Illuminated seat belt buckle for automotive seat belt systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to an illuminated seat belt buckle (1) for an automobile seat belt device, the illuminated seat belt buckle (1) comprising: - a housing (2); - a push button (3) movable within the housing (2); - an insertion slot (4) for inserting a lockable belt tongue into the seat belt buckle (1); - at least one annular light source (5) surrounding the insertion slot (4) and the push button (3); and - a cover element (6) covering the annular light source (5) toward the radially outer surface and end face of the seat belt buckle (1), wherein the light source (5) is made up of a plurality of individual light sources (22) that can be operated independently of each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt buckle with lighting for an automobile seat belt device, having the features described in the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] A seat belt buckle for an automobile seat belt device generally functions to securely lock a belt tongue that is guided movably on a belt webbing or firmly connected to an end of the belt webbing to a vehicle. For this purpose, the seat belt buckle has an insertion slot for the belt tongue and a locking mechanism that can be released via a push button. The locking mechanism is spring-loaded and automatically locks the belt tongue when the belt tongue is inserted into the insertion slot. To release the belt tongue, a passenger who has fastened the seat belt presses the push button, the locking mechanism is released, and the belt tongue is pushed out by the released spring force of the locking mechanism.

[0003] Such seat belt buckles have been prior art for many years. One problem with such seat belt buckles is that, in order to fasten the buckle, the passenger has to find the relatively narrow insertion slot of the seat belt buckle into which the belt tongue is inserted in order to fasten the seat belt.

[0004] From German Patent Application Publication No. 39 04 125(A1), it is known that a light source may be provided in a seat belt buckle, the light source being coupled to a predetermined light-emitting surface of the seat belt buckle via a light guide material. In this case, the light-emitting surface is the push button itself and / or a radiating surface located on the side of the insertion slot opposite the push button. Since the push button must be designed to be displaceable for its function, the light guide material fixedly placed inside the push button must be positioned within the push button such that the light-incident surface of the light guide material is photometrically connected to an external light source when the push button is in an unpressed position. If the light-incident surface of the light guide material at this position is not photometrically connected to an external light source due to morphological and positional deviations or mechanical effects related to the manufacturing, light will not be supplied to the push button, or will not be supplied at all, and as a result the push button itself will not be illuminated or will be illuminated less than desired.

[0005] Furthermore, German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2007 047 704(A1) indicates that a light guide may be provided within the seat belt buckle, and this light guide has at least two light-emitting surfaces positioned at the end of the insertion slot. The light-emitting surfaces themselves have a triangular shape and are positioned in the triangular empty area at the front of the housing, between the edge of the housing and the conical side of the push button. The light-emitting surfaces are sized to fill as much of the empty area at the front corner of the housing as possible, in particular, to achieve the best possible luminosity.

[0006] From U.S. Patent No. 5,892,436(A), an illuminated seat belt buckle is known in which a light source is connected via multiple light guides, the light guides being exposed on the end faces of the housing and thus forming multiple light-emitting points arranged circumferentially around the push button or insertion slot of the seat belt buckle. However, this solution is complex and expensive, and the light guides are in the direction of movement of the push button, and as a result there is a risk of damaging the light guides when the push button is operated to open the seat belt buckle.

[0007] From German Patent No. 10 2015 215 254(B4), an illuminated seat belt buckle is known in which the light-emitting surface is formed by a circumferential surface light source on the end face of the housing, and the surface light source is designed as a light-emitting thin film component. In this case, an additional ring element is provided on the end face of the housing, and this additional ring element covers the surface light source from the end face of the seat belt buckle and from the radially outer surface of the seat belt buckle, and thus protects the surface light source from damage. The ring element is manufactured by a two-component injection molding process and has a translucent region on the end face in the form of a continuous circumferential band and an opaque region on its radially outer surface, so that the seat belt buckle is intentionally illuminated only on the end face. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a general-purpose, economical seat belt buckle with improved illumination.

[0009] To achieve this objective, an illuminated seat belt buckle having the features of claim 1 has been proposed. Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the present invention may be found in the dependent claims, figures, and related description.

[0010] According to claim 1, an illuminated seat belt buckle for an automobile seat belt device is proposed, the illuminated seat belt buckle comprising a housing, a push button movable within the housing, an insertion slot for inserting a belt tongue lockable into the seat belt buckle, at least one annular light source surrounding the insertion slot and the push button, and a cover element covering the annular light source toward the radially outer surface of the seat belt buckle and toward the end face of the seat belt buckle, wherein the light source is made up of a plurality of individual light sources that can be operated independently of each other.

[0011] The advantage of the proposed solution is that a number of individual light sources, which can operate independently of each other, enable different illumination of each seat belt buckle depending on the operation of the individual light sources. In this way, different lighting patterns, lighting frequencies, or even dynamic lighting, such as in the form of flowing light, can be realized. The individual illuminations can be implemented differently according to aesthetic considerations and according to the operating state of the buckle, the seat occupancy state of the vehicle, the driving conditions, or the circumstances of an accident. Furthermore, the proposed solution has the advantage of redundancy in that even if an individual light source fails, the seat belt buckle illumination will still be provided by the individual light sources that are still functioning.

[0012] Individualized lighting of seat belt buckles can be further improved by having individual light sources emit light at different intensities and / or colors. This can be achieved, for example, by having at least two of the individual light sources emit light at different intensities and / or colors, or by operating the individual light sources themselves to emit light at different intensities and / or colors. This makes it possible to achieve different and / or changing color patterns of lighting for the seat belt buckle. Individual light sources emit light at different intensities and / or colors, but the intensity and / or color of the light emitted by the individual light sources can be designed to be immutable. Alternatively, individual light sources can also be designed to emit light at different intensities and / or colors depending on their operating state. By designing the light intensity of the individual light sources, different illumination of the cover elements can be enabled, which can be used to further improve uniform illumination of the seat belt buckle, taking into account the locally different light transmittance of the cover elements.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that individual light sources be connected to each other by a support material to form an annular light source. The support material allows the individual light sources to form a composite structure, which can then be assembled in a single insertion process. Thus, the support material forms the mechanical composite structure of the individual light sources.

[0014] In this case, preferably, a conductive structure to which the individual light sources are electrically connected can be provided within the support material. Electrical contact between the individual light sources is achieved via the conductive structure within the support material, and the conductive structure itself is mechanically supported by the support material or embedded within the support material.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that the individual light sources have a central common power source. This means that the individual light sources are powered via a single electrical contact that must be formed when the seat belt buckle is installed. The contact can be implemented as a plug-in contact or by a soldering point.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed to provide a LIN controller to control individual light sources. The LIN controller is very economical to mass-produce and allows for a very simple conductive structure to operate the individual light sources.

[0017] Furthermore, it is proposed that individual light sources be formed from OLED segments or LEDs. OLED segments and LEDs offer the advantages of excellent controllability and a very long service life. Moreover, OLED segments and LEDs can be manufactured as mass-produced items and fixed to support materials very economically.

[0018] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cover elements have different light transmittances. The different light transmittances of the cover elements allow the luminescence characteristics of the illuminated seat belt buckle to be altered independently of the light intensity and color of the light emitted by individual light sources, with the cover elements having higher light transmittance in some zones or sections and lower light transmittance in others. The sections with different light transmittances can be designed so that the light transmittance of the cover elements changes gradually or even continuously at the transitions between sections.

[0019] In this case, the portion of the cover element that covers the individual light sources has lower light transmittance than the portion that covers the areas between the individual light sources, thereby achieving particularly optically uniform illumination of the seat belt buckle. Therefore, the different light intensities of the light sources caused by the individual light sources are compensated for by the proposed configuration of the light transmittance of the cover element, ensuring uniform light emission. In this regard, the non-uniform distribution of light intensity of the light emitted from the light sources is due to the fact that the individual light sources emit light at locally high light intensity, while the light intensity of the light sources is low in the areas between the individual light sources.

[0020] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cover element be integrally formed from a translucent material. The proposed solution has the advantage that light is emitted through the cover element toward the end face of the seat belt buckle and radially outward, which is only possible through the integral design of the cover element and its translucent design. This makes the proposed solution particularly economical and at the same time improves the illumination of the seat belt buckle.

[0021] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cover element has an integrally formed fastening attachment, through which the cover element is fastened to the seat belt buckle housing. This makes the installation of the cover element and the associated installation process particularly simple and economical. To fasten the cover element, corresponding fastening surfaces are provided in the seat belt buckle housing, thereby enabling the cover element to be fastened via its fastening attachment.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that the fastening attachment has a latch hook, which latches the fastening attachment into an undercut of the housing. Latching is advantageous because it can be done very easily during installation and does not require additional fastening means.

[0023] It is further proposed that the housing has a closed annular portion surrounding the insertion slot and push button, this annular portion defining an annular cavity toward the radially inner surface, the annular cavity being defined toward the radially outer surface and toward the end face of the seat belt buckle by a cover element, and that the light source be placed within the annular cavity. Thus, the cover element surrounds the cavity in the housing where the light source is located. Since the cover element is semi-transparent, but the housing of the seat belt buckle is opaque rather than semi-transparent, it is ensured that all light emitted by the light source exits to the outside only through the cover element. This means that the illumination of the seat belt buckle is defined solely by the cover element. In this case, in order to achieve high-quality optical illumination of the seat belt buckle, the shape of the cover element and its semi-transparency can be specifically designed on the one hand.

[0024] In this regard, it is proposed that the cover element preferably abuts against the annular portion of the housing in the area of ​​the end face of the seat belt buckle, thereby eliminating the need for additional parts to form a cavity.

[0025] Furthermore, it is proposed that the annular portion protrudes from the base surface of the housing, and the cover element abuts radially outward against the portion of the housing that forms the base surface. Thus, the cavity is formed by the cover element, the annular portion, and the base surface, the annular portion and the base surface being part of the housing and forming the inner wall of the cavity, and the cover element covering the cavity outward.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that the light source be annular in shape and positioned radially outward relative to the annular portion of the housing on the base surface. The proposed annular design of the light source and its position on the base surface allow the cavity, and therefore the cover element, to be illuminated particularly uniformly.

[0027] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cover element has an integrally formed light guiding part, which has a light incident surface arranged parallel to and facing the light emitting surface of the light source. With the integrally formed light guiding part having the proposed arrangement of the light incident surface, the light emitted by the light source is input-coupled into the cover element with improved yield, and the light guide specifically forms a light guiding connection from the light incident surface of the cover element to a radially outer emitting surface.

[0028] Furthermore, it is proposed that a gap is provided between the integrally formed light guiding part and the radially outer edge of the cover element. Through this gap, the cover element can perform a slight spring movement towards the light guiding part at its outer edge, and this can be utilized to fasten the cover element during installation. This is particularly advantageous because the light guiding part significantly hardens the cover element by its volume, which is compensated by the spring elasticity of the edge of the cover element created by the gap.

[0029] Furthermore, it is proposed that the light source is formed by an annular light guide, which abuts against the radially outer surface of the annular part and has a light emitting surface. The annular light guide forms the light source at its light emitting surface, and the light emitting geometry is defined by the light emitting surface created thereon. For supplying the light itself, the light guide is connected to an external light source, which can be arranged either inside the housing of the seat belt buckle, or inside a cavity, or at any external position where light is input-coupled into the light guide.

[0030] The light guide is preferably designed to have a partially circular cross-section, and light exits from the light guide towards the radially outer surface of the seat belt buckle and towards the end face of the seat belt buckle. Thereby, the cavity between the cover element and the annular part is illuminated, either radially outwards and in the direction of the end face of the seat belt buckle, or the cover element is illuminated.

[0031] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cover element be positioned so as not to come into contact with the light source. By positioning the cover element so as not to come into contact with the light source, the light source is prevented from being subjected to mechanical stress when the cover element is installed. Moreover, the non-contact positioning of the cover element is advantageous for uniform illumination of the cover element, as the light emitted by the light source is further dispersed before it enters the cover element. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] The present invention will be described below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. [Figure 1] A seat belt buckle according to the present invention, according to a first exemplary embodiment, is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a further preferred development of the seat belt buckle according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a seat belt buckle according to the present invention, which has cover elements of various thicknesses. [Figure 4] A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, comprising a cover element having an integrated light guide, for a seat belt buckle according to the present invention. [Figure 5] The present invention shows a seat belt buckle having a light source with multiple individual light sources. [Figure 6] A close-up view of a light source with multiple individual light sources is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Figure 1 shows that the illuminated seat belt buckle 1 according to the present invention has a housing 2, a push button 3 located on the end face, and an insertion slot 4 located adjacent to the push button 3 for inserting and locking the belt tongue (not shown) of the seat belt device. A locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the belt tongue is provided inside the housing 2, and this locking mechanism is released by operating the push button 3, allowing the belt tongue to be pushed out as described above.

[0034] An annular portion 8 is provided on the end face of the housing 2, protruding from the base surface 10 of the housing 2 and surrounding the push button 3 and insertion slot 4 of the seat belt buckle 1. The base surface 10 of the housing 2 is also annular, extending around the entire circumference of the housing 2 on the radially outer surface of the annular portion 8. Furthermore, a similarly annular cover element 6 is provided, which is fastened to the outside of the housing 2 in the portion forming the base surface 10 via a fastening attachment 7. To fasten the cover element 6, it can be, for example, bonded or welded to the fastening attachment 7 on the outside of the housing 2.

[0035] The cover element 6 extends from the fastening attachment 7 in a first portion 20 that extends in the direction of the end face of the housing, and from the first portion 20, via a curved portion, continues to a second portion 19 that is oriented toward the annular portion 8 on the end face of the housing 2. The cover element 6 abuts radially outward of the housing 2 by the fastening attachment 7 and toward the annular portion 8 by the end face of the second portion 19. Thus, the cover element 6 encloses an annular cavity 9, which is bounded radially inward by the annular portion 8 and downward by the base surface 10. The annular light source 5 is positioned on the base surface 10 of the cavity 9. The light source 5 may be a surface light source, an LED chain, or a light guide having a corresponding light-emitting surface.

[0036] The cover element 6 is integrally formed from a translucent material. When the light source 5 is activated, the cavity 9 is fully illuminated, and the light exits through the first part 20, the second part 19, and the curved part of the cover element 6 positioned between them, due to the integral translucent design of the cover element 6. Thus, the seat belt buckle 1 is annularly and uniformly illuminated across the entire outer surface of the first part 20, the second part 19, and the curved part of the cover element 6, and the push button 3 and insertion slot 4 are positioned within the light-emitting ring. The cover element 6 has an outer fastening attachment 7 and a second part 19 of the housing 2, and is positioned flat, as far as possible, within the context of possible manufacturing precision, so that there are no gaps in the annular part 8, so that the light exits only through the outer surface of the cover element 6, thereby achieving optically high-quality illumination of the seat belt buckle 1. Depending on customer requirements, the luminescence characteristics can be modified by intentionally roughening the cover element 6 to increase light scattering, for example by etching the surface, or by a specific embossed surface structure on its radially outer or radially inner surface. A partially transparent coating may also be provided on the cover element 6, which allows light to be emitted when the light source 5 is activated, but obstructs visibility through the cover element 6 when the light source 5 is stopped.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a more advanced design of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1. The fastening attachment 7 is here formed by a latch arm that latches into a groove 17 in the housing 2 to fasten the cover element 6. The latch arm and / or groove 17 may both be formed around the entire circumference of the housing 2 or the cover element 6, or only partially in the form of several latch arms and several spaced-apart grooves 17. Furthermore, the cover element 6 intentionally includes a portion 18 in the area of ​​the first portion 20, which can be provided with an additional customer logo or another type of informational symbol.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a further development of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, in which the cover element 6 may have different thicknesses in the region of the second portion 19. Depending on the desired luminescence characteristics, the cover element 6 can be made thicker or thinner in the second portion 19, while the cover element 6 remains unchanged in the region of the first portion 20 and the fastening attachment 7. It is also conceivable to design the cover element 6 to have different circumferential thicknesses in the region of the second portion 19 so that the cover element 6 has different luminescence characteristics along its periphery. This also makes it possible to vary the rigidity of the cover element 6 along its periphery.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a further development of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, in which the cover element 6 has an integrally formed light guide portion 11. Otherwise, the cover element 6 can be designed in particular within the area of ​​the fastening portion 7 and the first portion 20 according to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1. The light guide portion 11 extends into the cavity 9 and has a light incident surface 13 positioned parallel to and opposite the light-emitting surface 12 of the light source 5, forming a gap with a certain gap width.

[0040] The light-emitting surface 12 of the light source 5 is considered an idealized light-emitting surface, which is the plane on which the LEDs are arranged when the light source 5 is designed using multiple LEDs. If the light source 5 is a surface light source, the light-emitting surface is the surface of the surface light source. If the light source 5 is designed in the form of a light guide, the light-emitting surface 12 is the average plane of the light-emitting surface of the light guide.

[0041] The cover element 6 further has a gap 14 between the light guide 11 and the first portion 20 of the outer wall of the cover element 6, which allows the fastening portion 7 to protrude radially outward when the cover element 6 is fastened.

[0042] Light emitted by the light source 5 is then emitted through the light-emitting surface 12 and input-coupled to the light guide via the light-incident surface 13 positioned opposite the light guide 11. The light then passes through the light guide 11, the first part 20, the second part 19, and the curved portion of the cover element 6 located between them, and is emitted to the outside through them.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the seat belt buckle 1 of Figure 1 with a light source 5 according to version A, which has multiple individual light sources 22 in the form of OLEDs on a support material 23. The OLEDs are arranged flat on the support material 23, and when all OLEDs are activated, they work together to form a closed light-emitting ring on the surface of the light source 5. The OLEDs can be activated individually and independently of each other, and as a result, flowing light can be achieved by the time-delayed, circumferentially continuous activation of individual adjacent OLEDs. Furthermore, the OLEDs can emit light in different colors or be designed to change the color of the light they emit. The support material 23 functions to mechanically connect the OLEDs and, in addition to bringing the OLEDs into contact with each other, can have a conductive structure with a central connection to an external power source.

[0044] Alternatively, according to version B, a light source 5 can be provided having multiple individual light sources 22 formed by LEDs. The LEDs are combined on a support material 23 to form a "COB (chip on board) light strip". Since a conductive structure for bringing the LEDs into contact is provided on the support material 23, the support material 23 can also be considered as an annular flexible circuit board. In addition to arranging various electrical components, the support material 23 also plays a role in fastening the light source 5, for example, by clipping the light source 5 to the housing 2. The LEDs can be designed as monochromatic LEDs or RGB LEDs with controllable emission colors, and mixed forms of such LEDs can also be provided.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a magnified view of the light source 5 in two different embodiments having multiple individual light sources 22, the individual light sources 22 being formed by monochromatic LEDs in the upper exemplary embodiment and by RGB LEDs in the lower exemplary embodiment. The support material 23 of the light source 5 is made of an electrically insulating material and is a support for various electrical components such as a conductive structure 26, an integrated resistor 25, and a LIN controller that functions to power the LEDs and operate them. The resistor 25 is located in the power supply between the LEDs, thereby enabling uniform brightness of the LEDs and thus the light source 5. The conductive structure 26 within the support material 23 has two electrical contacts 24, as seen in Figure 5, which are connected to two mating contacts of a central power supply via solder, crimp, or plug connections, and the individual light sources 22 are also electrically connected to the central power supply by them.

[0046] If monochromatic LEDs are provided, they can be made to light up by a simple controlled current supply of 6V to 12V. If RGB LEDs are provided, they are preferably controlled via a LIN controller having LIN slaves and LIN masters. In this regard, the LIN slaves are provided on the support material 23, i.e., a circuit board, which is connected to a vehicle control unit via data poles in addition to positive-negative connections, and which in this case forms the LIN master for the LIN slaves. The positive-negative connections of contacts 24 are further supplemented by control lines (data) that form the data poles of the LIN controller.

[0047] By operating LIN slaves in correspondence via a LIN master, specific data commands can be executed to individually activate RGB LEDs. This enables the realization of a wide variety of lighting concepts. For example, it is possible to achieve cyclical light points, persistent flashing of LED light strips of any color, or even persistent illumination of LED strips of a desired ambient light color.

[0048] The LEDs are arranged in a single row in the center of the support material 23, with each LED at the same distance from one another. Thus, the cavity 9 and cover element 6 are uniformly illuminated around them, and the seat belt buckle 1 is uniformly illuminated.

[0049] The individual light sources 22 can be operated individually and independently of each other, regardless of whether they are designed as monochromatic LEDs, RGB LEDs, or OLEDs. The predetermined lighting sequences, light intensities, and colors of the individual light sources 22 are stored in a control program and can be retrieved to operate the light sources 5. This allows for the realization of different lighting concepts with respect to the color, lighting time, and lighting rhythm of the individual light sources 22. The emission color, lighting rhythm, and light intensity of the individual light sources 22 can be used to design the emission characteristics and lighting concept of the seat belt buckle 1.

Claims

1. A seat belt buckle (1) with illumination for a car seat belt system, - Housing (2), - A push button (3) that is movable within the housing (2), - An insertion slot (4) for inserting a lockable belt tongue into the seat belt buckle (1), - At least one annular light source (5) surrounding the insertion slot (4) and the push button (3), - A cover element (6) that covers the annular light source (5) toward the radially outer surface of the seat belt buckle (1) and toward the end face of the seat belt buckle (1), Equipped with, The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) is characterized in that the light source (5) is made from a plurality of individual light sources (22) that can be operated independently of each other.

2. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual light sources (22) emit light having different light intensities and / or colors.

3. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the individual light sources (22) are connected to one another by a support material (23) in order to form the annular light source (5).

4. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a conductive structure to which the individual light sources (22) are electrically connected is provided within the support material (23).

5. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the individual light sources (22) have a central common power source (24).

6. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a LIN controller is provided for controlling the individual light sources (22).

7. The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual light sources (22) are formed by OLED segments.

8. The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual light source (22) is formed by an LED.

9. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover element (6) is integrally formed from a translucent material.

10. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cover element (6) has different light transmittance.

11. The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the cover element (6) has lower light transmittance in the portion covering the individual light sources (22) than in the portion covering the portion between the individual light sources (22).

12. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover element (6) has an integrally formed fastening attachment (7), and the cover element is fastened to the housing (2) of the seat belt buckle (1) by the fastening attachment (7).

13. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the fastening attachment (7) has at least one latch hook (21), and the fastening attachment is latched to an undercut of the housing (2) by the latch hook (21).

14. - The housing (2) has a closed annular portion (8) that surrounds the insertion slot (4) and the push button (3) and defines an annular cavity (9) radially inward, - The annular cavity (9) is defined by the cover element (6) toward the radially outer surface of the seat belt buckle (1) and toward the end face of the seat belt buckle (1), - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the light source (5) is arranged within the annular cavity (9).

15. - The annular portion (8) protrudes from the base surface (10) of the housing (2), - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the cover element (6) abuts radially outward with the portion of the housing (2) that forms the base surface (10).

16. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the light source (5) is located on the base surface (10) radially outward of the annular portion (8) of the housing (2).

17. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cover element (6) has an integrally formed light guide portion (11) having a light incident surface (13) arranged parallel to and opposite to the light-emitting surface (12) of the light source (5).

18. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that a gap (14) is provided between the integrally formed light guide portion (11) and the radially outer edge of the cover element (6).

19. - The illuminated seat belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the cover element (6) is arranged in a non-contact manner with respect to the light source (5).

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