Seatbelt buckle and motor vehicle with at least one seatbelt buckle

Abstract

Belt buckle of a safety belt device, comprising a buckle part (2) and a strut-like support (4) arranged thereon, which is to be attached to a third object by means of a fastening element (7), wherein a positioning device (17) coupled to the support (4), by means of which the support (4) can be fixed in at least two different, defined angular positions relative to the third object.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a belt buckle of a safety belt device, comprising a buckle part and a strut-like support arranged thereon, which is to be attached to a third object by means of a fastening element.

[0002] Motor vehicles are known to have seat belt systems that allow a person to be secured in a vehicle seat by means of a seat belt. Such a seat belt system comprises the actual seat belt, which rests against the person's body, along with the associated winding mechanism onto and from which it can be wound. It also includes a buckle, which is to be attached to a third-party object, for example, the seat frame or seating system, or to the vehicle body, and into which a buckle tongue provided on the seat belt is inserted and locked. The basic design and function of such a seat belt system are known.

[0003] The seatbelt buckle itself comprises the actual buckle component, which interacts with the buckle tongue. This buckle component is connected to a support, typically a strut-like metal part. This support is attached to the vehicle's mounting surface by means of a fastener, usually a screw. The mounting is such that the support, and with it the buckle component, is positioned at a defined angle relative to the vehicle's mounting surface (i.e., the driver's or passenger's seat or a rear bench seat). Consequently, the buckle component runs at a defined angle to the vehicle's mounting surface, ensuring that the buckle tongue can be inserted as easily and efficiently as possible, while simultaneously ensuring the seatbelt itself is positioned optimally relative to the buckle component and thus to the occupant. The installation angle, i.e., the defined angular position, is crucial for the seatbelt's proper routing.However, since different vehicle types differ in their seating arrangements, whether front or rear, the angular positions of the seatbelt buckles also vary. Consequently, the buckles for each vehicle type differ in their mounting interface, which defines the angular position (i.e., the installation angle). This interface is the fitting that secures the buckle. This fitting defines the angular position and prevents the buckle from pivoting around the mounting screw, thus preventing a change in the angle relative to the seat surface. This mounting interface is therefore vehicle-specific; a particular buckle can only be used for a specific vehicle type.

[0004] The invention is based on the problem of providing an improved seatbelt buckle.

[0005] To solve the problem, a belt buckle of the type mentioned above is provided, which is coupled to the carrier by means of a positioning device by means of which the carrier can be fixed in at least two different, defined angular positions relative to the third object.

[0006] The seatbelt buckle according to the invention is characterized by a positioning device coupled to the carrier, which makes it possible to attach the carrier to the third-party object in at least two defined angular positions, i.e., two different, defined installation angles relative to the third-party object. The seatbelt buckle, or rather the carrier, is attached to the third-party object via the fastening element, i.e., the screw, as before. However, the positioning device allows the carrier to be fixed in different angular positions, or installation angles, adjustable via the positioning device, using the fastening element. Since a variation of the installation angle is therefore possible via the positioning device, the seatbelt buckle according to the invention can be installed on different vehicle types that require the seatbelt buckle to be arranged in different angular positions.Another advantage is that this positioning device, which is already connected to the carrier by the manufacturer, allows for type-specific adjustments, meaning a specific angular position is already set. This means the seatbelt buckle only needs to be screwed to the third component, such as the seat frame or the vehicle body, during installation. The angular position, and therefore the installation angle, is predefined and automatically set.

[0007] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the positioning device itself is a positioning disc that is to be attached to the third-party object together with the support and that has a first locking section with which it is fixed to the third-party object in a rotationally fixed manner, and at least a second locking section which can be brought into operative contact with the support to define an angular position of the support. This positioning disc, which is, for example, placed directly onto the strut-like support and fixed to the third-party object together with it by means of the fastening element, i.e., the screw, is fixed in position on the third-party object in the assembly position by means of a first locking section. Through this connection to the third-party object, the positioning disc is fixed in a rotationally fixed manner and therefore cannot rotate relative to the third-party object when the fastening screw is tightened.Furthermore, at least one second locking section is provided, which is brought into operative contact with the support to fix a defined angular position. This second locking section is thus connected to the support after it has been brought into a specific angular position relative to the positioning disc. This means that the positioning disc and the strut-like support are initially pivotable relative to each other about the pivot axis defined by the fastening element, i.e., the connecting screw. Once the desired pivoting movement is achieved, the second locking section is brought into operative contact with the support, so that both are fixed in this position and cannot rotate relative to each other.In the assembly position, as described, the positioning disc is connected to the third object in a rotationally fixed manner, so that it necessarily follows that the strut-like support is also mounted in a rotationally fixed manner and with a defined angular position.

[0008] The first locking section can be a projecting, preferably angled arm that extends from or protrudes from the positioning disc. This arm engages with or engages a suitable locking section of the third object, such as the seat, so that the positioning disc is secured against rotation in the assembly position.

[0009] According to a further development of the invention, the second locking element can be a deformable finger that can be formed into a receptacle on the carrier that defines the angular position, wherein at least two receptacles are provided on the carrier, offset from one another. Thus, a deformable, i.e., bendable, finger is provided on the positioning disc, forming the second locking element. Associated with it are at least two receptacles on the carrier, offset from one another, which define the respective angular position. If the carrier is now rotated relative to the positioning disc, the finger can be bent and formed into the receptacle on the carrier side once the desired angular position is reached, so that the set relative position of the carrier to the positioning disc is fixed against rotation. Since two receptacles are provided, at least two angular positions can be defined.The finger can be easily deformed using a suitable tool. This adjustment is particularly easy for the manufacturer to perform, so the corresponding preset can be implemented without any problems at the factory.

[0010] The fastening element itself, as already described, is preferably a fastening screw that passes through both the positioning disc and the carrier, with the carrier being pivotable around the fastening screw relative to the positioning disc. As explained, this allows for simple relative adjustment of the carrier to the positioning disc and subsequent fixing of the selected pivot positions, particularly via the finger to be molded.

[0011] It is advantageous if the carrier has a rounded end section on which at least two receptacles are arranged circumferentially offset from one another, and if the positioning disc has a section of the same shape on which at least one finger is provided. Since both can be rotated relative to each other, with the fastening screw as the pivot axis, such a rounded configuration is advantageous in order to arrange the carrier-side receptacles in the corresponding positions in which they are inevitably moved past the finger when pivoting, while at the same time the finger is also positioned accordingly for engagement with the receptacles.

[0012] Although in the simplest embodiment two receptacles are provided on the carrier offset from each other, an advantageous further development of the invention provides for more than two receptacles to be arranged offset from each other on the carrier, wherein the multiple receptacles are provided in particular equidistantly offset from each other. This makes it possible to fix the carrier with the positioning disc in more than two pivot positions and thus angular positions relative to each other, so that ultimately a greater variance of adjustable angular positions is given, which allows the use of the belt buckle according to the invention for a larger number of vehicle types or seat elements.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, more than two offset second locking sections, in particular fingers, can be provided on the positioning disc. This offers the possibility of further increasing the number of achievable and lockable pivot positions and thus angular positions. Depending on the desired angular position, either one finger or the other is molded into the corresponding receptacle.

[0014] The positioning disc itself is preferably a sheet metal component, i.e., a simple stamped sheet metal part, which simplifies its manufacture. The carrier, as described, is also a metal component that is virtually standardized, as it is suitable for many cross-type applications.

[0015] In addition to the seatbelt buckle itself, the invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one seatbelt buckle of the type described above. Naturally, several such seatbelt buckles are usually installed distributed throughout a motor vehicle.

[0016] The seatbelt buckle itself is preferably attached to a seat frame using the fastening element, i.e., screwed in place. Alternatively, attachment to the vehicle body is also conceivable.

[0017] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawing. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a belt buckle according to the invention with a carrier and positioning disc in a first relative position to each other, Fig. 2 a partial view of the belt buckle carrier it from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 the positioning disc of the seatbelt buckle it out Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 a partial view of the short circuit Fig. 1 with a carrier and positioning disc in a second relative position to each other.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a belt buckle 1 according to the invention for a seat belt system of a motor vehicle. The belt buckle 1 comprises a buckle part 2 with an insertion receptacle 3 for inserting a buckle tongue of the actual belt of the seat belt system. A support 4, which is strut-like and preferably made of a sufficiently strong sheet metal and shaped accordingly, is attached to the buckle part 2. Towards its lower end, the support 4 has a cupped or offset shape. It has a rounded end section 5, which is shown in detail in Fig. Figure 2 shows that this rounded end section 5 has a central opening 6 through which a fastening screw 7 engages to connect the belt buckle to a third object, for example, the frame of a seat in a motor vehicle or a car body. In the example shown, two receptacles 8 in the form of radially inwardly extending slots are formed on the outer circumference of the rounded end section 5. These slots are arranged offset from each other in the circumferential direction and, for example, form an angle of approximately 80° to each other. As shown by the dashed lines, it is conceivable to form further such receptacles 8, preferably all of which are equidistant from each other. These receptacles 8 form locking receptacles by which the angular position and thus the installation angle of the belt buckle 1 on the third object is determined.

[0019] The belt buckle 1 also has a positioning disc 9 which is located in Fig. Figure 3 shows the positioning device 9 in detail. It rests flat on the end section 5 of the support 4. It also has a central opening 10 through which the fastening screw 7 engages, thus coinciding with the opening 6 of the end section 5. The positioning disc 3 further has a first locking section 11 in the form of a laterally projecting, angled arm 12, which, in the assembled position, forms a rotationally fixed connection or coupling to the third object, for example, the seat frame. This angled arm 12 engages, for example, in a corresponding receptacle, whereby the positioning disc 9 is fixed to the third object in a rotationally fixed manner via this connection or engagement; it cannot rotate about the fastening screw 7, which essentially forms a pivot axis.

[0020] How Fig. Figure 3 further shows that the positioning disc also has a rounded shape, and is therefore compatible with the rounded shape of the end section 5. On its outer circumference, two second locking sections 13 in the form of bendable, i.e., deformable fingers 14 are provided in the example shown. These fingers are also arranged offset from each other by a circumferential angle, but this angle is larger than the angle by which the two receptacles 8 are offset. For example, if the receptacles 8 are arranged offset from each other by an angle of 80° as described, the two fingers 14 can be offset from each other by 90°.

[0021] The second locking sections 13, i.e., the fingers 14, are designed and positioned such that, when the carrier 4 is rotated relative to the positioning disc 9, they can be positioned congruently with the receptacles 8 and be bent into a congruent receptacle 8. This fixes the angle of rotation, i.e., the angular position, that the carrier 4 assumes relative to the positioning disc 9, whereby, as described, the carrier 4 and the positioning disc 9 can be rotated about the fixed axis 9. By rotating and positioning a finger 14 relative to a receptacle 8 and subsequently engaging the finger 14 in the receptacle 8, the selected angular position can therefore be fixed. In the described example, the two angular positions would differ by approximately 10°.If the belt buckle 1 is screwed onto the third object by means of the fastening screw 7 and at the same time the positioning disc 9 is also fixed to the object in a rotationally fixed manner via the first locking section 11, i.e. the arm 12, then the angular position of the carrier 4 to the positioning disc 9 and thus also to the third object itself is also fixed via the respective second locking section 13, i.e. the finger 14, which is bent into a receptacle 8.

[0022] In the initial example shown, according to Fig. 1. The uppermost finger 14, viewed clockwise, is formed into the receptacle 8, meaning that the angular position defined by this locking action is selected and fixed. For illustrative purposes, a positioning line 15 is shown on the carrier, which in this position runs parallel to the upper edge 16 of the positioning disc 9.

[0023] In the design according to Fig. In contrast, in position 4, the carrier 4 is rotated by an angle α into a second angular position relative to the positioning disk 9. In this position, the upper finger 14 cannot be formed into the adjacent receptacle 8, as the latter is slightly rotated relative to the finger 14. Instead, in this rotational position, the lower finger 14 (when viewed clockwise) is positioned congruently with the lower receptacle 8 (when viewed clockwise) and formed into it, so that the carrier 4 is fixed to the positioning disk 9 in this angular position. Thus, while according to Fig. 1 and the locked intervention there defines a first angular position, is according to Fig.4 and the engagement there defines a second angular position, which in the example is offset from the first angular position by the angle α, which is 10° in the example. If, as described, further receptacles 8 are provided, the carrier 4 could be pivoted into further angular positions, each of which can be fixed by engagement of the lower, second finger 14 in the correspondingly positioned receptacle 8.

[0024] The positioning disc 9 controls the adjustment of the corresponding angular position that the carrier 4, and with it the lock part 3, assumes relative to the positioning disc, which in turn is fixed in position and rotation to the third object, i.e., the frame. Despite the simple screw connection via the locking screw 7, this locking mechanism prevents the carrier 4, and thus the lock part 3, from pivoting relative to the positioning disc 9 and therefore to the third object. Instead, a fixed angular position is set, which must be selected for the specific vehicle or seat type. This adjustment can be made at the manufacturer's factory, as they can pre-assemble the seat belt buckle 1 as a sub-assembly and pre-set the angular position of the carrier 4 relative to the positioning disc 9 accordingly. Thus, the pre-assembled and pre-set seat belt buckle simply needs to be mounted on the seat side or the vehicle body side.

Claims

[1] Buckle of a safety belt device comprising a buckle part (2) and a strut-like support (4) arranged thereon, which is to be attached to a third object by means of a fastening element (7), characterized by a positioning device (17) coupled to the carrier (4), by means of which the carrier (4) can be fixed in at least two different, defined angular positions relative to the third object. [2] Belt buckle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the positioning device (17) is a positioning disc (9) which is to be attached to the third object together with the carrier (4), and which has a first locking section (11) with which it is to be fixed to the third object in a rotationally fixed manner, and at least a second locking section (13) which can be brought into operative contact with the carrier (4) to fix an angular position thereto. [3] Belt buckle according to claim 2, characterized by, that the first locking section (11) is a protruding, preferably angled arm (12). [4] Belt buckle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the second locking section (13) is a deformable finger (14) which can be formed into a receptacle (8) on the carrier (4) defining the angular position, wherein at least two receptacles (8) arranged offset from each other are provided on the carrier (4). [5] Belt buckle according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that the fastening element is a fastening screw (7) which passes through both the positioning disc (9) and the support (4), wherein the support (4) is pivotable relative to the positioning disc (9) about the fastening screw (7). [6] Belt buckle according to claims 4 and 5, characterized by, that the carrier (4) has a rounded end section (5) on which the at least two receptacles (8) are provided offset from each other in the circumferential direction, and that the positioning disk (9) has a section of the same shape on which the at least one finger (14) is provided. [7] Belt buckle according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by that more than two receptacles (8) are provided on the carrier (4) offset from each other, in particular equidistantly offset from each other. [8] Belt buckle according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized by that two or more second locking sections (13), in particular fingers (14), arranged offset from each other, are provided on the positioning disk (9). [9] Belt buckle according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by , that the positioning disc (9) is a sheet metal component. [10] Motor vehicle comprising at least one seat belt buckle (1) according to any of the preceding claims. [11] Motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterized by , that the belt buckle (1) is attached to a frame of a seat element or to a body by means of the fastening element (7).

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