking element. When the locking element is in the unlocked position, the screw is completely inside the belt shaft, and when the locking element is in the locked position, it is partially screwed out radially from the locking element. The end of the screw away from the locking element is blocked by the edge of a hole defining a through hole on the belt shaft wall, preventing it from rotating.

[0014] In another, particularly advantageous, or alternative, fixing element or another fixing element is partially arranged outside the belt shaft and extends radially into the belt shaft through a slot extending tangentially in the belt shaft wall, the extended portion of which is connected to a locking element.

[0015] In the above structure, the fixing element (or another fixing element) is preferably a bolt threaded onto the locking element, with the bolt head located outside the belt shaft, and the locking element is fixed in the locking position by further screwing the bolt into or through the locking element.

[0016] The slot is preferably designed to prevent further screwing into the locking element when it is in the unlocked position, while allowing further screwing in when it is in the locked position.

[0017] When the locking element is in the unlocked position, the area through which the fixing element passes in the slot is preferably narrower than the area through which the fixing element passes in the slot when the locking element is in the unlocked position. For example, when the locking element is in the unlocked position, the width of the area through which the bolt passes as a fixing element in the slot is preferably narrower than the bolt head; while when the locking element is in the locked position, the width of the area through which the bolt passes in the slot is preferably greater than the bolt head.

[0018] Regardless of the specific design of the fixing element, it is considered advantageous if the end of the fixing element, especially the bolt or countersunk screw facing the locking element (i.e., the radially inward side), has an end that prevents the fixing element (especially the bolt or countersunk screw) from being screwed out of the locking element beyond a specified size.

[0019] Regarding the structural design of the locking mechanism, if the locking mechanism includes an elastic mechanism, the elastic mechanism pushes the locking element to the locking position by elastic force. When the mating element is inserted into the hollow belt shaft, the elastic mechanism is released, and the locking element moves from the unlocked position to the locked position under the elastic force of the elastic mechanism.

[0020] The elastic mechanism is preferably composed of a single spring, or the locking mechanism is preferably composed of only a single spring as the elastic mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be described in detail through the following embodiments; wherein exemplary examples are shown:

[0022] Figure 1 It is a component of the first embodiment of the end joint tensioning device equipped with a fixing element;

[0023] Figure 2-5 The first optimized design of the fixed component, in which Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unlock location is displayed. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The locked location is displayed;

[0024] Figure 6-7 The design of the end of the fixing element using a countersunk screw as the fixing element is advantageous;

[0025] Figure 8-9 Another advantageous design for the end of the fixing element, using a countersunk screw as the fixing element;

[0026] Figure 10-12 Second optimized design for fixed components;

[0027] Figure 13-16 It is a component of the second embodiment of the end joint tensioning device equipped with a fixing element;

[0028] Figure 17-23 according to Figures 13 to 16 Various optimized designs of the fixing elements related to the second embodiment are shown;

[0029] In the figure, 1 is the end joint tensioning device; 2 is the safety belt; 2a is the end; 10 is the tensioning mechanism; 20 is the belt shaft; 21 is the insertion groove; 22 is the belt shaft wall; 22a is the hole edge; 23 is the through hole; 24 is the slot; 30 is the locking mechanism; 31 is the locking element; 32 is the fixing element; 33 is the elastic mechanism; 310 is the countersunk screw; 310a is the radially outer end; 310b is the radially inner end; 320 is the bolt; 321 is the bolt head; 350 is the unlocking lever; 351 is the shaft; 360 is the stop; 40 is the mating element; 400 is the baffle; and S is the rotating shaft.

[0030] For ease of understanding, the same reference labels are always used for the same or similar components in the diagram.

[0031] Figure 1 The components of an embodiment of the end joint tensioning device 1 for a seat belt 2 according to the present invention are shown in three dimensions.

[0032] The end joint tensioning device 1 includes a tensioning mechanism 10, a hollow belt shaft 20 driven by the tensioning mechanism 10 in the winding direction, and a locking mechanism 30. The locking mechanism 30 can lock the mating element 40 connected to one end 2a of the seat belt 20 within the seat belt shaft 20. When the mating element 40 enters the hollow belt shaft 20 through the insertion groove 21 in the belt shaft wall 22, the locking mechanism 30 is triggered and locks the mating element 40.

[0033] Figure 2 The first optimized design of the locking mechanism 30 is shown in detail, illustrating the state before locking, in which the locking element 31 of the locking mechanism 30 is still in the unlocked position, i.e., before the inserted mating element 40 unlocks the rotatable shaft 351 of the locking mechanism 30 by rotating the unlocking lever 350, and before the elastic mechanism 33 in the locking mechanism 30 (not shown further for clarity) adjusts the locking element 31 to the locked position. The shaft 351 and the rotatable unlocking lever 350 may be, for example, components of a hinge.

[0034] The locking element 31 can rotate inside the belt shaft 20 about a rotation axis S, which is preferably arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the belt shaft 20. By rotating about the rotation axis S, the locking element 31 can be switched from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0035] The locking mechanism 30 is also equipped with a retaining element 32 for securing the locking element 31 in the locked position, thereby preventing the locking element 31 from leaving the locked position. The retaining element 32 is mounted on the locking element 31 and moves with the locking element 31 when the locking element 31 is adjusted from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0036] In the first preferred design, the fixing element 32 is constituted by a countersunk screw 310 threaded onto the locking element 31. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the unlocked position of the locking element 31, it is screwed into the locking element 31 to a depth sufficient to make it completely inside the belt shaft 20 and to be radially covered by the tubular belt shaft wall 22.

[0037] Figure 3 A perspective view of the tubular belt shaft wall 22 with the locking element 31 in the unlocked position is shown. It can be seen that, compared with the countersunk screw 310, the through hole 23 provided on the tubular belt shaft wall 22 is offset by a rotation angle in the tangential direction, so that the screw 310 cannot be affected when entering the belt shaft radially from the outside through the through hole 23 on the mounting side.

[0038] For comparison, Figure 4 and Figure 5 This shows the locked position of the locking element 31, i.e., it is in the position from which it is locked. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The unlocking position shown is the position after rotation about the rotation axis S. The angle of this rotation is designed to turn the countersunk screw 310 to the area of ​​the through hole 23, allowing it to enter radially from the outside. Therefore, after the locking element 31 reaches its locked position and locks the mating element 40, the installer can adjust the screw 310 and fix the position of the locking element 31.

[0039] exist Figures 2 to 5 In the first optimized design shown, the locking element 31 is secured by partially (i.e. incompletely) radially adjusting the countersunk screw 310 from the locking element 31, such that the radially outer end 310a (i.e., facing away from the locking element 31) of the countersunk screw 310 extends into or through the through hole 23, such that the countersunk screw 310 is stopped by the hole edge 22a that contacts the through hole 23 of the tubular belt shaft wall 22, and further rotation is prevented.

[0040] To prevent the countersunk screw 310 from being screwed out of the locking element 31 beyond a specified size, for example, to prevent the countersunk screw 310 from falling out of the shaft 20, the radially inner end of the countersunk screw 310, i.e., facing the locking element 31, has an end to prevent the screw 310 from being screwed out too far from the locking element 31. This end... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As an example, it is formed by a threadless region.

[0041] The unthreaded end of the countersunk screw 310 causes the external thread of the countersunk screw 310 to be mechanically clamped to the internal thread of the locking element 31 when the countersunk screw 310 is unscrewed, thereby ensuring the final safe position of the screw 310 by generating a specified minimum torque when the countersunk screw 310 is unscrewed; when the countersunk screw 310 is unscrewed from the locking element 31, the application of the minimum torque during the assembly process can be monitored and recorded in a specified manner.

[0042] Figure 8 and Figure 9 This illustrates another end optimization design for the countersunk screw 310, which prevents the countersunk screw 310 from being screwed too far out of the locking element 31. According to... Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the design, the radially inner end 310b of the countersunk screw 310, i.e. facing the locking element 31, is formed by a screw head (e.g., in the form of a hammer head), which forms a stop that restricts loosening.

[0043] In addition, the above regarding Figure 6 and Figure 7 The description of the structure of the screw 310 with the unthreaded end 310b described herein also applies to... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The structure with screw heads shown is illustrated.

[0044] Figures 10 to 12 The second optimized design is shown, in which the fixing element 32 is formed by a bolt 320 screwed into the locking element 31, with the bolt head 321 located outside the shaft 20 in both the unlocked and locked positions. Figure 10 and Figure 12 The image shows a cross-section and a perspective view of the second optimized design at the unlocking position; Figure 11 This shows a screenshot of the second optimized design in the locked position.

[0045] Bolt 320 extends radially into the interior of belt shaft 20 through a slot 24 extending tangentially in the tubular belt shaft wall 22. Its extended portion is threadedly connected to and / or passes through the locking element 31, thereby fixing bolt 320 to locking element 31.

[0046] In the unlocked position of the locking element 31, the slot 24 prevents further screwing into the locking element 31, in particular, further screwing into the locking element 31. Conversely, in the locked position of the locking element 31, the slot 24 allows further screwing into the locking element 31, or further screwing into the locking element 31, so that the fixing element 32 can be transferred from the non-fixed connection position to the fixed connection position.

[0047] To achieve this goal, in Figures 10 to 12In the embodiment shown, in the unlocked position of the locking element 31, the fixing element 32 passes through the area of ​​the slot 24, the width of which is smaller than that of the bolt head 321; while in the locked position of the locking element 31, the fixing element 32 passes through the area of ​​the slot 24, the width of which is larger than that of the bolt head 321.

[0048] When the locking element 31 is in the locked position, if the bolt 320 is tightened, the bolt, in cooperation with the shaft wall 22, generates a predetermined minimum torque through the internal thread of the locking element, ensuring the final safe position of the bolt 320; when the bolt 320 is screwed into or through the locking element 31, the application of the minimum torque during the assembly process can be monitored and recorded in a specified manner.

[0049] To prevent contact with the retaining element 32 before the mating element 40 is locked, it is preferable to provide a baffle 400 that covers the retaining element 32 when the locking element 31 is in the unlocked position.

[0050] Figures 13 to 16 The components of a second embodiment of the end joint tensioning device 1 are shown, equipped with a fixing element 32 mounted on a locking element 31. According to... Figures 13 to 16 The second embodiment shown differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the locking mechanism 30, particularly the design of the elastic mechanism 33 (preferably composed of a single spring) and the design of the unlocking mechanism. Figure 13-14 The second embodiment is shown in the unlocked position. Figure 15-16 A second embodiment in the locked position is shown.

[0051] like Figures 13 to 16 As shown, in the second embodiment, the locking mechanism 30 replaces the unlocking lever 350, and instead uses a resiliently movable or deflectable stop 360. This stop can be pressed down by the mating element 40 (i.e., along the insertion direction of the mating element 40), thereby releasing the resilient mechanism 33 of the locking mechanism 30 and adjusting the locking element 31 to the locked position. In all other respects, it is consistent with the first embodiment and... Figures 1 to 12 The structures shown are the same.

[0052] Figure 17 A second embodiment is shown, wherein the countersunk screw 310 serves as a fixing element and the locking element is in the locked position; in this respect, the above description is consistent with... Figures 2 to 5 The related structures shown are the same.

[0053] Figure 18 and Figure 19 A second embodiment using a countersunk screw 310 is shown, wherein the radially inner end 310b is unthreaded, thereby preventing the screw 310 from being excessively unscrewed from the locking element 31. Figure 18 and Figure 19 The structure is shown in the unlocked position (see...) Figure 18 ) and lock location (see Figure 19 A cross-sectional view of ); in this respect, the above description is consistent with Figures 6 to 7 The related structures shown are the same.

[0054] Figure 20 and Figure 21 A second embodiment using a countersunk screw 310 is shown, the radially inner end 310b of which is equipped with a radially enlarged screw head, thereby preventing the countersunk screw from being excessively unscrewed from the locking element 31. Figure 20 and Figure 21 The structure is shown in the unlocked position (see...). Figure 20 ) and lock location (see Figure 21 A cross-sectional view of ); in this respect, the above description is consistent with Figures 8 to 9 The related structures shown are the same.

[0055] Figure 22 and Figure 23 A second embodiment using bolt 320 is shown, with bolt head 321 located radially outward. Figure 22 and Figure 23 The structure is shown in the unlocked position (see...). Figure 22 ) and lock location (see Figure 23 A cross-sectional view of ); in this respect, the above description is consistent with Figures 10 to 12 The related structures shown are the same.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the features of all the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily to form other embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] Furthermore, features of all dependent claims can be combined with each parallel claim individually, or with one or more other dependent claims in any combination, to obtain other embodiments.

Claims

1. An end joint tensioning device (1) for a seat belt (2), comprising: Tensioning mechanism (10), A hollow belt shaft (20) that can be driven in the winding direction by the tensioning mechanism (10), and A locking mechanism (30) is provided, which is capable of locking the mating element (40) connected to the end (2a) of the seat belt (2) within the belt shaft (20). in, The belt shaft (20) includes an insertion slot (21) through which the mating element (40) on the seat belt (2) can be radially inserted into the belt shaft (20). When the mating element (40) is inserted into the belt shaft (20), the locking mechanism (30) is triggered, and the movable locking element (31) of the locking mechanism (30) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, thereby locking the mating element (40) in the belt shaft (20). The locked position can be fixed by a fixing element (32). Its features are, The fixing element (32) is mounted on the locking element (31) and moves together with the locking element (31) when the locking element (31) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position.

2. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the unlocked position of the locking element (31), the fixing element (32) is externally covered and cannot be observed from the mounting side; in the locked position of the locking element (31), the fixing element (32) is released to the outside and can be observed from the mounting side.

3. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking element (31) is arranged inside the belt shaft (20) around the rotation axis (S) and rotates from the unlocked position to the locked position via the rotation axis (S).

4. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fixing element (32) is located entirely or at least partially inside the belt shaft (20). When the locking element (31) rotates about the rotation axis (S), the fixing element (32) inside the belt shaft (20) also rotates about the rotation axis (S).

5. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rotating shaft (S) and the rotating shaft of the belt shaft (20) are coaxial or formed by the same axis.

6. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, In the unlocked position of the locking element (31), the fixing element (32) is covered outward by the tubular belt wall (22) of the belt shaft (20). In the locked position of the locking element (31), it is released to the outside through the through hole (23) in the belt wall (22) and can be observed on the mounting side.

7. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the locked position of the locking element (31), the fixing element (32) can move radially outward, extending at least into the radially outer through hole (23) on the belt shaft wall (22) of the belt shaft (20), and prevents the subsequent rotation of the fixing element (32) and the locking element (31) by the obstruction of the hole edge (22a) of the through hole (23).

8. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fixing element (32) is a countersunk screw (310) threaded into the locking element (31). When the locking element (31) is in the unlocked position, the countersunk screw is completely inside the belt shaft (20). When the locking element (31) is in the locked position, the countersunk screw is partially screwed out radially out of the locking element (31), such that one end (310a) of the countersunk screw (310) away from the locking element (31) is blocked by the edge (22a) of the through hole (23) on the belt shaft wall (22) to limit rotation.

9. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing element (32) is partially arranged outside the belt shaft (20) and extends radially into the belt shaft (20) through a slot (24) extending tangentially on the belt shaft wall (22) of the belt shaft (20), and its extended portion is connected to the locking element (31).

10. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The other fixing element (32) is a bolt (320) threaded into the locking element (31), the screw head (321) of which is located outside the belt shaft (20), and the locking element (31) is fixed in the locked position by further screwing into or through the locking element (31) in the locked position.

11. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, In the unlocked position of the locking element (31), the slot (24) prevents further screwing into the locking element (31) and allows further screwing into the locking element (31) in the locked position.

12. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The area through which the fixing element (32) passes in the slot (24) in the unlocked position of the locking element (31) is narrower than the area through which the fixing element (32) passes in the slot (24) in the locked position of the locking element (31).

13. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The fixing element (32) has an end (310b) facing the locking element (31) to prevent the fixing element (32) from being moved out, and to limit it from being screwed out of the locking element (31) by a specified size.

14. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (30) includes an elastic mechanism (33) that elastically loads the locking element (31) along the direction of the locking position. When the mating element (40) is inserted into the belt shaft (20), the elastic mechanism (33) is released and, under the elastic action, pushes the locking element (31) from the unlocked position to the locked position.

15. The end joint tensioning device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (30) includes a single spring forming the entire elastic mechanism (33).

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