DE102010020545A1 - Operating element i.e. seat belt lock for use in motor vehicle, has lighting units whose flashing light delivery intensity continuously changes, where light delivery takes place via units when belt tongue is not provided in belt lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (1) has lighting units (2) e.g. LEDs, whose flashing light delivery intensity continuously changes. The light delivery temporarily takes place via the lighting units when belt tongue is not provided in a seat belt lock (1a) that is provided in a position for facilitating introduction of the belt tongue, where the position is increased in relation to a standard position. The light delivery takes place via the lighting units when the belt tongue is provided in the seat belt lock that is provided in the position to facilitate removal of the belt tongue. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a light delivery of a lighting unit of an operating element.

Description

The The invention relates to an operating element in a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle, in particular a buckle, wherein the operating element at least one at times flashing illuminant comprises, a motor vehicle, which such a control includes, as well as a method of control the lamp of the control.

In Motor vehicles have numerous controls that are active Functions can be perceived, for example, when pressed Operations such as putting a radio or a lighting device into operation trigger, or can perform passive functions, for example, the vehicle occupants via the power-on status of vehicle systems such as seat heating or lighting devices to inform. Furthermore, there are to secure the vehicle occupants in motor vehicles safety belt systems. These usually include a buckle into which a belt tongue connected to a belt lockable insertable is. Usually can the locking of the belt tongue in the buckle by actuation an unlocking be canceled again.

In the prior art, the status of controls in motor vehicles is indicated by their position or position, or by missing or existing lighting, possibly in different colors. Furthermore, belt locks are known as examples of controls, which are provided for better identification with a light source, for example described in the DE 197 29 567 , The known solutions have the disadvantage that the recognition perceptual physiology as very artificial and the vehicle interior can be perceived accordingly as unnatural and negative. In particular, illuminated buckles according to the prior art have the further disadvantage that they are easier to find due to the light sources, however, the attention of the occupants is not particularly drawn to the buckles. The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide controls for motor vehicles, the identification of which is perceived as naturally and perceptually physiologically appealing, and in particular to provide buckles, in particular attract the attention of the occupants before driving in a positive manner and motivate them to buckle. Furthermore, belt locks are to be made even before the belt loosening in an improved manner.

in the Under the invention, it has been found that controls in general and buckles in particular, by flashing bulbs are compared with controls and buckles, the only static or continuous light emitting bulbs include, to a greater extent, the attention of Inmates.

Accordingly the problem is solved in a first aspect by a Control element comprising a light source through which at least temporarily a flashing light emission takes place. The term "control element" is interpreted broadly and includes, for example, those that perform active function, such as the commissioning or decommissioning of devices such as radios, Windscreen wipers, lighting devices, mirror adjustments, and the like, and those that perform passive functions, For example, displaying the operational status of devices such as radios, windscreen wipers, lighting equipment, mirror adjustments, Gear shifts, and the like, as well as those that only the Illumination of the motor vehicle whose interior or parts thereof serve. The control element is preferably a buckle.

in the The scope of the invention may be any customary Bulbs are used, such as light bulbs, Fluorescent tubes, light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic Light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Preference is given to LEDs. An operating element, in particular a buckle, may also include multiple bulbs. That or the bulbs can be on the control, in particular the Belt buckle are located so that the corresponding parts of the operating element or belt buckle actively light, in the immediate vicinity of Control or buckle be attached so that they Identify contours, or at some distance from the control or buckle, allowing this through the bulbs in essence is passively lit. If the control is a buckle, so is by the light output of the light source preferably to the Recording the belt tongue provided opening of the buckle and / or provided for lifting the locking of the belt tongue Unlocking element highlighted.

The flashing light output is to be understood in the usual linguistic sense, alternating phases with high light output (light phases) and phases of low or no light output (dark phases). The frequency of these phase changes are particularly chosen so that the occupants can perceive the phases of high light output and lower light output temporally separated. Examples of suitable frequencies are in the range of 20 light / dark phases per second (20 Hz) to 1 light / dark phase within 20 seconds (0.05 Hz). According to the invention it has been found that flashing light outputs with frequencies of 3 Hz or including the inmates' attention and reassurance than higher frequencies. Particularly preferred is a frequency range of 3 Hz to 0.1 Hz.

The Intensity of the light output of the bulb changes preferably not abruptly, such as in alternation between 100% light intensity and 0% light intensity, or 100% light intensity and 10% light intensity. In the context of the invention it has been found that such abrupt change of the occupants as artificially perceived could be and thus the control, which by the flashing light attracts attention, with negative associations could be demonstrated. Is it? This can be a buckle, so in an extreme case a negative attitude towards the safety belt to lead. The change in the intensity of Light emission takes place in preferred embodiments accordingly steady, so without by the occupant perceptible abrupt jumps between different intensities, so that inmates the impression of a fluid intensity change arises. Most preferably, the change in light intensity follows when plotted against the time of a substantially sinusoidal curve or a curve with substantially sinusoidal elements. Examples of changes in light intensity are the one or multiple change of missing light output with steady increase to maximum light output and renewed steady Decrease to lack of light output, or the constant change from lack of light output to maximum light output, followed of multiple steady changes between reduced light output and maximum light output, and finally steady return to missing light output. The light phases and the dark phases can be the same length or substantially the same length, or of different Duration, for example, represent long periods of light, which each shorter dark phases follow.

By the flashing light output of the illuminant, in particular in non-abrupt, but constant intensity change becomes the value appearance the operating element, such as the buckle, and overall increased the perceived value of the vehicle, so this example perceived as a high-quality, elegant, discreet or soothing.

The Flashing light output is at least temporarily. She can thus continuous, what the perceived value of the control, for example of the buckle, and thus the vehicle on one continent high level, for example when viewing a parked vehicle whose controls are flashing. Alternatively, you can they only happen in certain periods of time, for example during operation of the vehicle, whereas when the vehicle is parked or after a certain period of time after the vehicle has been turned off no light emission takes place, for example for the sake of Energy saving. Is the control element a buckle, so the flashing light output can be done especially if a buckle is due to a vehicle occupant to remember the buckle up and / or him finding the buckle to facilitate. That a buckle is required, for example are displayed after pressing a control by the driver, which triggers a mode of operation, on a buckle remembers by detecting the opening a vehicle door, or detecting the presence of a Occupants in the seat concerned by means of movement or pressure sensors, which recognize the occupancy of the seat. Analog can be the flashing Light emission occur when a belt release is imminent, in particular around the belted inmates or other persons holding the belt want to solve, to show the position of the buckle. The upcoming belt release can be detected, for example are activated by actuating a corresponding operating element, by detecting engine shutdown or door opening.

According to particular embodiments, the buckle invention is used in vehicles with height-adjustable buckles. Such buckles are particularly suitable for the Aussensitzplätze in the rear of a motor vehicle. If no occupant is seated in an appropriate seat, the buckle may be in a comparatively low-lying standard position, in which there is no visual or spatial disturbance to the surface of the rear seat. To facilitate insertion of the belt tongue and / or to request to buckle the buckle can be placed in a position relative to the standard position, for example, manually or especially automatically, in which it is more accessible and better visible and thus a supply position for the use of the buckle represents. According to one embodiment, a flashing light output takes place through an inventive buckle, as long as the buckle is in such an elevated position and no belt tongue is inserted therein. In this way, the occupant is reminded to buckle himself, while at the same time in a practical way the position of the buckle is displayed and thus the introduction of the belt tongue is facilitated. For bringing the buckle in an elevated position various triggers are conceivable, for example, a manual displacement by the occupant, but preferably an automatic program, which determines that an in is provided for the seat in question and accordingly ensures automatic shifting by suitable devices such as motors or hydraulic systems. Signals that detect this are, for example, the actuation of an operating element by a vehicle occupant, the opening of a vehicle door or signals from pressure or movement sensors which detect the presence of a passenger in a seat. Once the belt tongue has been inserted into the buckle and locked therein, the light output of the bulb can be stopped. In addition, the buckle can be lowered back into the lower standard position, so that the now belted occupant is indeed secured by the seat belt, but is not or not hindered by the buckle.

According to one Another embodiment, the buckle in one opposite the standard position increased position to facilitate Removal of the belt tongue can be brought when the belt tongue located in the buckle and it is determined that the occupant wants to take the seat belt. This can be determined, for example are activated by actuating a corresponding operating element, by detecting engine shutdown or door opening. Is the buckle in opposite to the standard position increased position, so there is a flashing light output the bulb, which also reminds the occupants to remove the seatbelt and in particular to relieve it to find the buckle. This type of position indicator of the buckle This can be especially helpful if this is due to thick clothes or obscured by additional items in the seating area becomes. The position indicator is still in cases advantageous if other persons the belted occupant when Belt loosening helps and consequently less easily than the belted occupant the position of the buckle by running along can determine with the hand on the belt. In another Embodiment takes place the flashing light output of the bulb, preferably in connection with the bringing of the buckle in the raised position compared to the standard position after detection of an accident, after which a speedy belt release and removing the occupants from an accident vehicle is required. The determination of an accident can be determined, for example by impact sensors, triggering of airbags, fire or Smoke detection in a stationary vehicle, vehicle breakdown after rollover and like.

Preferably the buckle comprises the aforementioned embodiments, the easier introduction of the belt tongue and a facilitate removal of the belt tongue. The opposite the standard position increased positions to the facilitated Introduction or removal of the belt tongues can be the same or different.

One Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, which one of the control elements according to the invention, in particular Belt buckles, includes.

One Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of control the light output of a lighting means of a control element, in particular a buckle, being also on the implicit revelation in the Related to the controls and buckles Reference is made. The process leads to a light emission, which is at least temporarily flashing. Preferably changes the intensity of the light output does not abruptly but steadily. The operating element is preferably a belt buckle.

In a particular embodiment of the method is in a first step is determined whether an operating mode of the Vehicle or buckle is active, in which a buckle for a buckle in one over the standard position increased position to be brought. Such an operating mode may for example be provided by default or activated by the driver or a vehicle occupant. is If such an operating mode is active, it is determined in a second step, whether the buckle in one over the standard position elevated position to be driven, for example, based of signals as described above (eg door open) or is already in this position. Lie accordingly Signals before and the belt buckle is still in the standard position, so it waits until the buckle in the appropriate position brought or preferably driving the buckle in this Position was initiated automatically. Is found that this Position is reached, it is checked in a further step, whether a belt tongue is inserted in the buckle. Is this not the case, then at least temporarily flashing light output a luminous means of the buckle and triggered as long until a belt tongue has been inserted into the buckle. After inserting the belt tongue, the light output is switched off. If necessary, the return of the buckle be brought into the standard position.

In a further embodiment, it is ascertained in a first step whether an operating mode is active in which a belt buckle for a belt release is to be brought into a position raised in relation to the standard position. Such an operating mode can for example be provided by default or by the driver or a driver be activated. If such an operating mode is active, it is determined in a second step whether the belt buckle is to be moved to a position which is elevated relative to the standard position, for example by means of signals as described above (eg door opening). In the presence of such signals is waited until the buckle has been brought into the appropriate position or preferably the driving of the buckle was automatically caused in this position. If it is determined that this position is reached, it is checked whether a belt tongue is inserted into the buckle. If this is the case, an at least temporarily flashing light emission of a luminous means of the buckle is triggered and maintained until the belt tongue has been removed from the buckle. After removal of the belt tongue, the light output is switched off. If necessary, the retraction of the buckle can be made in the standard position.

Both The aforementioned methods can be aborted, for example if a vehicle occupant causes this or appropriate signals omitted. For example, has a door open a ride facing the belt buckle in one opposite the standard position increased position to facilitate the Gurtlösens triggered and then the door closed again and found by pressure sensors, that the occupant is still in the vehicle, this can be as Signs are estimated that a continuation is planned and the Strap should not be solved.

According to the invention preferably provided that in a motor vehicle, both of the aforementioned Operating modes can be active simultaneously. Once found is that a passenger would have sat down on a seat Accordingly, a buckle in one over the standard position elevated position to be brought to the passenger to direct the light output of the bulb to buckle up and to make it easier for him. Upon detection of signs of a disembarkation would again the buckle in one opposite the Standard position raised position to be brought to the Passenger using the light output to facilitate belt release.

In A further embodiment provides that the Belt buckle automatically in the opposite to the standard position elevated position is driven and / or at least one temporarily flashing light emission of a bulb is triggered as soon as a vehicle accident is detected, for example via the triggering of airbags and a subsequent The vehicle is stationary. This method facilitates in an advantageous manner Belt breaking in an accident vehicle and a speedy one Leaving the vehicle.

The The methods described above are particularly suitable for Use in a control element according to the invention, in particular a buckle according to the invention.

The Invention will now be described by way of example, which is not restrictive be understood, with reference to the attached figures further illustrated. In the figures, the same parts are the same Provided with reference numerals.

there demonstrate:

1 schematically a perspective view of a buckle 1a with two bulbs 2 (an unlocking element for the belt tongue is not shown),

2 the time course of the intensity of the light output of the bulb 2 when the vehicle is stopped, and

3 the time course of the intensity of the light output of the bulb 2 before buckling or before a belt release.

Example 1:

A buckle 1a represents a control element 1 in a motor vehicle, which is a light source 2 which is formed by two LEDs which flank the opening provided for receiving the belt tongue ( 1 ). The vehicle is out of service, which is why energy saving reasons no light output by the bulb 2 takes place (symbolized by the broken line at 0% intensity in 2 ).

Example 2:

A passenger sits on a seat of the vehicle. This recognizes the need for strapping on. Since a corresponding operating mode is set to facilitate buckling, the buckle is 1a moved in a relation to the standard position raised position for easier insertion of the belt tongue. Through the bulb 2 there is a light output whose intensity curve in 3 is shown. The downward pointing arrow symbolizes the recognition of the passenger, whereby the light emission is triggered. The gently pulsating light with a frequency of approximately 1 Hz, the passenger in a subtle yet clear way, the position of the buckle 1a displayed, and the passenger animated to put on the seat belt. After inserting the belt tongue into the belt buckle 1a whose time in 3 symbolized by the arrow pointing upwards, is the termination of the light output of the bulb 2 with a gentle Reduced light intensity initiated and the buckle 1a moved back to the lowered standard position.

Example 3:

The belted vehicle occupant of Example 3 opens his vehicle door when the vehicle is stationary. Since an imminent disembarkation is detected by this signal, the buckle is to facilitate Gurtlösens 1a is moved to an elevated position relative to the standard position for easier removal of the belt tongue. Through the bulb 2 there is a light output whose intensity curve in 3 is shown, wherein the time of opening the vehicle door is symbolized by the downward arrow. By the light emission, the vehicle occupant is finding the buckle 1a facilitated. After removing the belt tongue from the belt buckle 1a , in the 3 symbolized by the arrow pointing upwards, this is moved back to the lowered standard position and the light output of the bulb 2 ends.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

operating element

1a

buckle

2

Lamp

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 19729567 [0003]

Claims (10)

Control element ( 1 ) in a motor vehicle, comprising a light source ( 2 ), characterized in that by the illuminant ( 2 ) At least temporarily, a flashing light output takes place. Control element ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intensity of the light output of the illuminant ( 2 ) is constantly changing. Control element ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is in the operating element ( 1 ) around a buckle ( 1a ). Buckle ( 1a ) according to claim 3, characterized in that a light output by the lighting means ( 2 ) occurs when no belt tongue in the buckle ( 1a ) and the buckle ( 1a ) is in an elevated position relative to the standard position for facilitated insertion of a belt tongue. Buckle ( 1a ) according to claim 3, characterized in that a light output by the lighting means ( 2 ) takes place when a belt tongue in the buckle ( 1 ) and the buckle ( 1a ) is in an elevated position relative to the standard position for facilitating removal of a belt tongue. Motor vehicle comprising an operating element ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5. Method for controlling the light output of a light source ( 2 ) of a control element ( 1 ), characterized in that the light output is at least temporarily flashing, with their intensity changes steadily. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating element ( 1 ) a buckle ( 1a ). A method according to claim 8, characterized in that a) it is determined whether an operating mode is active in which the buckle ( 1a ) is to be brought to a raised position relative to the standard position, b) in the presence of an active operating mode as described in step a) is determined whether the buckle ( 1a ) is in the raised position, and c) in the presence of the buckle ( 1 ) in the raised position, a flashing light output of the bulb ( 2 ) is triggered and maintained as long as no belt tongue in the buckle ( 1a ) and is switched off as soon as a belt tongue in the buckle ( 1a ) is introduced. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that a) it is determined whether an operating mode is active in which the buckle ( 1a ) is to be brought into a raised position relative to the standard position for a belt release, b) in the presence of an active operating mode as described in step a) is determined whether the buckle ( 1a ) is in the raised position, and c) in the presence of the buckle ( 1 ) in the elevated position and / or upon detection of a completed vehicle accident, a flashing light output of the bulb ( 2 ) is triggered and maintained as long as a belt tongue in the buckle ( 1a ) and is switched off as soon as a belt tongue from the belt buckle ( 1a ) was removed.

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