An automated functional testing device for electric seat belts

Abstract

This invention provides an automated functional testing device for electric seat belts, comprising: a frame; a first station located within the frame, used for testing the electric control system and writing information to the electric seat belt; a second station located within the frame, used for testing the mechanical performance and functionality of the electric seat belt and writing information; and a control system for controlling the first and second stations; wherein, when the first station is not activated, the second station can perform all the functions of the first station. This invention improves the overall performance of the testing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of seat belt function testing technology, and more specifically, to an automated function testing device for electric seat belts. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive industry and the increasing demands for driving safety, car seat belts, as the first line of defense for protecting the lives of drivers and passengers, are constantly undergoing technological innovation. Electric seat belts, especially those with intelligent functions such as pretensioning and force limiting, have become standard equipment in modern mid-to-high-end cars. These seat belts integrate motors, sensors, and electronic control units (ECUs), enabling them to interact with the vehicle's safety system via the onboard CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. They actively tighten the webbing before or at the moment of a collision, firmly securing passengers to their seats and minimizing injury.

[0003] The reliability of electric seat belts is directly related to life safety; therefore, all performance indicators must be comprehensively and accurately tested before leaving the factory. These tests typically include triggering pretensioning and unlocking actions via CAN bus commands, and simultaneously collecting physical parameters during the process, such as the webbing winding displacement, the tension applied by the motor, the current and voltage during operation, and the movement angles of key components, to ensure that both mechanical and electrical control performance meet design specifications.

[0004] Currently, the mainstream technical solutions for functional testing equipment used in such products are typically automated test benches based on PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) or PCs (Personal Computers). PLC-based systems excel at handling sequential logic control, such as controlling cylinders and motors to clamp, position, and transport workpieces, but they are weaker in handling high-speed, complex physical quantity acquisition (e.g., via NIDAQ cards) and specialized bus communication protocols (e.g., UDS-based diagnostic services). While PC-based systems offer powerful data processing and communication capabilities, they are less reliable than PLCs in providing stable, real-time timing control of the underlying hardware in industrial environments. Therefore, existing testing systems still have limitations in terms of integration, testing efficiency, and flexible production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide an automated functional testing device for electric seat belts, which improves the overall performance of the testing device.

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides an automated functional testing device for electric seat belts, comprising: a frame; a first station located within the frame, used for testing the electric control system and writing information to the electric seat belt; a second station located within the frame, used for testing the mechanical performance and functions of the electric seat belt and writing information; and a control system for controlling the first and second stations; wherein, when the first station is not activated, the second station can perform all the functions of the first station.

[0007] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by this solution are as follows: By setting up a first station for electrical control system testing and information writing, and a second station for mechanical performance and functional testing, and by adopting a system control architecture, the rational allocation and efficient execution of test tasks are realized. This dual-station design allows the two stations to operate asynchronously and independently, breaking through the process bottleneck of traditional single-station serial testing, significantly shortening the average testing time for a single product, greatly improving overall testing efficiency and equipment utilization, and well adapting to the needs of high-paced production lines.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first station includes: a clamping assembly for adapting to and clamping electric seat belt products of different sizes, the clamping assembly further including clamps and clamping blocks, and a model change detection proximity switch for detecting product model; a programming plug assembly, the programming plug assembly driving a large probe for powering the product and a small probe for CAN communication via a cylinder; and a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly including a first proximity switch for confirming that the product is in place and a start signal light grid for confirming that the operator's hands are removed.

[0009] Compared to existing technologies, the technical benefits of this solution are as follows: By integrating a quick-change fixture assembly, a dedicated programming connector assembly, and a sensor system that includes model detection and loading confirmation at the first workstation, this design enables rapid identification and precise positioning of multiple product models. The quick-change fixture eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustments when switching product models, and the sensor system automatically identifies the product type and confirms the loading status and operational safety, effectively reducing manual intervention and changeover debugging time. This highly integrated and automated design not only improves the preparation and execution efficiency of the first workstation but also provides a stable and reliable physical connection and security guarantee for subsequent communication testing, ensuring a smooth testing process and accurate data from the outset.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first station further includes: a quick-lock screw for fixing the fixture and the clamping block; and multiple positioning pins for positioning the fixture and the clamping block.

[0011] Compared with existing technologies, the technical advantages of this solution are as follows: The quick-change fixture design achieves precise mechanical positioning through a combination of quick-lock screws and locating pins. The locating pins ensure extremely high repeatability after each fixture change, eliminating testing errors caused by installation deviations. This design greatly simplifies the changeover process for operators, avoids human error, and significantly improves the equipment's compatibility with different product models and the flexibility of the production line.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second station includes: a product fixing assembly for fixing the safety belt body, the product fixing assembly further including a slidable left clamp and a fixed right clamp; an electrical testing assembly for establishing an electrical connection with the product, and equipped with an adjustable plug angle adjustment block to compensate for alignment errors; a length measuring assembly for simulating webbing pull-out and retraction, which includes a vertical electric cylinder driven by a vertical motor and a horizontal electric cylinder driven by a horizontal motor, and measures the webbing pull-out length in real time by a first magnetic scale; a force testing assembly for testing the mechanical properties of the webbing when tightened, and the force testing assembly is also equipped with a front clamping block and a rear clamping block, the force testing assembly drives the front and rear clamping blocks by a cylinder to clamp the webbing, and converts the webbing tension into pressure through a spring and transmits it to a pressure sensor; and an angle adjustment assembly for adjusting the testing angle of the entire second station, the angle adjustment assembly being driven by a handwheel, and achieving the overall tilting of the second station through a commutator and worm gear structure.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the technical benefits of this solution are as follows: The second workstation integrates five functional components—product fixation, electrical testing, length measurement, force testing, and angle adjustment—to construct a comprehensive and precise mechanical performance testing platform. The product fixation component achieves safe and flexible clamping through a clever combination of pneumatic circuits and springs; the electrical testing component ensures stable and reliable electrical connections through multi-degree-of-freedom cylinder drive and angle adjustment; the length measurement component achieves accurate simulation and measurement of the webbing pull-out length through dual-motor collaboration and a high-precision magnetic scale; the force testing component ingeniously converts webbing tension into pressure for measurement; and the angle adjustment component meets the testing posture requirements of different products. This integrated design allows all key mechanical performance tests to be completed continuously and automatically within a single workstation, ensuring the consistency and comparability of test data.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the product fixing component further includes a dotting cylinder for leaving a mark on the surface of the product after it has passed a test.

[0015] Compared to existing technologies, the technical benefits of this solution are as follows: By incorporating a dotting cylinder into the product's fixed components, a permanent physical mark can be left on products that pass testing, providing a direct and tamper-proof credential for product quality traceability. This design establishes a direct and reliable error prevention and traceability mechanism, effectively preventing confusion between qualified and unqualified products during subsequent circulation. This automatic marking function based on test results reduces potential oversights from manual labeling or recording, improves the precision of production management, provides conclusive physical evidence for possible quality disputes, and strengthens overall quality control capabilities.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the length measuring component further includes a buffer cylinder, a tension spring, and a roller mounting block. In the feeding state, the buffer cylinder extends and the tension spring is stretched, causing the roller mounting block to move toward the operator to facilitate feeding. In the testing state, the buffer cylinder retracts and the tension spring freely resets, providing a buffer margin for the webbing movement.

[0017] Compared to existing technologies, the technical advantages of this solution are as follows: the synergistic effect of the buffer cylinder and tension spring in the length measurement component creates an adaptive mechanical buffering mechanism for both feeding and testing states. In the feeding state, the buffer cylinder extends actively, providing the operator with a spacious and convenient working area, improving ergonomics and feeding efficiency. In the testing state, the buffer cylinder retracts, and the system relies on the restoring force of the tension spring to reserve necessary buffer strokes for the dynamic movements of the webbing. This design effectively absorbs the instantaneous impact force generated by the webbing during pre-tensioning and other actions, preventing rigid impacts and damage to the motor and precision measuring mechanism, thereby protecting the core components of the equipment, extending its service life, and ensuring the stability and accuracy of the measurement process.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the force testing assembly further includes: a sliding block that slides along a vertical guide shaft via a linear bearing, and the tension of the webbing is transmitted to the sliding block via a clamping block; a spring guide block that is positioned close to the spring to ensure that the spring does not shift laterally during compression; a buffer that prevents the sliding block from impacting when the spring rebounds; and a second magnetic scale that indirectly measures the real-time displacement of the webbing by reading the displacement of a magnetic block mounted on the sliding block.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, the technical advantages achieved by this solution are as follows: The force testing component, through the combined design of a sliding block, spring guide block, buffer, and magnetic scale, enables high-precision synchronous measurement of webbing tension and displacement. The combination of the sliding block and linear bearing ensures accurate force transmission direction and low friction; the spring guide block ensures uniform spring force, preventing measurement errors and sensor damage caused by lateral bending; the buffer effectively suppresses impact vibration during spring rebound; and the magnetic scale accurately captures the equivalent displacement of the webbing in a non-contact manner. This system converts the complex dynamic tension of the webbing into a stable, linear pressure signal for acquisition and synchronously records displacement changes, thereby enabling precise analysis of key performance parameters such as peak force and response time, providing a reliable data foundation for in-depth fault diagnosis.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the length measuring component further includes: a protective cover driven by a lifting cylinder to be lowered during testing; and a safety magnetic contact that can only be engaged after the protective cover has been lowered to enable subsequent testing actions.

[0021] Compared to existing technologies, the technical benefits of this solution are as follows: By integrating the protective cover and safety magnetic contacts into a multi-layered safety protection system, the equipment provides comprehensive safety assurance for operators. The safety magnetic contacts act as an interlocking device, ensuring that subsequent dangerous actions (such as high-speed motor pulling or forceful cylinder clamping) can only be initiated after the protective cover is fully lowered and the test area is safely isolated. This "hardware and software combined" safety design minimizes the safety risks that may arise from human error, meets stringent industrial safety standards, and creates a safe and reliable production and testing environment.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the automated functional testing equipment for electric seat belts further includes: an NI DAQ data acquisition card, which connects the first and second workstations via signal connections; a Vector CAN card, which enables CAN bus communication with the electric seat belt product and supports interaction between UDS diagnostic services and CAN signal signals; and a database, which stores product serial numbers, test data, timestamps, and test results, and allows for data sharing and matching between the first and second workstations.

[0023] Compared to existing technologies, the technical advantages of this solution are as follows: High-precision physical quantity acquisition using an NI DAQ card, combined with professional UDS diagnostics and CAN signal interaction using a Vector CAN card, and data management via a central database—this hardware and software configuration constitutes the core testing capabilities of the equipment. The NI DAQ card ensures synchronous, high-fidelity acquisition of multiple signals such as force, displacement, angle, and electrical parameters; the Vector CAN card enables stable and efficient low-level communication with the product's ECU, capable of performing complex diagnostic services; and the database breaks down data barriers between the first and second workstations, enabling full-process traceability and correlation analysis of test information and results. This configuration allows the equipment to not only perform basic motion tests but also conduct in-depth verification of the product's electronic control performance, achieving precise synchronous analysis of physical response and communication commands on the timeline, greatly improving the depth and accuracy of fault diagnosis.

[0024] By adopting the technical solution of the present invention, the following technical effects can be achieved:

[0025] (1) By setting up a first station for electrical control system testing and information writing, and a second station for mechanical performance and functional testing, and adopting a system control architecture, the test tasks are reasonably allocated and efficiently executed. This dual-station design allows the two stations to run asynchronously and independently, breaking the bottleneck of the traditional single-station serial testing process, significantly shortening the average testing time of a single product, greatly improving the overall testing efficiency and equipment utilization, and can well adapt to the needs of high-cycle production lines;

[0026] (2) The NI DAQ card is used for high-precision physical quantity acquisition, combined with the Vector CAN card for professional UDS diagnostics and CAN signal interaction, and the data is managed by a central database. This hardware and software configuration constitutes the core testing capability of the equipment. The NI DAQ card ensures the synchronous and high-fidelity acquisition of multiple signals such as force, displacement, angle, and electrical parameters; the Vector CAN card realizes stable and efficient low-level communication with the product ECU and can perform complex diagnostic services; the database breaks down the data barriers between the first and second workstations, realizing full-process traceability and correlation analysis of test information and results. This configuration enables the equipment to not only complete basic motion tests, but also to deeply verify the electronic control performance of the product, realizing precise synchronous analysis of physical response and communication commands on the time axis, which greatly improves the depth and accuracy of fault diagnosis. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automated functional testing device for electric seat belts provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the first workstation;

[0030] Figure 3 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the first workstation;

[0031] Figure 4 This is the third structural diagram of the first workstation;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the programming connector assembly;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of region A in the middle;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second workstation.

[0035] Figure 8 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the length testing component;

[0036] Figure 9 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the length testing component;

[0037] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Larger image of region B in the middle;

[0038] Figure 11 One of the structural diagrams of the product's fixing components;

[0039] Figure 12 The second structural diagram of the product's fixing components;

[0040] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical testing assembly.

[0041] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the angle adjustment component;

[0042] Figure 15 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a force testing component;

[0043] Figure 16This is the second structural schematic diagram of the force testing component;

[0044] Figure 17 The third schematic diagram of the force testing component.

[0045] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0046] 100. Automated Functional Testing Equipment for Electric Seat Belts; 1. Frame; 2. First Station; 3. Second Station; 4. Safety Light Curtain; 5. Start Signal Light Curtain; 6. Fixture Assembly; 7. Programming Plug Assembly; 8. Clamping Block; 9. Fixture; 10. Quick-Lock Screw; 11. First Proximity Switch; 12. Positioning Pin; 13. Changeover Detection Proximity Switch; 14. First Cylinder; 15. Large Probe; 16. Small Probe; 17. Length Measurement Assembly; 18. Product Fixing Assembly; 19. Electrical Testing Assembly; 20. Angle Adjustment Assembly; 21. Force Testing Assembly; 22. Roller Mounting Block; 23. Roller; 24. Vertical Motor; 25. Horizontal Motor; 26. First Magnetic Scale; 27. Safety Magnetic Collision; 28. Anti- 29. Protective cover; 30. Buffer cylinder; 31. Tension spring; 32. Angle sensor; 33. Left clamp; 34. Guide rail; 35. First speed control valve; 36. Second speed control valve; 37. Right clamp; 38. Webbing fixing optical shaft; 39. Floating joint; 40. Dotting cylinder; 41. Plug angle adjustment block; 42. Handwheel; 43. Coupling; 44. Reversing device; 45. Worm gear drive shaft; 46. Worm gear; 47. Worm gear drive block; 48. Front clamping block; 49. Rear clamping block; 50. Sliding block; 51. Vertical guide shaft; 52. Spring guide block; 53. Pressure block; 54. Pressure sensor; 55. Buffer; 56. Upper fixing plate; 57. Magnetic block; 58. Second magnetic scale. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] [First Embodiment]

[0049] See Figures 1 to 17This invention provides an automated functional testing device 100 for electric seat belts, comprising: a frame 1; a first station 2, located in the frame 1, used for testing the electric control system and writing information to the electric seat belt; a second station 3, located in the frame 1, used for testing the mechanical performance and functions of the electric seat belt and writing information; and a control system, used for controlling the first station 2 and the second station 3; wherein, when the first station 2 is not activated, the second station 3 can perform all the functions of the first station 2.

[0050] Specifically, in actual use, product size characteristics are set in the formulas of different models on the software side. There are two types of products: wide-body products and narrow-body products. In the first station 2, proximity switches and magnetic switch sensors are used in combination with quick-change fixtures to adapt to products of different sizes.

[0051] When loading materials, first confirm the product size, then change to a suitable quick-change fixture; then scan the product's incoming QR code with a barcode scanner, place the product horizontally in fixture 9, remove both hands, and after confirming there is no trigger signal in the safety light curtain 4, clamp the product with a cylinder and check whether the proximity switch and magnetic switch are in place; after they are in place, push the pin block cylinder to connect the power supply / communication connector to the product.

[0052] After successful connection, power supply and CAN communication are started, Restbus signals are set, and after security activation (SecurityAccess), the UDS session is entered. First, the hardware version and software version number of the incoming material are obtained through UDS communication and compared with the information in the recipe. Then, product parameters, serial number and other information are written to the product through UDS communication. After power failure and restart, these data are read again to ensure that the writing is complete.

[0053] After the test is completed, the test results are organized into structured information and stored in a specified table in the database, including test results, product serial number information, timestamp, QR code information, etc. The product test results are displayed through various means such as the software front-end interface and device indicator lights. Then, the pin block cylinder and clamping cylinder are withdrawn to release the product. After the product is removed, the test ends and the next test is scheduled.

[0054] During testing at the second station 3, with the clamping cylinder in the open position, the product is placed in the loading position. Stepping on the foot pedal triggers the clamping signal. After the clamping signal is triggered, the force on the cylinder is completely released through the air circuit control. Neither clamping force nor opening force is applied. Instead, the clamping fixture 9 is tightened by the spring contraction force to fix the product. Repeatedly stepping on the foot pedal can switch the cylinder back and forth between the open and spring-tightened states.

[0055] The entire second station 3 test structure can be tilted by the angle adjustment component to meet the testing angle requirements of different products; the webbing is passed through the front clamping block 47, the first roller and the third roller of the equipment, and then the end of the webbing is fixed on the profile below; press the start button, the protective cover 28 is lowered, the product clamping cylinder applies clamping force, and then pushes the pin block cylinder to connect the power supply / communication connector to the product.

[0056] After successful connection, power supply and CAN communication are initiated, Restbus signals are configured, and after security activation (SecurityAccess), the UDS session is entered. First, the product serial number information is obtained via UDS communication and matched with information in the database to retrieve the test results and QR code information for station 2.

[0057] If set to single-station mode, an additional barcode scanning step is required before loading materials. After entering the UDS session, it is not necessary to obtain the test results of the first station 2 through the database. Instead, the communication operation in the first station 2 needs to be performed, namely: obtain information such as the hardware version and software version number of the incoming material through UDS communication and compare it with the information in the formula; then write the product parameters, serial number and other information into the product through UDS communication, and read these data again after power failure and restart to ensure that the writing is complete.

[0058] Using the dual V90 motor torque limiting mode, the seat belt webbing is completely pulled out, and its actual length is calculated by the motor displacement. Then, the horizontal motor 25 retracts the webbing to a specified length, providing appropriate test conditions for subsequent action tests.

[0059] The cylinder action closes the gap between the front clamping block 47 and the rear clamping block 48, clamping the webbing. CAN communication triggers the webbing to execute different action sequences, including automatic webbing retraction, gap elimination, dynamic support, vibration alert, and full tightening. The force testing component 21 transmits the webbing force to the spring via the clamping block 8, and then to the force sensor. A high-precision analog voltage signal data acquisition card acquires the "webbing force-time" curve. By analyzing parameters such as peak force, response time, and vibration frequency, the product response is evaluated to confirm the completeness and accuracy of the product's functions.

[0060] Based on all previous test results, evaluate the completeness and accuracy of the seat belt product's functions. Display the test results through the software front-end interface and device indicator lights, then return the motor, cylinder, and other devices to their original positions to release the product; if the test passes, print a label.

[0061] Preferably, by setting up a first station 2 for electrical control system testing and information writing, and a second station 3 for mechanical performance and functional testing, and adopting a system control architecture, the test tasks are rationally allocated and efficiently executed. This dual-station design allows the two stations to operate asynchronously and independently, breaking the process bottleneck of traditional single-station serial testing, significantly shortening the average testing time for a single product, greatly improving overall testing efficiency and equipment utilization, and well adapting to the needs of high-cycle production lines.

[0062] In one specific embodiment, in the first station 2, the safety light curtain 4 is installed on the inner side and connected to the safety circuit. When the light curtain is triggered during automatic operation, the burning station triggers an emergency stop signal, and the cylinder stops moving. The start signal light curtain 5 is installed on the outer side and is used to identify when the user's hands leave the test station, triggering the automatic product testing process.

[0063] Specifically, the first station 2 includes: a clamping assembly 6, which is used to adapt to and clamp electric seat belt products of different sizes. The clamping assembly 6 also includes a clamp 9 and a clamping block 8, as well as a model change detection proximity switch 13 for detecting the product model; a programming plug assembly 7, which drives a large probe 15 for product power supply and a small probe 16 for CAN communication via a first cylinder 14; and a sensor assembly, which includes a first proximity switch 11 for confirming that the product is in place and a start signal light grid 5 for confirming that the operator's hands are removed.

[0064] Preferably, by integrating a quick-change fixture assembly 6, a dedicated programming plug assembly 7, and a sensor system including model detection and loading confirmation into the first workstation 2, this design achieves rapid identification and precise positioning of multiple product models. The quick-change fixture eliminates the need for complex mechanical adjustments when switching product models, and the sensor system automatically identifies the product type and confirms the loading status and operational safety, effectively reducing manual intervention and changeover debugging time. This highly integrated and automated design not only improves the preparation and execution efficiency of the first workstation 2 but also provides a stable and reliable physical connection and security guarantee for subsequent communication testing, ensuring a smooth testing process and data accuracy from the source.

[0065] Specifically, the first station 2 also includes: quick-lock screws 10, which are used to fix the fixture 9 and the clamping block 8; and multiple positioning pins 12, which are used to position the fixture 9 and the clamping block 8.

[0066] Specifically, quick-change fixtures: Clamping block 8 and fixture 9 support quick-change functionality. After removing quick-lock screws 10, fixture 9 and clamping block 8 can be replaced. Multiple positioning pins 12 include diamond-shaped and circular positioning pins 12, used to position clamping block 8, and circular and diamond-shaped positioning pins 12 to position fixture 9. Different fixtures 9 will trigger different changeover detection proximity switches 13, allowing the software to identify the type of fixture 9. Product loading confirmation: After the clamping cylinder pushes clamping block 8 to clamp, a signal indicating the presence of the product is obtained via a proximity switch.

[0067] Preferably, a mechanical fixing method using quick-lock screws 10 combined with locating pins 12 is adopted. This quick-change fixture design achieves precise mechanical positioning. The locating pins 12 ensure extremely high repeatability after each fixture change, eliminating testing errors caused by installation deviations. This design greatly simplifies the changeover process for operators, avoids human error, and significantly improves the equipment's compatibility with different product models and the flexibility of the production line.

[0068] Specifically, the second workstation 3 includes: a product fixing assembly 18, which is used to fix the safety belt body, and also includes a sliding left clamp 32 and a fixed right clamp 35; an electrical testing assembly 19, which is used to establish an electrical connection with the product and is equipped with an adjustable plug angle adjustment block 39 to compensate for alignment errors; and a length measuring assembly 17, which is used to simulate the pulling and retraction of the webbing, and includes a vertical electric cylinder driven by a vertical motor 24 and a horizontal electric cylinder driven by a horizontal motor 25, and is connected by a first magnetic scale 26. Real-time measurement of the webbing pull-out length; Force testing component 21, which is used to test the mechanical properties of the webbing when it is tightened, and the force testing component 21 is also equipped with a front clamping block 47 and a rear clamping block 48. The force testing component 21 drives the front and rear clamping blocks 48 through a cylinder to clamp the webbing, and converts the webbing tension into pressure through a spring and transmits it to the pressure sensor 53; Angle adjustment component, which is used to adjust the test angle of the entire second station 3. The angle adjustment component is driven by a handwheel 40, and the overall tilt of the second station 3 is achieved through a reversing device 42 and a worm gear 45 and a worm 44 structure.

[0069] Preferably, the second station 3 integrates five functional components—product fixation, electrical testing, length measurement, force testing, and angle adjustment—to construct a comprehensive and precise mechanical performance testing platform. The product fixation component 18 achieves safe and flexible clamping through a clever combination of pneumatic circuits and springs; the electrical testing component 19 ensures stable and reliable electrical connections through multi-degree-of-freedom cylinder drive and angle adjustment; the length measurement component 17 achieves accurate simulation and measurement of the webbing pull-out length through dual-motor collaboration and a high-precision magnetic scale; the force testing component 21 ingeniously converts webbing tension into pressure for measurement; and the angle adjustment component meets the testing posture requirements of different products. This integrated design allows all key mechanical performance tests to be completed continuously and automatically within a single station, ensuring the consistency and comparability of test data.

[0070] Specifically, in the product fixing assembly 18, the right clamp 35 is a fixed structure with no relative displacement to the overall equipment, while the left clamp 32 slides on the guide rail 33. The clamping cylinder has three working states: opening to the left, retracting to the right, and free state. The cylinder pressure in the first two states is regulated by the first speed regulating valve 34 and the second speed regulating valve 341, respectively. In the free state, the left clamp 32 moves to the right under the influence of the corresponding tension spring's contraction force, clamping the product while preventing injury to workers. The webbing fixing optical shaft 36 is used to fix the webbing. The knot structure at the end of the webbing is fitted into the fixing optical shaft. Different types of fixing optical shafts can be designed to adapt to different types of structures. The floating joint 37 is used to compensate for installation errors and movement deviations between connecting parts. Unlike rigid joints, it is not rigid but allows for a certain range of "floating," thereby avoiding equipment wear, stress concentration, or even damage caused by misalignment, poor parallelism, and other problems. After the test is completed, if the product passes the test, the cylinder 38 will extend and retract once, leaving a small mark on the product. This is one of the means to verify whether the product has passed the test completely.

[0071] Specifically, in the angle adjustment assembly, the operator manually rotates the handwheel 40, which transmits angular momentum to the commutator 42 via the coupling 41. After the commutator 42 achieves the reversal, the angular momentum is transmitted to the worm gear 44 drive shaft 43 via the coupling 41. Then, the gear meshing structure of the worm gear 44 and the worm wheel 45 drives the worm wheel 45 to rotate. The worm wheel 45 drive block then transmits the angular momentum to the overall second station 3 structure, realizing the rotation and tilting of the overall station.

[0072] Specifically, the product fixing component 18 also includes a dotting cylinder 38, which is used to leave a mark on the surface of the product after it has passed the test.

[0073] Preferably, a dotting cylinder 38 is installed in the product fixing component 18, which can leave a permanent physical mark on the tested and qualified products, providing an intuitive and tamper-proof certificate for product quality traceability. This design establishes a direct and reliable error prevention and traceability mechanism, effectively avoiding confusion between qualified and unqualified products in subsequent circulation. This automatic marking function based on test results reduces the omissions that may be caused by manual labeling or recording, improves the level of precision in production management, provides conclusive physical evidence for possible quality disputes, and strengthens the quality control capability throughout the entire process.

[0074] Specifically, the length measuring component 17 also includes a buffer cylinder 29, a tension spring 30, and a roller 23 mounting block 22. In the feeding state, the buffer cylinder 29 extends and the tension spring 30 is stretched, causing the roller 23 mounting block 22 to move towards the operator to facilitate feeding. In the testing state, the buffer cylinder 29 retracts and the tension spring 30 returns to its original position, providing a buffer margin for the webbing movement.

[0075] Specifically, the rollers 23 mounted on the roller mounting block 22 provide connections between the webbing and the motor in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The vertical motor 24 and the horizontal motor 25 work together to pull out the webbing. Simultaneously, a magnetic scale is used to read the motor position, enabling real-time length measurement of the safety belt. A safety magnetic contact 27 is connected to the equipment's safety circuit. The safety magnetic contact 27 can only engage after the protective cover 28 is lowered by the lifting cylinder, allowing subsequent cylinder and motor actions to unlock. When the equipment is in the feeding state, the buffer cylinder 29 extends, the tension spring 30 is pulled open, and the roller mounting block 22 extends along the Y-axis towards the manual direction for easy manual feeding. When the equipment enters automatic mode, the buffer cylinder 29 retracts, the tension spring 30 is in a freely retracted state, and the roller mounting block 22 is pulled along the Y-axis towards the manual direction by the tension spring 30. This is done to allow for sufficient pulling slack when the webbing moves, preventing damage to the mechanical structure from excessive force generated during its movement. Angle sensor 31 is used to read the overall tilt angle of the second station 3. The angle adjustment-related actions will be described in detail in the subsequent angle adjustment component section.

[0076] Preferably, the synergistic action of the buffer cylinder 29 and the tension spring 30 in the length measuring assembly 17 creates an adaptive mechanical buffering mechanism for both feeding and testing states. In the feeding state, the buffer cylinder 29 extends actively, providing the operator with a spacious and convenient working space, improving ergonomics and feeding efficiency. In the testing state, the buffer cylinder 29 retracts, and the system relies on the restoring force of the tension spring 30 to reserve necessary buffer strokes for the dynamic movements of the webbing. This design effectively absorbs the instantaneous impact force generated by the webbing during pre-tensioning and other actions, preventing rigid impact and damage to the motor and precision measuring mechanism, thereby protecting the core components of the equipment, extending the equipment's service life, and ensuring the stability and accuracy of the measurement process.

[0077] Specifically, the force testing component 21 also includes: a sliding block 49, which slides along the vertical guide shaft 50 via a linear bearing, and the tension of the webbing is transmitted to the sliding block 49 via the clamping block 8; a spring guide block 51, which is positioned close to the spring to ensure that the spring does not shift laterally during compression; a buffer 54, which prevents the sliding block 49 from impacting when the spring rebounds; and a second magnetic scale 57, which indirectly measures the real-time displacement of the webbing by reading the displacement of the magnetic block 56 mounted on the sliding block 49.

[0078] Specifically, the cylinder drives the front clamping block 47 to retract towards the rear clamping block 48, clamping the webbing between them. Anti-slip pads are installed on the surfaces of the front and rear clamping blocks 47 and 48 to prevent relative displacement between the webbing and the clamping blocks after clamping. The sliding block 49 moves downward along the vertical guide shaft 50 under the influence of the webbing tension, simultaneously compressing the spring downward. The spring guide block 51 ensures that the spring does not shift laterally, as this would impair measurement accuracy. The upper surface area of ​​the pressure block 52 should be slightly larger than the transverse cross-section of the spring to ensure that all the stress on the spring is applied to the pressure block 52, which then applies the pressure to the pressure sensor 53. After the webbing clamp is released, the spring rebounds quickly, and the buffer 54 prevents the sliding block 49 from impacting the fixed plate 55 upon rebound. The magnetic block 56 is mounted on the sliding block 49 and moves up and down with the sliding block 49 during the application of force to the webbing. The magnetic scale is fixed on the equipment and can record the displacement of the magnetic block 56. Since the webbing is always in a stretched state, the displacement of the magnetic block 56 can be equated to the displacement of the webbing if its deformation is ignored.

[0079] Preferably, the force testing component 21, through the combined design of a sliding block 49, a spring guide block 51, a buffer 54, and a magnetic scale, achieves high-precision synchronous measurement of the tension and displacement of the webbing. The combination of the sliding block 49 and the linear bearing ensures accurate force transmission direction and low friction; the spring guide block 51 ensures uniform spring force, preventing measurement errors and sensor damage caused by lateral bending; the buffer 54 effectively suppresses impact vibration during spring rebound; simultaneously, the magnetic scale accurately captures the equivalent displacement of the webbing in a non-contact manner. This system converts the complex dynamic tension of the webbing into a stable, linear pressure signal for acquisition and synchronously records displacement changes, thereby enabling precise analysis of key performance parameters such as peak force and response time of the product, providing a reliable data foundation for in-depth fault diagnosis.

[0080] Specifically, the length measuring component 17 also includes: a protective cover 28, which is driven by a lifting cylinder and lowered during testing; and a safety magnetic contact 27, which can only be engaged after the protective cover 28 has been lowered to enable subsequent testing actions.

[0081] Preferably, by integrating the protective cover 28 and the safety magnetic contact 27 to form a multi-layered safety protection system, the equipment provides comprehensive safety assurance for operators. The safety magnetic contact 27 acts as an interlocking device, ensuring that subsequent dangerous actions (such as high-speed motor pulling or forceful cylinder clamping) can only be initiated after the protective cover 28 is fully lowered and the test area is safely isolated. This "hardware and software combined" safety design minimizes the safety risks that may arise from human error, meets stringent industrial safety standards, and creates a safe and reliable production and testing environment.

[0082] Specifically, the automated functional testing equipment 100 for electric seat belts also includes: an NI DAQ data acquisition card, which connects to the first station 2 and the second station 3; a Vector CAN card, which enables CAN bus communication with the electric seat belt product and supports UDS diagnostic services and CAN signal interaction; and a database, which stores product serial numbers, test data, timestamps, and test results, and allows for data sharing and matching between the first station 2 and the second station 3.

[0083] Preferably, the system employs an NI DAQ card for high-precision physical quantity acquisition, combined with a Vector CAN card for professional UDS diagnostics and CAN signal interaction, with data management handled by a central database. This hardware and software configuration constitutes the core testing capabilities of the equipment. The NI DAQ card ensures synchronous, high-fidelity acquisition of multiple signals such as force, displacement, angle, and electrical parameters; the Vector CAN card enables stable and efficient low-level communication with the product's ECU, capable of performing complex diagnostic services; and the database breaks down the data barriers between the first station 2 and the second station 3, enabling full-process traceability and correlation analysis of test information and results. This configuration allows the equipment to not only perform basic motion tests but also conduct in-depth verification of the product's electronic control performance, achieving precise synchronous analysis of physical response and communication commands on the time axis, greatly improving the depth and accuracy of fault diagnosis.

[0084] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated functional testing device for electric seat belts, characterized in that, include: Frame; A first workstation, located within the frame, is used for testing the electronic control system and writing information to the electric seat belt; the first workstation includes: A clamping assembly for adapting to and clamping electric seat belt products of different sizes, the clamping assembly further including clamps and clamping blocks, and a model change detection proximity switch for detecting product model; A programming plug assembly, wherein the programming plug assembly is driven by a first cylinder to a large probe for product power supply and a small probe for CAN communication. The sensor assembly includes a first proximity switch for confirming that the product has been loaded into place and an activation signal grating for confirming that the operator's hands have been removed. The second workstation, located within the frame, is used for mechanical performance and functional testing of the electric seat belt, as well as information writing; the second workstation includes: The product fixing assembly is used to fix the seat belt body, and the product fixing assembly also includes a sliding left clamp and a fixed right clamp; An electrical testing assembly, which is used to establish an electrical connection with the product and is equipped with an adjustable plug angle adjustment block to compensate for alignment errors; A length measuring component, used to simulate the pulling out and retracting of webbing, includes a vertical electric cylinder driven by a vertical motor and a horizontal electric cylinder driven by a horizontal motor, and measures the pulled-out length of the webbing in real time through a first magnetic scale; A force testing component is used to test the mechanical properties of the webbing when it is tightened. The force testing component is also provided with a front clamping block and a rear clamping block. The force testing component drives the front and rear clamping blocks with a cylinder to clamp the webbing and converts the tension of the webbing into pressure through a spring and transmits it to the pressure sensor. An angle adjustment component is used to adjust the test angle of the entire second station. The angle adjustment component is driven by a handwheel and achieves the overall tilting of the second station through a commutator and a worm gear structure. A control system for controlling the first workstation and the second workstation; When the first workstation is not turned on, the second workstation can perform all the functions of the first workstation; The automated function testing equipment for electric seat belts also includes: An NI DAQ data acquisition card, wherein the NI DAQ data acquisition card is signal-connected to the first workstation and the second workstation; Vector CAN card, which is used to realize CAN bus communication with electric seat belt products, supports UDS diagnostic service and CAN signal interaction; The database is used to store product serial numbers, test data, timestamps and test results, and to facilitate data sharing and matching between the first workstation and the second workstation.

2. The automated functional testing equipment for electric seat belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first workstation also includes: Quick-lock screws are used to secure the clamp and the clamping block. Multiple locating pins are provided for locating the fixture and the clamping block.

3. The automated functional testing equipment for electric seat belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The product fixing assembly also includes a dotting cylinder, which is used to leave a mark on the surface of the product after it has passed the test.

4. The automated functional testing equipment for electric seat belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length measuring component also includes a buffer cylinder, a tension spring, and a roller mounting block. In the feeding state, the buffer cylinder extends and the tension spring is stretched, causing the roller mounting block to move towards the operator to facilitate feeding. In the testing state, the buffer cylinder retracts and the tension spring freely resets, providing a buffer margin for the webbing movement.

5. The automated functional testing equipment for electric seat belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The force testing component also includes: A sliding block, which slides along a vertical guide shaft via a linear bearing, and the tension of the webbing is transmitted to the sliding block through the front clamping block and the rear clamping block; A spring guide block, positioned close to the spring, is used to ensure that the spring does not shift laterally during compression. A buffer, the buffer being used to prevent the sliding block from impacting when the spring returns; The second magnetic scale indirectly measures the real-time displacement of the webbing by reading the displacement of the magnetic block mounted on the sliding block.

6. The automated functional testing equipment for electric seat belts according to claim 4, characterized in that, The length measuring component also includes: A protective cover, which is driven by a lifting cylinder and lowered during testing; A safety magnetic contact, which can only make contact after the protective cover is lowered, in order to enable subsequent test actions.

Images