slip joint

Abstract

To improve the positional accuracy of the pieces relative to the mandrel. [Solution] In the slip joint, a piece 22 is positioned in the opening 18 of the core metal 14, and the piece 22 supports the webbing. In addition, a front projection 30 and a rear projection 32 are provided at the front and rear ends of the piece 22, and the rear projection 32 is not positioned on the front side of the core metal 14. Here, the engaging claw 28 of the piece 22 is hooked onto the lower surface of the core metal 14. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the piece 22 relative to the core metal 14 can be increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slip joint in which a piece disposed in an opening of a core bar supports a webbing.

Background Art

[0002] In the webbing insertion member described in Patent Document 1 below, a low-friction material is disposed in an insertion hole of a core material and extends in the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole, and the low-friction material supports the webbing. Further, inclined portions are provided on both sides in the extending direction of the low-friction material, and the inclined portions protrude toward the width direction side of the opening. Also, a synthetic resin portion is provided between the core material and the low-friction material, and the synthetic resin portion is molded between the core material and the low-friction material so that the low-friction material is fixed to the core material.

[0003] Here, in this webbing insertion member, when the synthetic resin portion is molded between the core material and the low-friction material, the low-friction material is adsorbed by a magnet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a slip joint that can improve the positional accuracy of a piece with respect to a core bar.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A slip joint according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a core metal having an opening through which a webbing to be worn by an occupant is inserted; a piece positioned in the opening and extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening, having an engaging portion that engages with the core metal and supporting the webbing; and protruding portions provided on both sides of the extending direction of the piece and projecting toward the width direction of the opening, one of which is not positioned on either the front or back side of the core metal.

[0007] A slip joint according to a second aspect of the present invention is a slip joint according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the piece is guided by the core metal and the engaging portion engages with the core metal.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a slip joint in which the engaging portion is hooked onto the core metal, in the slip joint of the first or second aspect of the present invention.

[0009] A slip joint according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a slip joint according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the engaging portion is arranged on either the front or back side of the core metal.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a slip joint in which, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, one of the protruding portions is positioned on the back side of the core metal and on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0011] A slip joint according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a slip joint according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein one of the protruding portions is positioned within the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the slip joint according to the first aspect of the present invention, webbing to be worn by the occupant is inserted through an opening in the core metal. A piece is positioned in the opening and extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening, and the piece supports the webbing. Furthermore, protrusions on both sides of the extending direction of the piece protrude in the width direction of the opening, and one of the protrusions is not positioned on either the front or back side of the core metal.

[0013] Here, the engaging portion of the piece engages with the mandrel. This allows for high positional accuracy of the piece relative to the mandrel.

[0014] In the slip joint of the second aspect of the present invention, the piece is guided by the core metal, and the engaging portion engages with the core metal. Therefore, the engaging portion can be easily engaged with the core metal.

[0015] In the slip joint of the third aspect of the present invention, the engaging portion is hooked onto the core metal. This effectively improves the positional accuracy of the piece relative to the core metal.

[0016] In the slip joint of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the engaging portion is arranged on one of the front and back sides of the core metal where one of the protrusions is not located. Therefore, the engaging portion can be passed through the opening of the core metal without inserting one of the protrusions, and the piece can be easily placed in the opening.

[0017] In the slip joint according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, one of the protrusions is positioned on the back side of the core metal and on the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, when the slip joint is rotated toward the front side of the vehicle, the webbing can come into contact with the one of the protrusions.

[0018] In the slip joint according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, one of the protruding portions is positioned within the opening of the core metal. Therefore, the webbing can contact the one protruding portion within the opening. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1A] This is a front view from the front side showing a slip joint according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] This is a rear view showing the slip joint, seen from the back. [Figure 2A] This is a rearward side view showing a slip joint. [Figure 2B] This is a cross-sectional view from above showing a slip joint. [Figure 3A]It is a front view seen from the front side showing the drawing out of the webbing in the slip joint. [Figure 3B] It is a cross-sectional view seen from above showing the drawing out of the webbing in the slip joint. [Figure 4A] It is a front view seen from the front side showing the mandrel and the piece of the slip joint. [Figure 4B] It is a rear view seen from the back side showing the mandrel and the piece. [Figure 5A] It is a perspective view seen from below showing the mandrel and the piece. [Figure 5B] It is a side view seen from the rear showing the mandrel and the piece. [Figure 6A] It is a front view seen from the front side showing the mandrel. [Figure 6B] It is a plan view seen from above showing the piece. [Figure 6C] It is a front view seen from the front side showing the piece. [Figure 7A] It is a front view seen from the front side showing the first stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 7B] It is a rear view seen from the back side showing the first stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 8A] It is a perspective view seen from the rear and back side showing the first stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 8B] It is a side view seen from the rear showing the first stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 9A] It is a front view seen from the front side showing the second stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 9B] It is a rear view seen from the back side showing the second stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 10A] It is a perspective view seen from the front and front side showing the second stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel. [Figure 10B] It is a side view seen from the rear showing the second stage of assembling the piece to the mandrel.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Figure 1A shows a front view of the slip joint 10 as seen from the front side according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1B shows a rear view of the slip joint 10 as seen from the back side. Furthermore, Figure 2A shows a side view of the slip joint 10 as seen from the rear, and Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the slip joint 10 as seen from above. In the drawings, the front of the slip joint 10 is indicated by the arrow FR, the top of the slip joint 10 is indicated by the arrow UP, and the front side of the slip joint 10 is indicated by the arrow FA.

[0021] The slip joint 10 according to this embodiment constitutes a seat belt system for a vehicle (automobile), and the seat belt system is applied to a seat (not shown) inside the vehicle.

[0022] The seat belt system is equipped with a retraction device (not shown), which is installed on the outer side (right side of the vehicle) and lower side of the rear of the seat. A long, strip-shaped webbing 12 (see Figures 1A and 2B) is wound onto the retraction device from its base end, and the webbing 12 is biased toward the retraction side of the retraction device and is also pulled upward from the retraction device. The webbing 12 is movably passed through a slip joint 10 on the tip side of the retraction device, and the slip joint 10 is installed on the outer side and upper side of the rear of the seat in the vehicle width direction. An anchor (not shown) is fixed to the tip of the webbing 12, and the anchor is fixed on the outer side and lower side of the rear of the seat in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] The webbing 12 is movably passed through a tongue (not shown) between the slip joint 10 and the anchor, and a buckle (not shown) is installed on the inside (left side of the vehicle) and underside of the rear of the seat in the vehicle width direction. The tongue is connectable to the buckle, and when the webbing 12 is pulled out from the winding device and the tongue is connected to the buckle, the webbing 12 is attached to the occupant seated in the seat. As a result, the portion of the webbing 12 between the slip joint 10 and the tongue is stretched diagonally from the occupant's shoulder to their waist, and the portion of the webbing 12 between the tongue and the anchor is stretched horizontally over the occupant's waist. The connection of the tongue to the buckle is detachable, and when the connection of the tongue to the buckle is released, the webbing 12 is released from the occupant, and the webbing 12 is wound up by the biasing force of the winding device.

[0024] The front, top, and front sides of the slip joint 10 according to this embodiment are oriented towards the front, top, and inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the slip joint 10 is provided with a metal core 14 (see Figure 6A) that is roughly rectangular in shape. A circular support hole 16 is formed through the upper part of the core 14 at the center in the front-rear direction, and the core 14 is supported by the vehicle body at the support hole 16. The core 14 is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the support hole 16, thereby allowing the slip joint 10 to rotate in the front-rear direction around the position of the support hole 16. A roughly rectangular opening 18 is formed through the lower part of the core 14, and the opening 18 extends in the front-rear direction. The front and rear ends of the opening 18 protrude upward, and the width (vertical) dimension of the opening 18 is enlarged at the front and rear ends. A cylindrical boss 20, which serves as an engaging part, is integrally provided on the front surface of the core 14 below the front of the opening 18, and the boss 20 protrudes outwards.

[0026] A resin piece 22 with a roughly U-shaped cross-section (see Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6B, and 6C) is positioned in the opening 18 of the core metal 14, and the wear resistance of the piece 22 is high. The inside of the piece 22 is open to the bottom, and the piece 22 extends in the front-to-back direction (the longitudinal direction of the opening 18). The upper part of the piece 22 is in contact with the lower surface of the opening 18, thereby restricting the downward movement of the piece 22 relative to the core metal 14. The core metal 14 is fitted between the front and back parts of the piece 22, thereby restricting the movement of the piece 22 in the front-to-back direction relative to the core metal 14.

[0027] A roughly trapezoidal guide hole 24 is formed at the front of the front side of piece 22, serving as a guide. The guide hole 24 is open to the back side (inside piece 22) and the bottom. The rear surface of the guide hole 24 is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, and the front surface of the guide hole 24 is inclined forward as it extends downward. A rectangular engagement hole 26 is formed above the guide hole 24 on the front side of piece 22, serving as an engagement part. The engagement hole 26 is open to the back side (inside piece 22) and the bottom (guide hole 24 side). The rear surface of the engagement hole 26 is flush with the rear surface of the guide hole 24, and the front surface of the engagement hole 26 is connected to the upper front end of the guide hole 24. The boss 20 of the core metal 14 is inserted into the engagement hole 26 via the guide hole 24 and fitted (engaged) in the front-to-back direction, thereby restricting the movement of piece 22 relative to the core metal 14 in the front-to-back direction.

[0028] A pair of L-shaped plate-shaped engaging claws 28 are integrally provided on the front portion of piece 22 in the middle of the front-to-back direction, and the pair of engaging claws 28 are arranged in the front-to-back direction. The engaging claws 28 extend downward, and the tips (lower ends) of the engaging claws 28 protrude to the back side. The tips of the engaging claws 28 are hooked (engaged) onto the lower surface (engaged portion) of the core metal 14, thereby restricting the upward movement of piece 22 relative to the core metal 14.

[0029] The front end of piece 22 is integrally provided with a roughly U-shaped front projection 30, which protrudes upward (towards the width direction of the opening 18). The interior of the front projection 30 is open to the front, and the outer circumferential surface of the front projection 30 is smoothly connected to the outer circumferential surface of piece 22. The rear part of the front projection 30 is in contact with the front surface of the opening 18, and the front and back portions of the front projection 30 are positioned on the front and back sides of the core metal 14, respectively (see Figure 2B). The rear end of piece 22 is integrally provided with a roughly J-shaped rear projection 32, which protrudes upward and is not positioned on the front side of the core metal 14. The interior of the rear projection 32 is open to the rear and front, and the outer circumferential surface of the rear projection 32 is smoothly connected to the outer circumferential surface of piece 22. The front part of the rear projection 32 is spaced forward from the rear surface of the opening 18, and the back part of the rear projection 32 is spaced backward from the core metal 14.

[0030] A resin molded portion 34 is molded (insert molded) around the core metal 14, except around the support hole 16, and the wear resistance of the molded portion 34 is lower than that of the piece 22. The molded portion 34 is also molded between the core metal 14 and the piece 22 (including the front protrusion 30 and the rear protrusion 32), and the piece 22 is fixed to the core metal 14 by the molded portion 34. The molded portion 34 is also molded on the circumferential surface of the opening 18 of the core metal 14, and exposes the outer circumferential surface of the piece 22 (including the front protrusion 30 and the rear protrusion 32). The molded portion 34 and the outer circumferential surface of the piece 22 (including the front protrusion 30 and the rear protrusion 32) form a roughly U-shaped insertion hole 36 when viewed from the front, on the inside of the circumferential surface of the opening 18. The outer circumferential surface of the rear projection 32 and the outer circumferential surface of the molded portion 34 on the front side of the rear projection 32 are flush (see Figure 2B), and the front projection 30 and the rear projection 32 protrude above the upper surface of the insertion hole 36, except for the front and rear ends.

[0031] A webbing 12 is movably inserted through the insertion hole 36 of the slip joint 10. The webbing 12 is curved in an inverted U-shape in cross-section along the lower surface of the insertion hole 36 and extends vertically on the front and back sides of the slip joint 10 (see Figures 1A and 2B). Piece 22 supports the webbing 12, with the front end of the webbing 12 passing through the base end of the front projection 30 and the rear end of the webbing 12 passing through the base end of the rear projection 32.

[0032] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[0033] In the slip joint 10 with the above configuration, when the piece 22 is assembled to the core metal 14 before the molded portion 34 is formed around the core metal 14, for example, the front portion of the piece 22 (including the guide hole 24, engagement hole 26, and engagement claw 28) is inserted into the opening 18 of the core metal 14 from the back side, and the piece 22 is hooked onto the portion of the core metal 14 below the opening 18 (see Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B). At this time, the front projection 30 of the piece 22 is inserted into the front end of the opening 18, and the rear end of the front portion of the piece 22 is in contact with the rear surface of the opening 18.

[0034] Next, the front of piece 22 is pressed downwards, causing the boss 20 of the core metal 14 to contact the front surface of the guide hole 24 of piece 22, and the rear of the front projection 30 of piece 22 to contact the front surface of the opening 18 (see Figures 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B). At this time, the rear projection 32 of piece 22 is separated from the rear and top surfaces of the rear end of the opening 18.

[0035] Finally, the central part of piece 22 in the front-to-back direction is pressed downward, causing piece 22 to rotate around the front projection 30. This causes the front surface of the guide hole 24 of piece 22 to slide against the boss 20 of the mandrel 14, inserting the boss 20 into the engagement hole 26 of piece 22, and simultaneously hooking the tip of the engagement claw 28 of piece 22 onto the lower surface of the mandrel 14 (see Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B).

[0036] Here, the boss 20 of the mandrel 14 is fitted into the engagement hole 26 of the piece 22, and the tip of the engagement claw 28 of the piece 22 is hooked onto the lower surface of the mandrel 14. As a result, when the mold portion 34 is formed around the mandrel 14, the displacement of the piece 22 relative to the mandrel 14 can be limited, and the positional accuracy of the piece 22 relative to the mandrel 14 can be improved.

[0037] Furthermore, as described above, the tip of the engaging claw 28 of piece 22 is hooked onto the lower surface of the mandrel 14. Therefore, when the mold portion 34 is formed around the mandrel 14, the displacement of piece 22 relative to the mandrel 14 can be effectively limited, and the positional accuracy of piece 22 relative to the mandrel 14 can be effectively improved.

[0038] Furthermore, the front surface of the guide hole 24 of piece 22 is guided by the boss 20 of the core metal 14, and the boss 20 is inserted into the engagement hole 26 of piece 22. Therefore, the boss 20 can be easily inserted into the engagement hole 26.

[0039] Furthermore, the rear projection 32 of piece 22 is positioned on the back side of the core metal 14 (not on the front side of the core metal 14), while the guide hole 24, engagement hole 26, and engagement claw 28 of piece 22 are positioned on the front side of the core metal 14. Therefore, when piece 22 is assembled to the core metal 14, the guide hole 24, engagement hole 26, and engagement claw 28 can be passed through the opening 18 of the core metal 14 without inserting the rear projection 32, allowing piece 22 to be easily positioned in the opening 18.

[0040] Furthermore, the rear projection 32 of piece 22 is positioned within the opening 18 of the core metal 14. This allows the webbing 12 to contact the rear projection 32 within the opening 18, thereby preventing the webbing 12 from contacting the molded portion 34.

[0041] Furthermore, the rear projection 32 of piece 22 is positioned on the back and rear side of the core metal 14. Therefore, when the webbing 12 is pulled out from the winding device, when the webbing 12 is attached to a crew member, and when the webbing 12 is wound onto the winding device, the webbing 12 is pulled forward on the front side of the slip joint 10, and even if the slip joint 10 is rotated forward, the webbing 12 can contact the rear projection 32, and contact between the webbing 12 and the molded portion 34 can be appropriately suppressed (see Figures 3A and 3B).

[0042] In this embodiment, the rear projection 32 (one projection) of piece 22 is not positioned on the front side of the core metal 14. However, one projection of piece 22 does not necessarily have to be positioned on the back side of the core metal 14.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear projection 32 (one projection) of piece 22 is provided on the rear side of piece 22. However, one projection of piece 22 may be provided on the front side of piece 22.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the boss 20 of the mandrel 14, the guide hole 24 and engagement hole 26 of the piece 22, and the engagement claw 28 of the piece 22 are arranged on the front side of the mandrel 14. However, at least one of the boss 20 of the mandrel 14, the guide hole 24 and engagement hole 26 of the piece 22, and the engagement claw 28 of the piece 22 may be arranged on the back side of the mandrel 14.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the boss 20 of the mandrel 14 is fitted into the engagement hole 26 of the piece 22, and the tip of the engagement claw 28 of the piece 22 is hooked onto the lower surface of the mandrel 14. However, at least one of the configurations, where the boss 20 of the mandrel 14 is fitted into the engagement hole 26 of the piece 22, or where the tip of the engagement claw 28 of the piece 22 is hooked onto the lower surface of the mandrel 14, is sufficient. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10...Slip joint, 12...Webbing, 14...Core metal, 18...Opening, 22...Piece, 26...Engaging hole (engaging part), 28...Engaging claw (engaging part), 30...Front projection (projection part), 32...Rear projection (projection part)

Claims

1. A core metal having an opening through which webbing to be attached to the crew is inserted, A piece is provided which is positioned in the opening and extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening, and which has an engaging portion that engages with the core metal, and which supports the webbing, A protruding portion is provided on both sides of the extending direction of the piece and protrudes toward the width direction of the opening, with one end not positioned on either the front or back side of the core metal, A slip joint equipped with a slip joint.

2. The slip joint according to claim 1, wherein the piece is guided by the core metal and the engaging portion engages with the core metal.

3. The slip joint according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is hooked onto the core metal.

4. The slip joint according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is arranged on either the front or back side of the core metal.

5. The slip joint according to claim 1, wherein one of the protruding portions is positioned on the back side of the core metal and on the rear side of the vehicle.

6. The slip joint according to claim 1, wherein one of the protruding portions is arranged within the opening.

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