MOTOR VEHICLE WITH AT LEAST ONE DRIVER'S SEAT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one driver's seat and at least one safety belt. The at least one safety belt is held on a pivotable bracket that can be pivoted between a release position and a restraint position.

[0002] EP 1 518 759 A1 discloses a motor vehicle having a driver's seat. To protect the driver, in particular, in the event of the vehicle tipping over, a safety belt is provided, which is attached to a bracket pivotable about a horizontal axis. By pivoting this bracket into a restraint position, the safety belt is fastened so that it can exert its desired protective effect. This motor vehicle has proven itself in practice and forms the basis of the present invention.

[0003] DE 23 43 938 A1 discloses a motor vehicle having a driver's seat. A safety belt is provided to secure the driver, held by a bracket. This bracket pivots about a horizontal axis and engages a belt buckle with a latch at one end. In a release position, this bracket holds the belt diagonally in front of the seat, enabling automatic fastening of the belt by motor-driven drive of the safety bracket.

[0004] JP 2011 005989 A discloses a generic motor vehicle with at least one driver's seat for a driver. This driver's seat is equipped with a safety belt that keeps the driver in the driver's seat in the event of an accident. The safety belt is held by a pivoting bracket. This bracket can be pivoted from a release position, allowing entry, to a restraint position, protecting the driver, to fasten the safety belt. Above the driver's seat, this bracket is bent forward, but not to the side. The invention is based on the object of creating a motor vehicle of the type mentioned above, which is characterized by improved acceptance.

[0005] This task is solved with the following features.

[0006] A motor vehicle according to the invention can, in principle, be of any type, although it is particularly intended for materials handling vehicles such as industrial trucks, excavators, front loaders, and bulldozers. This list, however, is only exemplary and is not to be understood as exhaustive. The motor vehicle has at least one driver's seat for a driver, to which at least one safety belt is assigned. The purpose of this at least one safety belt is to keep the driver in the at least one driver's seat in the event of an accident. An accident here is not only understood to mean a collision with other vehicles or solid objects such as walls; rather, the tipping of this motor vehicle, in particular, represents a major source of danger for the driver.Motor vehicles used to transport cargo are particularly exposed to the risk of careless operation, tight spaces or off-road conditions leading to undesirable shifts in the center of gravity, which can then subsequently cause the vehicle to tip over. Such vehicles are generally built sufficiently robustly to adequately protect the driver even in this situation. However, it has been found that drivers often reflexively try to leave the vehicle in accident situations, which then negates the vehicle's special protective effect. Since heavy loads are often handled, there is a considerable risk for the driver when leaving the vehicle, which can even lead to the driver's death. For this reason, it is important that the driver remains in the driver's seat until the accident is over.For this purpose, it is well known that at least one seat belt should be assigned to the driver's seat to keep the driver in place. Unfortunately, however, this additional safety device is all too often ignored by drivers as they are unaware of the associated risks and simply perceive fastening the seat belt as an inconvenience. In particular, the risk of accidents is massively underestimated due to the fact that these vehicles usually move very slowly, so that the usual sources of danger in road traffic can actually be practically eliminated, but the specific risks posed by the transported load or the terrain are not correctly assessed. To achieve sufficient protection, it is therefore particularly important that the existing protective systems, in particular the seat belt, are actually used. The protective effect of these safety systems therefore depends largely on driver acceptance.It has proven useful to hold the at least one safety belt on at least one pivoting bracket which can be pivoted from a release position to a restraint position in order to fasten the at least one safety belt. Any possible restraining effect of the at least one bracket plays only a minor role in this case. It is important that the at least one safety belt is fastened when the at least one bracket is pivoted without any further action by the driver. This process should be as simple as possible, preferably with a single movement. On the other hand, the at least one bracket must not hinder the driver from getting in and out, as this would otherwise impair the acceptance of the safety system. For this reason, the at least one bracket can be pivoted from a release position allowing entry and exit into a restraint position holding the driver in the driver's seat.Despite the measures described above, there were repeated cases of drivers finding the described safety system annoying and unnecessary and simply driving with at least one of the bars in the release position. This even went so far that built-in locks were deactivated in order to avoid having to fasten at least one seat belt. A very positive effect of at least one bar, however, is that it prevents the at least one seat belt from simply remaining in the fastened position and the driver sitting on it. With this type of vehicle operation, the driver would have problems getting in or out of the vehicle because the at least one bar would now be obstructing them. Nevertheless, it has become clear that the acceptance of the safety system must be further improved in order to avoid potentially fatal accidents.For this purpose, the at least one belt is held in the release position of the at least one bar in such a way that it obstructs the driver. The type of obstruction can generally be varied. In particular, the aim is to obstruct the driver's view and / or operation of the vehicle. However, this list is only an example and not exhaustive. This is generally sufficient to prevent the driver from operating the vehicle when the at least one bar is in the release position. In order to give the driver the necessary space when operating the vehicle, the at least one bar above the at least one driver's seat is offset from the seat. In this way, the available space in the driver's cab is used optimally and acceptance of the safety system is increased.To securely hold the at least one shackle in the restraint position, at least one lock latch is provided on the at least one shackle, which engages with at least one vehicle-mounted lock when in the restraint position. This can be a standard belt buckle, although alternative designs are also conceivable. In particular, the existing belt buckle can be used for this purpose when retrofitting existing vehicles.

[0007] Motor vehicles are often designed in such a way that they are installed tightly in the area of ​​the seating surface of at least one driver's seat, especially since many operating elements, for example for controlling the hydraulics or a joystick control, are attached. This means that at least one bar must be mounted relatively close to the driver's seat in order to make optimal use of the available space. However, this leads to an unpleasant constriction in the shoulder area, which in turn would reduce the acceptance of the safety system. To avoid this problem, it is advantageous to crank the at least one bar above the at least one driver's seat away from it and / or to curve it outwards. This means that the at least one bar - viewed in the horizontal direction - is closer to the seating surface of the at least one driver's seat in the lower area than in the shoulder area.The distance is defined as the normal distance from a vertical center plane through at least one driver's seat. This ensures optimal use of the available space next to the seat and avoids uncomfortable constriction in the shoulder area.

[0008] To facilitate entry and exit, it is advantageous if the at least one bar is held in the release position by at least one spring. This eliminates the need to first move the at least one bar into the release position before the driver sits down in the at least one driver's seat. A gas spring is preferably used as the spring, although other spring types, such as helical springs, preferably made of spring steel, can also be used.

[0009] To further increase the acceptance of this safety device, it is advantageous to provide at least one handle on at least one bar. This handle indicates to the driver where to grasp the bar in order to move it into the restraint position in one go and without changing hands. This avoids cumbersome handling from the outset, which could unnecessarily reduce the acceptance of the safety device.

[0010] The at least one lock latch can lead to injury problems because it lies open in the driver's cab in the release position. To overcome this problem, it is advantageous if at least one cover, possibly made up of several layers, is provided on the at least one lock latch to protect the at least one lock latch. This at least one cover is pushed away from the at least one lock in order to release the at least one lock latch in the immediate vicinity of the retaining position. The at least one cover is preferably made of leather and / or a relatively soft polymer so that there is no risk of injury from this cover or from the enclosed at least one lock latch. A hardness of between 15 shore A and 100 shore A is preferred for the polymer.

[0011] To prevent the driver from operating the motor vehicle while the at least one bar is in the release position, the at least one belt can extend diagonally across the at least one driver's seat in the release position. This obstructs the driver's forward view, so the driver will generally move the at least one bar to the restraint position, which is then perceived as more comfortable.

[0012] Seat belts in motor vehicles are usually black. However, for the present invention, it is more expedient to color at least one seat belt at least partially red. This takes advantage of the fact that the conspicuously red, at least one seat belt, is only visible from the outside when the at least one buckle is in the release position. Supervisors, supervisors, or safety officers can therefore very easily check from the outside whether a driver is improperly operating the vehicle without a seat belt and take appropriate countermeasures. With a black seat belt, detection from the outside is significantly more difficult.

[0013] To further improve the ability to check the at least one seat belt from the outside, it is advantageous if the at least one seat belt and / or the at least one bracket are equipped with at least one light source. This makes it easy to check whether the driver is using the safety systems, especially in poor lighting conditions at dusk. The light source is preferably designed to flash to further improve visibility and further confuse the driver if at least one seat belt is not correctly fastened.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one light source is controlled in such a way that it goes out in the restraint position. Such control can be implemented, for example, by a switch in the area of ​​the at least one lock and / or the at least one lock latch. This allows for a position check of the restraint device, which can then advantageously be used to control the at least one light source.

[0015] It is advantageous to design the at least one bar in a controlling, operative connection with the vehicle, so that an immobilizer is created and / or an acoustic and / or visual signal is generated when the at least one bar is not in the restraint position. This requires the driver to first manipulate the immobilizer to deactivate the safety device, which, however, is not considered practical due to the additional disadvantages mentioned above. This means that it can be assumed that the immobilizer will not be deactivated, thus reliably preventing accidental non-use of the safety device. The acoustic and / or visual signal serves as a warning for the driver.

[0016] It is also advantageous if at least one seat contact switch is provided on at least one driver's seat. This switch registers when the driver has sat down on the at least one driver's seat and compares this time with the movement of the at least one bar into the restraint position. The control system reacts to this sequence in such a way that the immobilizer, the visual signal and / or the acoustic signal remain active if the at least one seat contact switch has been actuated after the at least one bar has been moved into the restraint position. This is intended to prevent the at least one bar from remaining in the restraint position and the driver from sitting on top of the seat belt. This prevents unauthorized circumvention of this safety device.

[0017] The subject matter of the invention is explained by way of example using the drawing, without limiting the scope of protection.

[0018] It shows: Figure 1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle, Figure 2 shows a spatial representation of a driver's seat with a restraint system in the release position and Figure 3 shows the arrangement according to Figure 2 in the restraint position.

[0019] The Figure 1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle, in particular a front loader. This motor vehicle 1 has wheels 2, which can alternatively be replaced by tracks for better off-road capability. The motor vehicle 1 also has a loading device 3, which serves to transport a load (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1 This loading device 3 is designed as a shovel. The loading device 3 is adjustable via lever arms 4 using hydraulic cylinders 5.

[0020] The motor vehicle 1 also has a rear hood 6, beneath which an internal combustion engine for driving the wheels 2 and the hydraulic cylinders 5 are located. Between the lever arms 4 and the hood 6, the motor vehicle 1 has a driver's cab 7 in which a driver's seat 8 is provided. This driver's cab 7 also contains all the control elements 9 with which the motor vehicle 1 and all its functions can be controlled. A restraint system 10 keeps the driver in the driver's seat 8, particularly in the event of an accident.

[0021] The further details, in particular the restraint system 10, are shown in the detailed illustrations according to the Figures 2 and 3 These figures show the driver's seat 8 together with a restraint system 10, with all other parts of the motor vehicle 1 omitted. A retaining plate 11 is attached to the driver's seat 8, to which a bracket 13 is pivotably held via a pivot joint 12. In the Figure 2In the release position shown, the bracket 13 projects upwards to allow the driver to get in and out unhindered.

[0022] The bracket 13 is bent in such a way that it is bent away from the rider in one shoulder area. This results in improved shoulder clearance, especially in the Figure 3 This bent area is followed by a curved section 27, which in the release position according to Figure 2 is directed substantially horizontally forwards. The curvature of this curved area 27 is directed away from the driver's seat 8 in order to be in the restraint position according to Figure 3 to ensure greater freedom for the driver.

[0023] In a free end area 15, the bracket 13 has a lock latch 16, which is connected to a lock 17 next to the driver's seat 8 in the restraint position according to Figure 3The bracket 13 is locked in the lock 17 by means of the lock latch 16, so that the bracket 13 can be moved independently into the release position according to Figure 2 is excluded. To do this, a corresponding locking mechanism on lock 17 must be activated.

[0024] In the free end area 15, the bar also has a handle 18, by which the bar 13 can be grasped by the driver in order to move it with a simple pivoting movement into the restraint position according to Figure 3 This handle is not only intended to provide an ergonomic function for better gripping of the bar 13, but also ensures that the driver immediately knows at which point on the bar 13 he must grasp in order to pivot it.

[0025] To eliminate the risk of injury from the lock latch 16, it is surrounded by a multi-layer cover 19. This cover 19 is pushed apart by the lock 17 when the shackle 13 is pivoted into the retaining position, allowing the lock latch 16 to penetrate the lock 17.

[0026] A safety belt 20 is also attached to the bracket 13 and is wound up in a roller 21. This safety belt 20 runs in the Figure 2 shown release position diagonally across the driver's seat 8, so that it obstructs both the driver's view and the operation of the motor vehicle 1. This ensures improved acceptance of the restraint system 10, so that the driver can always use the motor vehicle 1 in the Figure 3 shown retaining position.

[0027] In order to be able to observe the correct use of the restraint system 10 from the outside, the safety belt 20 is colored red and also has lamps 22, preferably in the form of light-emitting diodes. Corresponding lamps 22 are also provided on the bracket 13. Limit switches 23 in the area of ​​the lock latch 16 and / or the lock 17 activate the lamps 22, preferably in a flashing mode, unless the bracket 13 is in the Figure 3 shown restraint position. This makes it clear that motor vehicle 1 is not being used properly.

[0028] In the area of ​​the swivel joint 12, a spring 24 is also provided, which is designed as a gas spring. This spring 24 ensures that the bracket 13 is pre-tensioned in the Figure 2 shown release position to ensure easy entry and exit.

[0029] The limit switches 23 are connected to a motor control (not shown) in such a way that an immobilizer is generated if the restraint system 10 is not in the position shown in Figure 3 shown retaining position.

[0030] The driver's seat 8 is also assigned a seat contact switch 26, which is triggered when the driver sits down on the driver's seat 8. This seat contact switch 26 is connected to the control unit 25, whereby the control unit 25 detects the actuation sequence between the seat contact switch 26 on the one hand and the limit switch 23 on the other hand. The immobilizer implemented by the control unit 25 is only deactivated if the seat contact switch 26 was actuated before the limit switch 23. This prevents the driver from sitting down on the driver's seat 8 when the bar 13 is already in the Figure 3shown restraint position. In this case, the driver would sit on top of the seat belt 22, so that the seat belt 22 would not be able to provide any protective effect. List of reference symbols

[0031] 1 Motor vehicle 2 Wheel 3 Loading device 4 Lever arm 5 Hydraulic cylinder 6 Bonnet 7 Driver's cab 8 Driver's seat 9 Control element 10 Restraint system 11 Retaining plate 12 Swivel joint 13 Bar 14 Shoulder area 15 Free end area 16 Lock latch 17 Lock 18 Handle 19 Cover 20 Safety belt 21 Roller 22 Lamp 23 Limit switch 24 Spring 25 Control 26 Seat contact switch 27 Curved section

Claims

1. Motor vehicle having at least one driver's seat (8) for a driver and at least one safety belt (20) which in the event of an accident holds the driver on the driver's seat (8), wherein the at least one safety belt (20) is held on at least one pivotable bracket (13) which for fastening the at least one safety belt (20) is pivotable from a releasing position, which permits entry, to a restraining position, which protects the driver, and the at least one bracket (13) in the releasing position holds the at least one safety belt (20) in a position in which the latter impedes the driver, characterized in that the at least one bracket (13) above the at least one driver's seat (8) is laterally elbowed away from the latter, and the at least one bracket (13) has at least one lock latch (16) which in the restraining position engages in at least one buckle (17) fixed to the vehicle.

2. Motor vehicle according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one bracket (13) in the restraining position above the at least one driver's seat (8) is curved outward.

3. Motor vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one bracket (13) in the releasing position is held by at least one spring (24).

4. Motor vehicle according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one bracket (13) has at least one handle (18).

5. Motor vehicle according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one lock latch (16) is protected by at least one multi-shell cover (19) which is able to be pushed away from the at least one buckle (17).

6. Motor vehicle according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one safety belt (20) in the releasing position can extend diagonally across the at least one driver's seat (8).

7. Motor vehicle according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one safety belt (20) is at least partially dyed red.

8. Motor vehicle according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one safety belt (20) and / or the at least one bracket (13) are / is provided with at least one illumination means (22).

9. Motor vehicle according to Claim 8, characterized in that the at least one illumination means (22) in the restraining position is switched off.

10. Motor vehicle according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a controller (25) which, when the at least one bracket (13) is not in the restraining position, at least prevents the travel of the vehicle and / or emits an acoustic and / or optical signal is provided.

11. Motor vehicle according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least one seat contact switch (26) which is operatively connected to the controller (25) is provided on the at least one driver's seat (8), said controller querying an activation sequence between the triggering of the at least one seat contact switch (26) and the moving of the at least one bracket (13) to the restraining position.