Seat belt device and vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a seat belt device which enables a tongue to be properly fixed to a buckle with simple operation.SOLUTION: A seat belt device 10 is included in a vehicle seat. In the seat belt device 10, a tongue 20 and a lock part 42 of a second buckle member 40 are not engaged when the second buckle member 40 is in a first position in a state that the tongue 20 is inserted into an insertion port 56 of the second buckle member 40. Further, the tongue 20 and the lock part 42 are engaged when the second buckle member 40 moves to a second position in a state that the tongue 20 is inserted into the insertion port 56.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat belt device and a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2021-11149 A discloses a seat belt device provided in a vehicle seat. The seat belt device has a tongue, a buckle, an engagement portion, and a locking portion. The buckle has an insertion opening. The engagement portion and the locking portion are provided inside the buckle. When a user seated in the vehicle seat inserts the tongue into the insertion opening, the tongue and the engagement portion engage with each other. After the tongue and the engagement portion engage with each other, when the user pushes the buckle down to the locking position, the tongue and the locking portion engage with each other, and the tongue is fixed to the buckle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-11149 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described seat belt device, when a user inserts the tongue into the buckle insertion opening, the tongue engages with an engagement portion inside the buckle. Therefore, after inserting the tongue into the buckle insertion opening, the user may not push the buckle down to the lock position. As a result, the tongue may not be properly secured to the buckle.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a seat belt device comprising: a tongue to which a seat belt is connected; and a buckle to which the tongue is connected; the buckle has a first buckle member; and a second buckle member supported by the first buckle member so as to be movable relative to the first buckle member between a first position and a second position, the second buckle member having an insertion opening into which the tongue is inserted; the first buckle member is provided with a locking portion that can engage with the tongue; when the second buckle member is positioned at the first position with the tongue inserted in the insertion opening, the tongue and the locking portion do not engage; and when the second buckle member is moved to the second position with the tongue inserted in the insertion opening, the tongue and the locking portion engage with each other.

[0007] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle seat including the seat belt device of the first aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when the second buckle member is moved from the first position to the second position with the tongue inserted into the second buckle member, the tongue and the locking portion engage with each other, allowing an occupant seated in the seat to properly fasten the tongue to the buckle with a simple operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the seatbelt device when the tongue plate is inserted into the second buckle member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the seatbelt device when the tongue plate is engaged with the locking portion. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a seat belt device having a stopper portion according to another example of the configuration. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the seatbelt device when the tongue plate is inserted into the second buckle member of FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the seatbelt device when the tongue plate of FIG. 7 is engaged with the locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat 12 equipped with a seat belt device 10 according to one embodiment.

[0011] The vehicle seat 12 is installed in a vehicle such as a car, a ship, or an aircraft. When the vehicle seat 12 is installed in a vehicle, the vehicle seat 12 may be, for example, a driver's seat, a passenger seat, or a seat in the second row or later. When the vehicle seat 12 is installed in a vehicle, the vehicle seat 12 may be a seat installed in an autonomous vehicle that does not require a driver. The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat main body 14 and a seat belt device 10.

[0012] The seat body 14 is installed on the floor surface of the vehicle. The seat body 14 is a seat on which a vehicle occupant sits. In the following explanation, the direction forward as seen from the occupant seated in the seat body 14 is defined as the forward direction, and the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions will be explained.

[0013] The seat body 14 has a seat cushion 16 and a seat back 18. An occupant sits on the seat cushion 16. The seat cushion 16 supports the occupant's buttocks and thighs. The seat back 18 is connected to the rear of the seat cushion 16. The seat back 18 extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 16. The seat back 18 is a backrest portion that supports the back of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 16 from behind.

[0014] The seat belt device 10 restrains an occupant sitting on the seat body 14 to the seat body 14. The seat belt device 10 includes a tongue 20, a buckle 22, a seat belt 24, a belt guide 26, and a retractor 28.

[0015] The tongue 20 is connected to the seat belt 24. The tongue 20 can be connected to the buckle 22 by the occupant. The tongue 20 has a tongue plate 30 and a tongue base portion 32. The tongue base portion 32 is, for example, a resin member. The seat belt 24 is inserted through an insertion hole 34 formed in the tongue base portion 32. The tongue plate 30 extends from the tongue base portion 32. The tongue plate 30 is, for example, a plate-like member made of metal. An engagement hole 36 for engaging with the buckle 22 is formed in the tongue plate 30.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the width W1 of the tongue plate 30 is smaller than the width W2 of the tongue base portion 32 (W1 < W2). As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness T1 of the tongue plate 30 is smaller than the thickness T2 of the tongue base portion 32 (T1 < T2). In other words, the width W2 of the tongue base portion 32 is larger than the width W1 of the tongue plate 30 (see FIG. 2), and the thickness T2 of the tongue base portion 32 is larger than the thickness T1 of the tongue plate 30 (see FIG. 3).

[0017] In FIG. 1, the seat belt 24 is a belt-like member made of, for example, a synthetic fiber such as polyester fiber. One end of the seat belt 24 is connected to the retractor 28 via the belt guide 26. The other end of the seat belt 24 is connected to an anchor (not shown) provided on the floor surface or the like where the seat body 14 is installed.

[0018] The belt guide 26 and the retractor 28 are provided, for example, in a portion of the vehicle wall surface close to the vehicle seat 12. The retractor 28 winds up one end side of the seat belt 24. When the occupant pulls the tongue base portion 32, the seat belt 24 wound up by the retractor 28 can be pulled out.

[0019] The buckle 22 is provided on the side surface of the seat cushion 16. The buckle 22 is pivotally supported on the side surface of the seat cushion 16.

[0020] 3, the buckle 22 has a first buckle member 38, a second buckle member 40, a locking portion 42, a stopper portion 44, a first biasing member 46, and a second biasing member 48. As shown in FIG. 1, the buckle 22 further has an unlocking button 50.

[0021] The first buckle member 38 is provided on a side surface of the seat cushion 16. The first buckle member 38 is made of, for example, a resin member. A shaft (not shown) extending in the seat width direction (left-right direction) is provided on the lower part of the seat cushion 16. The base end of the first buckle member 38 is pivotally supported by the shaft. Hereinafter, the end of the first buckle member 38 supported by the shaft will be referred to as the "base end." The end of the first buckle member 38 opposite the base end will be referred to as the "tip end 38a." The first buckle member 38 is rotatable around the shaft. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip end 38a of the first buckle member 38 is provided with a flange 52 protruding outward.

[0022] The second buckle member 40 is located above the first buckle member 38. The second buckle member 40 is supported by the tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38. The second buckle member 40 is a hollow member. The second buckle member 40 is made of, for example, resin. An opening 54 and an insertion opening 56 are formed in the second buckle member 40. The opening 54 and the insertion opening 56 are in communication with the interior of the second buckle member 40.

[0023] In the following description, the extension direction (direction A) of the buckle 22 will be referred to as the axial direction of the buckle 22. The second buckle member 40 has a bottom wall 58 and an upper wall 60. The bottom wall 58 is a wall portion on one end side (direction A1 side) of the second buckle member 40 in the axial direction of the buckle 22. The upper wall 60 is a wall portion on the other end side (direction A2 side) of the second buckle member 40 in the axial direction of the buckle 22.

[0024] The opening 54 is formed in the bottom wall 58. The tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38 is inserted into the opening 54. On the inner surface of the second buckle member 40, the bottom wall 58 is formed with a recess 59. The recess 59 is capable of accommodating the flange 52 of the first buckle member 38.

[0025] The second buckle member 40 is movable relative to the first buckle member 38. More specifically, the second buckle member 40 is movable relative to the first buckle member 38 along direction A, which is the axial direction of the buckle 22, between a first position shown in FIG. 3 and a second position shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 3, when the second buckle member 40 is located in the first position, the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40 and the tip end 38a of the first buckle member 38 are furthest apart in direction A. As shown in FIG. 5, when the second buckle member 40 is located in the second position, the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40 and the tip end 38a of the first buckle member 38 are closest to each other in direction A. The first buckle member 38 and the second buckle member 40 extend along direction A.

[0026] 2 and 3, when the second buckle member 40 is located in the first position, the flange 52 of the first buckle member 38 abuts against the recess 59 of the second buckle member 40. Therefore, even if the second buckle member 40 moves relative to the first buckle member 38 in direction A, the first buckle member 38 will not come off from the second buckle member 40.

[0027] The insertion opening 56 is formed in the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40. The insertion opening 56 has a size that allows the tongue plate 30 to be inserted therein. The tongue plate 30 can be inserted into the second buckle member 40 through the insertion opening 56. As shown in FIG. 4 , when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40, the tongue base 32 abuts against the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40.

[0028] The tongue plate 30 is attached to and detached from the second buckle member 40 in the direction A. The tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40 in the direction A1. The tongue plate 30 is detached from the second buckle member 40 in the direction A2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness direction of the second buckle member 40 is referred to as direction B. Direction B is a direction that intersects with direction A. Specifically, direction B is a direction that is approximately perpendicular to direction A. Direction B is the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 3. In the following description, the right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 3 is referred to as direction B1, and the left direction is referred to as direction B2.

[0030] The lock portion 42, the stopper portion 44, the first biasing member 46, and the second biasing member 48 are provided inside the second buckle member 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the unlock button 50 is provided on an upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40.

[0031] The locking portion 42 is fixed to the tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38. As shown in FIG. 5 , the locking portion 42 engages with the tongue plate 30 when the tongue plate 30 is inserted inside the second buckle member 40. The engagement between the locking portion 42 and the tongue plate 30 fixes the tongue 20 to the buckle 22. For example, a claw portion (not shown) provided on the locking portion 42 engages with the engagement hole 36 of the tongue plate 30, thereby engaging the locking portion 42 with the tongue plate 30.

[0032] 1, the unlock button 50 is provided in a position adjacent to the insertion opening 56 on the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40. When an occupant restrained by the seat belt 24 presses the unlock button 50 toward the inside of the second buckle member 40, the engagement between the locking portion 42 and the tongue plate 30 is released.

[0033] 2 and 3, the first biasing member 46 extends along direction A inside the second buckle member 40. One end of the first biasing member 46 is supported by the tip end portion 38a (flange 52) of the first buckle member 38. The other end of the first biasing member 46 is supported by the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40.

[0034] The first biasing member 46 biases the second buckle member 40 in the A2 direction. That is, the first biasing member 46 biases the second buckle member 40 from the second position (see FIG. 5) toward the first position (see FIG. 3).

[0035] 2, the first biasing member 46 has, for example, two spring members 62. The two spring members 62 are arranged to sandwich the locking portion 42. The two spring members 62 bias the second buckle member 40 in the A2 direction from the second position (see FIG. 5) toward the first position (see FIG. 3) by elastic force. Note that the first biasing member 46 may have one spring member 62.

[0036] 3, the stopper portion 44 restricts relative movement of the second buckle member 40 with respect to the first buckle member 38 when the tongue plate 30 is not inserted into the second buckle member 40. In other words, when the second buckle member 40 is located at the first position, the stopper portion 44 restricts movement of the second buckle member 40 from the first position toward the second position (see FIG. 5) along the A1 direction.

[0037] Specifically, the stopper portion 44 extends in direction A inside the second buckle member 40. The stopper portion 44 is movable along direction B between a restricted position shown in FIG. 3 and a released position shown in FIG.

[0038] 3, the restricting position is a position where the stopper portion 44 moves in the B1 direction. When the stopper portion 44 is located at the restricting position, the stopper portion 44 is disposed between the tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38 and the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40. When the stopper portion 44 is located at the restricting position, the stopper portion 44 prevents (restricts) the second buckle member 40 from moving along the A direction.

[0039] 4, the release position is the position where the stopper portion 44 moves in the B2 direction. When the stopper portion 44 is located in the release position, the stopper portion 44 is disposed between the bottom wall 58 and the top wall 60 of the second buckle member 40. When the stopper portion 44 is located in the release position, the stopper portion 44 allows the second buckle member 40 to move along the axial direction (direction A) of the buckle 22 relative to the first buckle member 38.

[0040] The stopper portion 44 has a first contact portion 64 and a second contact portion 66. The first contact portion 64 is an end surface on one end side (the A1 direction side) of the stopper portion 44. As shown in FIG. 3, the first contact portion 64 contacts the tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38 when the tongue plate 30 is not inserted into the second buckle member 40 (when the second buckle member 40 is located in the first position shown in FIG. 3).

[0041] A protrusion 67 that protrudes in the B1 direction is formed on the other end side (A2 direction side) of the stopper portion 44. The second abutment portion 66 is the end portion of the protrusion 67 on the A1 direction side. The second abutment portion 66 faces the tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38 in the A direction. The second abutment portion 66 is closer to the center of the second buckle member 40 in the B direction than the first abutment portion 64. In other words, the first abutment portion 64 is located more distally from the center of the second buckle member 40 in the B direction than the second abutment portion 66. An inclined surface 68 is formed on the protrusion 67 in a portion that faces the insertion opening 56. The inclined surface 68 is inclined with respect to the A direction.

[0042] A second biasing member 48 is provided inside the second buckle member 40 between the stopper portion 44 and the side wall 70 of the second buckle member 40. The second biasing member 48 biases the stopper portion 44 along the B1 direction toward the restricted position (see FIG. 3). At the restricted position, the first abutment portion 64 abuts against the lock portion 42 in the B1 direction.

[0043] 3, the second biasing member 48 has, for example, two spring members 72. The two spring members 72 are spaced apart in the direction A. The two spring members 72 bias the stopper portion 44 in the direction B1 by elastic force, from the release position (see FIG. 4) toward the restricting position (see FIG. 3). Note that the second biasing member 48 may have one spring member 72.

[0044] Next, a method of using the seat belt device 10 and the vehicle seat 12 will be described.

[0045] 1, the occupant sits on the seat cushion 16. Next, the occupant grasps and pulls the tongue base 32. This causes the seat belt 24 to be withdrawn from the retractor 28.

[0046] Next, as shown in FIG. 4 , the occupant inserts the tongue plate 30 into the insertion opening 56 of the second buckle member 40. As the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40 through the insertion opening 56, the leading end of the tongue plate 30 abuts against the inclined surface 68 of the second abutment portion 66. The inclined surface 68 converts the force from the tongue plate 30 in the direction A1 into a force in the direction B2. Therefore, when the occupant further presses the tongue plate 30 in the direction A1 while the tongue plate 30 abuts against the inclined surface 68, the stopper portion 44 is displaced in the direction B2 against the second biasing member 48 by the force converted by the inclined surface 68. As a result, the stopper portion 44 moves from the restricting position shown in FIG. 3 to the release position shown in FIG. 4 . When the stopper portion 44 moves to the release position, the side surface of the tongue plate 30 abuts against the side surface of the protrusion 67. As a result, a force is applied in the direction B2 from the side surface of the tongue plate 30 toward the side surface of the protrusion 67, so that the stopper portion 44 can be held in the release position.

[0047] When the occupant further pushes the tongue plate 30 in the A1 direction, the tongue base 32 abuts against the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40. When the occupant pushes the tongue base 32 in the A1 direction while the tongue base 32 is abutting against the upper wall 60, the second buckle member 40 moves in the A1 direction against the biasing force of the first biasing member 46. At this time, the stopper portion 44 moves in the A1 direction together with the second buckle member 40 while being held in the release position (see FIG. 4) by the tongue plate 30.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, when the second buckle member 40 and the stopper portion 44 reach the second position, the second abutment portion 66 abuts against the flange 52 of the first buckle member 38. This prevents the second buckle member 40 from moving further in the A1 direction. Also, in the second position, the tongue plate 30 engages with the lock portion 42. This secures the tongue 20 to the buckle 22, and the occupant is restrained in the seat main body 14 by the seat belt 24 shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] When the occupant wishes to be released from the restrained state of the seat belt 24, the occupant operates the unlock button 50. Operating the unlock button 50 releases the engagement between the locking portion 42 and the tongue plate 30, as shown in FIG. 4. As the engagement between the tongue plate 30 and the locking portion 42 is released, the retractor 28 shown in FIG. 1 retracts one end of the seat belt 24. As a result, the tongue base 32 moves away from the buckle 22, and the tongue plate 30 is released from the insertion opening 56. That is, the tongue 20 is released from the second buckle member 40.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, as the engagement between the locking portion 42 and the tongue plate 30 is released, the second buckle member 40 moves from the second position (see FIG. 5) to the first position (see FIG. 3) due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 46. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, as the tongue plate 30 is removed from the insertion opening 56, the stopper portion 44 moves from the release position (see FIG. 4) to the restricting position (see FIG. 3) due to the biasing force of the second biasing member 48. That is, the stopper portion 44 returns to the restricting position. As a result, the second buckle member 40 is again prevented from moving in the A1 direction relative to the first buckle member 38 by the stopper portion 44.

[0051] The effects of the seat belt device 10 and the vehicle seat 12 will now be described.

[0052] When the second buckle member 40 moves from the first position (see FIG. 3) to the second position (see FIG. 5) with the tongue plate 30 inserted inside the second buckle member 40, the tongue 20 and the buckle 22 engage with each other. Therefore, an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 12 can fasten the tongue 20 to the buckle 22 with a simple operation. This allows the tongue 20 and the buckle 22 to be connected with a simple structure, and also makes it possible to easily restrain an occupant seated in the seat main body 14 to the seat main body 14.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 3, when the tongue plate 30 is not engaged with the locking portion 42, the second buckle member 40 attempts to return to the first position due to the first biasing member 46. As a result, when the second buckle member 40 is in the first position, the second buckle member 40 is close to an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 12 (see Fig. 1). This makes it easy for the occupant to insert the tongue plate 30 into the insertion opening 56 formed in the second buckle member 40. This makes it easy to attach the tongue 20 to the buckle 22.

[0054] When the tongue plate 30 is not inserted into the second buckle member 40, the stopper portion 44 restricts relative movement of the second buckle member 40 with respect to the first buckle member 38. This makes it possible to restrict relative movement of the second buckle member 40 with respect to the first buckle member 38 when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40 and engaged with the lock portion 42. This makes it even easier to attach the tongue 20 to the buckle 22.

[0055] The abutment between the stopper portion 44 and the first buckle member 38 in the direction A makes it possible to easily restrict the movement of the second buckle member 40 relative to the first buckle member 38. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, by moving the stopper portion 44 in the direction B2, the abutment between the stopper portion 44 and the first buckle member 38 is released, making it possible to allow the second buckle member 40 to move relative to the first buckle member 38.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 3, the first contact portion 64 contacts the first buckle member 38 when the tongue plate 30 is not inserted into the second buckle member 40. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, the second contact portion 66 contacts the first buckle member 38 when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40 and engages with the locking portion 42. This effectively restricts relative movement of the second buckle member 40 with respect to the first buckle member 38 when the tongue plate 30 is inserted and when the tongue plate 30 is engaged with the locking portion 42.

[0057] 3, the first contact portion 64 is located more distally than the second contact portion 66 with respect to the center of the second buckle member 40 in direction B. This allows the first contact portion 64 and the first buckle member 38 to be effectively released from contact with each other when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40.

[0058] 5, when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40, the second buckle member 40 is positioned in the second position, causing the second abutment portion 66 to abut against the first buckle member 38. This effectively prevents the second buckle member 40 from moving relative to the first buckle member 38.

[0059] 3, when the tongue plate 30 is not inserted into the second buckle member 40, the stopper portion 44 is biased by the second biasing member 48 and comes into contact with the lock portion 42. This allows the movement range of the stopper portion 44 to be limited by the lock portion 42.

[0060] The inclined surface 68 is inclined with respect to direction A, and when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the insertion opening 56 and abuts against the inclined surface 68, the stopper portion 44 moves from the restricting position (see FIG. 3) to the releasing position (see FIG. 4). This allows the stopper portion 44 to move from the restricting position to the releasing position as the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40. This makes it possible to easily allow the second buckle member 40 to move.

[0061] 3 to 5, the seat belt device 10 may employ a stopper portion 44a according to another configuration example shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In FIGS. 6 to 8, the stopper portion 44a is pivotally supported by a shaft portion 74 inside the second buckle member 40. More specifically, the shaft portion 74 extending in a direction perpendicular to the A direction and the B direction is provided near the insertion opening 56 inside the second buckle member 40. The shaft portion 74 is fixed to the second buckle member 40. The stopper portion 44a is pivotally supported by the shaft portion 74.

[0062] The stopper portion 44a has a first contact portion 64a, a second contact portion 66a, and a connecting portion 76. A shaft portion 74 is inserted into the connecting portion 76. The stopper portion 44a can come into contact with the locking portion 42. The second biasing member 48 biases the stopper portion 44a toward the locking portion 42 in the direction A at a position between the shaft portion 74 and the first buckle member 38. In another configuration example, the second biasing member 48 is a single spring member 72.

[0063] 6, when the second buckle member 40 is in the first position and the tongue plate 30 is not inserted into the second buckle member 40, the stopper portion 44a is in the restricted position. In the restricted position, the first contact portion 64a is brought into contact with the lock portion 42 by the second biasing member 48 and faces the tip portion 38a of the first buckle member 38. As the second biasing member 48 biases the stopper portion 44a, in the restricted position, the stopper portion 44a is inclined with respect to direction A.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7 , when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the second buckle member 40, the tongue plate 30 abuts against the stopper portion 44a. Because the stopper portion 44a is inclined relative to the direction A, the inclined side surface of the stopper portion 44a converts the force from the tongue plate 30 in the direction A1 into a force in the direction B2. This force causes the stopper portion 44a to rotate around the shaft portion 74 toward the side wall 70 of the second buckle member 40 against the second biasing member 48. As a result, the stopper portion 44a moves away from the locking portion 42 and the tip end portion 38a of the first buckle member 38 and toward the release position. At the release position, the stopper portion 44a extends in the direction a. At the release position, the side surface of the stopper portion 44a abuts against the side surface of the tongue plate 30. When the stopper portion 44a moves to the release position and the tongue base 32 abuts against the upper wall 60 of the second buckle member 40, if the occupant pushes the tongue base 32 in the A1 direction, the second buckle member 40 moves from the first position (see FIG. 7) to the second position, as shown in FIG. 8. When the second buckle member 40 moves to the second position, the second abutment portion 66a abuts against the flange 52, and the tongue plate 30 and the lock portion 42 engage with each other.

[0065] When the occupant operates the lock release button 50 (see FIG. 1) from the state shown in FIG. 8, the engagement between the lock portion 42 and the tongue plate 30 is released. As the engagement between the lock portion 42 and the tongue plate 30 is released, the second buckle member 40 moves from the second position to the first position (see FIG. 7) due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 46. Thereafter, as the tongue plate 30 is removed from the insertion opening 56, the stopper portion 44a moves from the release position (see FIG. 7) to the restricting position (see FIG. 6) due to the biasing force of the second biasing member 48. In other words, the stopper portion 44a returns to the restricting position. As a result, the second buckle member 40 is again prevented from moving in the A1 direction relative to the first buckle member 38 by the stopper portion 44a.

[0066] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0067] (Appendix 1) The seat belt device (10) of the present disclosure includes a tongue (20) to which a seat belt (24) is connected, and a buckle (22) to which the tongue is connected. The buckle includes a first buckle member (38) and a second buckle member (40) supported by the first buckle member so as to be movable relative to the first buckle member between a first position and a second position, and having an insertion opening (56) through which the tongue is inserted. The first buckle member is provided with a locking portion (42) that can engage with the tongue. When the second buckle member is positioned at the first position with the tongue inserted in the insertion opening, the tongue and the locking portion do not engage with each other, and when the second buckle member is moved to the second position with the tongue inserted in the insertion opening, the tongue and the locking portion engage with each other.

[0068] With this configuration, when the second buckle member is moved from the first position to the second position with the tongue inserted into the second buckle member, the tongue and the locking portion engage with each other, allowing an occupant seated in the seat to properly fasten the tongue to the buckle with a simple operation.

[0069] (Appendix 2) In the seat belt device described in Appendix 1, the buckle may have a first biasing member (46) that biases the second buckle member from the second position toward the first position, one end of the first biasing member being supported by the first buckle member, and the other end of the first biasing member being supported by the second buckle member.

[0070] According to this configuration, when the tongue is not engaged with the locking portion, the second buckle member is urged to return to the first position by the first biasing member. As a result, when the second buckle member is in the first position, the second buckle member is close to the occupant seated in the vehicle seat. This makes it easier for the occupant to insert the tongue into the insertion opening formed in the second buckle member. This makes it easier to attach the tongue to the buckle.

[0071] (Appendix 3) In the seat belt device described in Appendix 2, the buckle may further have a stopper portion (44, 44a) that restricts relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member when the tongue is not inserted into the second buckle member.

[0072] According to this configuration, when the tongue is inserted into the second buckle member and engaged with the locking portion, the second buckle member can be restricted from moving relative to the first buckle member, making it even easier to attach the tongue to the buckle.

[0073] (Appendix 4) In the seat belt device described in Supplementary Note 3, the stopper portion may be supported by the second buckle member and movable between a restricting position and a releasing position in a state in which movement in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the tongue into the insertion opening is permitted and movement in the insertion direction relative to the second buckle member is prevented, and when the stopper portion is located at the restricting position, the stopper portion and the first buckle member come into contact with each other in the insertion direction, thereby restricting relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member, and as the tongue is inserted into the insertion opening of the second buckle member, the stopper portion moves from the restricting position to the releasing position, thereby releasing the contact state between the stopper portion and the first buckle member and allowing the second buckle member to move to the second position.

[0074] With this configuration, the stopper portion abuts against the first buckle member in the insertion direction, thereby easily restricting the movement of the second buckle member relative to the first buckle member. Also, by moving the stopper portion in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, the abutment state between the stopper portion and the first buckle member is released, allowing the second buckle member to move relative to the first buckle member.

[0075] (Appendix 5) In the seat belt device described in Appendix 3 or 4, the stopper portion may have a first abutment portion (64, 64a) that abuts against the first buckle member when the tongue is not inserted into the second buckle member, and a second abutment portion (66, 66a) that abuts against the first buckle member when the tongue is inserted into the second buckle member and engages with the lock portion.

[0076] According to this configuration, when the tongue is inserted and when the tongue is engaged with the locking portion, the second buckle member can be effectively restricted from moving relative to the first buckle member.

[0077] (Appendix 6) In the seat belt device described in Supplementary Note 5, the first contact portion may be located more distally than the second contact portion with respect to the center of the second buckle member in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the tongue into the insertion opening.

[0078] According to this configuration, when the tongue is inserted into the second buckle member, the abutment state between the first abutment portion and the first buckle member can be effectively released.

[0079] (Appendix 7) In the seat belt device described in Supplementary Note 5 or 6, when the stopper portion is located in the restricting position, the first abutment portion abuts against the first buckle member, thereby restricting the relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member, and when the stopper portion moves from the restricting position to the release position, the abutment state between the stopper portion and the first buckle member is released, thereby allowing the second buckle member to move to the second position, and the buckle may further have a second biasing member (48) that biases the stopper portion from the release position toward the restricting position, and the second abutment portion abuts against the first buckle member when the stopper portion is in the release position and the second buckle member is located at the second position.

[0080] According to this configuration, when the tongue is inserted into the second buckle member, the second buckle member is positioned in the second position, causing the second abutment portion to abut against the first buckle member, thereby effectively preventing movement of the second buckle member relative to the first buckle member.

[0081] (Appendix 8) In the seat belt device described in Supplementary Note 7, when the tongue is not inserted into the second buckle member, the stopper portion may be biased by the second biasing member to abut against the locking portion.

[0082] According to this configuration, the range of movement of the stopper portion can be limited by the lock portion.

[0083] (Appendix 9) In the seat belt device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 8, the stopper portion may have an inclined surface (68) that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the tongue into the insertion opening, and when the tongue is inserted into the insertion opening and the tongue abuts against the inclined surface, the stopper portion may move from a restricting position that restricts relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member to a releasing position that releases the abutment state between the stopper portion and the first buckle member.

[0084] According to this configuration, the stopper portion can be moved from the restricting position to the releasing position as the tongue is inserted into the second buckle member, which makes it possible to easily allow movement of the second buckle member.

[0085] (Appendix 10) A vehicle seat (12) of the present disclosure includes a seat belt device according to any one of appendices 1 to 9.

[0086] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10... Seat belt device 12... Vehicle seat 20...Tongue 22...Buckle 24... Seat belt 38... First buckle member 40... Second buckle member 42... Locking portion 56...insertion slot

Claims

1. A tongue to which a seat belt is connected and a buckle to which the tongue is connected, The buckle is a first buckle member; a second buckle member supported by the first buckle member so as to be movable relative to the first buckle member between a first position and a second position, the second buckle member having an insertion opening into which the tongue is inserted; and The first buckle member is provided with a locking portion that can be engaged with the tongue, When the second buckle member is located at the first position with the tongue inserted into the insertion opening, the tongue and the locking portion are not engaged with each other, When the second buckle member is moved to the second position with the tongue inserted into the insertion opening, the tongue and the locking portion engage with each other.

2. 2. The seat belt device according to claim 1, the buckle has a first biasing member that biases the second buckle member from the second position toward the first position, One end of the first biasing member is supported by the first buckle member, The other end of the first biasing member is supported by the second buckle member.

3. 3. The seat belt device according to claim 2, The buckle further includes a stopper portion that restricts relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member when the tongue is not inserted into the second buckle member.

4. 4. The seat belt device according to claim 3, the stopper portion is supported by the second buckle member and is movable between a restricting position and a releasing position in a state in which movement of the stopper portion in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the tongue into the insertion opening and movement of the stopper portion in the insertion direction relative to the second buckle member is prevented, When the stopper portion is located at the restricting position, the stopper portion abuts against the first buckle member in the insertion direction, thereby restricting the relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member, a seat belt device in which, as the tongue is inserted into the insertion opening of the second buckle member, the stopper portion moves from the restricting position to the release position, thereby releasing the abutment state between the stopper portion and the first buckle member and allowing the second buckle member to move to the second position.

5. 4. The seat belt device according to claim 3, the stopper portion has a first abutment portion that abuts against the first buckle member when the tongue is not inserted into the second buckle member, and a second abutment portion that abuts against the first buckle member when the tongue is inserted into the second buckle member and engages with the locking portion.

6. 6. The seat belt device according to claim 5, The seat belt device, wherein the first contact portion is located more distally than the second contact portion with respect to a center of the second buckle member in a direction intersecting an insertion direction of the tongue into the insertion opening.

7. 6. The seat belt device according to claim 5, When the stopper portion is located at the restricting position, the first abutment portion abuts against the first buckle member, thereby restricting the relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member, When the stopper portion moves from the restricting position to the releasing position, the abutment state between the stopper portion and the first buckle member is released, thereby allowing the second buckle member to move to the second position, The buckle further includes a second biasing member that biases the stopper portion from the release position toward the restricting position, The second contact portion contacts the first buckle member when the stopper portion is in the release position and the second buckle member is in the second position.

8. 8. The seat belt device according to claim 7, When the tongue is not inserted into the second buckle member, the stopper portion is biased by the second biasing member to come into contact with the lock portion.

9. 4. The seat belt device according to claim 3, the stopper portion has an inclined surface inclined with respect to an insertion direction of the tongue into the insertion opening, When the tongue is inserted into the insertion opening and the tongue abuts against the inclined surface, the stopper portion moves from a restricting position, in which the stopper portion restricts relative movement of the second buckle member with respect to the first buckle member, to a releasing position, in which the stopper portion releases the abutting state between the first buckle member and the stopper portion.

10. A vehicle seat comprising the seat belt device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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