Weaving method for seat belt webbing, and seat belt webbing

Abstract

A weaving method for seat belt webbing (10), and the seat belt webbing (10). The weaving method for seat belt webbing (10) comprises the following steps: providing a first yarn (11), a second yarn (12), and a third yarn (13); enabling the first yarn (11) to extend in a first direction, enabling the second yarn (12) to extend in a second direction different from the first direction, and weaving the first yarn (11) and the second yarn (12), so as to form a first layer (110) and a second layer (120) of the seat belt webbing (10); at a separation section (102) between the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), weaving the third yarn (13) into either the first layer (110) or the second layer (120); and positioning a first section (131) of the third yarn (13) between the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), and enabling a second section (132) of the third yarn (13) to protrude from the outer surface of the seat belt webbing (10) by a predetermined distance. Some sections of the third yarn (13) are configured to protrude from the outer surface of the seat belt webbing (10), and the remaining sections are positioned in a cavity (103) of the seat belt webbing (10), such that a functional member can be introduced into the cavity (103) of the seat belt webbing (10) by pulling out the third yarn (13). Therefore, the position of the functional member can be conveniently designed, and the functional member can be flexibly arranged in the seat belt webbing (10).

Description

Seat belt webbing weaving method and seat belt webbing Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to safety devices for vehicles, and more specifically, to a method for weaving seat belt webbing and seat belt webbing itself. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle seat belts include webbing, which is typically formed from fabric through weaving. In the event of rapid vehicle deceleration and the corresponding force acting on the vehicle occupants, the seat belts are used to secure the occupants to their seats. The seat belts are part of a safety device that includes a pretensioner that can tension the webbing in the event of an impending collision. This ensures that vehicle occupants are secured to their seats via the seat belts, for example, in the initial stages of a collision.

[0003] The seatbelt comes into contact with the body of the passenger seated in the seat. To meet the passenger's heating requirements, heating elements may be incorporated into the seatbelt; alternatively, lighting elements may be incorporated to facilitate the passenger's wearing of the seatbelt in dimly lit environments. Therefore, heating or lighting elements are typically woven into the seatbelt. However, weaving heating or lighting elements into the seatbelt makes it difficult to flexibly design their placement within the seatbelt.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a seat belt webbing that can flexibly accommodate functional components. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for weaving seat belt webbing that allows for flexible placement of functional components, and a seat belt webbing itself.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a method for weaving seat belt webbing, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Provide the first yarn, the second yarn, and the third yarn.

[0008] The first thread is extended in a first direction, and the second thread is extended in a second direction different from the first direction. The first thread and the second thread are then woven together to form a first layer and a second layer of the seatbelt webbing.

[0009] At the separation section between the first layer and the second layer, the third thread is woven into one of the first layer and the second layer, and a first section of the third thread is positioned between the first layer and the second layer, and a second section of the third thread protrudes from the outer surface of the seat belt webbing by a predetermined distance.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, a fourth thread is further provided, at the separation section, such that the fourth thread extends from the outer side through the inner side in only one of the first layer and the second layer, and then returns to the outer side, so as to separate the first layer and the second layer from each other.

[0011] At the connection point between the first layer and the second layer, the fourth thread extends from the outer side of the first layer, passes through the inner sides of both the first layer and the second layer, the outer side of the second layer, and then returns to the outer side of the first layer, so that the first layer and the second layer are connected to each other.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the separating section and the connecting section are alternately arranged in the width direction of the seat belt webbing.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first direction is defined as the length direction of the seat belt webbing, and the second direction is defined as the width direction of the seat belt webbing.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, both the third and fourth threads extend along the first direction.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, a functional element is provided, which is fixed to the first or second segment of the third webbing, and then a force is applied to the second or first segment of the third webbing and the third webbing is pulled out from the seat belt webbing, such that the functional element is positioned between the first and second layers.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a seat belt webbing,

[0017] in,

[0018] The seat belt webbing is manufactured according to the aforementioned seat belt webbing weaving method, and includes a cavity defined by the first layer and the second layer at the separation section, wherein a functional element is disposed in the cavity.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at the separation section, the fourth thread extends from its outer side through the inner side in only one of the first layer and the second layer, and then returns to the outer side again;

[0020] At the connection point between the first layer and the second layer, the fourth thread extends from the outer side of the first layer, passes through the inner sides of both the first layer and the second layer, the outer side of the second layer, and then returns to the outer side of the first layer.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the separating segments and a plurality of the connecting segments are provided, the separating segments and the connecting segments being arranged alternately in the width direction of the seat belt webbing to form a plurality of cavities.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the functional component is configured as a webbing heating element or a webbing lighting element. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same symbols denote the same elements, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figures 2-4 schematically illustrate a method for weaving seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes a method for weaving seatbelt webbing according to the present invention and specific embodiments of the seatbelt webbing. The detailed description and accompanying drawings are provided to exemplify the principles of the invention. The invention is not limited to the described preferred embodiments; the various embodiments described can be used individually or in any combination. The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the claims.

[0027] Furthermore, spatially related terms (such as "up," "down," "left," and "right") are used to describe the relative positional relationship between elements shown in the accompanying drawings and other elements. Therefore, spatially related terms can be applied to directions different from those shown in the accompanying drawings. Clearly, while all these spatially related terms refer to the directions shown in the accompanying drawings for ease of explanation, those skilled in the art will understand that directions different from those shown in the accompanying drawings can be used.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the seatbelt webbing 10 includes a first layer 110 and a second layer 120, meaning the seatbelt webbing 10 has a double-layer structure, with the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 overlapping in the thickness direction of the seatbelt webbing 10. The first layer 110 and the second layer 120 are connected together in some sections and separated from each other in other sections. That is, the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 have a connecting section 101 and a separating section 102. Furthermore, at the separating section 102, the seatbelt webbing 10 includes a cavity 103 defined by the first layer 110 and the second layer 120, in which a functional element (not shown) can be disposed. It is understood that the cavity 103 includes a receiving space defined by an upper wall and a lower wall, and the upper wall and the lower wall of the cavity 103 are respectively part of the first layer 110 and the second layer 120. At the connecting section 101, the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 are connected together, thus leaving no cavity between them. In one example, the functional component can be configured as a webbing heater; in another example, the functional component can be configured as a webbing light. It should be noted that no functional component has been introduced into the seatbelt webbing 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0030] It should be noted that each of the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 is woven from a first yarn 11 and a second yarn 12. Referring to Figures 2-4, the first yarn 11 extends in a first direction, and the second yarn 12 extends in a second direction. The first direction is defined as the length direction of the seatbelt webbing 10, and the second direction is defined as the width direction of the seatbelt webbing 10. The first yarn 11 is generally referred to as the warp, and the second yarn 12 is generally referred to as the weft. The weft extends transversely to the warp and interweaves with it. Although the figures show one weft extending in the shed between two warp yarns, this is merely an example, and the seatbelt webbing of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two weft yarns may extend as a single strand in the shed between two warp yarns, or one weft yarn may extend in the shed between two strands of warp yarns, with each warp yarn comprising two warp yarns.

[0031] Referring again to Figure 1. The seatbelt webbing 10 also includes a third thread 13, which in this example also extends in the first direction. The third thread 13 has a section (not shown in Figure 1) positioned in the cavity 103 and a section exposed on the outer surface of the seatbelt webbing 10 (i.e., the portion shown by the arc segment in Figure 1). When a functional element needs to be introduced, it can be secured to the third thread 13, for example, by knotting. Then, force is applied to the section of the third thread 13 exposed on the outer surface of the seatbelt webbing 10, or force can be applied to the end of the third thread 13 positioned in the cavity 103, so that the third thread 13 moves along the length of the seatbelt webbing 10 until it is pulled away from the seatbelt webbing 13. At the same time, the functional element moves with the third thread 13 and enters the cavity 13. Furthermore, if necessary, some sections of the functional element can continue to move to the outer surface of the seatbelt webbing 10 after entering the cavity 13. In other words, the third weft thread 13 acts as an introducer, allowing the functional component to be introduced into the cavity 13 of the seatbelt webbing 10, and even, in some cases, guided to the outer surface. This allows for the flexible introduction of the functional component into the predetermined position of the seatbelt webbing 10. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the third weft thread is described as extending in a first direction; however, the seatbelt webbing of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the functional component needs to extend in the width direction of the seatbelt webbing, the third weft thread also needs to be positioned on the seatbelt webbing in a manner extending along the width direction. Alternatively, the third weft thread can also be arranged on the seatbelt webbing in other orientations as needed.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the seat belt webbing 10 includes four cavities 103, which extend continuously along the length of the seat belt webbing 10 and penetrate the entire length of the seat belt webbing 10. In one example, the four cavities 103 include two cavities 103 located at the edge of the seat belt webbing 10 in the width direction. For this purpose, the seat belt webbing 10 includes four separating segments 102 and three connecting segments 101, which are alternately arranged in the width direction of the seat belt webbing 10. In another example, none of the four cavities 103 are located at the edge of the seat belt webbing 10 in the width direction. For this purpose, the seat belt webbing 10 includes four separating segments 102 and five connecting segments 101, which are alternately arranged in the width direction of the seat belt webbing 10.

[0033] Figures 2-4 schematically illustrate a method for weaving seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for weaving seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2-4.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2-4, the weaving method of the seat belt webbing of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0035] Provides first yarn 11, second yarn 12 and third yarn 13,

[0036] The first weft thread 11 extends in a first direction (as previously described, the length direction of the seat belt webbing 10), and the second weft thread 12 extends in a second direction (as previously described, the width direction of the seat belt webbing 10). The first weft thread 11 and the second weft thread 12 are then woven together to form a first layer 110 and a second layer 120 of the seat belt webbing 10. It should be noted that the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 can be manufactured separately and formed as two separate layers, then overlapped in the thickness direction and their edges secured by, for example, stitching; alternatively, the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 can be formed as a single layer, then folded and secured at the edges by, for example, stitching, to form a two-layer structure. Both of these methods are included in the seat belt webbing weaving method of the present invention.

[0037] As previously described, some segments of the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 are separated from each other, while other segments of both are connected to each other. Therefore, positions for forming separate segments and positions for forming connecting segments are provided on the first layer 110 and the second layer 120. For ease of description, the positions for forming separate segments are also referred to as separate segments, and the positions for forming connecting segments are also referred to as connecting segments. The following description is based on this definition.

[0038] At the separation section 102 (where the separation section will be formed) between the first layer 110 and the second layer 120, the third weave 13 is woven into the first layer 110. This is merely an example; the third weave 13 can also be woven into the second layer 120. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first section 131 of the third weave 13 is positioned between the first layer 110 and the second layer 120, and the second section 132 of the third weave 13 protrudes a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the seatbelt webbing 10. When a functional element needs to be introduced, it can be fixed to the left or right first section 131 of the third weave 13 in Figure 2. Then, force is applied to the second section 132 to pull the third weave 13 away from the seatbelt webbing 10. Alternatively, force can be applied to the first section 131 where the functional element is not fixed to pull the third weave 13 away from the seatbelt webbing 10. Furthermore, as the third webbing 13 is pulled away from the seatbelt webbing 10, the functional component is introduced into the cavity 103. As shown in Figure 2, the second segment 132 of the third webbing 13 crosses eight second webbings 12, but this is just an example, and the position and length of the second segment 132 can be selected as needed.

[0039] To provide the connecting section 101, a fourth webbing 14 is also provided, as shown in FIG2. Both the fourth webbing 14 and the third webbing 13 extend along a first direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at the separation section 102 (the location where the separation section will be formed), the fourth webbing 14 extends from the outer side of the first layer 110 (or, of course, the second layer 120) through the inner side and then returns to the outer side, thereby separating the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 from each other. It can be understood that the position where the fourth webbing 14 enters the inner side from the outer side of the first layer 110 is different from the position where it returns to the outer side from the inner side. That is, along the length direction of the seat belt webbing 10, a plurality of predetermined points are provided at intervals for the fourth webbing 14 to enter or exit the cavity 103. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, at the connection section 101 (where the connection section will be formed) of the first layer 110 and the second layer 120, the fourth webbing 14 extends from the outer side of the first layer 110, passes through the inner sides of both the first layer 110 and the second layer 120, and the outer side of the second layer 120, and then returns to the outer side of the first layer 110, so that the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 are connected to each other. Similarly, the position where the fourth webbing 14 enters the inner side from the outer side of the first layer 110 is different from the position where it returns to the outer side, and the position where it enters the outer side from the inner side of the second layer 120 is different from the position where it returns to the inner side. That is, along the length direction of the seat belt webbing 10, a plurality of predetermined points are provided at intervals on each of the first layer 110 and the second layer 120 for the fourth webbing 14 to enter or exit the cavity 103. In other words, the fourth webbing 14 extends in a wavy form in the direction of the seat belt webbing 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fourth thread 134 crosses two or three second threads 12 to enter or leave the cavity 103. However, this is just an example, and the number of second threads between adjacent entry points of the fourth thread in each of the first and second layers can be selected as needed.

[0040] Therefore, in the weaving method of the seat belt webbing of the present invention, by setting a portion of the third thread to protrude from the outer surface of the seat belt webbing and positioning the remaining portion in the cavity of the seat belt webbing, the functional component can be introduced into the cavity of the seat belt webbing by pulling out the third thread. Thus, the position of the functional component can be designed conveniently and flexibly, and the functional component can be placed in the seat belt webbing in a flexible manner.

[0041] As mentioned above, although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A weaving method of a seat belt webbing (10) characterized by, Includes the following steps: Provides a first thread (11), a second thread (12), and a third thread (13). The first thread (11) is extended in a first direction, and the second thread (12) is extended in a second direction different from the first direction. The first thread (11) and the second thread (12) are then woven together to form a first layer (110) and a second layer (120) of the seatbelt webbing (10). At the separation section (102) of the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), the third thread (13) is woven onto one of the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), and a first section (131) of the third thread (13) is positioned between the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), and a second section (132) of the third thread (13) protrudes a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the seat belt webbing (10).

2. The method of weaving a safety belt webbing (10) according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes providing a fourth thread (14) at the separation section (102) such that the fourth thread (14) extends from the outer side through the inner side in only one of the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), and then returns to the outer side to separate the first layer (110) and the second layer (120) from each other. At the connection segment (101) between the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), the fourth thread (14) extends from the outer side of the first layer (110) through the inner side of both the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), the outer side of the second layer (120), and then returns to the outer side of the first layer (110) to connect the first layer (110) and the second layer (120) to each other.

3. The method of weaving a safety belt webbing (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The separating section (102) and the connecting section (101) are alternately arranged in the width direction of the seat belt webbing (10).

4. The method of weaving a safety belt webbing (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The first direction is defined as the length direction of the seat belt webbing (10), and the second direction is defined as the width direction of the seat belt webbing (10).

5. The method of weaving a safety belt webbing (10) according to claim 4, wherein, Both the third thread (13) and the fourth thread (14) extend along the first direction.

6. The method of weaving a safety belt webbing (10) according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes providing a functional element that is fixed to the first section (131) or the second section (132) of the third webbing (13), and then applying force to the second section (132) or the first section (131) of the third webbing (13) and pulling the third webbing (13) out of the seat belt webbing (10) such that the functional element is positioned between the first layer (110) and the second layer (120).

7. A seatbelt webbing (10), Its features are, The seat belt webbing (10) is manufactured by the weaving method of the seat belt webbing (10) according to claim 1, and includes a cavity (103) defined by the first layer (110) and the second layer (120) at the separation section (102), wherein a functional element is disposed in the cavity (103).

8. The seat belt webbing (10) of claim 7, wherein, At the separation section (102), the fourth thread (14) extends from its outer side through the inner side in only one of the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), and then returns to the outer side again; At the connection section (101) between the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), the fourth thread (14) extends from the outer side of the first layer (110) through the inner side of both the first layer (110) and the second layer (120), the outer side of the second layer (120), and then returns to the outer side of the first layer (110).

9. The seat belt webbing (10) of claim 8, wherein, The seat belt webbing (10) is provided with a plurality of separation sections (102) and a plurality of connecting sections (101), which are arranged alternately in the width direction of the seat belt webbing (10) to form a plurality of cavities (103).

10. The seat belt webbing (10) of claim 7, wherein, The functional component is configured as a webbing heating element or a webbing lighting element.

Images