Securing device for a plug-in device of a seat belt

Abstract

The invention relates to a securing device (10) for a plug-in device (7) of a seat belt (5) in a vehicle, the securing device having a magnet device (12) which is arranged at a predefinable position on a trim part (4) arranged in the vehicle interior, the plug-in device (7) having at least one ferromagnetic portion (9) by means of which the plug-in device (7) can be secured to the magnetic device (12), a receiving contour (14) being formed on the trim part (4) at the predefinable position, which contour, at least partly, form-fittingly receives the plug-in device (7). The invention also relates to a seat belt arrangement (1) for a vehicle, the arrangement having at least one such securing device (10).

Description

[0001] Fixing device for a seat belt connector

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to a fixing device for a seat belt connector in a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a seat belt assembly for a vehicle, comprising at least one such fixing device.

[0004] Fixing devices for the connector of a seat belt in a vehicle, as well as seat belt assemblies for vehicles, are known in numerous variations. When the vehicle seat is unoccupied, the connector of an unused, stowed seat belt hangs freely between a trim panel and the unoccupied seat. Therefore, the connector can develop movement relative to the trim panel during operation. Particularly on rough roads, with open windows, or during fast cornering, the unused, stowed seat belt webbing can begin to swing. When the connector strikes the trim panel and / or the vehicle seat, annoying rattling noises can occur. Various measures to prevent these noises are already known in the prior art.

[0005] From DE 10 2018 122 268 A1, a seat belt assembly is known which comprises a seat belt, a D-ring, a locking tongue, and a buckle. The buckle and the locking tongue can be detachably engaged with each other. The D-ring includes a first slot for sliding the seat belt. The locking tongue includes a second slot for receiving the seat belt. The D-ring includes either a magnetic interface or a metal interface, and the locking tongue includes either the metal interface or the magnetic interface. For example, the D-ring can have the magnetic interface and the locking tongue the metal interface. Alternatively, the D-ring can have the metal interface and the locking tongue the magnetic interface.

[0006] From US Patent 5,218,744 A, a seat belt system for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a magnetic device that can be inserted into a belt buckle, refractor, webbing, or the like. The magnetic device includes a magnet and at least one element located adjacent to the magnet. The magnetic device can be connected to an associated webbing and used as a tongue holder to hold a buckle tongue when the buckle tongue is not in use. When the magnetic device is attached at a suitable position on the webbing, the buckle tongue can be attracted to and held by the magnet of the magnetic device when the buckle tongue is not in use.

[0007] From DE 102011 112 989 A1, a fixing device for a seat belt tongue is known when a seat belt associated with the tongue is not in use. In this device, a magnet is arranged at a predefinable position on a trim panel located in the vehicle interior and / or on a vehicle seat associated with the seat belt, by means of which the ferromagnetic seat belt tongue can be fixed.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a fixing device for a plug-in device of a seat belt in a vehicle and a seat belt arrangement for a vehicle, with at least one such fixing device, which enables improved fixing of the plug-in device of an unused seat belt and avoids disturbing rattling noises.

[0009] This problem is solved by a fixing device for a plug-in device of a seat belt in a vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by a seat belt assembly for a vehicle with the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] To provide a fixing device for a seat belt connector in a vehicle, enabling improved fixation of the connector of an unused seat belt and preventing disruptive rattling noises, the fixing device includes a magnetic device located at a predefinable position on a trim panel in the vehicle interior. The connector has at least one ferromagnetic section by which it can be fixed to the magnetic device. A receiving contour is formed on the trim panel at the predefinable position, which at least partially engages the connector in a form-fitting manner.

[0011] Furthermore, a safety belt arrangement for a vehicle is proposed, comprising a safety belt, a plug-in device associated with the safety belt and at least one such fixing device associated with the plug-in device.

[0012] The additional recessed contour, in combination with the magnetic attraction of the magnetic device, improves the fixation of the connector of an unused seat belt and simultaneously reduces the tendency of the unused webbing to swing. Due to its design, the ferromagnetic section required to close the magnetic field is already integrated into the connector. This means that the effect of the magnetic field can be enhanced by the additional recessed contour on the trim panel. This effectively prevents the connector from rattling against the trim panel and / or the vehicle seat.

[0013] The combination of magnetic holding force and a form-fitting recess helps the connector find its parking position when the corresponding seatbelt is not in use. The magnet, positioned in the pillar trim, attracts the connector, and the recess defines the final parking position. Furthermore, the magnetic field strength of the magnet can be reduced due to the form-fitting support provided by the recess. During longitudinal acceleration or deceleration in ferry operation, the recess on the connector's trim provides a contact surface, preventing the connector from slipping. Unlike a flat contact surface, the recess prevents scratching of the trim.Furthermore, any scratches and impact marks that may still occur are less noticeable to the customer due to the recording contour. In addition, relative movements between the connector and the trim panel, and the resulting audible vibrations, can be prevented or significantly reduced.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the fixing device, the magnetic device can comprise at least one magnet, which is arranged on or integrated into the trim panel on a side facing away from the vehicle interior. The at least one magnet can, for example, be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the fixing device, the plugging device can have a base body and a plugging tongue connected to the base body. Here, the ferromagnetic section can be arranged on the base body of the plugging device and, for example, form a core of the base body.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the fixing device, the receiving contour on the cladding part can be designed as a negative mold contour of the plug-in device. This allows for a particularly good positive fit between the receiving contour and the plug-in device. Furthermore, due to the partially thinner wall thickness of the cladding part resulting from the negative mold contour, the magnetic field strength of the magnetic device can be further reduced. In addition, customers can visually perceive the "embossing" or negative mold contour in the cladding part and the functionality it offers. Preferably, the negative mold contour can be adapted to a rear side of the plug-in device's base body.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the fixing device, the negative mold contour of the plug-in device can be directly incorporated into the injection mold of the fairing part and formed during the injection molding process of the fairing part 4. This enables a particularly simple and cost-effective realization of the receiving contour on the fairing part.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the safety belt arrangement, the trim part with the receiving contour can be arranged on a vehicle pillar and / or on a vehicle seat associated with the safety belt.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the safety belt arrangement, the predefinable position of the receiving contour on the trim part can correspond to a parking position of the plug-in device when the safety belt associated with the plug-in device is not in use.

[0020] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the fixing device according to the invention also apply to the safety belt arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle.

[0021] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. Here, the following are shown:

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective view of a section of a vehicle pillar with an embodiment of a safety belt arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle and an embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention for a plug-in device of a safety belt in a vehicle;

[0023] Fig. 2 is a schematic and perspective detail II from Fig. 1; and

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic and perspective representation of the section of the vehicle column from Fig. 1 without seat belt and plug-in device.

[0025] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the illustrated embodiment of a safety belt assembly 1 according to the invention for a vehicle comprises a safety belt 5, a plug-in device 7 associated with the safety belt 5, and at least one fixing device 10 according to the invention associated with the plug-in device 7. Figures 1 to 3 show only the essential components of the safety belt assembly 1.

[0026] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the illustrated embodiment of the fixing device 10 according to the invention for a plug-in device 7 of a seat belt 5 in a vehicle comprises a magnetic device 12, which is arranged at a predetermined position on a trim panel 4 located in the vehicle interior. The plug-in device 7 has at least one ferromagnetic section 9 by means of which the plug-in device 7 can be fixed to the magnetic device 12. A receiving contour 14 is formed on the trim panel 4 at the predetermined position, which at least partially receives the plug-in device 7 in a form-fitting manner.

[0027] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the trim part 4 with the receiving contour 14 is arranged on the vehicle pillar 3 in the illustrated embodiment of the seat belt assembly 1. In an alternative embodiment of the seat belt assembly 1 (not shown), the trim part 4 with the receiving contour 14 is arranged on a vehicle seat associated with the seat belt 5.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment of the safety belt arrangement 1 or the fixing device 10, the predefinable position of the receiving contour 14 on the trim part 3 corresponds to a parking position of the plug-in device 7 when the safety belt 1 associated with the plug-in device 7 is not in use.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment of the fixing device 10, the magnetic device 12 comprises a magnet 12A designed as a permanent magnet, which is arranged on a side of the trim panel 4 facing away from the vehicle interior. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the at least one magnet 12A of the magnetic device 12 is integrated into the trim panel 4.

[0030] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the plugging device 7 in the illustrated embodiment has a base body 7.1 and a plugging tongue 7.2 connected to the base body 7.1. The ferromagnetic section 9 is arranged on the base body 7.1 of the plugging device 7 and forms a core of the base body 7.1.

[0031] As can be seen particularly in Figures 2 and 3, the receiving contour 14 on the cover part 4 is designed as a negative mold contour 14A of the plug-in device 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the negative mold contour 14A is adapted to a rear side of the base body 7.1 of the plug-in device 7. Here, the negative mold contour 14A of the plug-in device (7) is directly incorporated into the injection mold of the cover part 4 and formed during the injection molding process of the cover part 4.

[0032] REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0033] 1 Seat belt arrangement

[0034] 3 Vehicle pillar 4 Trim panel

[0035] 5 Seatbelt

[0036] 7 Plug-in device

[0037] 7.1 Basic body

[0038] 7.2 Plug tongue 9 ferromagnetic section

[0039] 10 Fixing device

[0040] 12 Magnetic device

[0041] 12A Magnet

[0042] 14 Recording contour 14A Negative form contour

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Fixing device (10) for a plug-in device (7) of a safety belt (5) in a vehicle, with a magnetic device (12) which is arranged at a predefinable position on a trim part (4) located in the vehicle interior, wherein the plug-in device (7) has at least one ferromagnetic section (9) by means of which the plug-in device (7) can be fixed to the magnetic device (12), wherein a receiving contour (14) is formed on the trim part (4) at the predefinable position which receives the plug-in device (7) at least partially in a form-fitting manner.

2. Fixing device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the magnetic device (12) comprises at least one magnet (12A) which is arranged on a side of the trim part (4) facing away from the vehicle interior or is integrated into the trim part (4).

3. Fixing device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plugging device (7) has a base body (7.1 ) and a plugging tongue (7.2) connected to the base body (7.1 ).

4. Fixing device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the ferromagnetic section (9) is arranged on the base body (7.1 ) of the plugging device (7).

5. Fixing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving contour (14) on the cladding part (4) is designed as a negative mold contour (14A) of the plugging device (7).

6. Fixing device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the negative mold contour (14A) is adapted to a rear side of the base body (7.1 ) of the plugging device (7).

7. Fixing device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the negative mold contour (14A) of the plugging device (7) can be directly inserted into the injection mold of the cladding part (4).

8. Seat belt arrangement (1 ) for a vehicle, comprising a seat belt (5), a plug-in device (7) associated with the seat belt (5) and at least one fixing device (10) associated with the plug-in device (7), which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Seat belt arrangement (1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the trim part (4) with the receiving contour (14) is arranged on a vehicle pillar (3) and / or on a vehicle seat associated with the seat belt (5).

10. Safety belt arrangement (1 ) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the predefinable position of the receiving contour (14) on the trim part (3) corresponds to a parking position of the plug-in device (7) when the safety belt (1 ) associated with the plug-in device (7) is not in use.

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