seat belt strap

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat belt strap (10) for an automobile seat belt system, comprising a woven fabric (11) consisting of warp threads (12) and weft threads (13). The seat belt strap (10) has a 3 / 3 twill weave in at least some portions, with a offset of two warp threads (12) relative to each weft thread (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt strap for an automobile seat belt system, comprising a woven fabric made of warp and weft yarns.

Background Art

[0002] Automobile seat belt straps usually comprise a woven fabric having a twill weave. This twill weave is often a 2 / 2 twill weave designed to have a shift of two warp yarns for every other weft yarn. This results in a kind of checkered pattern, where in both the warp direction and the weft direction, in any case, the yarns are alternately above and below two intersecting yarns.

[0003] Due to their restraint function for the occupant, high tensile strength is required for seat belt straps. A problem with seat belt straps is the wear that occurs in the seat belt strap during use, and this wear may cause the tensile strength to decrease in the worn state. Wear can be caused, for example, by winding the seat belt strap back and forth via a belt retractor or a belt tongue.

[0004] According to European Patent No. 2 659 039 (B1), a seat belt strap having improved wear resistance with a 2 / 1 / 1 / 2 twill weave having a shift of two warp yarns for each weft yarn is known.

[0005] Furthermore, the seat belt strap indirectly contacts the occupant's body and skin, and in some cases, may even directly contact the body and skin, especially in the lap belt portion over the occupant's abdomen.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to identify an alternative weaving method for seat belt straps that allows for sufficient strength even after prolonged use, while also providing high flexibility for comfortable wear of the seat belt strap.

[0007] This invention solves this problem through the features of the independent claims.

[0008] A seat belt strap for an automobile seat belt system is proposed, comprising a woven fabric consisting of warp and weft threads, and having a 3 / 3 twill weave in at least some parts, with two warp threads offset relative to each weft thread.

[0009] This proposed seat belt strap has very high flexibility across its width due to its 3 / 3 twill weave, as it has fewer intersections across the width of the strap compared to prior art. An intersection is a point in the fabric where a thread changes direction between the upper and lower parts of the weave. The number of intersections is fewer compared to, for example, fabrics with a 2 / 2 or 2 / 1 twill weave or abrasion-resistant fabrics of prior art. However, at the same time, the number of intersections in the warp direction remains the same. The proposed shifting results in a 2-1-2-1 pattern in the warp direction, which keeps the number of intersections in the warp direction of the fabric high, and therefore maintains the high tensile strength of the seat belt strap even after frequent use. Thus, the pattern along the individual warp threads of the proposed seat belt strap is a 2-1-2-1 pattern or a 1-2-1-2 pattern. For example, it can retain 90% of the original breaking load of this seat belt strap after many years of wear.

[0010] Overall, the proposed seat belt strap has a balanced twill weave, with warp and weft threads visible on both sides of the fabric in equal proportions.

[0011] The seat belt strap preferably has a 3 / 3 twill weave throughout, with two warp threads offset for each weft thread. This allows for the utilization of advantageous properties throughout the entire seat belt strap.

[0012] According to an advantageous further development, the seat belt strap is finished at the edges using edge threads. The proposed weaving method allows for easy provision of complex edge finishing to the seat belt strap.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the seat belt strap has a locking thread and a closing thread at its edge.

[0014] According to further developmental forms, It is proposed that the seat belt strap has multiple strips in the warp direction, with two warp threads within a strip being offset to the left or right, and adjacent strips being offset in different directions. Preferably, the seat belt strap has five strips.

[0015] The present invention will be described below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of the woven pattern for this seat belt strap. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figure 1 shows a detail of the woven fabric 11 of the proposed seat belt strap 10. This detail of the woven fabric 11 of the seat belt strap 10 can also be called a repeat. The woven fabric 11 has vertically running warp threads 12, shown in white in Figure 1, and horizontally running weft threads 13, shown in black in Figure 1. The weft threads 13 run in a 3 / 3 twill weave, so that the weft threads 13 are guided alternately above and below three warp threads 12. The next weft thread 12 is guided with a shift of two warp threads 12, so that a characteristic twill weave line is formed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the twill weave line runs to the upper right, and the angle with respect to the warp threads 13 is less than 45 degrees.

[0018] As can be seen in the repeat in Figure 1, a 2-1-2-1 pattern is generated along the vertically advancing warp threads 12, and this pattern alternates with the 1-2-1-2 pattern in the next warp thread 12.

Claims

1. A seat belt strap (10) for an automobile seat belt system, comprising a woven fabric (11) consisting of warp threads (12) and weft threads (13), The seat belt strap (10) is characterized in that it has a 3 / 3 twill weave in at least some parts, in which two warp threads (12) are offset with respect to each weft thread (13).

2. The seat belt strap (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat belt strap (10) has a 3 / 3 twill weave throughout, with two warp threads (12) offset with respect to each weft thread (13).

3. The seat belt strap (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seat belt strap (10) is finished at the edge using edge thread.

4. The seat belt strap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the seat belt strap (10) has a retaining thread and a closing thread at its edge.

5. The seat belt strap (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the seat belt strap (10) has a plurality of strips in the direction of the warp threads (12), the offset of two warp threads (12) within the strip is to the left or to the right, and adjacent strips have offsets in different directions.

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