DE29917538U1 - Rattle noise reduction for a belt buckle - Google Patents

Description

Patent Attorney's Office N ö'.t Jj***. .

Patent Attorney's Office Nöth, Arnulfstraße 25, D-80335 Munich

Patent attorneys

European Patent Attorneys

European Trademark Attorneys

Dipl. Phys. Heinz Nöth Dipl. Phys. Hanns-J. Kraus

D-80335 Munich, Arnulfstrasse 25

Tel.: 089/544138-0 Fax: 089/544138-38 e-mail: PA-Noeth@t-online.de

05 October 1999 &bgr; 54 41 38 - 0

14272

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. 5300 Old Tampa Highway, P.O. Box 33050 Lakeland, Florida 33807-3050, USA

Rattling noise dampening for a belt buckle

Rattling noise dampening for a belt buckle

The invention relates to a device for dampening rattling noises and the like for a belt buckle carrier unit of a safety belt system in a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Due to the low driving noise levels achieved in today's vehicle construction, other sources of noise are more unpleasant than is the case with vehicles that have a high average driving noise level. In particular, noises that are caused by individual components hitting each other within the passenger compartment are perceived as unpleasant or disturbing by the vehicle's passengers.

One of these rattling noises, which is perceived as disturbing, can be caused by the belt buckle carrier unit, which hits, for example, a center console in the vehicle while driving. This is particularly the case if the passenger seat to which this belt buckle carrier unit belongs is not

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is occupied and/or the space between this seat and the centre console is relatively narrow, as is the case in sports cars, small cars, etc.

In practice, felt strips were glued to the housing of the belt buckle to avoid these rattling noises. However, such a solution does not meet the design requirements found in today's automobile construction. In addition, the attachment of this felt strip requires additional handling processes during assembly of the vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for dampening rattling noises and the like for a belt buckle carrier unit of a safety belt system in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the beginning, which device dampens the resulting rattling noises in a simple manner.

The above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The subsequent claims 2 to 22 contain advantageous embodiments of this solution.

By providing at least one damping device in connection with at least one outer side of the casing, the rattling noises caused by the belt buckle carrier unit hitting the center console, for example, can be dampened in a very simple manner. The damping device can be provided not only on the outer side of the casing that faces the component of the motor vehicle that causes the rattling noise, but also, for example, on the casing side opposite this outer side in order to dampen any rattling noises that occur on this side as well. Furthermore, for manufacturing reasons or for reasons of noise dampening, the damping device can also completely surround the casing in the circumferential direction.

In order to avoid an additional handling process, as is the case with the above-described gluing of a felt strip onto the belt buckle housing, the damping device can be formed integrally with the casing.

The present invention enables a solution in which the damping device is mounted on the casing between the articulation point area and the

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belt buckle, i.e. in the area of the outer contour of a known casing without a damping device. On the other hand, there is the possibility that the damping device is designed as a preferably one-piece extension of the casing, as will be explained below.

The damping device itself can be formed by a wide variety of structural design measures. For example, it is possible for the damping device to have a height, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the casing, which is at least equal to, and preferably greater than, the height of the belt buckle in this direction. This means that the damping device comes into contact with the opposing component of the motor vehicle before the relatively hard belt buckle, which causes a rattling noise, can strike this component. The damping device can be formed by at least one rib running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the casing. It is also possible for the damping device to be formed by two ribs running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the casing and parallel to one another.

Since center consoles and the like often have a cross-sectional shape that tapers towards the top, it can also be advantageous if the ribs preferably have different heights, such that the rib closest to the belt buckle has a greater height than the rib further away from the belt buckle. This provides stable support for the belt buckle support unit on the center console, so that even if the belt buckle provided at the free end of the belt buckle support unit continues to swing, a rattling noise can be largely prevented.

In addition to a solution in which the damping device projects beyond the outer circumference of the belt buckle (or beyond the outer circumference of another component of the belt buckle carrier unit), a solution can also be provided in which the damping device is flush with the outer circumference of the belt buckle (or another component of the belt buckle carrier unit). In this case, the damping device can be made of a material with particularly good damping properties.

The damping device can also be formed by an extension of the casing that extends into the area of the belt buckle. This extension can in turn have a wide variety of designs.

A useful damping effect can be achieved by the extension itself. However, in order to effectively dampen the rattling noises that arise, the extension can also have at least one raised part. This raised part can in turn be formed by a wide variety of design elements. For example, it is possible for the raised part to be formed by a knob. In addition, the raised part can be formed by at least one rib running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle support unit. In this case, four ribs running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle support unit and parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another can be provided, the width of which is preferably smaller than the width of the belt buckle. In addition, the raised part can be formed by at least one raised symbol. This symbol can be a letter or the brand of the motor vehicle manufacturer using the present invention. In addition, the extension can be formed by a tab. In addition, it is possible for the extension to be a hose section that at least partially encloses the belt buckle.

Alternatively or in addition to the elevation, the extension can be provided with at least one reinforcing layer, which is preferably made of an elastomer.

Furthermore, it is possible for the extension to be formed by at least one rib running at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belt buckle carrier unit. Two ribs can also be provided here, which run at a distance from one another and parallel to one another.

The casing itself can have a wide variety of shapes. It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the casing is formed by a bellows. The casing can have both a substantially rectangular cross-section and a cross-section with a convex bulge on at least one side. The latter is particularly advantageous if the damping device is formed by a flap provided with a reinforcing layer.

In principle, any available material that is capable of dampening noise can be used for the damping device. It is particularly advantageous if the damping device is made of an elastomer.

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Further advantageous configurations and embodiments of the device according to the invention are explained below in connection with the drawing figures. The terms "top", "bottom", "right" and "left" used in connection with the description of the embodiments refer to the orientation of the drawing figures in the viewing position with a normally legible figure designation. It should also be noted that in the drawing figures of the various embodiments, identical components are identified by identical reference numerals, whereas components that are functionally identical but structurally different are identified by "'". Here:

Figure 1 __ a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the damping device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second

embodiment;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the third embodiment shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a fifth embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 9.

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leadership style;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic side view of a seventh embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the seventh shown in Figure 12

embodiment; and

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the

damping device according to the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the device for dampening rattling noises and the like for a belt buckle carrier unit G. Insofar as the structure of the belt buckle carrier unit G is important for understanding the present invention, it will be explained below using this first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. In connection with the description of embodiments 2 to 8, only the deviations or differences of the belt buckle carrier units G shown there will be discussed, if any.

The belt buckle support unit G is only partially and schematically shown in Figures 1 and 2. Also only partially and schematically shown in Figure 1 is an upwardly tapering center console M of a motor vehicle (not shown in detail), which is arranged to the left of the belt buckle support unit G.

The belt buckle carrier unit G comprises a pivot point area A (see Fig. 2) with which it is fastened to the vehicle in the immediate vicinity of the center console M in a known manner. The belt buckle carrier unit G also has a casing 10 which adjoins the pivot point area A at the top and a belt buckle S which also adjoins it at the top. The belt buckle S is connected to the pivot point area A or to the fastening element arranged in the interior of this area A, not shown, via a connecting element (e.g. a wire cable) in a known manner. The casing 10 completely encloses or covers this connecting element.

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The belt buckle G has a known structure with an insertion slot E that is open at the top and a release button T arranged next to the insertion slot E for releasing the safety belt (not shown in more detail) from the belt buckle G. The housing of the belt buckle G is made of a hard material and has the shape of a regular trapezoid in cross section with side edges running towards each other in a convex arc. The shorter of the two side edges running parallel to each other points in the direction of the center console M. Furthermore, the housing of the belt buckle S tapers towards the casing 10 on the side facing the center console M.

If this belt buckle carrier unit G is used in two-door vehicles with foldable backrests of the driver and front passenger seats, the belt buckle S can be arranged at an angle of preferably 10° to 15° relative to the pivot point area A. With regard to the driver and front passenger sides, the belt buckle carrier unit G is installed in a mirror-symmetrical position. This slight angle of the belt buckle S makes it easier for the buckle S to move when the backrests of the driver or front passenger seat are folded down. This prevents the belt buckle S from becoming jammed between the seats and the backrests.

The casing 10, which is preferably made of an elastomer, is designed as a bellows with 7 fold peaks 10a and 6 fold valleys 10b, which run transversely to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle support unit G. As can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the bellows of the casing 10 has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, the area of which in the area of the fold valleys essentially corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the articulation point area A and the lower end of the belt buckle S pointing towards it. As can be seen from Figure 1, the bellows can be formed in one piece with the covering of the articulation point area A.

In this first embodiment, the device for dampening rattling noises and the like is formed by two ribs 12a, 12b, which run essentially transversely to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle carrier unit G, preferably over the entire width of the casing 10, and are formed from fold humps 10a of the bellows of the casing 10, but the fold valleys 10b have the same depths. The two ribs 12a, 12b are provided on the fifth and sixth fold hump 10a from below. As can be seen in particular from Figure 1, the two ribs 12a, 12b have different heights, measured in a

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Direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle support unit G. The rib 12a provided on the sixth fold hump 10a has the greater height than the rib 12b present on the fifth fold hump 10a. As can be seen from Figure 1, this serves to securely support the belt buckle support unit G on the center console M which tapers towards the top.

In the second embodiment of the damping device shown in Figures 3 and 4, this is formed by a tab-like extension 14 which extends from the upper end of the casing 10' along the outside of the belt buckle S facing the center console M in the direction of the latter. The tab-like extension 14 is formed in one piece with the casing 10' and has a width which essentially corresponds to the length of the shorter of the two parallel side edges of the trapezoid of the belt buckle housing. As can be seen in particular from Figure 4, the tab-like extension 14 extends to just under half the length of the belt buckle S. As can be seen from Figure 3, on the other hand, the tab-like extension 14 lies tightly against the housing of the belt buckle S. If necessary, a recess can even be provided on the housing of the belt buckle S, the length, width and depth dimensions of which correspond to those of the tab-like extension 14, so that the tab-like extension 14 ends at least approximately flush with the outer surface of the housing of the belt buckle.

If only the cover 10' together with the flap-like extension 14 is made of a noise-damping material, such as preferably an elastomer, this design can already be sufficient to adequately dampen rattling noises between the belt buckle support unit G and the center console M. As a supplementary measure, the flap-like extension 14 can be designed with a raised portion 16 at its end facing the insertion slot E of the belt buckle S, which is designed as a knob in the second embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4. This knob 16 has a height, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the belt buckle support unit G, which is greater than the height of the other components of the belt buckle support unit G in the area where the belt buckle support unit G can be attached to the center console, as can be seen from Figure 3.

It should also be noted that the casing 10' is also designed as a bellows, but in contrast to the representation shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is provided with uniformly high fold bumps 10a.

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Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the device according to the invention for dampening rattling noises. This differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that a hose-like extension 18 is provided at the upper end of the casing 10', which surrounds the lower end of the belt buckle S in a tulip-like manner. This hose-like extension 18 is also integrally connected to the casing 10' and, like the latter, is made of an elastomer. As can be seen in particular from Figure 5, the hose-like extension 18 extends to approximately half the longitudinal extent of the belt buckle housing. If necessary, the housing of the belt buckle S can also have a circumferential recess whose length and depth dimensions correspond to those of the tubular extension 18, so that the tubular extension 18 ends at least approximately flush with the outer surface of the housing of the belt buckle, as shown in Figure 5.

A fourth embodiment of the damping device according to the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8. It has a similar structure to the third embodiment according to Figures 5 and 6, i.e. a tulip-like or tube-like extension 18' is provided which is directly adjacent to the casing 10" and is connected in one piece to the casing 10". In contrast to the third embodiment, however, the casing 10" in the area of the bellows has a cross-sectional shape which deviates from a rectangular shape, such that the side of the bellows facing the center console M has a convex arch. In addition, the tube-like extension 18' is provided on the side facing the center console M with a reinforcement or a reinforcement layer which essentially corresponds to the length of the shorter of the two side edges of the trapezoid of the belt buckle housing which run parallel to one another.

Figures 9 and 10 show a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention. This differs from the second embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 in that the extension is formed by two ribs 20a, 20b which extend in the longitudinal direction of the belt buckle carrier unit G and are spaced apart from one another and run essentially parallel to one another. These two ribs 20a, 20b are also integrally connected to the casing 10'. The distance between the two ribs corresponds approximately to the length of the shorter of the two side edges of the belt buckle housing that run parallel to one another, whereas the length of the two ribs 20a, 20b corresponds approximately to the length of the belt buckle housing on this side.

As can be seen from Figures 9 and 10, the ribs 20a, 20b can also be formed by a combination of rib sections connected in one piece to the casing 10' and rib sections molded onto the housing. The latter then extend from the end of the belt buckle housing having the insertion slot E to the casing 10'.

Figure 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention for dampening rattling noises, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 with the difference that the extension 14' has, instead of the knob or knobs 16, four ribs 22 running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the belt fastening carrier unit G, which are formed integrally on the extension 14' parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. The ribs 22 have a triangular cross-section. As can be seen from Figure 11, these ribs 22 can have a width in the direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the belt buckle carrier unit G that essentially corresponds to the length of the shorter of the two side edges of the belt buckle housing running parallel to one another.

A seventh embodiment of the damping device according to the invention is shown in Figures 12 and 13. This essentially corresponds to the second embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, with the difference that instead of the knob or knobs 16, a rib 24 and two raised letter characters 26 are attached to the extension 14". These letters can, for example, represent the company abbreviation of the vehicle manufacturer for marketing purposes. Instead of letters, the manufacturer's company logo can also be reproduced in raised form.

Finally, Figure 14 shows an eighth embodiment of the damping device according to the invention, in which the belt buckle S' and the casing 10'" have a roof-shaped design in cross section on the side facing the center console M (not shown in more detail). In the area of the lower end of the belt buckle S', a tab-like extension 14'" is provided, which is connected in one piece to the casing 10'" and is also roof-shaped in accordance with the shape of the belt buckle S'.

Claims (22)

1. Device for dampening rattling noises and the like for a belt buckle carrier unit (G) of a safety belt system in a motor vehicle, with a covering ( 10 ; 10 '; 10 "; 10 ''') which envelops at least one connecting element connecting the belt buckle (S. S') to the articulation point region (A) of the belt buckle carrier unit (G), characterized in that the covering ( 10 ; 10 '; 10 "; 10 ''') in connection with at least one of its outer sides has at least one damping device ( 12 a, 12 b; 14 , 16 ; 14 ';22; 14 ", 24 ; 26 , 14 ''';18; 18 '; 20 a, 20 b). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping device ( 12 a, 12 b; 14 ; 16 ; 14 ';22; 14 ";24;26; 14 ''';18; 18 '; 20 a, 20 b; 22 ; 24 ; ) is formed integrally with the casing ( 10 ; 10 '; 10 "; 10 '''). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the damping device ( 12 a, 12 b) is provided on the casing ( 10 ) between the articulation point region (A) and the belt buckle (S). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the damping device ( 12 a, 12 b; 14 , 16 ; 14 ', 22 ; 14 ", 24 , 26 ; 18 '; 20 a, 20 b) has a height, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the casing ( 10 ; 10 '), which is at least equal to, preferably greater than, the height of the belt buckle (S) in this direction. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the damping device is formed by at least one rib ( 12 a, 12 b; 22 ; 24 ) running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the casing ( 10 ). 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the damping device is formed by two ribs ( 12 a, 12 b) which run transversely to the longitudinal extension of the casing ( 10 ) and parallel to one another and are provided on the casing ( 10 ) between the articulation point region (A) and the belt buckle (S). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the ribs ( 12 a, 12 b) have different heights, the rib ( 12 a) closer to the belt buckle (S) having a greater height than the rib ( 12 b) further away from the belt buckle (S). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the damping device ( 14 '''; 18 ) runs flush with the outer circumference of the belt buckle (S). 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the damping device is an extension ( 14 ; 14 '; 14 "; 14 ''';18; 18 '; 20 a, 20 b) of the casing ( 10 ; 10 '; 10 "; 10 ''') reaching into the region of the belt buckle (S. S'). 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the extension ( 14 ; 14 '; 14 "; 18 '; 20 a, 20 b) has at least one elevation ( 16 ; 20 a, 20 b; 22 ; 24 ; 26 ). 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the elevation is formed by a knob ( 16 ). 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the elevation is formed by at least one rib ( 22 ; 26 ) running transversely to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle carrier unit (G). 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that four ribs ( 22 ) are provided which run transversely to the longitudinal extension of the belt buckle carrier unit (G) and parallel to one another, the width of which is preferably smaller than the width of the belt buckle (S). 14. Device according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the elevation is formed by at least one raised character ( 24 ), preferably a letter character. 15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the extension is formed by a tab ( 14 ). 16. Device according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the extension ( 18 ') is provided with at least one reinforcing layer, which is preferably made of an elastomer. 17. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the extension is a hose section ( 18 ; 18 ') at least partially enclosing the belt buckle (S). 18. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the extension is formed by at least one rib ( 20 a, 20 b) running at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belt buckle carrier unit (G). 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that two ribs ( 20 a, 20 b) are provided which run spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another. 20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the casing is formed by a bellows ( 10 ; 10 '; 10 "; 10 '''). 21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the casing ( 10 ''') is convexly bulged outwards on at least one outer side. 22. Devices according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the damping device is made of an elastomer.