DE102012200242A1 - Locking cap for a belt buckle of a safety belt system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock cap for a buckle of a safety belt system comprising two half-shells (10, 20) which are joined together by connecting units, which are integrated exclusively in the half-shells (10, 20). A connecting pin (30) of the connecting unit forms profiled shaft sections (11, 21) on both end sides. Here, the shank portion (11 ') is non-positively inserted into a blind hole-like recess (12') of the first half-shell (10). The further shank portion (21) of the connecting pin (30 ') including an end, an undercut (27) forming retaining plate (23') whose outer diameter (D5) exceeds a diameter (D3) of the shaft portion (21 '), by support arms ( 24, 24 ') of a snap connection positively and non-positively in a receptacle (22) of the half-shell (20) fixed.

Description

The invention relates to a lock cap for a buckle of a safety belt system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for mounting according to claim 9.

Belt buckles for the safety belt system in motor vehicles usually comprise two joined half-shells, which enclose a metallic carrier, a release button and a mechanism. A buckle with such a structure is for example from the EP 0 305 444 B1 known.

The half shells of a buckle can be assembled by different methods. For example, it is known to screw the half shells together. Another possibility is to connect the half-shells by a welding process. Finally, the half-shells can be connected to each other by positive snap connections. These indicated cost-intensive methods require a relatively high assembly costs or special complex injection molding tools for the representation of the snap connection.

According to the DE 10 2008 030 048 A1 are for mutual attachment of the half shells several connecting pins provided with externally profiled end portions, which engage in the final state in each case in holes of the half shells. The outer diameter of the profiled end portions in the unassembled state exceeds the diameter of the holes. For assembly, the end portions are pressed into the holes, where they are frictionally held due to the overlapping profiling. The assembly also requires a parallel insertion of the respective end portions of the connecting pins in the half-shells.

The object of the present invention is to provide a lock cap available, the half shells are joined together by a robust and durable, the assembly simplifying connection.

This problem is solved by a lock cap with the features of claim 1 and by a method for mounting the lock cap according to claim 9. Preferred developments of the invention according to claim 1 are given in the dependent claims 2 to 8.

The half-shells of the lock cap according to the invention for a buckle of a safety belt system are joined together according to claim 1 by fully integrated in the half-shells connecting units. The basic idea of the invention is to provide a robust, permanent connection unit between the half-shells, which at the same time makes it possible to design a buckle in an optically and haptic responsive optimized shape. The connecting units according to the invention are designed so that they advantageously affect neither the outer design of the half-shells and thus the buckle, are still outwardly visible. Each connection unit comprises a connecting pin with end-side, differently shaped shaft sections, which are each fixed in position in separate half-shells. A first shank portion of the connecting pin is positively inserted in a blind hole, in particular designed as a bore recess of the associated half-shell. A second shank portion of the connecting pin is integrally connected end to end with a retaining plate whose diameter exceeds the diameter of the shank portion. This shank portion is fixed positively and / or non-positively in the other half-shell. As a further alternative attachment, a cohesive connection between the shaft portion and the associated half-shell can be provided.

The invention advantageously makes it possible to reduce a cycle time of the preferably automated assembly of the buckle, since the connecting pins with a shaft portion in a first half-shell are fixed in a permanent manner even before joining the two half-shells together. The further automated joining process of the half-shells is limited to the insertion of the further shaft portion in the blind hole-like recess of the associated second half-shell. As a result, there is an additional cost advantage in addition to optimized process reliability.

A further advantage is that the connection unit according to the invention can be transferred to existing belt buckle concepts, since these can be integrated in the available installation space and do not require any change in the outer configuration of the half-shells. The connecting pins of the connecting unit according to the invention are preferably used parallel to one another and symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry of the belt lock in the associated half shells in order to achieve a matching force distribution.

The invention further provides a standardized connection unit which can be used, for example, for further elements of the safety belt system, since this connection unit can advantageously be used in the available construction space without additional measures. It also makes sense to provide the connection unit in general for applications in which two shell elements made in particular made of plastic are joined together.

A preferred, constructive construction of the invention provides that the second shaft section, together with the retaining plate forming an undercut, is fitted into a complementarily shaped receptacle of the half shell. For the retaining plate, a widened or lowered region adjoining the receptacle is provided, in which the retaining plate is accommodated in a form-fitting manner. Alternatively or additionally, it is advisable to fix this shaft portion by means of at least one axially offset to the retaining plate snap or clip connection in the receptacle of the half-shell. In this case, elastic, radially biased, an opening limiting support arms frictionally enclose the shaft portion. During assembly, in synchronism with a radial feed of the connecting pin, the support arms are spread open by the material's own elasticity before the shaft section snaps into the receptacle. For improved fixation, a snap connection extending over the length of the shank section, in particular a tubular design, can be provided, on which end the bearing plate is supported in a position-oriented manner in a radially widened zone of the half shell.

In addition, the invention includes a material connection between the shank portion of the connecting pin including the holding plate and the half-shell. For this purpose, the shank portion forms an insert part for an injection molding tool, which is encapsulated by the material of the associated half-shell during the plastic injection process and in the process is materially bonded to the half shell.

Further, to achieve a non-positive connection and play-free installation position, the shaft sections are used according to the invention with an external profiling in the recess designed as a blind hole or the receptacle of the half-shell. The maximum diameter of each shaft region, which is determined by the external profiling, in the unassembled state thereby exceeds the diameter of the receptacle or recess in the half-shell assigned to it. As a measure to simplify the insertion of the shaft portion and thus the assembly, the outer profile has a conically extending end portion. Furthermore, it is advisable to provide the shaft portion with a rounded tip.

As external profiling for the shaft region is preferably a ramp-like sawtooth profile. Alternatively, offer transverse ribs, ribbed profiles or regular or irregular circumferentially arranged knobs. The frictional connection between the half-shells can be improved by counter-running, in particular opposite to the pulling direction formed external profiles.

For a precise position definition, the connecting pin between the shaft sections includes a separating section which has an enlarged diameter relative to the shaft sections. This separating portion, which precisely defines a press-in depth, can also support a clamping function of a shaft portion which is positioned in the half-shell by means of a snap connection.

For the connection unit according to the invention is preferably a connecting pin made of metal, which is made for example by an extrusion molding process. This connecting pin can preferably be combined with half shells, which are made of plastic, in particular of a hard elastomer.

According to claim 9, a method including the following steps is provided for mounting the lock cap. First, the half shells are aligned according to an end position of both components. Then, in each case a connecting pin is fixed with a shaft portion via a snap connection to a first half-shell. Alternatively, a cohesive fixation of the shaft sections can take place in connection with an injection molding process of the half shell. Subsequently, the second shaft portions of all connecting pins are inserted into the formed as a blind hole recesses of the second half-shell. Finally, by means of a pressing tool, a force is applied to the half-shells until the second shaft sections reach the end position while deforming the associated outer profiling and thus the connecting pins.

The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

1 a lock cap in a perspective;

2 the lock cap off 1 in a sectional view;

3 a sectional view 3-3 according to 2 ;

4 a sectional view 4-4 according to 3 ;

5 the connecting pin as an insert in a half-shell;

6 a detailed view of a half-shell; and

7 a sectional view 7-7 according to 6 ,

In the 1 pictured lock cap 5 Forms an outer shell of an otherwise not shown belt buckle for safety belt systems. The lock cap 5 serves to receive a locking mechanism known in the art, which is associated with an unlocking button, not shown. The lock cap 5 includes two half shells 10 . 20 , which are joined together via separate connection units.

2 clarifies the mounting position within the lock cap 5 integrated connection units, each one the half shells 10 . 20 connecting connecting pin 30 . 30 ' enclose, in an associated recess 12 . 12 ' the half shell 10 as well as in a recording 21 . 21 ' the half shell 20 intervenes. The equally spaced to an axis of symmetry S of the lock cap 5 arranged connecting pins 30 . 30 ' are with a first, upper shaft portion 11 . 11 ' in a recess formed as a blind hole 12 . 12 ' the upper half shell 10 fixed non-positively. The second end in one piece with a retaining plate 23 . 23 ' connected lower shaft portion 21 . 21 ' is in a recording 22 . 22 ' the lower half shell 20 fixed in position. As in 3 is shown, the second shaft portion 21 via a snap connection, by two opposite elastic support arms 24 . 24 ' the lower half shell 20 is formed, non-positively fixed in position. For mounting the shaft section 21 of the connecting pin 30 radially over one of the support arms 24 . 24 ' limited opening 25 according to the direction of the arrow in the receptacle 22 pressed.

In 4 is the connecting pin 30 the connection unit in the mounted state shown enlarged. As a measure to support the non-positive mounting position each shaft section 11 . 21 each have a limited elastically acting outer profiling 16 . 26 in the recess 12 or the recording 22 the associated half shell 10 respectively. 20 used. The external profiling 16 of the shaft portion 21 is designed like a ramp. The further external profiling 26 of the shaft portion 21 ' includes regularly or irregularly distributed nubs. The diameter D1 of the recording 22 in the half shell 20 is greater than the diameter D2 of the recess designed as a blind hole 12 in the half shell 10 , The maximum diameter D3, D4 of the shaft sections 11 . 21 in the field of external profiling 16 . 26 exceed the associated diameter D1, D2 of the recording 22 or the recess 12 , The holding plate 23 whose diameter D5 is the diameter D1 of the receptacle 22 clearly exceeds, forms an undercut 27 over which the connecting pin 30 on the support arms 24 . 24 ' is supported.

The representation according to 5 shows the shaft portion 21 of the connecting pin 30 in one of the plastic of the half shell 20 enclosed installation position. This positive connection can be realized by means of an injection molding, in which the connecting pin 30 used as an insert in an injection mold and the plastic of the half-shell 20 is enclosed. The connecting pin 30 closes between the shaft sections 11 . 21 a separating section 15 one with one in comparison to the shaft sections 11 . 21 enlarged diameter at a joining contour 17 the half shell 20 rests and thus a fixation of the connecting pin 30 supporting clamping function. Furthermore, the shaft portion forms 11 a rounded tip 18 , which during assembly, the insertion of the shaft portion 11 into the recess 12 the half shell 10 simplified.

To illustrate the frictional attachment of the shaft sections 21 . 21 ' the connecting pins 30 . 30 ' in the half shell 20 is the snap connection in 6 in a view and in 7 shown in a sectional view. The elastic support arms 24 . 24 ' extend over an angle of ≥ 200 ° and limit the opening 25 for the radial introduction of the shaft sections 21 . 21 ' , According to 7 form the support arms 24 . 24 ' opposite to an inner wall of the half-shell 20 an annular gap 28 for receiving the with the shaft sections 21 . 21 ' connected holding plate 23 ,

The assembly of the connection unit according to the invention takes place as follows. First, an alignment of the half shells takes place 10 . 20 according to a final position. Subsequently, the lower shaft sections 21 . 21 ' the connecting pins 30 . 30 ' radially in the opening 25 the snap-in connection is introduced and with high force, which is a spreading of the support arms 24 . 24 ' causes in the recording 22 . 22 ' the half shell 20 pressed. Alternatively, there is a cohesive fixation of the connecting pins 30 . 30 ' in the half shell 20 at. These are the shaft sections 21 . 21 ' as an insert in connection with an injection molding of the half shell 20 used in an injection mold and enclosed by the plastic of the half-shell. Then the upper half shell 10 so on the lower half shell 20 positioned that the shaft sections 11 . 11 ' with the corresponding recordings 12 . 12 ' to match. By means of a pressing tool are finally the half shells 10 . 20 kraftbeaufschlagt, wherein the shaft sections 11 . 11 ' in the recordings 12 . 12 ' be pressed to an end position.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0305444 B1 [0002]
• DE 102008030048 A1 [0004]

Claims (9)

Locking cap for a belt buckle of a safety belt system comprising two half shells ( 10 . 20 ), which are joined together by connecting units which are in the half-shells ( 10 . 20 ) and a connecting pin ( 30 . 30 ' ) of each connection unit via shaft sections ( 11 . 11 '; 21 . 21 ' ) in the associated half-shell ( 10 . 20 ) is fixed in position, wherein - the first shaft portion ( 11 . 11 ' ) of the connecting pin ( 30 . 30 ' ) frictionally in a blind hole-like recess ( 12 . 12 ' ) of the half shell ( 10 ) engages, characterized in that - the second shaft portion ( 21 . 21 ' ) of the connecting pin ( 30 . 30 ' ) including an end-holding plate ( 23 . 23 ' ) whose outer diameter (D5) has a diameter (D3) of the shaft portion (FIG. 21 . 21 ' ) exceeds, positively and / or non-positively or alternatively cohesively in a receptacle ( 22 . 22 ' ) within the associated half-shell ( 20 ) is fixed. Lock cap according to claim 1, characterized in that - the second in the receptacle ( 22 . 22 ' ) of the half shell ( 20 ) inserted shank portion ( 21 . 21 ' ) with at least one axial to the holding plate ( 23 . 23 ' ) offset snap-fit connection is maintained, the radially biased, an opening ( 25 ) limiting and the shank portion ( 22 . 22 ' ) enclosing support arms ( 24 . 24 ' ). Lock cap according to claim 2, characterized in that - the snap connection of the half shell ( 20 ) over the length of the second shaft portion ( 21 . 21 ' ), at the end of the retaining plate ( 23 . 23 ' ) is supported. Lock cap according to claim 1, characterized in that - the second shaft section ( 21 . 21 ' ) including the retaining plate ( 23 . 23 ' ) form an insert for an injection molding tool, the material fit of the plastic of the associated half-shell ( 20 ) is sprayed over. Lock cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - at least one shaft section ( 11 . 11 '; 21 . 21 ' ) with an external profiling ( 16 . 26 ) in the formed as a blind hole recess ( 12 . 12 ' ) or in the recording ( 22 . 22 ' ) of the associated half shell ( 20 ), wherein - the maximum diameter (D3, D4) of the shaft regions ( 11 . 11 '; 21 . 21 ' ) in the unassembled state, the diameter (D1, D2) of the associated recess ( 12 . 12 ' ) or recording ( 22 . 22 ' ) exceeds. Lock cap according to claim 5, characterized in that - the external profiling ( 16 . 26 ) is formed as a ramp-like sawtooth or includes transverse ribs, ribbed profiles or regularly or irregularly arranged knobs. Lock cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the connecting pin ( 30 . 30 ' ) for defining an installation position or limitation of a press-in depth a separating section ( 15 ), which is opposite the shaft sections ( 11 . 11 '; 21 . 21 ' ) has an enlarged diameter. Locking cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the connecting unit has a connecting pin ( 30 . 30 ' ) made of metal, which is produced by an extrusion molding process and with half shells ( 10 . 20 ) is made of plastic. Method for assembling a lock cap according to one of claims 1 to 8 with the following steps: - alignment of both half shells ( 10 . 20 ), which corresponds to an end position of both components, - fixing first shaft sections ( 21 . 21 ' ) of the connecting pins ( 30 . 30 ' ) via a snap connection on the first half shell ( 20 ), alternatively to a material-locking fixation of the shaft sections ( 21 . 21 ' ) in connection with an injection molding process of the half-shell ( 20 ), in which the shank portion ( 21 . 21 ' ) as an insert of the plastic of the half-shell ( 20 ), - introducing further shaft sections ( 11 . 11 ' ) of the connecting pins ( 30 . 30 ' ) formed in a blind hole recesses ( 12 . 12 ' ) of the second half shell ( 10 ), - application of force to the half-shells ( 10 . 20 ) by means of a pressing tool, in which the shaft sections ( 11 . 11 ' ) are pressed in to an end position.

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