Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Including member having distinct formations and mating...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-03-20
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Including member having distinct formations and mating...
C024S633000, C024S645000, C024S651000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202269
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a seat belt buckle.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
EP 0 777 984 A2 teaches a buckle with a guide channel in a buckle frame, into which a plug-in tongue connected to the seat belt can be inserted. An ejector is guided in a guide channel and is acted on by an ejector spring in a direction opposite the insertion direction of the plug-in tongue. A locking element is mounted on the buckle frame and can be moved into a locking position for locking the plug-in tongue inserted into the guide channel, and into a release position for releasing the plug-in tongue. A securing element can be moved into a securing position for fixing the locking element in a locking position, and into a disengaging position for releasing the locking element is also movably mounted on the buckle frame. A support is also provided with which the securing element is held in the securing position in the case of excessive acceleration and/or deceleration. This ensures that the securing element remains in its securing position even with high acceleration and/or deceleration of the buckle, for example during retensioning of the buckle by means of a buckle tightener acting on the buckle. The locking element is thus held in its locking position so that the seat belt is tightened in the desired manner.
In the acceleration phase of the retensioning process, the securing element is held in the securing position as a result of its inertia and the inertia of the support. During deceleration, a compensating mass, which is guided longitudinally in the guide channel on the buckle frame, acts via a lever arm and the support on the securing element and holds it in the securing position. The ejector is supported on the compensating mass via the ejector spring.
EP 0 212 507 teaches a seat belt buckle having a compensating mass mounted on a lever arm which acts on a securing element in the acceleration phase of the retensioning process. In the deceleration phase, however, the lever on which the compensating mass is mounted is lifted as a result of the inertia of the compensating mass which strives to move on in the direction of the acceleration phase of the tensioning process, such that an absolutely secure holding of the securing element in the securing position is no longer ensured by the compensating mass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide, at reduced cost, a seat buckle that absolutely secures the securing element in the securing position even in the deceleration phase of the retensioning process.
The invention provides an interlocking fit between the support and the ejector. For example, the support and ejector rest against one another with a load-bearing pair of active surfaces. Surface pressure can be provided, for example by spring force, on the two active surfaces of the support and the ejector. When subjected to force, for example during acceleration, deceleration or retensioning of the buckle, the masses of the support and of the ejector generate forces of inertia in the same direction by means of which the securing element is supported in its securing position on the frame. The interlock is maintained during acceleration and deceleration and the support on the frame ensures that all movable parts of the buckle are supported on the buckle frame in a motionless manner in all degrees of freedom, in particular on corresponding abutments of the buckle frame. This ensures that, even with high accelerations and decelerations at up to 7,000 times the acceleration due to gravity and higher, all movable components of the buckle are secured to such an extent that opening of the buckle is completely prevented. The kinematics of the buckle prevents unintentional opening in the event of a severe crash.
The interlocking fit between support and ejector is maintained at least during deceleration of the retensioning movement. It is preferably maintained during the retensioning movement. However, it can be produced during insertion of the plug-in tongue into the guide channel. Furthermore, the interlock between the ejector and the support can be produced during insertion of the plug-in tongue into the guide channel by the insertion of the ejector into the guide channel, the support being moved by this interlock into a standby position for supporting the securing element in the securing position on the buckle frame, in particular on an abutment fastened on the buckle frame.
In the locking position, the mutually interlocked support and ejector can be movably mounted under the influence of their forces of inertia in each case in the same direction on the buckle frame along a limited path in which the securing element remains in its securing position between two stationary abutments. In the locking position during normal operation, however, the securing element is preferably pressed without movement against one of the two stationary abutments of the buckle frame under the influence of a biasing force preferably supplied by a spring. The securing element remains in this position even during the acceleration phase of the retensioning movement as a result of the influence of the inert masses of the securing element and the support.
The path along which the support and the ejector are movably mounted and, in particular, are moved in the deceleration phase of the retensioning process, is limited by a stationary abutment, in particular fastened on the buckle frame. The securing element is immovably supported in all degrees of freedom on this abutment within its securing position via the support. The rigid connection which is maintained due to the interlock between the support and the ejector even during common movement ensures that the support comes into the position supported on the buckle frame immovable in all degrees of freedom in the deceleration phase. During this movement, the support and the ejector and the securing element are guided rectilinearly, in particular parallel, to the direction of the guide channel.
The support can comprise an abutment part that can be supported directly on the buckle frame, in particular on the abutment, in the deceleration phase of the retensioning process. The abutment part can be supported in such a way that it is immovable in all degrees of freedom. The abutment part can be provided at one end of the elongate support and the securing element can be arranged at the other end. The securing element can be designed in the form of a cylindrical bolt that is guided at both its ends in slots extending substantially parallel to the guide direction of the guide channel. The securing element extends in a known manner transversely to the insertion or ejection direction of the plug-in tongue.
One end of the guide slot, provided on both sides of the buckle frame in each case, for the securing element can form the abutment during the acceleration phase of the retensioning process for the securing element. The support can also be supported on this abutment via the securing element on the buckle frame. The mass of the ejector is supported in the acceleration phase of the retensioning process via the plug-in tongue on the locking element located in its locking position.
In the securing position, the securing element fixes the locking element in its locking position, the locking element engaging in the plug-in tongue inserted into the guide channel. In the region of the securing position, the securing element lies along a securing surface provided on the locking element with a corresponding securing contour as known, for example, from EP 0 777 984 A2.
The support can pivot around an axis formed by the securing element that is, for example, cylindrical. The pair of active surfaces on the support and on the ejector, forming the interlock, can be located within radial cams provided on the support and the pair of ejectors. These radial cams can interact, in particular during insertion of the plug-in tongue into the guide channel, such that the support is brought into the above-mentioned standby position, in particular for the impact-resistant supp
Krauss Walter
Schrott Thomas
Schwald Stephan
Specht Martin
Breed Automotive Technology Inc.
Drayer Lonnie
Sakran Victor N.
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