Seat belt buckle arrangement for a vehicle as well as a vehicle with the seat belt buckle arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat belt buckle arrangement 1 for a vehicle 2, comprising a seat belt buckle 3 for receiving a seat belt buckle tongue, a buckle strap 5, wherein the buckle strap 5 is connected to the seat belt buckle, and a buckle strap covering body 10, wherein the buckle strap covering body 10 encloses the buckle strap 5, wherein the buckle strap covering body 10 is arranged to be slidably arranged on the buckle strap 5 independently of the seat belt buckle 3.

Description

Technical field:

[0001] The invention relates to a seat belt buckle assembly for a vehicle with a buckle strap housing. The invention also relates to a vehicle with the seat belt buckle assembly. Background:

[0002] Seat belts are arguably the most important components for protecting vehicle occupants. In their standard design, seat belts are three-point belts with a belt section that runs from a releasable anchor point, first across the hips and then diagonally across the upper body. To secure the seat belt, it is usually equipped with a buckle tongue that can be inserted into a buckle at the anchor point, with the buckle being fixed to the vehicle.

[0003] The seatbelt buckles are either bolted directly to the vehicle chassis or connected to it via belt buckles. Another common design involves attaching the buckles to the chassis with an additional buckle strap. This type of buckle attachment is primarily used for rear seats and / or bench seats. Because the webbing is typically flexible, the buckles and webbing tend to sag downwards due to gravity, making them difficult for occupants to access.

[0004] Publication GB 2 312 825 A describes a safety belt comprising a webbing strap that runs over the upper body of a vehicle occupant and is equipped with a buckle tongue, as well as a buckle strap, wherein the buckle strap is fixed to the vehicle and connected to a buckle for receiving the buckle tongue. A protective body is arranged over the buckle strap, which has a sleeve section through which the buckle strap is guided and which has an elastic connecting section by which the protective body is firmly connected to the buckle. Description:

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to propose a seat belt buckle arrangement for a vehicle which is inexpensive to manufacture and at the same time exhibits good functional behavior.

[0006] This problem is solved by a seat belt buckle arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle with the seat belt buckle arrangement with the features of claim 10. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.

[0007] The invention relates to a seat belt buckle assembly suitable and / or designed for use in a vehicle. The vehicle is in particular a road vehicle, specifically a passenger car, truck, bus, or the like.

[0008] The buckle assembly is particularly designed as part of a safety belt system, wherein the safety belt system preferably comprises a three-point or a two-point safety belt, and wherein the safety belt is detachably connectable and / or attached to the buckle assembly. In particular, the buckle assembly forms an attachment point for the safety belt system.

[0009] The seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle for receiving a buckle tongue. The buckle tongue is an integral part of the seat belt. The buckle itself can receive the buckle tongue in a detachable and / or positive-locking manner. For example, the buckle tongue can be inserted into the buckle and lock into place automatically. Pressing a button on the buckle releases the buckle assembly, thus unfastening the three-point seat belt.

[0010] The seatbelt buckle assembly includes a buckle strap, the buckle strap being permanently connected to the buckle. The buckle strap is specifically designed as a textile and / or woven buckle strap, particularly a polyester buckle strap. In particular, the buckle strap is made of the same material as a seatbelt. The buckle strap consists, for example, of approximately 300 threads which, interwoven, form a strap 46 to 48 millimeters wide and 1.2 millimeters thick. The individual threads are spun from approximately 100 polyester fibers. In particular, the buckle strap has a width across its length of between 3 cm and 10 cm.

[0011] Preferably, the lock strap forms a lock loop, with the belt buckle being hooked into the lock loop, the lock loop being fixed to the lock strap via a seam area.

[0012] The belt buckle assembly comprises a buckle strap body, wherein the buckle strap body encloses the buckle strap circumferentially along a longitudinal extent of the buckle strap. In particular, the buckle strap is circumferentially captured within the buckle strap body.

[0013] The invention proposes that the buckle strap housing body be arranged to be displaceable on the buckle strap independently of the buckle. Thus, the buckle strap housing body can move along the buckle strap independently of the buckle, with the buckle preferably forming an end stop for the buckle strap housing body. In particular, the buckle strap housing body is arranged unconnected and / or decoupled from the buckle, especially with respect to the longitudinal extent of the buckle strap. Specifically, the buckle strap housing body is not directly connected to the buckle strap.

[0014] Preferably, the lock strap cover covers the seam area in at least one sliding position. It is particularly preferred that the lock strap cover at least partially covers the seam area in every sliding position.

[0015] One aspect of the invention is that the mechanical decoupling of the belt buckle and the buckle strap housing simplifies the technical complexity of connecting the buckle strap housing. Because it does not require a coupling geometry for connection to the belt buckle, it can be manufactured and assembled more easily. Furthermore, this results in greater freedom of movement for the belt buckle during operation, as its movement is not restricted by the coupling to the buckle strap housing. In addition, the buckle strap housing is unconnected to the buckle strap, so that, for example, the seam area of ​​the buckle strap is not affected.

[0016] In contrast, the advantages of the buckle strap housing are utilized, whereby the buckle strap housing stiffens the buckle strap, preventing it from slipping down uncontrollably. Instead, the housing holds it in a position that is easily accessible to the vehicle occupant. As will be explained later, the buckle strap housing can also act as a support for the buckle when it is closed, allowing the buckle to brace itself against the housing.

[0017] In this way, a seatbelt buckle arrangement is created which can be manufactured or assembled in a production-friendly and / or cost-effective manner and which improves the operating behavior of the seatbelt buckle arrangement.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the buckle strap housing is made of a flexible and / or dimensionally stable material. For example, the material can be elastically deformable. However, it is dimensionally stable, particularly in that it returns to its original shape even after brief elastic deformation. For example, the buckle strap housing is made of a PP material (polypropylene) with a material thickness between 1 mm and 2 mm, so that the buckle strap housing is both flexible and dimensionally stable. In a particularly preferred design embodiment of the invention, the buckle strap housing is designed as a rectangular hollow cylinder, preferably a straight one. This simple shape can be manufactured particularly easily and cost-effectively and also allows the buckle strap housing to be easily moved along the buckle strap independently of the buckle itself.

[0019] The locking strap is preferably guided through the locking strap body without deflection and / or, particularly in the tension state, in a straight line, and especially exclusively in a straight line, wherein the locking strap body has only one inlet opening, particularly a rectangular inlet opening, and one outlet opening, particularly a rectangular outlet opening, which are connected to each other by a space in the locking strap body. In particular, the outlet opening and the inlet opening are arranged congruently in a top view along the extension direction of the locking strap. In this way, it is ensured that the locking strap body can be moved particularly easily on the locking strap.

[0020] It is particularly preferred that the lock hinge body has a connection area for closing the lock hinge body circumferentially around the lock hinge. This allows the lock hinge body to be placed onto the lock hinge and closed at the connection area for installation. In particular, the connection area provides a mechanical connection and / or a connection that is achieved without thermal assistance, such as welding, shrinking, etc., i.e., a cold connection. Specifically, the connection is designed as a positive-locking connection, preferably as an exclusively positive-locking and / or non-material-locking connection. The ability to close the lock hinge body via the connection area ensures that any potential damage to the lock hinge during the closing process is prevented.

[0021] A particularly preferred design feature is that the lock hinge body, when developed circumferentially, has two main surface sections and at least one side surface section. A folding area, in particular a creasing area, is provided between each side surface section and the main surface section. The folding areas can be created, for example, by changing, in particular reducing, the thickness of the material of the developed lock hinge body. The folding areas allow the developed lock hinge body, especially as it is manufactured, to be easily formed into the lock hinge body, which is particularly designed as a rectangular hollow cylinder.

[0022] It is particularly preferred that at least one hook section is integrally formed on one of the main surface sections and a hook-receiving section is integrally formed on the other main surface section. A hook section is understood to be, in particular, a contour that can be hooked into the hook-receiving section in any desired manner. The hook section can also be designed as a detent section. The hook section and the hook-receiving section form the connection area and / or a second side surface section. During assembly, only the hook section needs to be inserted into the hook-receiving section to close the lock band body.

[0023] It is preferred that, in a tensile state of the buckle, such as when the seat belt pulls on the buckle, a free distance between the buckle and the buckle housing can be adjusted by sliding the buckle housing along the buckle strap. In other words, the path available for sliding the buckle housing is longer than the length of the buckle housing in that direction. In this way, a certain distance can form between the buckle housing and the buckle, so that the buckle, by virtue of its connection to the buckle strap and its spacing from the buckle housing, is very easily movable and / or pivotable, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the surface area of ​​the buckle strap.

[0024] However, it is preferred that in a pressure state of the belt buckle, for example when the belt buckle tongue is pressed into the belt buckle, the belt buckle rests supportingly on the buckle strap body.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seatbelt buckle assembly includes a belt anchor for attaching the buckle strap to the vehicle. When the buckle is compressed, the buckle strap housing rests supportively on the belt anchor. Thus, in this compressed state, the buckle can be supported against the belt anchor via the buckle strap housing. The length of the buckle strap and the length of the buckle strap housing are therefore selected such that, in the compressed state, any excess length of the buckle strap can be accommodated within the buckle strap housing, allowing the buckle to be indirectly supported against the belt anchor via the buckle strap housing.

[0026] Preferably, the belt anchor has a shape in the direction of the lock strap body which can be received at least partially by the lock strap body, so that the lock strap body can be securely placed on the belt anchor.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with the seat belt buckle arrangement as described above and with a seating area, wherein the seating area has at least two seat sections. A seat pocket is arranged between the two seat sections, and the seat belt buckle arrangement is located in the seat pocket. In this embodiment, the buckle strap housing is supported on both sides—particularly in a transverse direction of the vehicle—by the seat sections, so that it cannot tilt uncontrollably. Optionally, the seat belt buckle arrangement is supported in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the seat pocket, so that uncontrolled tilting in this direction is also prevented. The buckle strap housing effectively prevents the seat belt buckle from sinking into the seat pocket by acting as a support device.When the associated safety belt system is closed and / or in the pressure state of the belt buckle, the belt buckle can be supported in the direction of the buckle strap via the buckle strap housing body on the belt anchor as well as in the transverse direction of the vehicle on the two seat sections and / or in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the seat pocket.

[0028] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. These include: Fig. 1, b, c each a schematic top view of a seatbelt buckle arrangement for a vehicle as an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic top view and a schematic side view of a development of a lock band body of the belt buckle assembly in the preceding figures.

[0029] Corresponding or identical parts are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0030] The Fig. Figures 1a, b, and c each show a seat belt buckle assembly 1 for a vehicle 2 as an embodiment of the invention. The seat belt buckle assembly 1 includes a buckle 3, the buckle 3 being designed to receive a buckle tongue from a seat belt (not shown) in the vehicle 2. The seat belt (not shown) together with the buckle assembly 1 forms a seat belt system in the vehicle 2. The buckle 3 has a push button 4, the buckle tongue into which the buckle 3 can be inserted being automatically and / or automatically locked in place and can be unlocked again via the push button 4, thus separating the buckle tongue and the buckle 3.

[0031] The buckle assembly 1 includes a buckle strap 5, which is designed as a textile strap and / or a woven strap. In particular, the same material is used for the buckle strap 4 as for the seat belt (not shown). The buckle strap 5 is captive and connected to the buckle 3.

[0032] For this purpose, a lock loop 6 is formed by the lock band 5, with the belt buckle 3 being hooked into the lock loop 6.

[0033] The seat belt buckle assembly 1 has a belt anchor 7, which is fixed to the vehicle. The buckle strap 5 is captively connected to the belt anchor 7 via an anchor loop 8, with the belt anchor 7 being hooked into the anchor loop 8. To fix the buckle loop 6 and, optionally, the anchor loop 8, a seam area 9 is provided on the buckle strap 5, which sews the respective free end of the loop 6 or 8 to a continuous section of the buckle strap 5.

[0034] The seatbelt buckle assembly 1 has a buckle strap cover 10, which encloses the buckle strap 5. The buckle strap cover 10 is threaded onto the buckle strap 5 between the buckle 3 and the belt anchor 7. The buckle strap cover 10 can be moved or shifted on the buckle strap 5, with the buckle 3 and the belt anchor 7 forming end stops for the shifting movement. Within this range of motion, the buckle strap cover 10 can be moved freely and, in particular, independently of the buckle strap 5. The buckle strap cover 10 is attached to the seatbelt buckle assembly 1 solely by positive locking through its threading onto the buckle strap 5. Specifically, the buckle strap cover 10 is not connected to the buckle strap 5, so that there is no impairment of the seam area 9, including any potentially sensitive seam.Furthermore, the lock band body 10 is uncoupled from the belt lock 3 and / or from the belt anchor 7.

[0035] In the Fig. In 1a, the lock band body 10 and the belt anchor 7 are shown partially dashed and / or transparent in order to better illustrate the internal structure of the belt arrangement 1.

[0036] In the Fig. Figure 1b shows the belt assembly 1, with the belt buckle 3 in a tensile state. The tensile state is assumed in particular when the belt buckle assembly 1 is connected to the safety belt and thus a tensile force is exerted. Fig. 1b upwards – acts on the buckle 3, so that the buckle strap 5 is taut in the longitudinal direction. In this tensioned state, the buckle strap housing 10 can assume a distance 11 in the longitudinal direction of the buckle strap 5 from the buckle 3 and / or from the belt anchor 7. The respective distance 11 also determines the displacement path for the buckle strap housing 10. In this tensioned state, the buckle 3 can thus be freely pivoted relative to the buckle strap 5 about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the buckle strap 5 and parallel to the surface extent of the buckle strap 5, so that the buckle 3 can easily adapt to the contour of a vehicle occupant wearing the seat belt. The distance 11 is chosen such that the buckle strap housing 10 covers the seam area 9 either completely or at least partially in every displacement position.The distance 11 can, for example, be less than 10 mm overall, preferably less than 5 mm.

[0037] In the Fig. Figure 1c shows the belt buckle assembly 1 in a compressed state, which occurs when the buckle tongue is to be pressed into the buckle 3. In this compressed state, the buckle 3 is pressed onto the buckle strap housing 10, which in turn is supported by the belt anchor 7 in the longitudinal direction of the buckle strap 5, so that the buckle strap housing 10 forms a support for the buckle 3. The buckle 3 is indirectly supported on the belt anchor 7 via the buckle strap housing 10. The buckle 3, buckle strap housing 10, and belt anchor 7 are butt-jointed.

[0038] The bracing ensures that, in the pressure state shown, the belt buckle 3 cannot dive, but can, for example, be operated with one hand by the vehicle occupant, since it is positively braced in the direction of pressure via the buckle strap body 10 on the belt anchor 7.

[0039] The belt anchor 7 has a curved bracket section on the side facing the lock strap body 10, which can be partially received in the lock strap body 10 in the pressure state, so that slippage of the lock strap body 10 from the belt anchor 7 in the pressure state is effectively prevented.

[0040] In the Fig. Figure 1b, c shows a seat pocket 12 with dashed lines, where the dashed lines visualize a boundary of the seat pocket 12 in the longitudinal direction 13 and / or direction of travel of the vehicle 2. In the transverse direction 14, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 13, the seat pocket 12 is limited by seat sections 15, 16 of a seating area 17 in the vehicle 2. Because the seat belt buckle assembly 1 is supported by the seat pocket 12 perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the seat belt buckle assembly 1 in all directions, the seat belt buckle 3 cannot move under pressure, but is reliably supported by the buckle strap housing 10 on the belt anchor 7.

[0041] The Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic side view and a schematic top view of the lock hinge body 10 in a developed view. The developed view shows that the lock hinge body 10 has two main surface sections 18, 19 and one side surface section 20, the side surface section 20 being integrally connected to and positioned between the two main surface sections 18, 19. The lock hinge body 10 has fold zones 21, which are arranged parallel to each other and define the boundaries of the main surface sections 18, 19 with respect to the side surface section 20. The fold zones 21 allow the main surface sections 18, 19 to be folded or bent over by 90° relative to the side surface section 20 to form the ready-to-install lock hinge body 10.

[0042] One main surface section 18 has a hook section 22 with two hooks, and the other main surface section 19 has a hook receptacle section 23 with two hook receptacles. The hook section 22 and the hook receptacle section 23 can be connected to close the hinge body 10 by inserting the hook section 22 into the hook receptacle section 23 or by inserting the hooks into the hook receptacles. In the connected state, the hook section 22 and the hook receptacle section 23 form a connection area and simultaneously an additional side surface section. The connection can therefore be made without heating, so that the hinge 5 is not affected by any potential heating.

[0043] The lock band housing 10 is manufactured from a single, continuous piece of material. For example, the lock band housing 10 can be formed as an injection-molded part. The lock band housing can have a thickness of 1–2 mm in the side view shown. PP, for example, can be used as the material. The lock band housing 10 is dimensionally stable and designed to elastically return to its closed original state, even if it has been deformed under pressure.

[0044] In particular, the buckle strap body 10, acting as a cover / boot made of soft plastic, is placed around the buckle strap 5, which serves as a webbing connection for the buckle 3. It is secured by closing it using the locking lug(s). The boot sits relatively loosely on the webbing, thus maintaining the flexibility of the webbing and preventing the buckle 3 from unintentionally sliding downwards into the seat pocket 12.

[0045] Webbing buckles (belt buckles 3 with webbing connection) are chosen for their lateral flexibility. However, this flexibility is also a problem, as the lack of resistance means the buckle 3 can be easily pushed into the seat pocket 12. This makes them difficult for the vehicle occupant to reach. A soft plastic cover / boot is placed around the webbing connection of the buckle 3. It is secured by a locking tab(s) that act as hooks, inserted into designated mounting holes. The small boot / cover, due to its rigidity, prevents the buckle 3 from moving downwards (contacting the buckle head and mounting bracket), ensuring the buckle head always remains at a height accessible to the customer.At the same time, the required lateral flexibility is maintained. The safety-critical seam in seam area 9 remains unaffected. A plastic material (PP) is recommended, with a wall thickness of approximately 1.5 mm, the height being dimensioned according to the specific application.

[0046] While at least one embodiment has been disclosed in detail above, it must be acknowledged that a multitude of variations according to the invention exist. It must also be acknowledged that the at least one embodiment is merely exemplary and does not represent a limitation of the scope of protection, the areas of application, or the configuration. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to provide a convenient roadmap for implementing at least one embodiment. Thus, it should be acknowledged that various variations of the function or the arrangement of the elements of the at least one embodiment can be implemented without departing from the scope defined by the claims and their legal equivalents. Reference symbol list: 1 Seatbelt buckle arrangement 2 vehicles 3 Seatbelt buckle 4 push buttons 5 Lock band 6 lock loop 7 strap anchors 8 anchor loop 9 Seam area 10 lock band covers 11 distance 12 seat pockets 13 Longitudinal direction 14 Transverse direction 15 Seating section 16 Seating section 17 Seating area 18 Main area section 19 Main area section 20 side surface section 21 bending areas 22 Hook section 23 Hook attachment section QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] GB 2 312 825 A

[0004]

Claims

[1] Belt buckle arrangement (1) for a vehicle (2), with a belt buckle (3) for receiving a belt buckle tongue, with a lock strap (5), wherein the lock strap (5) is connected to the belt buckle, with a lock strap covering body (10), wherein the lock strap covering body (10) envelops the lock strap (5), wherein the buckle strap covering body (10) is arranged displaceably on the buckle strap (5) independently of the belt buckle (3). [2] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the lock strap covering body (10) is made of a flexible and / or shape-retaining material. [3] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the lock strap enveloping body (10) is designed as a rectangular hollow cylinder. [4] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lock strap enveloping body (10) has a connecting region for closing the lock strap enveloping body (10) in the circumferential direction around the lock strap (5). [5] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lock strap enveloping body (10) has, in a developed configuration, two main surface sections (18, 19) and one side surface section (20), wherein bending regions (21) are provided between the side surface section (20) and the main surface sections (18, 19). [6] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that a hook section (22) is formed on one of the main surface sections (18) and a hook receiving section (23) is formed on the other main surface section (19), wherein the hook section (22) and the hook receiving section (23) form the connecting region and / or a second side surface section. [7] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in a tension state of the belt buckle (3) a free distance (11) between the belt buckle (3) and the buckle strap covering body (10) can be adjusted by moving the buckle strap covering body (10) along the buckle strap (5). [8] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when the belt buckle (3) is under pressure, the belt buckle (3) rests on the buckle strap casing body (10) in a supporting manner. [9] Belt buckle arrangement (1) according to claim 8, characterized by a belt anchor (7) for fastening the buckle strap (5) on the vehicle, wherein in the compressed state of the belt buckle (3) the buckle strap enveloping body (10) rests supportingly on the belt anchor (7), so that the belt buckle (3) is supported on the belt anchor (7) via the buckle strap enveloping body (10). [10] Vehicle (2) with the belt buckle arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya seating area (17) with at least two seating sections (15, 16), wherein a seating pocket (12) is provided between the two seating sections (15, 16), wherein the belt buckle arrangement (1) is arranged in the seating pocket (12).

Images