Seat belt buckle device and seat belt device provided with same

Abstract

Provided are a seat belt buckle device and a seat belt device including the same, the seat belt buckle device having improved performance in terms of, e.g., the ease of mounting on a vehicle, due to, e.g., simplification of the wiring of a device configured to issue an alarm to an occupant by vibration. To achieve this, a seat belt buckle device (60) according to the present disclosure comprises a buckle (70) configured for detachable engagement with a tongue attached to a seat belt, and a buckle stay (80). The seat belt buckle device comprises a vibration motor (73) that generates vibration, and an ECU (74) that controls the vibration motor (73). The vibration motor (73) and the ECU (74) may be provided inside the buckle (70), or outside the buckle (70) at a position within a predetermined distance from the buckle (70). The ECU (74) may drive the vibration motor (73) on the basis of the engagement / disengagement state between the buckle (70) and the tongue.

Description

Seatbelt buckle device and seatbelt device equipped with same

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat belt buckle device and a seat belt device including the same.

[0002] Among seat belt devices for vehicles, a seat belt buckle device including a buckle and a buckle stay with a detachable tongue attached to the seat belt has been proposed, which includes a vibration element in the buckle and is configured to issue a warning to the occupant by vibration (see, for example, Patent Document 1). To actually install such a seat belt buckle device with a vibration warning function in a vehicle, a control device (ECU) is required to control the device and the warning function.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-083942

[0004] However, when actually installing a seat belt buckle device in a vehicle, depending on the configuration and arrangement of the control unit (ECU) that controls the device or the alarm function, wiring when installed in the vehicle may become difficult, which may result in a decrease in suitability or advantage in terms of installation in the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat belt buckle device and a seat belt device equipped with the same that have improved performance, such as ease of installation in a vehicle, by simplifying the wiring of a device configured to issue an alarm to occupants by vibration.

[0006] The present inventors have conducted various studies to solve these problems. In particular, as automobiles move toward autonomous driving in recent years, a user interface for transmitting warnings and information to occupants is required. Under these circumstances, a means for transmitting warnings by mounting a motor on the seat belt retractor and retracting the seat belt already exists for seat belt devices. However, installing a large motor there tends to increase costs. Another possible means for generating a warning by a tactile sensation in a seat belt device is to mount a vibration motor on the seat belt buckle device, which can be realized at a lower cost than the former method. After conducting such studies from various perspectives regarding such seat belt buckle devices and further studying various performance aspects related to ease of installation, the present inventors have arrived at findings that lead to a solution to the problems.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention, which was conceived based on such findings, is a seat belt buckle device including a buckle and a buckle stay configured so that a tongue attached to a seat belt can be engaged and disengaged, the seat belt buckle device also comprising: a vibration motor that generates vibrations; and an ECU that controls the vibration motor.

[0008] This seat belt buckle device is equipped with both a vibration motor that can transmit signals such as warnings to occupants by vibration and an ECU, which makes it possible to simplify the wiring from the ECU to the vibration motor and to independently control the vibration motor, etc. This seat belt buckle device can improve performance such as ease of installation in a vehicle.

[0009] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, the vibration motor and the ECU may be provided inside or outside the buckle at a position within a predetermined distance from the buckle.

[0010] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, the ECU may drive the vibration motor based on the engagement / disengagement state of the buckle and the tongue.

[0011] The seat belt buckle device as described above may further include a buckle switch that detects the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue.

[0012] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, vibration may be controlled by the ECU so that the resonance frequency corresponds to the resonance characteristics of the seat belt buckle device.

[0013] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, the buckle may be excited by a vibration motor based on a natural frequency determined from the mass m of the buckle and the spring constant k of the buckle stay.

[0014] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, a metal member and an elastic member for pressing the tongue inserted into the buckle against the metal member may be provided within the buckle.

[0015] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, the metal member may have a shape including a plate-like portion.

[0016] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, the metal member may be channel-shaped.

[0017] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, the elastic member may be formed of a leaf spring arranged behind the insertion port of the buckle into which the tongue is inserted.

[0018] The seat belt buckle device as described above may further include a current detection circuit for measuring the current of the vibration motor.

[0019] In the seat belt buckle device as described above, when the buckle and the tongue are in a disengaged state, the current value detected by the current detection circuit may be set to a value at which maximum vibration occurs in the vibration motor, and when the buckle and the tongue are in an engaged state, the current value may be set to a value smaller than the value at which maximum vibration occurs.

[0020] A seat belt device according to the present invention includes the seat belt buckle device described above.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a seat belt buckle device and a seat belt device equipped with the same that have improved performance, such as ease of installation in a vehicle, by simplifying the wiring of a device configured to issue an alarm to occupants by vibration.

[0022] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a motor, a power transmission mechanism, a final gear, a spindle, etc. that constitute a seat belt retractor. FIG. 2 is a view showing a first embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 3 is a view showing a second embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 4 is a view showing a third embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 5 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 6 is a view explaining a fifth embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the load current of a vibration motor. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a vibration buckle circuit explaining a sixth embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 9 is a view explaining the principle of transmitting vibration to an occupant when the seat belt is not fastened. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of operation when a belt is not fastened warning is issued in a seventh embodiment of a seat belt buckle device. FIG. 11 is a view explaining an eighth embodiment of a seat belt buckle device, (A) showing the internal structure of a conventional seat belt buckle device, (B) showing the internal structure of the seat belt buckle device of the present application that improves vibration transmission efficiency and prevents noise during operation. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a seat belt buckle device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a seat belt buckle device according to a second embodiment.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a seat belt buckle device and a seat belt apparatus including the same according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings (see FIGS. 1 to 13).

[0024] [Outline of the Configuration of the Seatbelt Retractor] First, the outline of the configuration of the seatbelt retractor 4 that constitutes the seatbelt device 1 will be described (see FIGS. 1 and 9).

[0025] The seat belt retractor 4 is a device for a vehicle configured to retract the seat belt 2. The seat belt retractor 4 of this embodiment is a motorized retractor for a motorized seat belt (sometimes called a "PP" (Pre-Pretensioner)) that retracts the seat belt 2 by the power of a motor, and is configured with a spindle 10, a drive motor 20, a power transmission mechanism 30, a final gear 33, a clutch 34, etc. (see FIG. 1 ).

[0026] The spindle 10 is a member that retracts the seat belt 2 and is provided so as to be rotatable forward and reverse around a central axis (see FIG. 1). For convenience, in this specification, the forward rotation direction of the spindle 10, etc., to retract the seat belt 2 will be referred to as the "retracting direction," and the reverse rotation direction to unreel the seat belt 2 will be referred to as the "clutch releasing direction."

[0027] The drive motor 20 is a power source that generates power to rotate the spindle 10. When the drive motor 20 is rotated in one direction (referred to as the "first direction" in this specification), the power is transmitted by the clutch 34, and the spindle 10 rotates in the winding direction. When the drive motor 20 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the final gear 33 rotates in the clutch release direction (see FIG. 1).

[0028] The power transmission mechanism 30 is a mechanism for transmitting the power of the drive motor 20 to the spindle 10. For example, in this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 30 includes a motor gear 31, a transmission shaft (intermediate gear) 32, a final gear 33, and a clutch 34. The motor gear 31 is composed of a worm attached to the output shaft 21 of the drive motor 20 (see FIG. 1). The transmission shaft 32 is a member for transmitting the power of the drive motor 20 to the final gear 33. The transmission shaft 32 is provided with a first helical gear 32a that meshes with the motor gear 31 and a second helical gear 32b that meshes with the final gear 33 (see FIG. 1).

[0029] The final gear 33 is one of the gears that make up the power transmission mechanism 30, and is made up of a large-diameter helical gear that is rotatably arranged on the central axis of the spindle 10. The final gear 33 in this embodiment is a gear that is arranged at the end of the gear train that makes up the power transmission mechanism 30. The outer periphery of the final gear 33 is formed with helical teeth (helical teeth) 33a that mesh with the second helical gear 32b of the transmission shaft 32.

[0030] The clutch 34 is a mechanism for transmitting or blocking the rotation of the final gear 33 to the spindle 10, and is disposed between the final gear 33 and the spindle 10 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, a so-called one-way clutch is used for the clutch 34, which is engaged when the drive motor 20 is rotated in a first direction and transmits the rotation of the final gear 33 to the spindle 10, but is not engaged when the drive motor 20 is rotated in a second direction. The configuration of the one-way clutch itself is similar to that of the conventional seat belt retractor 4, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted in this specification. However, for example, the one-way clutch may include a one-way clutch pawl (latch) 34b that engages with a ratchet gear 35a of a clutch housing 35 only when the final gear 33 rotates in one direction (see FIG. 1).

[0031] [First Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] Next, a description will be given of a seatbelt buckle device 60 constituting the seatbelt device 1 (see FIG. 2 etc.). The seatbelt buckle device 60 of this embodiment includes a tongue 2t attached to the seatbelt 2, a buckle 70 configured to allow the tongue 2t to be attached and detached (also referred to as "detachable" in this specification), a buckle stay (bracket) 80 supporting the buckle 70, and a vibration motor 73 mounted on the buckle 70.

[0032] The buckle 70 includes a buckle head (cover member) 71 and a buckle switch 72. A vibration motor 73 and an ECU 74 are provided inside the buckle head 71.

[0033] The buckle head 71 is made up of a cover member that constitutes a housing that serves as a wall of the buckle 70. An insertion port 71a through which the tongue 2t is inserted and removed is provided at the top of the buckle head 71 (see FIG. 2). The buckle head 71 is attached and fixed to a channel member 77 that is a frame of a channel structure inside the buckle 70.

[0034] The buckle switch 72 is disposed inside the buckle head 71 and functions as a device (buckle fastening sensor) for detecting whether the seat belt buckle device 60 is in a predetermined state. In this embodiment, a contact switch-type slide switch is used as the buckle switch 72, which detects the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t based on whether the tongue 2t of the seat belt 2 is fastened to the buckle 70. However, a Hall sensor-type slide switch may be used instead of the contact switch-type, or both may be used.

[0035] The vibration motor 73 is a relatively inexpensive vibration actuator. In this embodiment, a DC brush motor having an eccentric weight 73b that generates vibrations by rotating the eccentric weight 73b is used as the vibration motor 73 (see FIG. 13 ). Note that, in addition to such a motor, an actuator that generates vibrations by reciprocating motion can also be used. When the vibration motor 73 is mounted on the buckle 70 as in this example, vibrations can be transmitted to the seat 5 through the buckle stay 80 (see FIG. 9 ), and the vibration motor 73 can also be used as a device that vibrates the seat 5 using an audio signal. Furthermore, when the vehicle is stopped, such a vibration system can be used to vibrate the seat 5 even when the seat belt 2 is not fastened. Incidentally, the frequency needs to be changed to transmit vibrations more efficiently when transmitting vibrations via the seat belt 2 to a fastened occupant and when transmitting vibrations via the seat 5 to an unfastened occupant. In this case, the rotational speeds of the motors (actuator operating frequencies) may be switched by a switch signal that indicates whether the tongue 2t is attached to or detached from the buckle 70.

[0036] The ECU 74 is a device that controls the vibration motor 73. The ECU 74 of this embodiment drives the vibration motor 73 based on the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t, i.e., whether the tongue 2t is fastened to the buckle 70. The ECU 74 of this embodiment is connected to the buckle switch 72 and the vibration motor 73 by harnesses 72a and 73a, respectively. In addition to controlling the drive of the vibration motor 73, the ECU 74 can also detect a signal from the buckle switch 72, read the fastening state of the tongue 2t, and input the information to the vehicle side via a network.

[0037] The power supply wiring 75 and the communication wiring 76 are wired to connect the ECU 74 to an ECU (not shown) on the vehicle side.

[0038] The seat belt buckle device 60 of this embodiment configured as described above can transmit a signal such as a warning to an occupant by vibrating the vibration motor 73. Moreover, since the seat belt buckle device 60 is configured to include both the vibration motor 73 and the ECU 74, the wiring of the harness 73a from the ECU 74 to the vibration motor 73 and the wiring of the harness 72a from the ECU 74 to the buckle switch 72 can be shortened and simplified, and the vibration motor 74 can be independently controlled by the ECU 74.

[0039] [Second Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] In a seatbelt buckle device 60 of this embodiment, the vibration motor 73 and the ECU 74 are provided outside the buckle 70, rather than inside the buckle head 71 of the buckle 70. In this case, it is preferable that the vibration motor 73 and the ECU 74 be provided within a predetermined distance from the buckle 70 and as close to the buckle 70 as possible. In this embodiment, a vibration device 79 including the vibration motor 73 and the ECU 74, as well as a harness 73a connecting the vibration motor 73 and the ECU 74, is disposed on the buckle stay 80 directly below the buckle head 71 (see FIGS. 3, 12, and 13). Even in a seatbelt buckle device 60 configured in this manner, it is possible to shorten and simplify the wiring and achieve independent control of the vibration motor 74 by the ECU 74.

[0040] [Third Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] In a seatbelt buckle device 60 of this embodiment, a vibration device 79 including a vibration motor 73 is provided on a buckle stay 80, and an ECU 74 is provided at a position separate from the seatbelt buckle device 60 but within a predetermined distance from the seatbelt buckle device 60, for example, on the frame (not shown) of the seat 5 (see FIG. 4). In a seatbelt buckle device 60 configured in this way, it is possible to shorten and simplify the wiring and to achieve independent control of the vibration motor 74 by the ECU 74.

[0041] [Fourth Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] A single ECU 74 may be provided for the seatbelt buckle devices 60 of two seats (e.g., the driver's seat and the passenger's seat). Considering the use of the vibration motor 73 for purposes other than the warning signal described above, it is entirely conceivable that the vibration motor 73 will also be used in seats other than the driver's seat. In this embodiment, a vibration device 79 including a vibration motor 73 is provided on the buckle stay 80 of each of the two seats (e.g., the driver's seat and the passenger's seat). A buckle switch 72 is provided in each buckle head 71. A single ECU 74 is connected to both vibration motors 73 (see FIG. 5 ). The ECU 74 is located within a predetermined distance from and near the seatbelt buckle devices 60, for example, between the two seats. Even with this configuration, the seatbelt buckle device 60 can achieve shortened and simplified wiring and independent control of the vibration motor 74 by the ECU 74.

[0042] [Fifth Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] The seatbelt buckle device 60 of this embodiment is configured to have vibration controlled by the ECU 74 so as to achieve a resonant frequency corresponding to the resonant characteristics of the seatbelt buckle device 60. Vibration control by the ECU 74 in this manner enables efficient vibration generation, making it possible to use a smaller vibration motor 73 while still generating vibrations large enough to signal an alarm or the like. To achieve a resonant frequency corresponding to the resonant characteristics of the seatbelt buckle device 60, the vibration period T is calculated based on Equation 1, which is calculated from the mass m of the buckle 70 and the spring constant k of the buckle stay 80, and the vibration motor 73 is excited based on the natural frequency calculated from this equation (see FIG. 6 ). The seatbelt buckle device 60, which is composed of the buckle 70 and the buckle stay 80, can be viewed from another perspective, with the buckle 70 as a weight with mass m and the buckle stay 80 as a spring with spring constant k. Based on this, large vibrations can be generated by exciting the vibration motor 73 near the natural frequency determined by these factors. In this case, the resonance frequency can be known from the design value of the buckle stay 80, and the vibration 3 motor can be controlled to generate vibration of that frequency.

[0043] Here, the magnitude of the current when the vibration motor 73 using a DC motor is operated alone and when it is mounted on the seatbelt buckle device 60 and vibrates the buckle 70 is shown in a graph (see FIG. 7 ). From this graph, it can be seen that the load current is larger when the buckle 70 is vibrated than when the vibration motor 73 is operated alone. This is because the vibration of the buckle 70 itself, which the vibration motor 73 is trying to excite, vibrates the vibration motor 73 itself, and the eccentric weight 73b of the vibration motor 73 is affected by the kinetic energy of the buckle vibration, which becomes a load on the vibration motor 73. Given the specifications of the vibration motor 73, the current value when a certain voltage is applied is known. Therefore, these known values ​​can be stored in advance in the ECU 74 that controls the vibration motor 73, and the degree of vibration can be determined by comparing them with the detected value during actual operation.

[0044] [Sixth Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] One method for sensing the magnitude of vibration when the vibrating motor 73 is operated is to detect the magnitude of the load on the DC motor. The load on the DC motor can be determined by detecting and measuring the value of the current flowing through the motor. An example of a block diagram of a circuit (referred to as a "vibrating buckle circuit") 150 that enables such sensing is shown in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 8). Here, reference numerals 152, 154, and 156 denote a regulator, a motor drive circuit, and a current detection circuit, respectively. Power is supplied to the regulator 152 and the motor drive circuit 154 from an external battery 160. The ECU 74 is connected to, for example, the vehicle's ECU via an external interface. The ECU 74 also receives the current value detected by the current detection circuit 156 as motor current information and outputs a signal to the motor drive circuit 154 based on the information. In this way, by providing a current detection circuit 156 and using it to measure the current value of the vibration motor 73, it becomes possible for the ECU 74 to detect the state of vibration without adding an acceleration sensor or the like, which makes it possible to detect the state of tension of the seat belt 2, to detect whether anything is touching the buckle 70, and even to use it for feedback control.

[0045] [Seventh Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] An alert (warning) generated by vibration of the buckle 70 or the seatbelt buckle device 60 can be transmitted to the occupant via the structure of the seat 5 (for example, a seat frame (not shown) below the seat cushion 5s) even when the occupant is not fastening the seatbelt 2 (see FIG. 9 ). In this case, the vibration frequency that is most easily transmitted is different from the vibration frequency when the seatbelt is fastened. In this regard, the seatbelt buckle device 60 equipped with the ECU 74 described above can determine whether the seatbelt 2 is fastened or not by detecting the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t using the buckle switch 72, and can respond by controlling the operation to set the vibration frequency to a frequency that is easily transmitted when the seatbelt is not fastened, thereby enabling the device to be used as an alert function when the seatbelt is not fastened.

[0046] An example of the operation of the seat belt buckle device 60 when monitoring the seat belt 2 fastening status and issuing a seat belt unfastened alert will be described (see FIG. 10 ). When the vehicle is stopped, it is determined whether the seat belt 2 is fastened (step SP1). If the seat belt 2 is unfastened, the ECU 74 outputs a seat belt unfastened signal to the vehicle (ECU) (step SP2). If the vehicle starts moving while the seat belt unfastened signal is being output, the vibration motor 73 is driven at maximum amplitude to alert the occupant by vibrating (steps SP3 and SP4). On the other hand, if the seat belt 2 is fastened (step SP1), the ECU 74 outputs a seat belt fastening signal to the vehicle (ECU) (step SP5), and then waits for an alert command from the vehicle (ECU) (step SP6). When the alert command is output, the vibration motor 73 is driven to vibrate, initiating a vibration alert (step SP7).

[0047] In addition, if the circuit (vibration buckle circuit 150) is provided with the current detection circuit 156 as described above, the current value detected by the current detection circuit 156 may be set to a value at which maximum vibration occurs in the vibration motor 73 when the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t are disengaged (seat belt not fastened), and the current value may be set to a value smaller than the value at which maximum vibration occurs when the buckle 70 and the tongue 2t are engaged (seat belt fastened). By switching the control method in this way, it is possible to transmit vibrations through the seat 5 when the seat belt 2 is not fastened, thereby more reliably transmitting the vibrations to the occupant.

[0048] [Eighth Embodiment of Seatbelt Buckle Device] A seatbelt buckle device 60 of this embodiment includes a channel member 77 and a leaf spring 78 within a buckle 70 (see FIG. 11B). The leaf spring 78 is arranged to press the tongue 2t, which is inserted into the buckle 70 through the insertion port 71a, against the channel member 77. By keeping the tongue 2t in close contact with the channel member 77, the efficiency of vibration transmission to the seatbelt 2 is improved and noise and other noise that may occur during vibration are suppressed compared to when this is not the case (see FIG. 11A; in FIG. 11A, components corresponding to those in FIG. 11B are indicated by symbols with a prime (')). The channel member 77 in the buckle 70 of this embodiment is made of a metal member formed in a channel shape to fit the shape of the tongue 2t. The leaf spring 78 is disposed at a position behind the insertion port 71a, that is, below and behind the insertion port 71a, so as to press the tongue 2t against a plate-shaped portion 77p at approximately the center of the channel member 77 (see FIG. 11B ). However, what has been described here is merely a preferred example, and other embodiments are also possible, such as a configuration in which the channel member 77 is not made of metal, a configuration in which the channel member 77 has a shape other than a channel shape, a configuration in which the leaf spring 78 is disposed at a position other than the rear of the insertion port 71a, or a configuration in which an elastic member other than the leaf spring 78 is used as the spring.

[0049] The above-described embodiment is one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0050] Additional Considerations Regarding Various Embodiments

[0051] [Embodiment 1] A seatbelt buckle device including a buckle and a buckle stay configured so that a tongue attached to a seatbelt can be engaged and disengaged, the seatbelt buckle device further comprising: a vibration motor that generates vibrations; and an ECU that controls the vibration motor.

[0052] [Embodiment 2] The seat belt buckle device according to embodiment 1, wherein the vibration motor and the ECU are provided inside or outside the buckle at a position within a predetermined distance from the buckle.

[0053] [Embodiment 3] The seatbelt buckle device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the ECU drives the vibration motor based on the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue.

[0054] [Embodiment 4] The seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, further comprising a buckle switch for detecting the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue.

[0055] [Embodiment 5] A seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the ECU controls vibration so that the resonance frequency corresponds to the resonance characteristics of the seat belt buckle device.

[0056] [Embodiment 6] A seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the vibration motor vibrates based on a natural frequency determined from a mass m of the buckle and a spring constant k of the buckle stay.

[0057] [Embodiment 7] A seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein a metal member and an elastic member that presses the tongue inserted into the buckle against the metal member are provided within the buckle.

[0058] [Embodiment 8] The seat belt buckle device according to embodiment 7, wherein the metal member has a shape including a plate-shaped portion.

[0059] [Embodiment 9] The seat belt buckle device according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the metal member is channel-shaped.

[0060] [Embodiment 10] A seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 7 to 9, wherein the elastic member is configured as a leaf spring arranged after the insertion port of the buckle into which the tongue is inserted.

[0061] [Embodiment 11] The seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, further comprising a current detection circuit for measuring a current of the vibration motor.

[0062] [Embodiment 12] A seat belt buckle device as described in embodiment 11, wherein when the buckle and the tongue are in a disengaged state, the current value detected by the current detection circuit is set to a value at which maximum vibration occurs in the vibration motor, and when the buckle and the tongue are in an engaged state, the current value is set to a value smaller than the value at which maximum vibration occurs.

[0063] [Embodiment 13] A seat belt device comprising the seat belt buckle device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12.

[0064] The present invention is suitable for application to a seat belt buckle device and a seat belt device including the same.

[0065] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Seat belt device 2...Seat belt 2t, 2t'...Tongue 4...Seat belt retractor 5...Seat 5s...Seat surface 10...Spindle 20...Drive motor 21...Output shaft 30...Power transmission mechanism 31...Motor gear 32...Transmission shaft 32a...First helical gear 32b...Second helical gear 33...Final gear 33a...Helical 34...Clutch 34b...One-way clutch pawl 35...Clutch housing 35a...Ratchet gear 60...Seat belt buckle device 70, 70'...Buckle 71, 71'...Buckle head (cover member) 71a...Socket 72...Buckle switch 72a...Harness 73...Vibration motor 73a...Harness 73b...Weight 74...ECU 75...Power supply wiring 76...Communication wiring 77, 77'...Channel member (metal member) 77p...Plate-shaped portion 78...Leaf spring (elastic member) 79...Vibration device 80, 80'...Buckle stay 150...Vibration buckle circuit 152...Regulator 154...Motor drive circuit 156...Current detection circuit 160...External battery

Claims

1. A seatbelt buckle device including a buckle and a buckle stay configured so that a tongue attached to the seatbelt can be engaged and disengaged, the seatbelt buckle device also comprising: a vibration motor that generates vibrations; and an ECU that controls the vibration motor.

2. The seatbelt buckle device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration motor and the ECU are provided inside or outside the buckle at a position within a predetermined distance from the buckle.

3. The seatbelt buckle device according to claim 1, wherein the ECU drives the vibration motor based on the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue.

4. The seat belt buckle device according to claim 3, further comprising a buckle switch that detects the engaged / disengaged state of the buckle and the tongue.

5. A seat belt buckle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ECU controls vibration so that the resonance frequency corresponds to the resonance characteristics of the seat belt buckle device.

6. A seatbelt buckle device according to claim 5, wherein the vibration is excited by the vibration motor based on a natural frequency determined from the mass m of the buckle and the spring constant k of the buckle stay.

7. A seat belt buckle device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the buckle is provided with a metal member and an elastic member that presses the tongue inserted into the buckle against the metal member.

8. A seat belt buckle device according to claim 7, wherein the metal member has a shape including a plate-like portion.

9. The seat belt buckle device according to claim 8, wherein the metal member is channel-shaped.

10. A seat belt buckle device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the elastic member is composed of a leaf spring disposed after the insertion opening of the buckle into which the tongue is inserted.

11. The seat belt buckle device according to claim 4, further comprising a current detection circuit for measuring the current of the vibration motor.

12. A seat belt buckle device as described in claim 11, wherein when the buckle and the tongue are in a disengaged state, the current value detected by the current detection circuit is set to a value at which maximum vibration occurs in the vibration motor, and when the buckle and the tongue are in an engaged state, the current value is set to a value smaller than the value at which maximum vibration occurs.

13. A seat belt device comprising the seat belt buckle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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