Belt buckle attachment and method for producing a belt buckle attachment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a belt buckle attachment, comprising a belt buckle (5), a wire cable (4), wherein the wire cable is fastened to the belt buckle (5), and a cable shoe (1), wherein the cable shoe (1) has a holding portion (1.1) by means of which the cable shoe is secured to the wire cable (4), wherein the holding portion (1.1) has at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) on the side facing the wire cable (4).

Description

[0001] Seatbelt buckle installation and method for manufacturing a seatbelt buckle installation

[0002] The present invention relates to a seatbelt buckle attachment comprising a seatbelt buckle, a wire rope wherein the wire rope is attached to the seatbelt buckle, and a rope shoe wherein the rope shoe has a retaining section with which the rope shoe is fixed to the wire rope, and a method for manufacturing a seatbelt buckle attachment.

[0003] In the field of fastening technologies, particularly in the fastening of seatbelt buckles in motor vehicles, it is common practice to use wire ropes in conjunction with rope lugs to ensure secure and stable connections. These rope lugs serve to anchor the wire rope to a fixed point or to form a loop by attaching one end of the wire rope to another section of the same wire rope. The rope lug, or the loop formed by the rope lug in the wire rope, can then be used to fasten the wire rope to another object. This is especially important in safety-critical applications such as the fastening of seatbelt buckles, where the integrity of the connection is crucial for the safety of the occupants.In particular, the eyelet formed by the wire rope is riveted to a component of the seatbelt buckle that transmits forces in a critical situation, while the seatbelt buckle attachment is secured to the vehicle with a fastening section of the rope shoe. Simultaneously, a retaining section of the rope shoe can connect the two ends of the wire rope to form the eyelet. Known systems for fastening wire ropes typically include rope shoes that are fixed to the wire rope by mechanical deformation or crimping. Conventional rope shoes can be limited in their flexibility, making it difficult to adapt to different wire rope diameters or configurations.

[0004] Despite the considerable progress made in the field of seatbelt buckle installations, there is still a need for improved solutions that increase reliability while being cost-effective and easy to install.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a belt buckle attachment that overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of the known systems, and in particular to provide a belt buckle attachment with a rope shoe that can only be detached from the wire rope with higher pulling forces.

[0006] A solution to the aforementioned problem is provided by a seatbelt buckle attachment and a method comprising the features of the respective independent claims. Further solutions and advantageous developments / embodiments are explained in the dependent claims and in the preceding and following description, whereby individual features of the advantageous developments / embodiments can be combined with one another in a technically meaningful manner. Features and advantages disclosed with respect to the seatbelt buckle attachment are applicable to the method and vice versa.

[0007] The problem is solved in particular by a seatbelt buckle attachment comprising a seatbelt buckle, a wire rope (the wire rope being attached to the seatbelt buckle), and a rope shoe (the rope shoe having a retaining section with which the rope shoe is fixed to the wire rope, the retaining section having at least one recess on the side facing the wire rope). A recess can be a depression produced by deformation or material removal, which in a preferred embodiment can be designed as a through-hole, i.e., a hole completely surrounded by the retaining section. After crimping or crimping, the wire rope can be arranged in the recess, so that, in addition to the frictional connection produced by crimping / crimping the retaining section to the wire rope, a type of positive connection is created.The retaining section and the recesses are specifically designed to interact with the wire rope during crimping of the rope shoe by displacing the wire rope into the recesses. This displacement causes the wire rope to assume a circular shape within the recesses in a longitudinal section along its length, resulting in increased friction between the wire rope and the rope shoe. One advantage is increased pull-out force under both static and dynamic conditions, minimizing the risk of wire rope slippage. Pull-out force is the force required to pull the wire rope out of the rope shoe. Another advantage is the ability to use shorter lengths of the retaining section of the rope shoe.

[0008] The problem is also solved by a method for manufacturing a seatbelt buckle attachment with at least the following steps: First, a rope shoe with a retaining section is manufactured. Subsequently, or simultaneously, at least one recess is created in the retaining section of the rope shoe. A wire rope is also provided. Finally, the retaining section of the rope shoe is crimped to the wire rope, with the side of the retaining section containing the at least one recess facing the wire rope. The "retaining section" is the part of the rope shoe that receives the wire rope and is crimped after the wire rope is inserted to ensure a secure connection. The wire rope is then attached to a seatbelt buckle.It is preferably provided that the two ends of the wire rope are connected to each other by means of the holding section of the rope shoe, whereby the wire rope forms an eyelet which is connected to the belt buckle, in particular by means of a rivet.

[0009] In other words, the present invention essentially provides that the retaining section (specifically on the side facing the wire rope) of the rope shoe has a type of recess or a through-hole (slot, opening, or similar) into which the wire rope penetrates during crimping. Thus, not only is a frictional connection established between the retaining section and the wire rope in the area of ​​the retaining section where the recess is not formed, but also a form-fit connection between the retaining section and the wire rope, since the wire rope, after crimping, is positioned at least partially within the recess, at least with its outer section. Accordingly, the pull-off force of the rope shoe from the wire rope is also increased.

[0010] In one embodiment, the retaining section comprises at least two recesses. The arrangement with at least two recesses improves the distribution of forces along the retaining section and ensures more uniform deformation of the wire rope. Furthermore, the use of at least two recesses allows for a reduction in the required length of the rope shoe, resulting in a more compact design. This is particularly advantageous in applications where space is limited.

[0011] In one embodiment, the rope shoe has at least one elongated recess. The elongated shape of the recess means that it is in a stretched, narrow form, which allows for a larger interaction area between the wire rope and the rope shoe. This larger interaction area results in an increased pull-out force that holds the wire rope in the recess. The elongated recess also helps the wire rope to distribute and deform evenly within the recess during crimping. This leads to a uniform distribution of forces along the wire rope and the rope shoe. Furthermore, the elongated recess allows for better adaptation to different wire rope diameters, as it offers a degree of flexibility in receiving the wire rope.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one recess has an elongated shape oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of a wire rope section surrounded by the retaining section. In this context, "transverse" means that the elongated shape of the recess is arranged at a right angle or nearly a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the wire rope section. This transverse orientation allows for a more efficient distribution of the forces acting on the wire rope. A further advantage of this orientation is the possibility of reducing the length of the wire rope section surrounded by the rope shoe. This can lead to a more compact design.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the rope shoe has at least one recess designed as a through-hole. A through-hole is a complete opening that extends through the material of the retaining section. By designing the recess as a through-hole, the wire rope is not only held against the surface of the retaining section but is also partially drawn further into the opening. This results in an increased contact area between the wire rope and the retaining section, which in turn increases the frictional forces that hold the wire rope in position. An advantage of this design is that the risk of the wire rope slipping is further minimized, as the deformation within the through-hole further secures the wire rope. Consequently, the pull-off force of the rope shoe from the wire rope is also further increased.

[0014] In one embodiment, the rope shoe has a mounting section formed integrally with the retaining section. A mounting section is thus an integral part of the rope shoe, serving to securely attach the rope shoe to another component, in particular to a fitting or directly to the vehicle body. The mounting section is formed integrally with the retaining section, meaning that it consists of the same piece of material as the retaining section and can, for example, be formed simultaneously during the stamping and / or forming process of the rope shoe.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the fastening section comprises at least one opening. An opening is a through opening in the material of the fastening section, which serves to receive a fastening element, such as a screw or a bolt. This opening makes it possible to securely attach the rope shoe to a structure, such as the vehicle body.

[0016] In one embodiment, the rope shoe is manufactured from a sheet of metal. A sheet of metal is a flat, thin piece that can be shaped, for example, by punching or cutting. This manufacturing method allows for precise and cost-effective production of the rope shoe, as sheet metal processing techniques such as punching and bending are widespread and well-established. Manufacturing from sheet metal allows the rope shoe to be provided with the necessary recesses that receive and secure the wire rope during crimping. The sheet metal construction of the rope shoe also offers design flexibility, allowing the retaining section of the rope shoe to be shaped to optimally bend and crimp around the wire rope. The rope shoe is then secured to the wire rope by its shaped retaining section. The wire rope is a flexible rope, typically braided from multiple strands.The retaining section is the part of the rope shoe that encloses the wire rope and is fixed to it by crimping. In a pre-bent state, the retaining section can form a kind of eyelet or receptacle. This eyelet / receptacle serves to hold the wire rope. After the wire rope is inserted into the eyelet / receptacle, the retaining section of the rope shoe is crimped, reducing the outer circumference of the eyelet / receptacle and clamping the wire rope securely. The recesses on the side of the retaining section facing the wire rope allow the wire rope to be displaced into these recesses during crimping. This causes the wire rope to deform within the recesses, generating high friction. Furthermore, this fastening device eliminates the risk of failure due to wire rope slippage, which can occur with conventional designs using wire rope loops and ferrules.

[0017] In one embodiment, the rope shoe is attached to one end of a wire rope, preferably being fixed at both ends of the wire rope together with the formed retaining section. Attaching the rope shoe to both ends of the wire rope further improves the stability and safety of the connection. A significant advantage of this design is the ability to use shorter wire rope loops, which represents a considerable space saving compared to conventional designs with a minimum length of 38 mm.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one elongated recess extends transversely to the direction of extension of the wire rope from one side of the wire rope to the opposite side of the wire rope. Due to the arrangement of the recess extending from one side of the wire rope to the opposite side, the wire rope is displaced into these recesses over a large area during crimping.

[0019] In one embodiment, the wire rope is arranged with its outer circumference at least partially within the recess. This specific arrangement of the wire rope in the recess results in improved fixation of the wire rope in the holding section of the rope shoe. During crimping, the wire rope is pressed into the recesses in the holding section, thereby assuming a shape that generates a high frictional force. This frictional force is effective under both static and dynamic conditions and prevents the wire rope from slipping.

[0020] In one embodiment, the manufacturing of a fastening device involves producing not only a retaining section but also a fastening section simultaneously. The fastening section is an integral part of the rope shoe, which is intended, for example, for attachment to a fitting or directly to the vehicle body. This simultaneous production of both sections offers improved structural integrity of the entire device. The retaining section, which forms a receptacle in a pre-bent state, can be crimped around the wire rope, thereby reducing the outer circumference of the receptacle and clamping the wire rope securely. The fastening section, on the other hand, provides a stable connection point that allows the entire device to be securely mounted in the desired location.This simultaneous production of both sections leads to more efficient manufacturing and reduces the need for additional assembly steps or separate fasteners. According to one embodiment of the method, the retaining section of the rope shoe is crimped such that the wire rope, in the area of ​​the at least one recess, is positioned with its outer circumference at least partially within the recess. During crimping, the retaining section is bent around the wire rope and crimped under high pressure, so that the wire rope is pressed into the recesses. This design can cause the wire rope to undergo a circular deformation in the area of ​​the recesses in a sectional view along the wire rope's direction of extension, resulting in increased friction between the wire rope and the retaining section.By selectively deforming the wire rope in the recesses, an even distribution of forces is achieved, which increases the service life of the connection and improves safety in the event of an accident.

[0021] In one embodiment, the recess in the retaining section of the rope shoe is produced as a through-hole. A through-hole is a complete opening that extends through the entire retaining section. This design allows the wire rope to be deformed even further into the through-holes when the retaining section is crimped.

[0022] The invention and the technical environment are explained below using the figures as examples.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a rope shoe punched from a sheet of metal before the deformation of its holding section.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a seatbelt buckle attachment with the rope shoe, the holding section of which is crimped around the two ends of a wire rope. Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the seatbelt buckle attachment, from which it can be seen that the outer circumference of the wire rope is arranged at least partially in the opening of the holding section.

[0025] Figure 4 shows the wire rope from Figure 3 without the holding section of the rope shoe.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a rope shoe 1, which is stamped from a sheet metal part and is shown before the deformation of its retaining section 1.1. The rope shoe 1 consists of the retaining section 1.1 and a fastening section 1.2. The retaining section 1.1 has at least two elongated recesses 2.1 and 2.2. These recesses 2.1 and 2.2 are arranged so that they are oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the surrounding wire rope section as soon as the rope shoe 1 is attached to a wire rope 4.

[0027] The fastening section 1.2 is formed integrally with the retaining section 1.1 and has a hole 3, which serves to fasten the rope shoe 1 to another component, such as a fitting or a vehicle body. The recesses 2.1 and 2.2 are designed as through openings, meaning that they extend completely through the material of the retaining section 1.1.

[0028] The rope shoe 1 is made from a sheet of metal, which enables cost-effective manufacturing. The design of the rope shoe 1 with the recesses 2.1 and 2.2 offers the advantage that the connection between the rope shoe 1 and the wire rope 4 remains secure and stable even under dynamic conditions, such as those that can occur in a vehicle. Figure 2 shows a seatbelt buckle assembly comprising the rope shoe 1, a wire rope 4, and a seatbelt buckle 5. The eyelet formed by the wire rope 4 is connected to the seatbelt buckle 5 by means of a rivet, which is not visible in Figure 2.

[0029] The rope shoe 1 is made of a sheet metal part. After the wire rope 4 is inserted into the retaining section 1.1, the retaining section is bent around the wire rope 4 and crimped, thus clamping the wire rope 4 securely. The recesses 2.1 and 2.2 allow the wire rope 4 to deform within the recesses 2.1 and 2.2, resulting in increased holding force.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the rope shoe 1, which is attached to the wire rope 4. The recess 2.1 in the retaining section 1.1, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the wire rope 4, is clearly visible. This recess 2.1 is designed as a through-hole, whereby the wire rope 4 is arranged at least partially within the recess 2.1. It can be seen that the wire rope 4 is deformed almost circularly within the recess 2.1, with its outer surface deformed along the direction of its extension. This deformation of the wire rope 4 is also clearly visible in Figure 4, in which the retaining section 1.1 of the rope shoe 1 is not shown.

[0031] The detailed views illustrate that the retaining section 1.1 of the rope shoe 1 is deformed in such a way that the wire rope 4 is deformed into the recess 2.1. This increases the frictional force between the wire rope 4 and the retaining section 1.1 and thus the pull-off force of the rope shoe 1 from the wire rope 4. (Reference symbol list)

[0032] Rope shoe

[0033] Stop section

[0034] Fastening section

[0035] first extraction

[0036] second recess

[0037] Hole

[0038] wire rope

[0039] seatbelt buckle

Claims

Claims 1. Seatbelt buckle installation, including a seatbelt buckle (5), a wire rope (4), wherein the wire rope (4) is attached to the belt buckle (5), and a rope shoe (1) wherein the rope shoe (1) has a retaining section (1.1) with which the rope shoe (1) is fixed to the wire rope (4), characterized by the fact that the holding section (1.1) has at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) on the side facing the wire rope (4).

2. Belt buckle attachment according to claim 1, wherein the retaining section (1.1) has at least two recesses (2.1, 2.2).

3. Belt buckle attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) has an elongated shape.

4. Belt buckle attachment according to claim 3, wherein the elongated shape is oriented transversely to a longitudinal extension direction of a wire rope section surrounding that of the retaining section (1.1).

5. Belt buckle attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) is designed as a through-hole.

6. Belt buckle attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rope shoe (1) has a fastening section (1.2) formed integrally with the retaining section (1.1).

7. Belt buckle attachment according to claim 6, wherein the fastening section (1.2) has at least one hole (3).

8. Belt buckle attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rope shoe (1) is made of a sheet metal.

9. Belt buckle attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rope shoe (1) is fixed at one end of the wire rope (4), preferably at both ends of the wire rope (4) together with the formed retaining section (1.1).

10. Belt buckle attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) extends from one side of the wire rope (4) to an opposite side of the wire rope (4).

11. Belt buckle attachment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wire rope (4) is arranged with its outer circumference at least sectionally in the recess (2.1, 2.2) in the area of ​​the at least one recess (2.1, 2.2).

12. Method for manufacturing a seatbelt buckle installation, comprising at least the following steps: Manufacturing a rope shoe (1) with a holding section (1.1), manufacturing at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) in the holding section (1.1) of the rope shoe (1), Providing a wire rope (4), caulking the retaining section (1.1) of the rope shoe (1) with the wire rope (4), wherein the side of the retaining section (1.1) having at least one recess (2.1, 2.2) faces the wire rope (4). Attaching the wire rope (4) to a belt buckle (5).

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein a fastening section (1.2) is produced simultaneously with the holding section (1.1).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the retaining section (1.1) is caulked such that the wire rope (4) is arranged with its outer circumference at least sectionally in the recess (2.1, 2.2) in the area of ​​the at least one recess (2.1, 2.2).

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the recess (2.1, 2.2) is produced as a breakthrough.

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