Safety belt

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety belt (10) for a motor vehicle, the safety belt (10) comprising a woven fabric consisting of warp (11) and weft yarns (12). At least one electrical conductor (13) extends in parallel to at least one warp yarn (11). The weft yarns (12) are double weft yarns (12), at least part of the double weft yarn (12) running above and at least part of the double weft yarn (12) running below the at least one electrical conductor (13).

Description

[0001] seat belt

[0002] The present invention relates to a safety belt according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Seat belts may require electrical conductors running along the seat belt for various additional electrical functions. In addition to electrical devices such as microphones, which can be attached to the belt and operated and possibly controlled via the electrical conductor, electrical conductors are particularly relevant for the seat belt's heating functions. The electrical conductor can, in principle, be used to supply electrical current to dedicated heating elements and / or even as a resistance heater itself.

[0004] The electrical conductors in the seat belt are generally more sensitive than the material of the seat belt fabric, so the electrical conductors require special protection to ensure long-term durability.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a safety belt with an electrical conductor which is protected by the belt webbing.

[0006] To achieve this object, a safety belt having the features of claim 1 is proposed. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims, in the figures, and the associated description.

[0007] To achieve this objective, a safety belt for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a fabric composed of warp threads and weft threads, and wherein the fabric preferably has a twill weave. At least one electrical conductor is guided parallel to at least one warp thread. It is proposed that the weft threads be double weft threads, with at least a portion of the double weft thread running above and at least a portion of the double weft thread running below the at least one electrical conductor.A double weft thread can also be referred to as a guide of at least two weft threads that are guided in one weft such that the two weft threads or the two parts of the double weft thread are each on the same side of the warp threads, but one weft thread or part of the double weft thread is above and the other weft thread or part of the double weft thread is below the at least one electrical conductor. Accordingly, the double weft thread is preferably guided with at least two shuttles or needles during the manufacture of the safety belt.

[0008] The proposed seat belt comprises at least one electrical conductor, preferably several electrical conductors, which can be used, for example, to heat the seat belt. By routing the electrical conductor between a double weft thread of the twill weave, the electrical conductor can be guided in the twill weave, whereby the electrical conductor is not completely woven into the weft thread system. This ensures that the electrical conductor is always covered by at least part of the double weft thread. The electrical conductor is therefore particularly protected, which has a positive effect on wear resistance. At the same time, with electrical resistance heating of the electrical conductor, heat can be better distributed in the seat belt, so that locally higher temperatures, which could be unpleasant on the skin of an occupant, for example, can be prevented.By routing the electrical conductor between the double weft thread of a twill weave, the advantages of the twill weave can be utilized for the seat belt while avoiding the disadvantages for the electrical conductor(s). Thus, at least one electrical conductor can be protected from the outside along its entire length.

[0009] The warp and weft threads are preferably not electrically conductive. According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the at least one electrical conductor be arranged between two warp threads in a plan view of the safety belt.

[0010] The electrical conductor(s) are preferably positioned during the manufacture of the fabric such that an electrical conductor is arranged between two warp threads, at least in a plan view. In this way, the electrical conductor can be protected on both sides by a warp thread in the twill fabric.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, several electrical conductors run parallel in the safety belt.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of electrical conductors are each arranged between two different warp threads. This allows for uniform heating by means of the electrical conductors.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that the fabric have a twill weave with a 2 / 2 twill. A 2 / 2 twill weave is particularly suitable for the proposed embedding of at least one electrical conductor.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the electrical conductor is an electrically conductive yarn. Conductive yarns are yarns that are coated, for example, with a conductive metal or otherwise achieve sufficient conductivity to enable, for example, electrical resistance heating.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment, the electrical conductor is a wire. The wire is made of metal and therefore has electrical conductivity, which can be used to control electrical devices or as a resistance heating element in the seat belt. According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the electrical conductor is guided in a textile band. The textile band is preferably a flat and very thin textile band in which at least one electrical conductor, for example as a heating wire, is guided. Preferably, two or more electrical conductors, more preferably an even number of electrical conductors, are woven into the textile band. The textile band, in which the at least one electrical conductor is woven, is introduced into the fabric of the seat belt as an electrical conductor, as described above.

[0016] According to a further development, it is proposed that the at least one electrical conductor is led out of the woven safety belt to the outside in a loop at at least one position, preferably at two positions.

[0017] The electrical conductor is guided out of the seat belt fabric with the loop and then back into the fabric for the length of the loop. This does not change the path of the electrical conductor in front of and behind the electrical conductor.

[0018] It is further proposed that a plurality of electrical conductors each be led out in a loop at at least one position, with the loops running in a line perpendicular to the warp threads. This allows the plurality of electrical conductors to be contacted and / or connected in a simple manner, for example, for electrically heating the seat belt. For example, two adjacent electrical conductors can be connected to each other.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the electrical conductor be cut in the loop. This allows the electrical conductor to be contacted in a similar way to a conventional conductor end. If a portion of the cut loop is not needed, it can be cut, for example, just above the surface of the seat belt to avoid any possible incorrect contact.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the loop is laid flat on the outside of the seat belt. The loop can also be fixed in this position on the seat belt, preferably by stitching. The flattened loop provides a large surface area for contacting the electrical conductor in the seat belt, whereby appropriate contact is achieved with a slight thickening.

[0021] It is therefore further preferred that the electrical conductor in the loop is connected to an electrical connection.

[0022] According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the electrical conductor in the loop is soldered to an electrical connection.

[0023] The invention will be explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a safety belt with a double weft thread and electrical conductors during manufacture;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a safety belt with an electrical conductor and double weft thread;

[0026] Fig. 3 is a sectional view parallel to the path of an electrical conductor in a safety belt with double weft threads;

[0027] Fig. 4 is a sectional view perpendicular to the path of an electrical conductor in a safety belt with double weft threads;

[0028] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a safety belt with four loops of electrical conductors in a line;

[0029] Fig. 6 is a plan view of a safety belt with four mutually offset loops of electrical conductors; Fig. 7 is a sectional view perpendicular to the path of an electrical conductor in a flat textile band; and

[0030] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the weaving process with an electrical conductor in a flat textile ribbon.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a safety belt 10 for a motor vehicle. In Figure 1, the safety belt 10 is in the state of manufacture of the fabric from warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 with a twill weave. For this purpose, two warp threads 11 are alternately offset upwards and downwards. Two electrical conductors 13 are shown parallel to the warp threads 11 in this schematic representation. A double weft thread 12 is passed between the offset warp threads 11 to create the twill weave. However, part of the double weft thread 12 is guided above the electrical conductors 13 and part below the electrical conductor 13. The electrical conductors 13 therefore run parallel to the warp threads 11, but occupy a special position in the twill weave, so that the electrical conductors 13 are not woven into the weft thread system like the warp threads 13.As a result, a portion of the double weft thread 12 always covers the electrical conductor 13 to the outside, providing extra protection. In advantageous embodiments, the two electrical conductors 13 are each arranged close to two different warp threads.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a section of a safety belt 10 with a 2 / 2 twill weave consisting of warp threads 11 and double weft threads 12. An electrical conductor 13 is guided parallel between two warp threads 11. In this advantageous embodiment, the electrical conductor 13 is an electrical yarn. In alternative embodiments, the electrical conductor can also be a wire.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a section of the safety belt 10 of Figure 2 in a sectional view parallel through the electrical conductor 13. It is schematically shown how the upper and lower parts of the double weft thread 12 enclose the electrical conductor 13 on both sides and at the same time, as a weft thread, follows the twill weave with the warp threads 11. Figure 4 shows a section of the safety belt 10 of Figure 2 in a sectional view perpendicular through the course of the electrical conductor 13. The electrical conductor 13 is arranged centrally between two warp threads 11, so that the electrical conductor 13 is well protected in the fabric of the safety belt 10.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a plan view of a section of the proposed safety belt 10, wherein four electrical conductors 13 are embedded in the fabric by means of the double weft threads 11, parallel to the warp threads 11. The electrical conductors 13 are guided out of the safety belt 14 by loops 14, with the respective other end of the loop 14 leading back into the safety belt 10. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the loops 14 are guided out of the fabric in a line parallel to the weft threads 12.

[0035] In an embodiment of Figure 6, the four loops 14 are offset from one another and are led out of the fabric of the safety belt 10.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment in which a section of the safety belt 10 is shown in a sectional view perpendicular through the path of the electrical conductor 13. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the electrical conductor 13 is guided in a textile band 15 in which at least one electrical conductor 13, preferably at least two electrical conductors 13, are embedded. Analogous to the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the textile band 15 with the electrical conductor 13 or the electrical conductors 13 is arranged centrally to the two warp threads 11, so that the electrical conductor 13 with the textile band 15 is well protected in the fabric of the safety belt 10.

[0037] Figure 8 schematically illustrates part of the weaving process of the safety belt 10, wherein the electrical conductor 13 is guided in a textile band 15. This allows, in particular, the insertion of several electrical conductors 13 in parallel in an element that is guided parallel to the warp threads 11.

Claims

Claims:

1. Safety belt (10) for a motor vehicle, wherein the safety belt (10) comprises a fabric made of warp threads (11) and weft threads (12), wherein the fabric preferably has a twill weave, wherein at least one electrical conductor (13) is guided parallel to at least one warp thread (11), characterized in that the weft threads (12) are double weft threads (12), wherein at least a part of the double weft thread (12) runs above and at least a part of the double weft thread (12) runs below the at least one electrical conductor (13).

2. Safety belt (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one electrical conductor (13) is arranged between two warp threads (11) in a plan view of the safety belt (10).

3. Safety belt (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that several electrical conductors (13) run parallel in the safety belt (10).

4. Safety belt (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the plurality of electrical conductors (13) are each arranged between two different warp threads (11).

5. Safety belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fabric has a twill weave with a 2 / 2 twill.

6. Safety belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical conductor (13) is an electrically conductive yarn.

7. Safety belt (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electrical conductor (13) is a wire.

8. Safety belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical conductor (13) is guided in a textile band (15).

9. Safety belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one electrical conductor (13) is led out of the woven safety belt (10) to the outside in a loop (14) at at least one position, preferably at two positions.

10. Safety belt (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that a plurality of electrical conductors (13) are each led out in a loop (14) at at least one position, wherein the loops (14) run in a line perpendicular to the warp threads (11).

11. Safety belt (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the electrical conductor (13) is cut in the loop (14).

12. Safety belt (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the loop (14) is laid flat on the outside of the safety belt (10).

13. Safety belt (10) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the electrical conductor (13) in the loop (14) is connected to an electrical connection.

14. Safety belt (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the electrical conductor (13) in the loop (14) is soldered to an electrical connection.

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