Car seat belts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat belt (10) for an automobile, the seat belt comprising at least one conductor (11) embedded in the seat belt. The conductor is electrically connected to a contact element (12) on the seat belt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt for an automobile having at least one conductor as described in claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Seat belts may require conductors extending along the seat belt for various additional electrical functions. In addition to electrical devices such as microphones that are attached to the belt, operated via the conductor, and in some cases can be controlled, conductors for seat belt heating functions are particularly relevant. In principle, the conductor can supply current to a dedicated heating element and / or can even be used as a resistance heater itself.

[0003] Regarding the proper use of the conductor in the seat belt, the variable elongation and flexibility of the seat belt impose high requirements on the electrical contact with the conductor in the seat belt.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat belt for an automobile in which at least one conductor of the seat belt is advantageously contacted.

[0005] To achieve the object, a seat belt having the features of claim 1 is proposed. Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the related description.

[0006] A seat belt for an automobile is proposed, comprising at least one conductor embedded in the seat belt, the conductor being electrically connected to a contact element on the seat belt. The conductor can be, for example, a wire or a metallized or carbonized plastic filament.

[0007] For example, an embedded conductor can be woven into a seat belt. Furthermore, the conductor can be drawn into and / or guided into the seat belt. A contact element establishes an electrical connection on the surface of the webbing with at least one conductor in the seat belt. Thus, the contact element can be used to establish an electrical contact with a power source. Furthermore, the contact element can be used to connect two conductors in the seat belt to each other.

[0008] In a favorable developmental form, it is proposed that the conductor is guided in a loop to exit the seat belt and return to the seat belt, and that the loop is electrically connected to the contact element.

[0009] The loop allows for an enlarged contact area for electrical contact with high geometric tolerances. The loop is preferably formed during the manufacture of the seat belt. In this way, the seat belt can be manufactured in a continuous process. The loop is also very easy to grip and can therefore be appropriately positioned to establish contact with minimal effort.

[0010] In possible embodiments, the loop is broken. This makes it possible to create contact with the free end of the conductor. Furthermore, this allows the conductor to be electrically insulated in a later stage. Thus, electrical contact can be limited to a specific area.

[0011] In advantageous embodiments, the loop is soldered to the contact element. This allows for particularly effective electrical contact.

[0012] According to a favorable developmental model, it is proposed that the conductor is embroidered with conductive embroidery thread.

[0013] This allows for easy and flexible contact with the conductor embedded in the seat belt. By using conductive embroidery thread, electrical contact with the conductor on the outside of the seat belt can be easily established. At the same time, the seat belt maintains its flexibility in this area. The flexible embroidery thread preferably has an electrical resistance of less than 100 ohms per meter.

[0014] Furthermore, the conductor can also be embroidered with conductive embroidery thread in the area of ​​the loop located on the outside of the seat belt. This makes it possible to fix the loop in one position and prevent unwanted threading through the loop. By embroidering the loop with conductive embroidery thread, the available contact area can be greatly increased, facilitating further electrical contact.

[0015] It is even more preferable that a contact pad is formed on the seat belt using conductive embroidery thread on an embroidered conductor. The contact pad allows for easy contact between the conductor in the seat belt and the contact element over a large surface area, thereby ensuring contact in a flexible seat belt.

[0016] It is further proposed that the contact pad be formed on the conductor loop. This makes it possible to fix the loop particularly effectively and facilitate further contact with the conductor.

[0017] In an advantageous development, it is proposed that the contact element be attached to a contact pad. This makes it possible to connect the conductor in the seat belt to the contact element particularly effectively. The contact pad allows for good contact with the contact element, for example, through surface contact. Preferably, the electrical connection can be made to the contact element by conventional means, such as plugs, sockets, and / or terminals.

[0018] Preferably, the contact element has at least one cover element that covers the electrical connection between the contact element and the conductor. This prevents undesirable electrical contact and parasitic currents.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the seat belt has markings for positioning the contact element. This allows for easy placement of the contact element on the seat belt.

[0020] It is further proposed that the contact elements be attached to both sides of the seat belt. This would allow for a highly durable connection between the contact elements and the seat belt.

[0021] It is further proposed that the contact element has a guide pin that extends through the seat belt. In this way, the contact element can be fastened to both sides in a particularly stable manner.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, multiple conductors are provided within the seat belt, and contact elements contact the conductors along a line perpendicular to the belt extension. This makes it possible to easily contact and / or connect multiple conductors, for example, to electrically heat the seat belt. For example, two adjacent conductors can each be connected to one another.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, multiple conductors are provided within the seat belt, and the contact elements are proposed to contact along at least two different lines perpendicular to the belt extension. This allows the multiple conductors to contact separately in a simple manner with higher positioning tolerances. Furthermore, erroneous contact can be avoided by appropriate geometric coding.

[0024] Preferably, the contact element comprises a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0025] For example, a conductor led out to the outside of the webbing can be soldered onto a flexible circuit board, thereby making contact with, for example, the flexible circuit board. In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible circuit board is folded back after contact is made such that the electrical contact with the flexible circuit board is protected by the flexible circuit board and the webbing of the seat belt. In an advantageous embodiment, an additional cover is provided.

[0026] The proposed seat belt webbing is preferably hydrophobic.

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] A seat belt comprising a conductor and two contact elements is shown. [Figure 2] A seat belt comprising contact pads offset-embroidered on a conductor is shown. [Figure 3] A seat belt comprising contact pads embroidered on a conductor arranged in a row is shown. [Figure 4] A seat belt comprising a row of conductor loops is shown. [Figure 5] A seat belt comprising offset conductor loops is shown. [Figure 6] A seat belt comprising contact pads embroidered on a loop of a conductor is shown. [Figure 7] An exploded view of contact elements arranged on both sides of a seat belt is shown. [Figure 8] A flexible circuit board as a contact element on a seat belt is shown. [Figure 9] A seat belt comprising conductive warp and weft threads is shown.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a seat belt 10 for an automobile in which two conductors 11 are embedded in the seat belt 10. In this embodiment, the conductors 11 are woven into the seat belt 10. The seat belt 10 has two contact elements 12 that establish electrical contact with the conductors 11 within the seat belt 10. The lower contact element 12 has a terminal 19 for connecting to the vehicle so that the conductors 11 can be supplied with current, for example, and thus electrically heated. In this embodiment, the upper contact element 12 also contacts the two conductors 11 and connects them so that a closed circuit is formed so that the seat belt 10 can be heated through the lower contact element 12 and its terminal 19.

[0030] In further possible embodiments, the number of embedded conductors 11 may be greater than 2, for example, 4, 6, or 8. Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the terminals 19 may also be located on the upper contact element 12 or at another location.

[0031] Figure 2 shows part of an embodiment of a seat belt 10 comprising four conductors 10 embroidered with conductive embroidery thread in the region of the contact element 12 to establish contact. The contact pads 14 are formed of conductive embroidery thread, and the embedded conductors 11 are made to be easily electrically contacted by the contact element 12 positioned thereon. In this embodiment, the contact pads 14 are offset from lines perpendicular to the extension of the seat belt 10 and the conductors 11, respectively, to achieve an increased distance between the contact pads 14.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the seat belt 10 having four conductors 11, in contrast to the embodiment of Figure 2, in which the contact pads 14 made of conductive embroidery thread for establishing electrical contact with the embedded conductors 11 are arranged in a line perpendicular to the extension of the seat belt 10 and the conductors 11. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for the contact elements 12.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a portion of a seat belt 10 comprising four conductors 11 in an alternative embodiment, the conductors 11 preferably led out in the form of loops 13 to establish contact during the webbing's manufacture. The loops 13 can, for example, be laid flat. Furthermore, the loops 13 allow for easy electrical contact with contact elements 12. Contact can be made, for example, by clamp connections or solder connections. In a possible advantageous embodiment, the loops 13 are cut so that contact with the free ends of the conductors 11 can be made by clamping or soldering. The other portions of the conductors 11 preferably remain embedded in the seat belt 10 and preferably are no longer electrically connected by either the separation of the conductors 11 within the loops 13. In this embodiment, the loops 14 are arranged in a single line perpendicular to the extension of the seat belt 10. Furthermore, the loops 13 are covered by contact elements 12.

[0034] Figure 5 shows a portion of the seat belt 10 in a further embodiment, where the loops 13 are offset from each other with respect to a line perpendicular to the extension of the conductor 11 and the seat belt 10. The contact elements 12 cover the loops 13 so as to protect the electrical contacts and the free conductor 11.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a part of another embodiment of the seat belt 10. Each conductor 11 is led out from the surface of the seat belt 10 to the loop 13, as in the embodiments of Figures 4 and 5. In this advantageous embodiment, each contact pad 14 is embroidered onto the loop 13 with conductive thread, and on the pad, electrical contact is made by the contact element 12. For this purpose, the contact element 12 is attached to the contact pad 14.

[0036] Figure 7 is an exploded view of a portion of a seat belt 10 having contact elements 12 fastened on both sides. In this embodiment, the seat belt 10 has two conductors 11 on which two contact pads 14 are embroidered with conductive embroidery thread. The contact elements 12 are positioned on both sides of the seat belt 10, and electrical contact with the conductors 11 is made at the top of the contact elements 12. The contact pads 14 are covered by cover elements 15 of the contact elements 12, which insulate them from the environment, and the cover elements 15 are not conductive. To facilitate the positioning of the contact elements 12, four markings 16 are applied to the webbing of the seat belt 10. In this advantageous embodiment, the lower part of the contact elements 12 has four guide pins 17, which are pushed through the seat belt 10 in the area of ​​the markings 16 and connected to the top of the contact elements 12 to permanently fix the contact elements 12. A terminal 19 is provided on the top of the contact elements 12 so that the contact elements 12 can be made contact by, for example, a plug. In this way, a contact element 12 having a terminal 19 can be provided, for example, as shown in Figure 1.

[0037] Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the contact element 12 in which terminals 19 for connection to a vehicle system or power supply are not provided. The contact element 12 in Figure 8 functions to connect embedded conductors 11 to each other so that a closed circuit for heating the seat belt 10 is formed. The contact element 12 can be used, for example, as the upper contact element 12 in the embodiment of Figure 1. The contact element 12 may comprise, for example, a flexible circuit board (PCB) in which solder connections of adjacent conductors 11 are arranged to create a closed circuit for heating the seat belt 10.

[0038] Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the seat belt 10 provided for electrical resistance heating. In a possible embodiment, in addition to the conductors 11 extending parallel to the warp threads, a portion of the weft threads is also designed as a conductor in this embodiment, thus forming a network of conductive warp and weft threads. In this advantageous embodiment, the resistance of the weft threads is preferably more than 100 times greater than the resistance of the conductors 11 parallel to the warp threads. The conductors 11 parallel to the warp threads are alternately subjected to different potentials, which are represented by + and - signs. Heating preferably occurs mainly through conductors perpendicular to the warp threads, connecting the conductors 11 parallel to the warp threads and having higher resistance in the network. The conductors 11 parallel to the warp threads are preferably in direct electrical contact with the conductors 11 parallel to the weft threads.

[0039] The conductive weft threads in the form of conductors 11 preferably have a resistance of 500 kiloohms per meter. The conductive weft threads in the form of conductors 11 are arranged alternately with the other non-conductive weft threads of the seat belt. For example, the conductive weft threads in the form of conductors 11 may follow 10 non-conductive weft threads. Other orders are also possible, for example, 2 conductive weft threads following 20 non-conductive weft threads. Furthermore, in possible embodiments, the distance between the weft threads in the form of conductors 11 in the seat belt 10 can also be varied, for example, in the range of 3 to 10 mm. The conductors 11 in the warp preferably have a resistance of 5 ohms per meter and more preferably can be embedded in the seat belt 10 individually or in bundles.

Claims

1. A seat belt (10) for an automobile, having at least one conductor (11) embedded in the seat belt (10), - A seat belt (10) characterized in that the conductor (11) is electrically connected to a contact element (12) on the seat belt (10).

2. The seat belt (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor (11) is guided in the shape of a loop (13) to exit the seat belt (10) and return to the seat belt, and the loop (13) is electrically connected to the contact element (12).

3. The seat belt (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the loop (13) is cut.

4. The seat belt (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the loop (13) is soldered to the contact element (12).

5. The seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conductor (11) is embroidered with conductive embroidery thread.

6. The seat belt (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that a contact pad (14) is formed on the seat belt (10) using the conductive embroidery thread on the embroidered conductor (11).

7. The seat belt (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact pad (14) is formed on the loop (13) of the conductor (11).

8. The seat belt according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the contact element (12) is fastened to the contact pad (14).

9. The seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact element (12) has at least one cover element (15) that covers the electrical connection between the contact element (12) and the conductor (11).

10. The seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the seat belt (10) has markings (16) for positioning the contact element (12).

11. The seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the contact element (12) is fastened to both sides of the seat belt (10).

12. The seat belt (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact element (12) has a guide pin (17) that extends through the seat belt (10).

13. A seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a plurality of conductors (11) are provided within the seat belt (10) and are in contact with the contact element (12) on a line perpendicular to the extension of the belt.

14. A seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a plurality of conductors (11) are provided within the seat belt (10) and are in contact with the contact elements (12) on at least two different lines perpendicular to the extension of the belt.

15. The seat belt (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the contact element (12) comprises a flexible printed circuit board (18).

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