Illuminated belt buckle for automotive seat belt systems, and method for operating an illuminated belt buckle for automotive seat belt systems.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an illuminated belt buckle (1) for an automobile seat belt device, comprising a housing (2), a push button (3) movable within the housing (2), an insertion slot (4) positioned adjacent to the push button (3) for inserting a lockable belt tongue within the belt buckle (1), and at least one annular light source (5) surrounding the insertion slot (4) and the push button (3), wherein the light source (5) has a plurality of individually operable sections distributed around the circumference, and the light source (5) is activated or deactivated by the activation or deactivation of adjacent sections in a continuous sequence with a time delay, the illuminated belt buckle (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt buckle with lighting for an automobile seat belt device having the features of the preamble of claim 1, and a method for operating a belt buckle with lighting for an automobile seat belt device having the features of the preamble of claim 8.

Background Art

[0002] A belt buckle for an automobile seat belt device generally functions to lock a belt tongue that is movably guided on a belt webbing or firmly connected to an end of the belt webbing to the vehicle. For this purpose, the 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 inserted into the insertion slot. To release the belt tongue, the locking mechanism is released by a seated occupant depressing the push button with the seat belt buckled, and the belt tongue is ejected by the release spring force of the locking mechanism.

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

[0004] From German Publication No. 39 04 125(A1), it is known that a light source may be provided in a belt lock, the light source being coupled to a predetermined light-emitting surface of the belt buckle via a light guide material. In this case, the light-emitting surface is the radiating surface located on the side of the insertion slot opposite to the push button itself and / or the side of the insertion slot opposite to the push button. Since the push button must be designed to be displaceable for its function, the light guide material fixedly positioned within 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 the 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 shape and positional deviations or mechanical effects related to the manufacture, light will not be supplied to the push button, or will not be supplied at all, so the push button itself will not be illuminated, or will be illuminated weaker than desired.

[0005] Furthermore, German Publication No. 10 2007 047 704(A1) indicates the provision of a light guide within the belt buckle, which 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 free triangular region of the housing end face 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 corner of the housing end face as possible, in particular, to achieve the best possible luminosity.

[0006] From U.S. Patent No. 5,892,436(A), an illuminated belt buckle is known in which a light source is connected via multiple light guides, the light guides appearing 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 belt buckle. However, this solution is complex and expensive. Furthermore, the light guides are in the direction of movement of the push button, and as a result, there is a risk of damage to the light conductor when the push button is operated to open the belt buckle.

[0007] From German Patent No. 10 2015 215 254(B4), an illuminated 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. An additional ring element is provided on the end face of the housing to protect the surface light source from damage by covering the end face of the belt buckle and the radially outer side of the belt buckle. The ring element is manufactured using 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 side, so that only the end face of the belt buckle is intentionally illuminated.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an illuminated belt buckle with improved visibility for the occupant, and a method for operating such a belt buckle.

[0009] To achieve the above objective, an illuminated 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 belt buckle for an automobile seat belt device is proposed, comprising a housing, a push button movable within the housing, an insertion slot positioned adjacent to the push button for inserting a belt tongue lockable within the belt buckle, and at least one annular light source surrounding the insertion slot and the push button, wherein the light source has a plurality of individually operable sections distributed around the circumference, and the light source is operated by the operation or deactivation of adjacent sections in a continuous sequence with time delays.

[0011] This involves activating the light source in the form of an operating or stopping zone around the occupant, which can further enhance occupant attention as pure illumination is complemented by a dynamic component. The proposed solution allows for the dynamic modification of the seatbelt buckle illumination without interrupting the lighting. The proposed activated illumination can be designed, for example, to close or open a light ring.

[0012] Furthermore, it is proposed that the section be stopped with a time delay after activation, or activated with a time delay after deactivation. This allows the illumination to be designed at least as a partially surrounding point of light, or otherwise as a partially surrounding dark area within a bright ring of light.

[0013] Furthermore, it is proposed that the light source has two subgroups of sections, and that the sections of the light source are activated or deactivated in different directions in a time-delayed, sequential order. The advantage of the proposed solution is that, by activating or deactivating the sections of the light source within the two subgroups and activating them in different directions within the two subgroups, an illumination pattern having two points of bright or dark regions that move away from each other in the initial stage of the illumination cycle and move toward each other in the final stage of the illumination cycle can be achieved repeatedly in the illumination cycle. This illumination pattern can further increase the observer's attention to the belt buckle, and therefore make it easier to find the belt buckle.

[0014] Furthermore, it is proposed that two subgroups of the section form two symmetrically arranged halves of an annular light source, each comprising one half of a push button and one half of an insertion slot, complementing each other to form an annular light source. Thus, each section of the subgroup comprises half of a push button and an insertion slot, and therefore each has a C-shape. The other subgroup of the section comprises the other half of a push button and an insertion slot, and therefore completes the first subgroup for forming a ring-shaped light source. Thus, each of the two subgroups of the section has a C-shape with open ends facing each other.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that the time-delayed direction of activation or deactivation depend on the locked state of the belt tongue. This allows the observer to receive additional information about whether the belt buckle is ready to lock the belt tongue, i.e., whether the belt tongue is not yet locked or is already locked, through the direction of activation or deactivation of the light source, or through the rotation of the light point or dark area.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that when the belt tongue is not locked in the belt buckle, a section of the subgroup is to be continuously activated or deactivated with a time delay in the direction of the insertion slot. The activation or deactivation of the light source, or the rotation of the light point or dark area, is thus performed in the direction of the insertion slot, and the illumination or dark area converges from both sides toward the insertion slot, thus indicating to the occupant where the belt tongue is to be inserted into or locked in the belt buckle.

[0017] Furthermore, it is proposed that when the belt tongue is locked to the belt buckle, a section of the subgroup is to be continuously activated or deactivated with a time delay in the direction of the push button. This indicates to the occupant where the push button for releasing the belt tongue is located, and thus makes it easier for the occupant to release the seat belt.

[0018] To solve this problem, a method having the features of claim 8 is further proposed. Further preferred features for operating the illuminated belt buckle can be found in dependent claims 9 to 14.

[0019] The present invention will be described below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This figure shows an illuminated belt buckle according to the present invention in an assembled, exploded view, and considering push buttons with light sources in two different embodiments. [Figure 2] This figure shows a belt buckle according to the present invention having a belt tongue (not shown) before the belt tongue is unlocked. [Figure 3] The belt buckle according to the present invention is shown before the belt tongue (not shown) is locked. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Figure 1 shows the illuminated belt buckle 1 according to the present invention, comprising a housing 2, a push button 3 located on the end face, and an insertion slot 4 located adjacent to the latter 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 within the housing 2, which can be released by activating the push button 3 to eject the belt tongue in a known manner.

[0022] An annular section 8 is provided at the end face of the housing 2, protruding from the base surface 10 of the housing 2 and surrounding the insertion slots 4 for the push button 3 and the belt buckle 1. The base region 10 of the housing 2 is also designed in an annular shape and extends around the entire circumference of the housing 2 radially outward from the annular section 8. Furthermore, a similarly annular cover element 6 is provided, which is fastened to the outside of the housing 2 in the section forming the base surface 10 via fastening attachments. To fasten the cover element 6, it may be bonded or welded, for example, to the fastening attachments on the outside of the housing 2.

[0023] The cover element 6 rests on the radially outer fixing attachment of the housing 2 and on the end face of the annular section 8. Thus, the cover element 6 encloses an annular cavity bound radially inward by the annular section 8 and downward by the base region 10. The annular light source 5 is positioned on the base surface 10 of the cavity 9.

[0024] The cover element 6 is integrally made of a translucent material. When the light source 5 is activated, the cavity is fully illuminated, and the light exits to the outside through the cover element 6 due to the integral translucent design of the cover element 6. Thus, the belt buckle 1 is uniformly illuminated in a ring shape across the entire outer surface of the cover element 6, and the push button 3 and the insertion slot 4 are arranged within the glowing ring. The cover element 6 having a fastening attachment on the outside of the housing 2 abuts against the annular section 8 as closely as possible within the range of possible manufacturing accuracy, so that the light exits solely through the outer surface of the cover element 6, enabling a visually high-quality illumination of the belt buckle 1. In this regard, depending on the customer's requirements, in order to increase the light scattering, the radiation characteristics can be changed by intentionally roughening the cover element 6, for example, by etching the surface, or by means of specific embossed surface structures on its radially outer or its radially inner side. It is also conceivable to provide a partially transparent coating on the cover element 6, which allows the light to escape when the light source 5 is activated but obstructs the view through the cover element 6 when the light source 5 is deactivated. It is also conceivable to realize the cover element 6 in different shapes or to integrate the cover element into the light source 5, so that the cover element is part of the light source itself.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a belt buckle 1 having a light source 5 according to version A with a plurality of individual light sources 22 in the form of OLEDs on a carrier material 23. The OLEDs are arranged flat on the support material 23 and, when all the OLEDs are activated, they form a closed glowing ring on the surface of the light source 5.

[0026] Alternatively, according to Version B, a light source 5 having a plurality of individual light sources 22 formed by LEDs can be provided. The LEDs are combined on a support material 23 to form a "COB (chip on board) light strip". Since a conductor structure for contacting the LEDs is provided on the support material 23, the support material 23 can also be regarded as an annular flexible circuit board. In addition to arranging various electrical components, the support material 23 also serves to fasten the light source 5, for example, by clip-fastening the light source 5 to the housing 2. The LEDs can be designed as either single-color LEDs or RGB-type LEDs having a controllable emission color, and a mixed form of such LEDs can of course also be provided.

[0027] When single-color LEDs are provided, they can be made to glow by a simple controlled current supply of 6V to 12V. When RGB-type LEDs are provided, they are preferably controlled via a LIN controller having a LIN slave and a LIN master. In this regard, the LIN slave is provided on the support material 23, i.e., the circuit board, which is connected to the vehicle control unit via a data pole in addition to the plus-minus connection. In this case, the vehicle control unit forms the LIN master for the LIN slave. The plus-minus connection of the contact 24 is further supplemented by a control line (data) forming the data pole of the LIN controller.

[0028] The individual light sources 22 form individually operable sections of the light source 5 and can be operated individually and independently of each other, and are operated so as to be continuously operated or stopped with a time delay and over the circumference, so that illumination of the belt buckle 1 having a closed or open light ring can be achieved.

[0029] Figures 2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the individual light sources 22 of the light source 5 are divided into two C-shaped subgroups I and II, each surrounding half of the insertion slot 4 and push button 3, and combined to form a closed light-emitting ring. The individual light sources 22 of subgroups I and II are actuated according to Figure 2, starting from the end of the section with the push button 3, and are actuated in a time-delayed continuous manner in a repeating illumination cycle to indicate the insertion slot 4. The individual light sources 22 are actuated continuously, and the light ring is closed in the direction of the arrows shown in the figure, with the last individual light source 22 actuated being the individual light source 22 adjacent to the insertion slot 4. This allows the occupant to be actively warned of the necessary buckling procedure and further informed of the location of the insertion slot 4.

[0030] As can be seen in Figure 3, when the process of unfastening the buckle is initiated, the individual light sources 22 are activated in reverse order, and as a result, the light ring begins to light up starting with push button 4 and closes adjacent to push button 3.

[0031] These described lighting cycles will be operated repeatedly until the occupant completes the buckle fastening or buckle unfastening process.

[0032] This means that the individual light sources 22 of the light source 5 are operated sequentially according to the locked state of the belt buckle 1. Furthermore, the individual light sources 22 may also be stopped or operated again in a time-delayed manner after their operation or stopping, so that the light source 5 is operated to form a spot of light or a dark area around it.

[0033] The proposed illuminated belt buckle 1 and the proposed method for activating the illumination of the illuminated belt buckle 1 can be further improved by closing or opening the light ring in order to fasten or unfasten the belt tongue, i.e., to lock or unlock it, and then fully illuminating the light ring once or several times, preferably three times, in an illumination cycle. The opening and closing of the light ring may be performed at a reduced light intensity, i.e., at a lower light intensity, and full illumination may be performed at a higher light intensity.

[0034] Furthermore, customized lighting is possible in terms of color, sequence, and illumination frequency.

Claims

1. A seat belt buckle (1) with illumination for an automobile seat belt system, - Housing (2), - A push button (3) that is movable within the housing (2), - An insertion slot (4) for inserting a belt tongue that can be locked into the belt buckle (1), the insertion slot (4) being located adjacent to the push button (3), - comprising the insertion slot (4) and at least one annular light source (5) surrounding the push button (3), - The light source (5) has a plurality of individually operable sections that are dispersed and arranged around the periphery, - The illuminated belt buckle (1) is characterized in that the light source (5) is activated or deactivated in a continuous sequence with a time delay by the activation or deactivation of the adjacent section.

2. - The illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the section is stopped after a time delay following operation, or operated after a time delay following stop.

3. - The illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light source (5) has two subgroups (I, II) of sections of which are activated or stopped with a time delay in different directions in the continuous sequence.

4. - The illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the two subgroups (I, II) of the section form two symmetrically arranged halves of the annular light source (5), each comprising half of the push button (3) and half of the insertion slot (4), and complementing each other to form the annular light source (5).

5. - The illuminated belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the direction of continuous time-delayed operation or stopping depends on the locked state of the belt tongue.

6. - The illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the sections of the subgroups (I, II) are operated or stopped with a time delay in the direction of the insertion slot (4) when the belt tongue is not locked in the belt buckle (1).

7. - The illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claims 4 and 5, or claim 6, characterized in that the section of the subgroup (I, II) is continuously operated or stopped with a time delay in the direction of the push button (3) when the belt tongue is locked to the belt buckle (1).

8. A method for operating an illuminated belt buckle (1) 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 belt tongue that can be locked into the belt buckle (1), the insertion slot (4) being located adjacent to the push button (3), - comprising the insertion slot (4) and at least one annular light source (5) surrounding the push button (3), - The light source (5) has a plurality of individually operable sections that are dispersed around the periphery, - A method characterized in that the light source (5) is operated by the time-delayed operation or deactivation of the adjacent sections in a continuous sequence.

9. - A method for operating the illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the section is stopped after a time delay following operation, or operated after a time delay following stop.

10. A method for operating the illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 8 or 9, A method for operating an illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the light source (5) has two subgroups (I, II) of sections which are activated or deactivated with time delays in different directions in the continuous sequence.

11. A method for operating an illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the two subgroups (I, II) of the section form two symmetrically arranged halves of the annular light source (5), each comprising half of the push button (3) and half of the insertion slot (4), and complementing each other to form the annular light source (5).

12. A method for operating an illuminated belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the direction of the time-delayed operation or stop depends on the locked state of the belt tongue.

13. - A method for operating an illuminated belt buckle (1) according to claim 10 or 11 and claim 12, characterized in that the section of the subgroup (I, II) is operated or stopped with a time delay in the direction of the insertion slot (4) when the belt tongue is not locked to the belt buckle (1).

14. - A method for operating an illuminated belt buckle (1) according to any one of claims 10 or 11 and any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the section of the subgroup (I, II) is continuously operated or stopped with a time delay in the direction of the push button (3) when the belt tongue is locked to the belt buckle (1).

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