Seat belt outlet trim panel

Abstract

A seat belt exit trim panel is characterized by comprising: a base (1) defining a reference plane (12); and a limiting portion (2) protruding from the base (1) and integrally connected to the base (1); wherein the base (1) and the limiting portion (2) together define a passage for a seat belt (10) to pass through; the limiting portion (2) has a load-bearing working surface (22) facing the passage and a non-working surface (23) facing away from the passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive parts technology, and more particularly to a seat belt outlet trim panel for automobiles. Background Technology

[0002] In automobiles, in order to guide the seat belt out from inside the body pillar and limit the seat belt buckle, an exit panel is usually installed at the exit position of the seat belt.

[0003] Existing seatbelt exit trim panels typically suffer from complex structures and high costs. For example, a common design employs a split structure, consisting of a metal retainer hook and a plastic base. During assembly, the retainer hook must first be secured to the plastic base, and then the plastic base must be installed onto the body panel, making the entire assembly process cumbersome and time-consuming. Furthermore, the use of separate metal components increases the variety and quantity of parts, consequently raising material management and manufacturing costs.

[0004] Another design employs a complex mechanical structure that includes additional guide arms and guide springs to achieve the limiting function, which further increases the number of parts and cost, while also introducing potential reliability risks.

[0005] Therefore, how to simplify the structure of the seat belt exit trim panel, and reduce its manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty while ensuring safety performance, is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a seat belt exit trim panel, aiming to solve the technical problems of complex structure, numerous parts, high cost, and cumbersome assembly in existing exit trim panels. The technical solution of this application optimizes the specific geometry, spatial position, and dimensions of the limiting part, enabling it to meet stringent strength and durability requirements while maintaining an integrated plastic structure.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses a seat belt exit trim panel, characterized in that it includes: a base defining a reference plane; and a limiting portion protruding from the base and integrally formed and connected to the base; wherein the base and the limiting portion together define a passage for the seat belt to pass through; the limiting portion has a bearing working surface facing the passage and a non-working surface facing away from the passage.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment, the angle between the bearing working surface and the reference plane is in the range of 0-45 degrees; the length of the passage in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the seat belt is in the range of 15-50 mm; the maximum length of the limiting part protruding from the base is in the range of 45-80 mm; and the distance from the edge of the limiting part to the end of the passage is in the range of 0-60 mm.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment, a reinforcing member for strengthening the structural strength is provided on the non-working surface of the limiting part.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment, the reinforcing member includes at least one reinforcing rib;

[0011] The thickness of the reinforcing rib is in the range of 0.8-2 mm.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment, the base is provided with at least one rib for strengthening its structural strength; the thickness of the rib is in the range of 0.8-2 mm.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment, the base is provided with a mounting structure for fixing the seat belt outlet trim panel to the vehicle body.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment, the mounting structure includes at least one bolt mounting hole.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment, the mounting structure includes at least one snap-fit ​​portion for engaging with a snap fastener.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment, the limiting portion includes a limiting protrusion extending from the base; the end of the limiting protrusion has a chamfered or rounded transition, and its radius of curvature is greater than 1.5 mm.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment, the seat belt exit trim is a one-piece injection-molded plastic part.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, this application designs the limiting part and the base as a single molded structure, and ensures the performance reliability of the integrated design through geometric and dimensional constraints. This not only reduces the number of parts from multiple to one, significantly lowering material and mold development costs, but also simplifies the assembly process and improves production efficiency. By incorporating reinforcing components (such as stiffeners) into the single-molded limiting part and optimizing its structural design, the plastic part is ensured to have sufficient structural strength and durability under loads that meet collision safety regulations, reliably fulfilling its seatbelt limiting function. The integrated plastic design makes it easier to adjust the specific position and shape of the limiting part during the development phase, flexibly adapting to differences in seat and seatbelt layouts across different vehicle platforms, and possessing better design versatility and platform application potential. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the seat belt exit trim panel according to this application.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the seatbelt exit trim panel.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the back of the seatbelt exit trim panel. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a seat belt exit trim panel. The trim panel is a single-piece plastic part integrally molded by injection molding. Preferably, to balance cost and performance, the trim panel is made of high-strength engineering plastics, such as glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (e.g., PP-GF30) or glass fiber reinforced polyamide (e.g., PA6-GF30), to ensure its mechanical properties and dimensional stability throughout the vehicle's life cycle. The seat belt exit trim panel includes a base 1. The base 1 defines a reference plane 12. One side profile of the base 1 is adapted to the interior trim panel of the vehicle body.

[0025] A limiting part 2 is integrally formed on the base 1. Figure 1In this embodiment, the limiting part 2 is a limiting protrusion protruding from the base 1, used to block the buckle (e.g., seat belt tongue) on the seat belt 10, preventing it from being rolled into the vehicle pillar when the seat belt retracts, thus facilitating the passenger's next use. Preferably, the end of the limiting protrusion has a chamfered or rounded transition, with a radius of curvature R greater than 1.5 mm, to avoid scratching the seat belt 10. It should be noted that other shapes of limiting parts 2 are also within the scope of this application, such as cylindrical and annular. The limiting part 2 and the base 1 together form a passage for the seat belt 10 to pass through, and together restrict the movement path of the seat belt 2, preventing the seat belt 10 from slipping out of the passage. The limiting part 2 has a bearing working surface 22 facing the passage and a non-working surface 23 facing away from the passage. The angle between the bearing working surface 22 and the reference plane 12 is in the range of 0-45 degrees, used to cover or press a portion of the seat belt. The length H of the passage in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the seat belt 10 is in the range of 15-50 mm. The distance A from the edge of the limiting part 2 to the end of the passage is in the range of 0-60 mm. The maximum length L of the limiting part 2 protruding from the base 1 is in the range of 45-80 mm. The base 1 is positioned on the vehicle body such that the passage faces the seat belt storage device 5. The seat belt storage device 5 includes a through hole 51 for the seat belt 10 to pass through. The through hole 51 is generally elongated and has smooth edges to prevent scratching the seat belt 10.

[0026] To ensure that the plastic limiting part 2 has sufficient mechanical strength to withstand impact loads under collision conditions, a reinforcing member, such as multiple reinforcing ribs 21, is provided on one side of the limiting part 2 (usually on the non-working surface 23), preferably two reinforcing ribs 21 arranged in a cross pattern. These reinforcing ribs 21 can be distributed radially or in a grid pattern, effectively enhancing the bending resistance of the limiting part 2 and ensuring the reliability of its function. Preferably, the thickness of the reinforcing ribs 21 is in the range of 0.8-2 mm. Similarly, to ensure that the base 1 has sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the impact transmitted through the limiting part 2, multiple ribs 11 are provided on one side of the base 1 (usually the side facing away from the limiting part 2). These ribs 11 are distributed in parallel or in a grid pattern, effectively enhancing the impact resistance of the base 1 and ensuring the reliability of its function. Preferably, the thickness of the ribs 11 is in the range of 0.8-2 mm.

[0027] To securely mount the entire trim panel to the vehicle body, a mounting structure is provided on the base 1. In this embodiment, the mounting structure is a modular design, including bolt mounting holes 3 and snap-fit ​​parts 4. The bolt mounting holes 3 are through holes for bolts to pass through. The snap-fit ​​parts 4 are used to mount metal clips, which can be pre-locked into the snap-fit ​​parts 4 and directly snapped into the corresponding holes on the vehicle body sheet metal parts during assembly.

[0028] During assembly, simply align the snap-fit ​​part 4 with the metal clip with the mounting position on the body sheet metal, snap the metal clip into place, and then pass the bolt through the bolt mounting hole 3 and tighten it to complete the installation of the entire trim panel. The whole process requires only one operation, which greatly simplifies the process and improves efficiency compared to the existing technology (which requires installing the metal bracket first and then the plastic base).

[0029] In another embodiment, the mounting structure on the base 1 differs from the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the mounting structure may not use a combination of bolts and metal clips, but is instead designed as multiple elastic clips integrally formed with the base 1. These elastic clips have barbs at their ends. During assembly, the trim panel is simply pressed into the corresponding mounting hole in the body sheet metal part. The elastic clip deforms under pressure, passes through the mounting hole, and automatically springs back, allowing its barbs to engage with the edge of the mounting hole, thus achieving fixation. This design further reduces the number of parts (eliminating the need for separate bolts and metal clips), enabling tool-free rapid installation and further improving assembly efficiency. As another alternative, in applications requiring extremely high installation stability, the mounting structure may also include only multiple bolt mounting holes 3, fixed to the body by multiple bolts, eliminating the need for a clip structure. Other structures in this embodiment, such as the integrally formed limiting part 2, reinforcing rib 21, and rib plate 11, are the same as in embodiment one and will not be described further here.

[0030] In another embodiment, the limiting portion 2 and the reinforcing member of the seat belt outlet trim panel differ from those in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the shape of the limiting portion is different. Figure 1 The open-faceted tabs are shown. For example, the limiting part can be designed as a closed ring structure, with one end integrally connected to the base 1 and the other end extending towards and connecting to or close to the base 1, thus forming a fully or semi-closed seat belt passage. This design can provide more comprehensive restraint for the seat belt, preventing it from twisting or slipping in extreme situations. The reinforcing ribs 21 provided on the non-working surface 23 of the limiting part 2 can adopt a honeycomb structure. Compared with radial or parallel grid reinforcing ribs, this structure can provide more uniform support strength in multiple directions while ensuring lightweight design. Similarly, the ribs 11 on the base 1 can also be designed as honeycomb to optimize its overall rigidity and impact resistance.

[0031] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the described variations. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These embodiments were chosen and described to best illustrate the principles and practical applications, enabling those skilled in the art to understand them from their various implementations and modifications suited to their intended use. Within the framework of these embodiments, the aforementioned components and features may be combined among different implementations.

Claims

1. A seat belt exit trim panel, characterized in that, include: The base (1) defines the reference plane (12); as well as The limiting part (2) protrudes from the base (1) and is integrally formed and connected to the base (1); The base (1) and the limiting part (2) together define a passage for the seat belt (10) to pass through; The limiting part (2) has a bearing working surface (22) facing the passage and a non-working surface (23) facing away from the passage.

2. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the bearing working surface (22) and the reference plane (12) is in the range of 0-45 degrees; The length (H) of the passage perpendicular to the thickness of the seat belt is in the range of 15-50 mm; The maximum length (L) of the limiting part (2) protruding from the base (1) is in the range of 45-80 mm; The distance (A) from the edge of the limiting part (2) to the end of the passage is in the range of 0-60 mm.

3. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-working surface (23) of the limiting part (2) is provided with a reinforcing member for strengthening the structural strength.

4. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reinforcing member includes at least one reinforcing rib (21); The thickness of the reinforcing rib (21) is in the range of 0.8-2 mm.

5. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with at least one rib (11) for strengthening its structural strength; The thickness of the rib (11) is in the range of 0.8-2 mm.

6. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with an installation structure for fixing the seat belt outlet trim panel to the vehicle body.

7. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting structure includes at least one bolt mounting hole (3).

8. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting structure includes at least one snap-fit ​​portion (4) for engaging with a snap fastener.

9. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting part (2) includes a limiting protrusion extending from the base (1); The end of the limiting protrusion has a chamfer or rounded transition, and its radius of curvature (R) is greater than 1.5 mm.

10. The seat belt exit trim panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seat belt outlet trim panel is a one-piece injection-molded plastic part.

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