Belt buckle presenter

Abstract

Belt buckle presenter with a base body (12) that can be attached in a stationary manner to the vehicle, a belt buckle (16) that is movably mounted on the base body (12), a bearing block (42) fastened to the base body (12), a retaining bracket (62) and a spindle drive (32) that has a spindle (36) and a spindle nut (34), wherein the spindle drive (32) is mounted in the bearing block (42) and moves the belt buckle (16), wherein the spindle (36) of the spindle drive (32) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the belt buckle (16), and wherein the retaining bracket (62) supports the bearing block (42), characterized in that the spindle (36) is connected to a carriage (14) that is movable along the base body (12) and that encloses the base body (12) at least in sections.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a belt buckle presenter.

[0002] Belt buckle extenders make it easier to fasten and unfasten a seat belt by reversibly moving the belt buckle from a retracted position, in which it is not in the way of the vehicle occupant during normal driving, to an extended position in which it is easily accessible for the vehicle occupant.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2004 017 457 A1 discloses a belt buckle presenter with a spindle drive. An electric motor rotates a spindle, thereby displacing a spindle nut connected to the belt buckle via a steel cable. However, the disadvantage here is the complex design of the belt buckle presenter.

[0004] From the generic DE 10 2012 016 211 A1, a belt buckle presenter is known which comprises a base body which can be fixedly mounted in a stationary manner on the vehicle, a belt buckle movably mounted on the base body, a bearing block fastened to the base body, a retaining bracket, and a spindle drive which has a spindle and a spindle nut. The spindle drive is mounted in the bearing block and moves the belt buckle, with the spindle being connected to the belt buckle in a rotationally fixed manner. The retaining bracket supports the bearing block. In this way, the belt buckle is directly and immediately coupled to the spindle drive, which reduces both the number of required components and thus the manufacturing costs as well as the size of the entire belt buckle presenter. The retaining bracket provides additional stability by supporting the large forces acting on the bearing block which occur when the belt buckle is subjected to high tensile loads.

[0005] The rotationally fixed connection between the spindle and the belt buckle is achieved, for example, by a fastening element at the upper end of the spindle, to which the belt buckle is attached. The fastening geometry of the fastening element can be selected so that belt buckles of the same design can be used both with belt buckle extenders and for permanent attachment in the vehicle.

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a belt buckle presenter with a further simplified and compact design.

[0007] This object is achieved by a generic belt buckle presenter having the characterizing features of patent claim 1.

[0008] To achieve the most compact design possible, the invention connects the spindle to a carriage that can be moved along the base body and at least partially surrounds the base body. The carriage can be secured to the spindle, for example, via the fastening element at the upper end of the spindle. With this design, the base body is at least partially housed inside the carriage, eliminating the need for an additional housing, which further reduces the number of parts and the required installation space.

[0009] At least one ball cage can be arranged between the base body and the slide, on which the slide is mounted for linear movement along the base body. The use of one or more ball cages, particularly in a linear configuration with several balls arranged along a straight line, enables smooth and quiet mounting of the slide on the base body.

[0010] The bearing block is preferably encompassed by the slide, so that no separate housing is required and the compactness of the entire belt buckle presenter is increased.

[0011] In order to move the spindle of the spindle drive reversibly in the axial direction, the spindle nut of the spindle drive, which causes the axial movement of the spindle, can be driven in the desired direction of rotation.

[0012] The spindle nut is preferably rotatably mounted in the bearing block.

[0013] For example, the spindle nut can be accommodated in a bearing block that is divided, in particular, perpendicular to the axial direction, which allows easy pre-assembly of the spindle drive before it is attached to the base body.

[0014] The bearing block can also accommodate a bearing for an electric motor driving the spindle nut, so that the entire drive can be arranged on the base body and can be at least largely protected against environmental influences by the carriage.

[0015] Preferably, the retaining bar is arranged on the side of the bearing block facing the belt buckle, in particular between the spindle nut and the belt buckle, and is fastened to the base body. The arrangement between the spindle nut and the belt buckle, i.e., such that the retaining bar at least partially overlies the spindle nut in the axial direction, is particularly advantageous because, when tensile loads are applied to the belt buckle, the load on the bearing block at the spindle nut is greatest and can thus be absorbed, ensuring a high breaking strength of the belt buckle presenter.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining bracket comprises an arcuate bracket portion and a first and a second fastening portion, wherein the first fastening portion is formed at a first end of the bracket portion and the second fastening portion is formed at a second end of the bracket portion. This design of the retaining bracket makes it possible to overlay a large area of ​​the spindle nut in the axial direction with the bracket portion and to securely fasten the retaining bracket with the fastening portions at different ends of the retaining bracket.

[0017] The fastening sections are preferably skid-like, elongated extensions that extend in the axial direction and, in particular, protrude in the axial direction relative to the bracket section. In this way, particularly large forces acting on the bearing block can be absorbed by the retaining bracket.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment, the retaining bracket is formed in one piece from metal and is, in particular, a stamped and bent part. This provides the retaining bracket with the necessary strength, allows it to be securely attached to the base body, for example, by laser welding, and is cost-effective to manufacture.

[0019] To transmit the drive power from the electric motor to the spindle nut, an intermediate gear is preferably provided. This intermediate gear is coupled to a drive pinion of the electric motor and has a pinion meshing with the spindle nut. In this way, power transmission with the desired ratio can be achieved in a compact arrangement. The intermediate gear is preferably also mounted on the bearing block and can be pre-assembled thereto.

[0020] It is preferred that the spindle extends through an opening between the retaining bracket and the base body in the direction of the belt buckle.

[0021] For example, the intermediate gear comprises two pinions arranged on an axis, one of which meshes with the drive pinion of the electric motor and the other with an external toothing of the spindle nut.

[0022] The invention is described in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: - Fig. 1 shows a belt buckle presenter according to the invention in a schematic perspective view in a fully retracted position; - Fig. 2 a belt buckle presenter not belonging to the invention, shown for explanatory purposes, in a fully extended position; - Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of the belt buckle presenter from Fig. 2 without the sled; - Fig. 4 which in Fig. 3 assembly shown in a front view; - Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 schematic representations of the spindle drive of the belt buckle presenter according to the invention from Fig. 1 and the belt buckle bringer from Fig. 2; - Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 schematic representations of the spindle drive with a bearing block and an electric motor; - Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 an exploded view of the belt buckle presenter according to the invention from Fig. 2; - Fig. 11 a schematic perspective view of the bearing block for the spindle drive of the belt buckle presenter according to the invention with a retaining bracket; and - Fig. 12 an enlarged view of the individual retaining bar from Fig. 11.

[0023] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a belt buckle presenter 10, which has a rigid base body 12 that can be fixed to the vehicle and a carriage 14 that is mounted on the base body 12 so that it can move along its axial direction A. The carriage 14 encompasses the base body 12 at least partially in the circumferential direction, wherein in this example the carriage 14 is partially completely closed circumferentially (see also Fig. 9). Fig. 2 and the figures related to it do not show a belt buckle presenter 10 according to the invention, because a belt buckle presenter 10 which will be described later in connection with Fig. The restraint bar explained in Figure 12 is missing. However, these figures show all remaining components of a belt buckle presenter 10 according to the invention according to an exemplary embodiment, which is why these figures serve to explain the mode of operation and to illustrate design examples of individual features belonging to the invention.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows the belt buckle presenter 10 in a fully retracted position as assumed during normal driving operation. Fig. Figure 2 shows an externally identical belt buckle presenter 10 in the fully extended position used for fastening and unfastening the seat belt. The travel direction V, in which a belt buckle 16 is reversibly moved by the belt buckle presenter 10, coincides with the axial direction A.

[0025] A fastening eyelet 18 is formed on the base body 12, via which the belt buckle presenter 10 is fastened to the vehicle.

[0026] The base body 12 has a back plate 20 and two narrow sides 22 extending in the axial direction A, which protrude laterally from the back plate 20.

[0027] The box-shaped slide 14 has two narrow sides 24, which are arranged parallel to the narrow sides 22 of the base body 12. Between the outer side of the narrow sides 22 and the inner side of the narrow sides 24, several ball cages 26 are arranged as bearings, which are freely movable in the axial direction A in guides 28 on the narrow sides 22 of the base body 12. This is also shown in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 10. The ball cages 26 are designed here as linear components, each with four balls, and allow, in a known manner, a smooth and quiet movement of the carriage 14 along the base body 12. A total of four ball cages 26 are provided, each arranged on the outer edges of the narrow sides 22. Stops 30 at the axial ends of the narrow sides 22 prevent the ball cages 26 from leaving the guides 28. At the belt buckle-side ends, the stops 30 are formed here by rivets, which are inserted into the guides 28 after the ball cages 26 have been pushed into the guides 28.

[0028] The belt buckle 16 is moved reversibly in and against the direction of travel V by a spindle drive 32 arranged on the base body 12. The spindle drive 32 is, for example, in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is shown in more detail.

[0029] The spindle drive 32 comprises a rotatably mounted, driven spindle nut 34 and a spindle 36 which can be displaced along the travel direction V by rotating the spindle nut 34.

[0030] At its belt buckle end, the spindle 36 is connected to the belt buckle 16 in a rotationally fixed manner via a plate-shaped fastening element 38.

[0031] In order to prevent the spindle 36 from rotating with the spindle nut 34, the fastening element 38 is screwed to the slide 14 in a rotationally fixed manner, for example Fig. 9 shows. In this example, two fastening eyes 40 are provided at one end of the slide 14 on the belt buckle side.

[0032] The spindle 36 is provided with a thread, at least over the maximum travel range, which engages with an internal thread of the spindle nut 34, as is known from spindle drives.

[0033] The spindle nut 34 is axially immovable but rotatable in a bearing block 42 which is firmly connected to the base body 12.

[0034] The bearing block 42 is here divided vertically into two sections 42a, 42b (see Fig. 10), between which the spindle nut 34 is mounted. In this example, the bearing block 42 is screwed to the back plate 20 of the base body 12 via a frame 44.

[0035] The spindle nut 34 is driven by an electric motor 46, which is also fixed to the base body 12. The bearing block 42, or more precisely the section 42b of the bearing block 42 remote from the belt buckle, forms a bearing for one end of the electric motor 46 on the belt buckle side.

[0036] In order to reduce the installation space in the direction pointing into the vehicle, in this example a recess 48 is provided in the carriage 14 in a front plate 14a and a back plate 14b, into which the electric motor 46 projects.

[0037] On the shaft of the electric motor 46 sits a drive pinion 50, which meshes with a first pinion 52 of an intermediate gear 54. The intermediate gear 54 has a second pinion 56, which is arranged on a common shaft with the first pinion 52. The second pinion 56 meshes with an external toothing 58 on the spindle nut 34, whereby a rotary movement of the drive pinion 50 can be transmitted to the spindle nut 34 at the desired ratio. All toothings here are designed as helical gears. The shaft of the intermediate gear 54 is also mounted in the bearing block 42, as shown in Fig. 10 can be seen.

[0038] The shaft of the electric motor 46, that of the intermediate gear 54 and the spindle 36 are aligned parallel to each other.

[0039] The spindle drive 32 can be pre-assembled with the electric motor 46 in the bearing block 42 to form a separate assembly, as shown in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is shown.

[0040] In this example, two position sensors 60 are also provided for detecting a spindle position. The position sensors 60 are also mounted on the base body 12.

[0041] The Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show an embodiment of the bearing block 42 according to the invention for the spindle drive 32 of the belt buckle presenter 10 according to the invention with a retaining bracket 62 which supports the bearing block 42 in the case of retention.

[0042] In this embodiment, the bearing block 42 is larger and supports both the spindle drive 32, the electric motor 46 and the intermediate gear 54 (see Fig. 5). However, this embodiment of the bearing block 42 is not limiting for the use of the retaining bracket 62, which can also be used, a bearing block 42 as shown for example in the Fig. 7 shown.

[0043] The retaining bracket 62 has an arcuate bracket portion 64 with a first end 66 and a second end 68, as well as an A Ω shape when viewed in the axial direction. This shape encloses the spindle 36, and an opening is formed between the bracket portion 64 and the base body 12, through which the spindle 36 extends to the belt buckle 16.

[0044] A first fastening section 70 is formed on the first end 66, and a second fastening section 72 is formed on the second end 68, which are provided for fastening the retaining bar 62. The skid-like fastening sections 70, 72 extend in the axial direction A in order to be able to appropriately absorb the forces acting on the retaining bar 62 in this direction and, in this exemplary embodiment, are longer in the axial direction A than the axial dimension of the bar section 64.

[0045] The retaining bracket 62 is, for example, a one-piece stamped and bent part and is made of a metal sheet.

[0046] In Fig. 11, the retaining bracket 62 adjoins the upper side 74 of the bearing block 42. The retaining bracket 62, with the bracket section 64, radially surrounds the spindle 36 in sections and rests on the side 74 facing the fastening element 38 with the bracket section 64 on the bearing block 42.

[0047] The fastening sections 70, 72 are securely fastened to the base body 12 by means of laser welding with their sides opposite to the bracket section 64.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, other suitable fastening methods, such as welding, soldering, screwing, riveting, gluing, etc., can be used to fasten the retaining bracket 62.

[0049] The retaining bracket 62 forms a support for the bearing block 42 of the spindle 36 and secures the bearing block 42 both in the axial direction A and in the event of oblique and transverse loading in the case of retention.

[0050] The shape of the retaining bracket 62 is not limited to an Ω shape. For example, the bracket section 64 can also have a rectangular basic shape with a particularly circular recess for the spindle 36. However, the retaining bracket 62 preferably covers the spindle nut 34 as much as possible in the axial direction A in order to optimally retain the spindle nut 34 when the spindle gear 32 is subjected to tensile load.

Claims

Belt buckle presenter with a base body (12) that can be attached in a stationary manner to the vehicle, a belt buckle (16) that is movably mounted on the base body (12), a bearing block (42) fastened to the base body (12), a retaining bracket (62) and a spindle drive (32) that has a spindle (36) and a spindle nut (34), wherein the spindle drive (32) is mounted in the bearing block (42) and moves the belt buckle (16), wherein the spindle (36) of the spindle drive (32) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the belt buckle (16), and wherein the retaining bracket (62) supports the bearing block (42), characterized in that the spindle (36) is connected to a carriage (14) that is movable along the base body (12) and that encloses the base body (12) at least in sections. Belt buckle presenter according to claim 1, characterized in that a fastening element (38) is arranged at an upper end of the spindle (36), to which the belt buckle (16) is fixed. Belt buckle presenter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one ball cage (26) is arranged between the base body (12) and the slide (14), on which the slide (14) is mounted for a linear movement along the base body (12). Belt buckle presenter according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the slide (14) engages around the bearing block (42). Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing block (42) is divided perpendicular to the axial direction (A) and the spindle nut (34) is rotatably mounted in the bearing block (42), wherein the spindle nut (34) causes an axial movement of the spindle (36). Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing block (42) has a bearing for an electric motor (46) driving the spindle nut (34). Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining bracket (62) is arranged on the side of the bearing block (42) facing the belt buckle (16) between the spindle nut (34) and the belt buckle (16) and is fastened to the base body (12). Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining bracket (62) comprises an arcuate bracket section (64) and a first and a second fastening section (70, 72), wherein the first fastening section (70) is formed on a first end (66) of the bracket section (64) and the second fastening section (72) is formed on a second end (68) of the bracket section (64). Belt buckle presenter according to claim 8, characterized in that the fastening sections (70, 72) are skid-like, elongated extensions which extend in the axial direction (A) and protrude in the axial direction (A) relative to the bracket section (64). Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining bracket (62) is formed in one piece from metal. Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate gear (54) is provided which is coupled to a drive pinion (50) of an electric motor (46) driving the spindle nut (34) and which has a pinion (56) meshing with the spindle nut (34). Belt buckle presenter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spindle (36) extends through an opening between the retaining bracket (62) and the base body (12) in the direction of the belt buckle (16).

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