Belt deflection apparatuses for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a belt deflection apparatus for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle, comprising: a main element (2) connectable to a belt lock of the safety belt device; and a belt contact element (3), which is movable relative to the main element (2) and which has a contact face (31) for the belt (S) of the safety belt device, the main element (2) comprising two guide portions (23a, 23b), which are arranged on opposite sides of the belt contact element (3), for guiding the belt contact element (3). According to the invention, lateral belt-conducting portions (32a, 32b) adjoin the contact face (31) of the belt contact element (3) and there is a gap (4a, 4b) between at least one of the guide portions (23a, 23b) and one of the belt-conducting portions (32a, 32b), the at least one belt-conducting portion (32a, 32b) being designed such that it conducts the belt (S) with a loading parallel to the contact face (31) and in the direction of the gap (4a, 4b), in such a way that the belt (S) runs at least in portions at an incline over the gap (4a, 4b).

Description

[0001] Belt deflection devices for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a belt deflection device for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a belt deflection device for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0004] DE 10 2018 220 620 A1 discloses a belt deflection device for a safety belt assembly, which comprises a base element connectable to a belt buckle by means of a tongue. A belt of the safety belt assembly is guided and deflected over a belt attachment element of the belt deflection device, wherein the belt attachment element is movable relative to the base element. Movement of the belt attachment element relative to the base element due to a load on the safety belt leads to deformation of an intermediate element and clamping of the safety belt between the belt attachment element and the intermediate element.The problem with such belt deflection devices is that when a force is applied to the safety belt, a component parallel to a contact surface of the belt attachment element moves sideways and can at least partially enter a gap between the belt attachment element and the base element, thereby becoming damaged.

[0005] The invention is based on the problem of avoiding damage to the safety belt as far as possible.

[0006] This problem is solved by providing the belt deflection device with the features of claim 1 and the belt deflection device with the features of claim 13.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a belt deflection device for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising

[0008] - a base element connectable to a buckle of the safety belt device; and

[0009] - a belt-supporting element which is movable relative to the base element and has a support surface for a belt of the safety belt device, wherein - the base element comprises two guide sections arranged on opposite sides of the belt-supporting element for guiding the belt-supporting element, wherein

[0010] - lateral belt guide sections of the belt support element adjoin the contact surface and there is a gap between at least one of the guide sections and one of the belt guide sections, wherein the at least one belt guide section is designed such that, when loaded, it guides the belt parallel to the contact surface and in the direction of the gap such that the belt runs at least partially obliquely across the gap.

[0011] The inventive design of the at least one belt guide section ensures that the seat belt is prevented from slipping into the gap between the guide section of the base element and the belt guide section of the belt installation element, even when the belt is loaded with a component parallel to the contact surface. It is of course conceivable for the belt deflection device to have a gap on both sides of the belt installation element. Accordingly, there can be two gaps, each extending between the guide sections of the base element and the respective belt guide sections. In this case, both belt guide sections are designed such that, when the seat belt is loaded parallel to the contact surface and in the direction of one of the two gaps, they guide the belt in such a way that it runs at least partially over the respective gap.

[0012] It is conceivable that the at least one gap is located on a side of the at least one belt guide section facing away from the contact surface. For example, the gap (in particular the entire gap) is located at a distance from the contact surface. The gap is thus, to a certain extent, displaced outward compared to the previously known belt deflection device and, in particular, is not directly adjacent to the contact surface.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one belt guide section has at least one partial section that protrudes from the contact surface. For example, a main extension plane of the partial section runs at least approximately obliquely or perpendicularly to the contact surface. It is particularly conceivable for the entire belt guide section to protrude from the contact surface, i.e., to be oriented in particular obliquely or perpendicularly to the contact surface.

[0014] It is also possible for the at least one belt guide section to have a plurality of differently oriented surface sections. In particular, the surface sections are oriented in such a way that when a force is applied to the belt parallel to the contact surface, the desired guidance of the seat belt occurs diagonally across the gap. It is also conceivable for at least one of the surface sections to run diagonally to the contact surface. For example, this at least one surface section runs at least approximately flat. However, this is not mandatory. Rather, the at least one surface section could also have a curve. It is therefore possible for this at least one surface section to extend along an imaginary (not necessarily straight) line that lies in a plane that runs diagonally to a plane oriented perpendicular to the contact surface.For example, the at least one surface section extends along a section of a circumference of an imaginary ellipse which is oriented obliquely to the plane running perpendicular to the contact surface.

[0015] However, the at least one belt guide section does not necessarily have to have several differently oriented surface sections. It is also possible, for example, for only one surface section to be present, which runs particularly diagonally to the contact surface, as explained above.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the base element comprises an inner side opposite a section of the contact surface, wherein the belt—after mounting on the belt deflection device—extends between the inner side and the section of the contact surface, and wherein the at least one belt guide section has at least one upper surface section (in particular facing a belt tongue of the belt deflection device) that runs obliquely or perpendicularly to the inner side. In particular, the at least one upper surface section runs along a main extension plane that is oriented obliquely or perpendicularly to the inner side.

[0017] It is also possible for the belt tongue of the base element to be insertable into the belt buckle along an insertion direction, wherein the upper surface section coming from the inside of the base element (i.e. coming from an end region of the upper surface section opposite the inside) is inclined in a direction opposite to the insertion direction (away from the belt tongue).

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper surface section forms a first surface section of the belt guide section, and the above-described surface section extending obliquely to the contact surface forms a second surface section of the belt guide section, wherein the second surface section also extends obliquely to the first surface section. The contact surface of the belt deflection device is, in particular, at least partially curved. The curvature of the contact surface ensures, in particular, a deflection of the safety belt in contact with the contact surface. For example, the contact surface comprises a curved section that adjoins the section of the contact surface opposite the inside of the base element.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention, a belt deflection device for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle is provided, with

[0020] - a base element connectable to a buckle of the safety belt device; and

[0021] - a belt-supporting element which is movable relative to the base element and has a support surface for a belt of the safety belt device, wherein

[0022] - the base element comprises two guide sections arranged on opposite sides of the belt-laying element for guiding the belt-laying element, and wherein

[0023] - lateral belt guide sections of the belt support element adjoin the support surface, wherein at least one of the belt guide sections comprises a convex element.

[0024] If a force acts on the seat belt parallel to the contact surface and this causes the seat belt to move lateral (parallel to the contact surface) towards the convex element, the seat belt will come into contact with the convex element; for example, the seat belt will move over the convex element. This contact ensures, in particular, a dissipation of the seat belt's kinetic energy (for example through sliding friction). It is also possible that the convex element engages filaments in the seat belt material and holds the belt in place in this way. It is conceivable that the convex element is designed in such a way that damage to the seat belt is avoided as far as possible in this case. The convex element in particular has, at least in sections, a convex (curved) outer contour.It is possible for the convex element to be formed integrally with the belt guide section or with the entire belt attachment element. For example, the belt attachment element may be a plastic part (in particular, a plastic injection-molded part).

[0025] As already explained above in connection with the first aspect of the invention, the base element can comprise an inner side opposite the contact surface, wherein the belt - after assembly on the belt deflection device - extends between the inner side and a section of the contact surface. It is possible for the convex element to be arranged such that it faces the inner side of the base element. For example, the at least one belt guide section - as also already explained above with regard to the first aspect of the invention - has at least one upper surface section that runs obliquely to the inner side of the base element. It is possible for the convex element to adjoin an end region of the upper surface section facing the inner side.

[0026] The configurations explained above with reference to the first aspect of the invention can of course be used analogously to the further development of the belt deflection device according to the second aspect of the invention. In particular, a gap is located between at least one of the guide sections and the belt guide section, wherein the belt guide section is designed such that, under load, it guides the belt parallel to the contact surface and in the direction of the gap such that the belt runs at least partially obliquely across the gap. For example, the belt guide section can have several differently oriented surface sections for this purpose, as explained above.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. They show:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a belt deflection device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] Figure 2 shows the belt deflection device from Figure 1 in a side view;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a basic element of the belt deflection device from Figures 1 and 2;

[0031] Figure 4 shows the belt deflection device of Figures 1 and 2 in partially transparent

[0032] Depiction;

[0033] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the belt deflection device of Figures 1 and 2;

[0034] Figure 6 shows a belt attachment element of the belt deflection device of Figures 1 and 2;

[0035] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the belt attachment element from Figure 6;

[0036] Figure 8 shows the belt attachment element from Figure 6 in a side view; and Figure 9 shows a belt deflection device according to the invention with a safety belt under lateral load.

[0037] The belt deflection device 1 according to the invention for a safety belt system of a motor vehicle, shown in perspective in Figure 1, comprises a base element 2 connectable to a belt buckle (not shown). For connection to the belt buckle, the base element 2 comprises a belt tongue 21, which can be inserted into the belt buckle and locked thereto in a conventional manner. For example, the base element 2 comprises a plastic element 201 on which the belt tongue 21 (made, for example, of metal) is arranged; see Figure 3.

[0038] Furthermore, the belt deflection device 1 has a belt-supporting element 3 ("slider") that is movable relative to the base element 2. The belt-supporting element 3 comprises a support surface 31 against which a safety belt of the safety belt device (not shown in Figure 1) at least partially rests. The safety belt runs, in particular, between an inner side 22 of the base element 2 and an opposite inner section 310 of the support surface 31 and is deflected at a curved section 311 of the support surface 31 that adjoins the inner section 310.

[0039] The base element 2 also has two guide sections 23a, 23b arranged on opposite sides of the belt-supporting element 3 (viewed along the support surface 31), which guide the movement of the belt-supporting element 3. In particular, when the seat belt is loaded, the belt-supporting element 3 moves away from the belt tongue 21. It is possible for the belt deflection device 1 to be designed such that such a movement of the belt-supporting element 3 leads to clamping of the seat belt; for example, as a result of a deformation of a deformable element of the base element 2, as described in the aforementioned DE 10 2018 220 620 A1. In this respect, express reference is hereby made to DE 10 2018 220 620 A1. The partially transparent illustration of the belt-supporting element 1 in Figure 4 shows a corresponding deformable element 5.

[0040] The belt support element 3 comprises two lateral belt guide sections 32a, 32b, each of which laterally borders the belt support surface 31. A gap 4a, 4b is located between the guide sections 23a, 23b and the belt guide sections 32a, 32b. The gaps 4a, 4b enable the movement of the belt support element 3 relative to the base element 2. The belt guide sections 32a, 32b are designed such that, when loaded with a force component, they guide the safety belt parallel to the support surface 31 and in the direction of one of the gaps 4a, 4b in such a way that the belt runs at least partially diagonally across the respective gap 4a, 4b. In this way, the belt is prevented from slipping into the gap 4a, 4b and thus from being damaged. The basic course of the safety belt S through the belt deflection device 1 is indicated by a dashed line in Figure 2.However, the actual course of the safety belt deviates from this representation, since the safety belt in the side view of Figure 2 would be partially concealed by the lateral belt guide sections 32a, 32b.

[0041] To inhibit lateral movement of the safety belt (ie, movement parallel to the contact surface 31), the contact surface 31 also comprises a plurality of rib structures 312. However, the rib structures 312 are optional.

[0042] The belt guide sections 32a, 32b each protrude from the contact surface 31 with a partial section 321a, 321b in the direction of the belt tongue 21 and thus delimit the contact surface 31. The gaps 4a, 4b are located on a side of the protruding partial sections 321a, 321b facing away from the contact surface 31 (i.e., oriented obliquely or perpendicularly to the contact surface 31). The protruding partial sections 321a, 321b each have an upper surface section 3211a, 3211b, which runs obliquely to the inner side 22 of the base element 2 or to the belt tongue 21 (see also Fig. 2). In particular, the upper surface sections 3211a, 3211b are inclined from the inner side 22 or the belt tongue 21 in a direction opposite to an insertion direction along which the belt tongue 21 is inserted into the belt buckle. In the illustration in Figure 2, the surface sections 3211a, 3211b are thus inclined downwards from the belt tongue 21.

[0043] In addition to the upper surface sections 3211a, 3211b, the belt guide sections 32a, 32b each have further surface sections; see in particular Figures 5 to 7. In particular, the belt guide sections 32a, 32b each additionally comprise an obliquely oriented surface section 3212a, 3212b. The obliquely oriented surface sections 3212a, 3212b each extend along an imaginary line lying in a plane that runs obliquely to a plane oriented perpendicular to the contact surface 31 of the belt support element 3 or the inner side 22 of the base element 2. The plane oriented perpendicular to the contact surface 31 of the belt support element 3 or the inner side 22 of the base element 2 would be the drawing plane in Figure 2.The line along which the surface sections 3212a, 3212b each extend is, for example, curved at least in sections, so that the surface sections 3212a, 3212b each have a curvature according to Figures 5 to 7. However, it is also conceivable for the line to extend essentially straight and for the surface sections 3212a, 3212b to be correspondingly at least essentially flat. Inner side regions of the belt guide sections 32a, 32b facing the contact surface 31 also form transition surface sections 3213a, 3213b, which each form a transition between the obliquely oriented surface sections 3212a, 3212b and the upper surface sections 3211a, 3211b in the manner of a shingle.

[0044] As shown in particular in Figure 8, the belt guide sections 32a, 32b each further comprise a convex element in the form of a convex lip 6a, 6b, which is located at an end of the upper surface sections 3211a, 3211b facing the inner side 22 of the base element 2. The lips 6a, 6b each protrude from the associated upper surface section 3211a, 3211b (in particular in the direction of the belt tongue 21) and extend at least approximately over the entire width of the respective belt guide section 32a, 32b (viewed in a direction parallel to the contact surface 31); in particular in the manner of a cylinder or cylinder segment. For example, the lips 6a, 6b have an at least approximately elliptical, in particular circular, contour in a cross-section oriented perpendicular to the contact surface 31. It is also conceivable that the contour of the lips 6a, 6b corresponds to the contour of an ellipse segment or circle segment.However, the lips 6a, 6b do not necessarily have the same radius throughout. It is conceivable that different segments of the lips 6a, 6b have different convexities, i.e., the outer contours of different segments of the lips 6a, 6b have different radii.

[0045] If a force acts on the seat belt parallel to the contact surface 31 of the belt attachment element 3 and this causes at least a partial lateral movement of the seat belt, the seat belt will move over one of the lips 6a, 6b, whereby contact with the respective lip 6a, 6b dissipates the belt's kinetic energy and, for example, inhibits further lateral movement parallel to the belt attachment surface 31. The lips 6a, 6b also contribute, in particular, to preventing the belt from entering one of the gaps 4a, 4b. The effect of the lips 6a, 6b can also be seen in the illustration in Figure 9. A lateral force (parallel to the contact surface 31 of the belt attachment element 3) then causes a lateral movement of the belt S and a partial bunching of the belt S in the region of one of the belt guide sections (the belt guide section 32b).However, the lip 6b of the belt guide section 32b inhibits further movement of the belt S parallel to the contact surface 31 and thus contributes to the belt S moving obliquely to the contact surface 31 and extending obliquely across the gap 4b between the belt support element 3 and the base element 2 of the belt deflection device (not shown in Figure 9). However, the lips 6a, 6b are optional.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Belt deflection device for a safety belt system of a motor vehicle, comprising a basic element (2) that can be connected to a belt buckle of the safety belt system;and a belt assembly element (3) movable relative to the base element (2), which has a contact surface (31) for a belt (S) of the safety belt assembly, wherein the base element (2) comprises two guide sections (23a, 23b) arranged on opposite sides of the belt assembly element (3) for guiding the belt assembly element (3), characterized in that lateral belt guide sections (32a, 32b) of the belt assembly element (3) adjoin the contact surface (31) and a gap (4a, 4b) is located between at least one of the guide sections (23a, 23b) and one of the belt guide sections (32a, 32b), wherein the at least one belt guide section (32a, 32b) is designed such that it guides the belt (S) under load parallel to the contact surface (31) and in the direction of the gap (4a, 4b) in such a way that the belt (S) is at least partially oblique runs across the gap (4a, 4b).

2. Belt deflection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gap (4a, 4b) is located on a side of the at least one belt guide section (32a, 32b) facing away from the contact surface (31).

3. Belt deflection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gap (4a, 4b) extends at a distance from the contact surface (31).

4. Belt deflection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one belt guide section (32a, 32b) has at least one subsection (321a, 321b) that protrudes from the mounting surface (31 ).

5. Belt deflection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one belt guide section (32a, 32b) has several differently oriented surface sections (3211a, 3211 b, 3212a, 3212b, 3213a, 3213b).

6. Belt deflection device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the surface sections (3212a, 3212b) runs obliquely to the contact surface (31 ).

7. Belt deflection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the surface section (3212a, 3212b) extending obliquely to the contact surface (31) extends along an imaginary line which lies in a plane which is oblique to a plane oriented perpendicular to the contact surface (31).

8. Belt deflection device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the surface section (3212a, 3212b) extending obliquely to the contact surface (31) extends along a section of a circumference of an imaginary ellipse which extends obliquely to the plane oriented perpendicular to the contact surface (31).

9. Belt deflection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic element (2) comprises an inner side (22) opposite a section (310) of the contact surface (31), wherein the belt (S) - after assembly on the belt deflection device (1) - extends between the inner side (22) and the section (310) of the contact surface (31), and wherein the at least one belt guide section (32a, 32b) has at least one upper surface section (3211a, 3211b) which runs obliquely or perpendicularly to the inner side (22).

10. Belt deflection device according to claim 9, characterized in that the basic element (2) has a belt tongue (21) which can be inserted into the belt buckle along an insertion direction, wherein the upper surface section (3211a, 3211b) is inclined from the inside (22) in a direction opposite to the insertion direction.

11. Belt deflection device according to one of claims 6 to 8 as far as referenced to claim 9, characterized in that the upper surface section (3211a, 3211b) forms a first surface section of the belt guide section (32a, 32b) and the surface section (3212a, 3212b) extending obliquely to the contact surface (31) forms a second surface section of the belt guide section (32a, 32b), wherein the second surface section also extends obliquely to the first surface section.

12. Belt deflection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact surface (31) is at least partially curved.

13. Belt deflection device for a safety belt system of a motor vehicle, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a base element (2) connectable to a belt buckle of the safety belt system; and a belt assembly element (3) movable relative to the base element (2), which has a contact surface (31) for a belt (S) of the safety belt assembly, wherein the base element (2) comprises two guide sections (23a, 23b) arranged on opposite sides of the belt assembly element (3) for guiding the belt assembly element (3), characterized in that lateral belt guide sections (32a, 32b) of the belt assembly element (3) adjoin the contact surface (31), wherein at least one of the belt guide sections (32a, 32b) comprises a convex element (6a, 6b). Belt deflection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the basic element (2) comprises an inner side (22) opposite the contact surface (31), wherein the belt (S) - after assembly on the belt deflection device - extends between the inner side (22) and the contact surface (31), and wherein the convex element (6a, 6b) faces the inner side (22).Belt deflection device according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one belt guide section (32a, 32b) has at least one upper surface section (3211a, 3211b) which runs obliquely to the inside (22), wherein the convex element (6a, 6b) adjoins an end region of the upper surface section (3211a, 3211b) facing the inside (22).

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