Seat belt webbing

Abstract

A seat belt webbing (1). The seat belt webbing (1) comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a chamber (12) defined by the first layer and the second layer. The seat belt webbing further comprises a heating wire (2), wherein the heating wire (2) is positioned directly in the chamber (12), the heating wire (2) is bent, and both ends of the heating wire are positioned at the same end of the seat belt webbing (1) in the direction of length thereof.

Description

Seat belt webbing Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to safety devices for vehicles, particularly seat belt webbing. Background Technology

[0002] As a safety device, seat belts are installed in vehicles to restrain occupants during a collision, preventing them from secondary impacts with the steering wheel and dashboard, or from being ejected from the vehicle and sustaining injuries or death. Seat belts used in vehicles are also known as seat belts and are a type of occupant restraint device. They are recognized as the cheapest and most effective safety device, and many countries mandate their use in vehicles.

[0003] Considering that seat belts come into contact with passengers' bodies, they are designed with a heating function to improve the passenger experience.

[0004] The goal is to provide a seat belt webbing that is convenient for arranging heating elements and aesthetically pleasing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a seat belt webbing that facilitates the placement of heating elements inside the seat belt webbing and has an aesthetically pleasing outer surface.

[0006] The present invention provides a seat belt webbing comprising a first layer, a second layer and a cavity defined by the first layer and the second layer, wherein the webbing further comprises a heating wire directly positioned in the cavity, and the heating wire is bent and its two ends are positioned at the same end in the length direction of the seat belt webbing.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of said chambers are provided, and the plurality of said chambers are spaced apart in the width direction of the seat belt webbing.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the chamber includes a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, and further includes a first partition disposed between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber to space the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber apart in the width direction of the seat belt webbing.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the two ends of the heating wire are respectively positioned in the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of the cavity.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first separator is integrated into the first layer and the second layer.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first separator is configured as a first predetermined segment of the first layer and the second layer fixed together by a fastener, and the first predetermined segment extends in a partial length direction of the seat belt webbing.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener is constructed as a woven thread.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, a second partition is also included for separating the plurality of said chambers.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second separator is integrated into the first layer and the second layer.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second separator is configured as a second predetermined segment of the first layer and the second layer fixed together by a fastener, and the second predetermined segment extends along the entire length of the seat belt webbing. Attached Figure Description

[0016] 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:

[0017] Figure 1 schematically shows a safety belt with the seat belt webbing of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a seatbelt webbing according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following describes specific embodiments of the seatbelt webbing according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings below 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a seat belt having the seat belt webbing of the present invention. The seat belt having the seat belt webbing of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the seat belt 100 includes a seat belt webbing 1, a heating wire 2, an upper housing 31, a lower housing 32, and a control module 4.

[0024] The seatbelt webbing 1 includes a first layer, a second layer, and a cavity 11 defined by the first and second layers (as shown in Figures 2 and 3), and a heating wire 2 is directly positioned within the cavity 11. That is, in the seatbelt webbing 1 of the present invention, the heating wire 2 is in direct contact with the fabric of the seatbelt webbing 1, eliminating the need for a carrier (e.g., a heating pad) for the heating wire 2. This design reduces the number of components in the seatbelt webbing and correspondingly simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the manufacturing cost of the heated seatbelt webbing.

[0025] In the seat belt webbing 1 of the present invention, each heating wire 2 is formed into a U-shape and then positioned in the chamber 11. Thus, when positioned in the chamber 11, both ends of each heating wire 2 are positioned at the same end along the length of the seat belt webbing 1. It should be noted that the two ends of the heating wire being at the same end along the length of the seat belt webbing does not necessarily mean that they are necessarily located at the same position along the length of the seat belt webbing. Rather, compared to an unbent heating wire, the two ends of the bent heating wire tend to be closer to the same end of the seat belt webbing, including the same position or different positions.

[0026] In one example, two heating wires 2 are positioned in the chamber 11. In this case, the ends of both heating wires 2 (a total of four) are positioned at the same end along the length of the seatbelt webbing 1. In another example, four heating wires 2 are positioned in the chamber 11. In this case, the ends of all four heating wires 2 (a total of eight) are positioned at the same end along the length of the seatbelt webbing 1. It should be noted that the ends of the heating wires, as electrical connection terminals, are positioned at the same end along the length of the seatbelt webbing. This allows the electrical connection process between the two ends of the heating wires to be completed at only one connection point. At the same time, the arrangement of the heating wires on the seatbelt webbing is more flexible.

[0027] It is understood that seat belt retractors and latches (both not shown) will be installed at opposite ends of the seat belt webbing 1 in the longitudinal direction. The seat belt webbing 1 is wound around the winding shaft in the seat belt retractor to adjust the length of the seat belt webbing. A latch fixed to one end of the seat belt webbing 1 is used to cooperate with the seat belt buckle fixed to the seat to fix that end of the seat belt webbing 1 to the seat. That is, the passenger fastens the seat belt by inserting the latch into the buckle.

[0028] The control module 4 is used to control the heating operation of the heating wire 2. As shown in FIG1, the end of the heating wire 2 is electrically connected to a printed circuit board on the left side of the control module 4. The printed circuit board and a connector (located on the right side of the figure) are connected to each other via a wiring harness, and the connector is used to communicate with the central control unit in the vehicle. The control module 4 may also include a thermistor located on the printed circuit board. This thermistor is used as a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the heating wire 2 and convert the temperature into a temperature signal, based on which the printed circuit board controls the heating of the heating wire 2. In the seat belt 100 of the present invention, the control module 4 is positioned on the outside of the seat belt webbing 1, and exemplaryly, shown in FIG1 as being positioned on the upper side of the seat belt webbing 1. Of course, this is just an example, and the control module may also be positioned on the lower side of the seat belt webbing.

[0029] The housing includes an upper housing 31 and a lower housing 32, which can be fixed to the outside of the seat belt webbing 1 and accommodate one end of the heating wire 2 and one end of the control module 4 within their internal space. Specifically, the upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are mated to define the internal space of the housing; that is, the upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are aligned and fixed together in the thickness direction of the seat belt webbing 1. In one example, the upper housing 31 is constructed as a box-shaped member having the internal space, the lower housing 32 is constructed as a plate-shaped member, and a recessed portion is provided on the side of the lower housing 32 facing the upper housing 11, that is, on the side of the lower housing 32 facing the upper housing 131, the edge protrudes outward relative to the rest. It can be understood that this arrangement facilitates the upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 to form a closed receiving space. In one example, the connector is configured to protrude from the recessed portion of the lower housing 32, for example, as a screw, and is used to fix the printed circuit board of the control module 4 to the seat belt webbing 1. For this purpose, the connector will also be positioned at a portion of the seat belt webbing 1. Specifically, the connector will pass sequentially through the lower layer of the seat belt webbing 1, the printed circuit board of the control module 4 at its end, and the upper layer of the seat belt webbing 1, thereby fixing the printed circuit board to the seat belt webbing 1.

[0030] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 schematically illustrates a seatbelt webbing according to another embodiment of the present invention. The seatbelt webbing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the seat belt webbing 1 has four chambers 11, and these four chambers 11 are spaced apart in the width direction of the seat belt webbing 1. It should be noted that the number of chambers is not limited to the four shown in the figure, and the number of chambers can be set as needed. To form the chambers 11, the seat belt webbing 1 also includes a second separator 12, which is used to separate the multiple chambers 11. The following describes in detail how the webbing with chambers is formed.

[0032] As mentioned above, the seatbelt webbing 1 includes a first layer and a second layer, meaning that the seatbelt webbing 1 has a double-layer structure, with the first and second layers overlapping in the thickness direction of the seatbelt webbing 1. The first and second layers are connected together in some sections (i.e., connecting sections) and separated from each other in other sections (i.e., separating sections), forming the aforementioned cavity 11 at the separating sections, and the connecting sections forming a second separator 12. Each of the first and second layers includes warp yarns and weft yarns, with the weft yarns extending transversely to the warp yarns and the two interlacing. In addition, each of the first and second layers also includes binding yarns, which extend in the same direction as the warp yarns and continuously in the length direction of the seatbelt webbing 1. At the location where the separating sections will be formed, the binding yarns shuttle only between the outer and inner sides of the first or second layer. For example, the binding yarns enter the first layer from the outer side, exit from the inner side of the first layer, and then enter the first layer again, exiting from the outer side of the first layer, and then repeating the above process. It is understood that the position where the binding yarn enters the inner side from the outer side of the first layer is different from the position where it returns to the outer side from the inner side. That is, along the length of the seat belt webbing 1, multiple predetermined points are provided at intervals for the binding yarn to enter or exit the cavity 11. It is understood that the binding yarn is provided on the second layer in a similar manner to the process described above, and it is also possible that only one of the first layer and the second layer includes the binding yarn, which will not be elaborated here.

[0033] The manufacturing process of the second separator 12 is described below. At the location where the connecting section of the seat belt webbing 1 will be formed, the binding yarn extends from the outer side of the first layer, passes through the inner sides of both the first and second layers, and the outer side of the second layer, and then returns to the outer side of the first layer to connect the first and second layers to each other. Similarly, the position where the binding yarn enters the inner side of the first layer from the outer side is different from the position where it returns to the outer side, and the position where it enters the outer side of the second layer from the inner side is different from the position where it returns to the inner side. That is, along the length direction of the seat belt webbing 1, a plurality of predetermined points are provided at intervals on each of the first and second layers for the binding yarn to pass through the first and second layers. In other words, the binding yarn extends in a wavy form in the direction of the seat belt webbing 1.

[0034] As an embodiment of the present invention, the second separator 12 is integrated into the first and second layers of the seat belt webbing 1. That is, the second separator 12 is also a two-layer structure and is composed of a portion of the first layer and a portion of the second layer. Specifically, the second separator 12 is configured to include a second predetermined segment on the first layer and another second predetermined segment on the second layer. The second predetermined segment has a predetermined width and extends along the entire length of the seat belt webbing 1. The two second predetermined segments overlap in the thickness direction of the seat belt webbing 1 and are fixed together by fasteners.

[0035] Thus, along its width direction, the seat belt webbing 1 is sequentially formed with an upper and lower connecting section that connects to each other and a separating section that separates from each other. The separating section forms a cavity 11, and the connecting section serves as a second predetermined section that separates the cavity 11.

[0036] The process of positioning the heating wire 2 into the cavity 11 is as follows: A guide is pre-installed in the cavity 11. In one embodiment, the guide is constructed as a traction yarn 3, which also extends along the length of the seatbelt webbing 1. The traction yarn 3 has a segment 31 positioned in the cavity 11 and a segment 32 exposed on the outer surface of the seatbelt webbing 1 (i.e., the portion shown by the arc segment in the figure). One end of the traction yarn 3 is secured (e.g., by knotting) to the middle position of the U-shaped heating wire 2, i.e., at the bend of the U-shaped heating wire; then, force is applied to the segment 32 of the traction yarn 3 to move the traction yarn 3 within the cavity 11 and eventually pull the traction yarn 3 out of the cavity 11, correspondingly, the traction yarn 3 gradually leaves the cavity 11 as the heating wire 2 is gradually introduced into the cavity 11; afterwards, the traction yarn 3 is disconnected from the heating wire 2. Of course, this is just an example, and the seatbelt webbing of the present invention can also use other methods to introduce the heating wire into the cavity, for example, by using a hook to introduce the heating wire into the cavity. It should be noted that although the chamber 11 extends along the entire length of the seat belt webbing 1, this does not mean that the heating wire necessarily extends along the entire length of the seat belt webbing 1. The length of the heating wire can be arbitrarily set so that it only extends along a portion of the length of the seat belt webbing.

[0037] As another embodiment of the present invention, in the seat belt webbing 1 according to the present invention, each chamber 11 may further include a first sub-chamber 111 and a second sub-chamber 112 spaced apart from each other, and in order to separate the first sub-chamber 111 and the second sub-chamber 112, a first separator 13 is provided in each chamber 11 accordingly. Similar to the second separator 12, the first separator 13 is integrated into the first layer and the second layer of the seat belt webbing 1, that is, the first separator 13 has a two-layer structure and is composed of a portion of the first layer and a portion of the second layer. However, the first separator 13 may extend in a partial length direction of the seat belt webbing 1, in contrast, the second separator 12 may extend in the entire length direction of the seat belt webbing 1, that is, the first separator 13 is smaller in size in the length direction of the seat belt webbing 1 than the second separator 12, in other words, the first separator 13 is shorter. Specifically, the first partition 13 is constructed to include a first predetermined segment on the first layer and another first predetermined segment on the second layer. The first predetermined segment has a predetermined width and extends along a portion of the length of the seatbelt webbing 1. These two first predetermined segments overlap in the thickness direction of the seatbelt webbing 1 and are fixed together by a fastener, which can be a binding yarn. It is understood that the manufacturing method of the first partition 13 is similar to that of the second partition 12, and will not be described in detail here. Thus, in each chamber 11, the seatbelt webbing 1, along its width direction, sequentially forms connecting segments between the upper and lower layers and separating segments between them. The separating segments form a first sub-chamber 111 and a second sub-chamber 112, and the connecting segments, as first predetermined segments, space the first sub-chamber 111 and the second sub-chamber 112 apart. In this embodiment of the invention, the two ends of the heating wire 2 are respectively positioned in the first sub-chamber 111 and the second sub-chamber 112 of the chamber 11. The process of positioning the heating wire 2 into the chamber 11 is as follows: Each of the first sub-chamber 111 and the second sub-chamber 112 of the chamber 11 has a pre-reserved guide. Similarly, the guide can be a traction yarn. One end of the traction yarn in the first sub-chamber 111 is fixed to one end of the U-shaped heating wire 2, and one end of the traction yarn in the second sub-chamber 112 is fixed to the other end of the U-shaped heating wire 2. Then, force is applied to the portion of each traction yarn exposed on the outer surface of the seat belt webbing 1 to pull the traction yarn out of the chamber 11. Correspondingly, the traction yarn pulls the heating wire 2 into the chamber 11. After that, the traction yarn is disconnected from the heating wire.It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first separator 13 can also be used as a positioning element. This positioning element can be used to position the heating wire at a predetermined position on the seat belt webbing 1. That is, during the introduction of the heating wire 2 into the cavity 11, when the bending position of the U-shaped heating wire 2 moves to the end of the first separator 13 along the length of the seat belt webbing 1, the heating wire 2 cannot continue to move due to the obstruction of that end of the first separator 13, and the position of the heating wire 2 in the cavity 11 is determined accordingly. Of course, this is just an example. The seat belt webbing of the present invention can also use other methods to introduce the heating wire into the cavity, for example, by using a hook to introduce the heater into the cavity.

[0038] As an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener that secures the upper and lower layers of the seat belt webbing 1 together can be constructed as a thread. That is, the upper and lower layers of the seat belt webbing 1 are sewn together by the thread. Of course, this is just an example, and the fastener is not limited to the thread, but can also be other forms of fastener, such as an adhesive part.

[0039] Therefore, in the seat belt webbing of the present invention, the heating wire is directly positioned in the cavity, so that the surface layer of the seat belt webbing is no longer woven together with the heating wire, thereby having an aesthetically pleasing outer surface; at the same time, the heating wire can be easily introduced into the cavity of the seat belt webbing and positioned at any predetermined position in the cavity as needed, thereby facilitating the arrangement of the heating element in the cavity.

[0040] 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 type of seat belt webbing (1), It includes a first layer, a second layer, and a chamber (11) defined by the first layer and the second layer. Its features are, It also includes a heating wire (2), which is directly positioned in the chamber (11), and the heating wire (2) is bent and its two ends are positioned at the same end in the length direction of the seat belt webbing (1).

2. The seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The seat belt webbing (1) is provided with a plurality of chambers (11) and the plurality of chambers (11) are spaced apart in the width direction of the seat belt webbing (1).

3. The seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The chamber (11) includes a first sub-chamber (111) and a second sub-chamber (112), and further includes a first partition (13) disposed between the first sub-chamber (111) and the second sub-chamber (112) to space the first sub-chamber (111) and the second sub-chamber (112) apart in the width direction of the seat belt webbing (1).

4. The seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The two ends of the heating wire (2) are respectively positioned in the first sub-chamber (111) and the second sub-chamber (112) of the cavity (11).

5. The safety belt webbing (1) according to claim 4, wherein The first separator (13) is integrated into the first layer and the second layer.

6. The safety belt webbing (1) according to claim 5, wherein The first separator (13) is configured as a first predetermined section of the first layer and the second layer fixed together by fasteners, and the first predetermined section extends in a partial length direction of the seat belt webbing (1).

7. The seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The fastener is constructed as a woven thread.

8. The safety belt webbing (1) according to claim 7, wherein It also includes a second partition (12) for separating the plurality of chambers (11).

9. The safety belt webbing (1) according to claim 8, wherein The second separator (12) is integrated into the first layer and the second layer.

10. The safety belt webbing (1) according to claim 9, wherein The second separator (12) is configured as a second predetermined section of the first layer and the second layer fixed together by fasteners, and the second predetermined section extends along the entire length of the seat belt webbing (1).

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