EP4222298A1

EP4222298A1 - Seat belt strap for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4222298A1
Application number: EP21844742.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erfindernennung liegt noch nicht vor Die
Original assignee: Berger & Co Holding KG GmbH
Current assignee: Berger & Co Holding KG GmbH
Priority date: 2021-02-19
Filing date: 2021-12-27
Publication date: 2023-08-09
Also published as: JP7473746B2; CN116710606A; US20230399775A1; DE102021104034B3; JP2023546598A; WO2022174968A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat belt strap (1) for a vehicle, comprising a woven fabric (2) composed of intersecting warp threads (3) and weft threads (4), the woven fabric (2) being designed at least in part in such a way that it is at least 6-harness, preferably 8-harness in the weave pattern, wherein a) in the weave pattern, each warp thread (3) has at least four, preferably six intersection points with the weft threads (4), the intersection points being those weave points which result between said warp thread (3) and the weft threads (4) when the warp thread switches, within the weave pattern, from a raised warp position to a lowered warp position or vice versa; and • b) within the weave pattern, the largest warp float per warp thread (3) is over two weft threads (4) and the maximum warp lowering is below two weft threads (4), and • c) within the weave pattern, per warp thread (3), there is at least one warp lift above a weft thread (4) and at least one warp lowering below a weft thread (4) in addition to the warp float.

Description

Seat belt webbing for a vehicle

The invention relates to a seat belt webbing for a vehicle, preferably a motorized vehicle. Such a vehicle can be a land vehicle such as an automobile, truck, bus or rail vehicle. In principle, the term vehicle also includes a watercraft or aircraft, such as an airplane.

Seat belt webbing is used in the vehicles mentioned for the manufacture of seat belts. The latter are part of restraint systems to prevent impact injuries and vehicle occupants being ejected from the vehicle in the event of an accident. Such a restraint system generally has a buckle tongue attached to the seat belt, with which it can be inserted into a buckle for buckle-up of the occupant and can be detached from it again for unbuckling. In addition, the restraint system has a retractor mechanism (refractor) and a deflector to deflect the seat belt and an end fitting.

Seat belt webbings are conventionally made at least partially from woven fabrics, ie from warp threads and weft threads that are crossed with one another. Weaves for such seat belt webbing known from the prior art are, for example, the equilateral single-rib twill, the warp or weft twill alternately, and in rarer cases the grosgrain or plain weave.

Seat belt straps that are generally 1.2 mm thick or even thicker have established themselves on the market. However, such a comparatively large thickness has a disadvantageous effect on the installation space of the refractor: because the thicker the webbing, the greater the winding volume and the greater the installation space that such a refractor requires. More recent developments, such as autonomous driving, require a further reduction in installation space and weight of the vehicle. If you want to meet these needs, the webbing must inevitably be thinner. To do this, the amount of material in the seat belt webbing per square centimeter must be reduced. In addition to the advantageous effects such as lower material and labor costs, the reduction in the amount of material also has a number of disadvantages. The types of binding known from the prior art are usually not suitable for thinner seat belt straps. In addition, a pure reduction in thickness with a simultaneous reduction in the number of threads and/or the fineness of the yarn leads to a loss of mechanical properties such as breaking load or rigidity. The fabric loses stability due to less material. This also has a negative effect on the usage properties, such as putting on and wearing the seat belt for the vehicle occupants. A thinner seat belt can have a negative effect on winding up in the refractor, increasing the risk of twisting in the latch plate, chafing due to extension and retraction in the refractor and on the latch plates and on the deflector, putting more strain on them. Finally, a thinner seat belt webbing may wear out sooner than a thicker one, reducing the life of such seat belt webbing.

The invention thus relates to a generic seat belt webbing of a restraint system of a vehicle mentioned at the outset.

It is therefore the object of the invention to specify a seat belt webbing for a vehicle which is thinner than in the prior art and which essentially has the same mechanical properties and usage properties as such a known seat belt webbing.

The object on which the invention is based is achieved by a seat belt webbing for a vehicle according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, which can optionally be combined with one another.

A seat belt webbing according to the invention for a vehicle comprises a fabric made from interlaced warp threads and weft threads, the fabric being at least partially designed in such a way that the pattern repeat is at least 6-binding, preferably 8-binding a) the weave repeat per warp thread comprises at least four, preferably six crossing points with the weft threads, the crossing points being those weave points that result between said warp thread and the weft threads when the warp thread within the weave repeat changes from a warp up to a warp down or vice versa ; and b) within the pattern repeat, the greatest warp float per warp thread is over two, preferably exactly two, weft threads (weft insertions) and the maximum warp drop is under two, preferably exactly under two weft threads (weft insertions); and c) within the weave repeat per warp thread there is at least one warp rise over a weft thread (weft insertion) and at least one warp lowering under a weft thread (weft insertion) in addition to the warp float.

With such a fabric weave, a seat belt webbing according to the invention can be specified that is significantly thinner than the seat belt webbings known from the prior art (1.2 mm thick). So it comes with less material. Nevertheless, it has comparable mechanical properties and usage properties to a seat belt webbing that is known per se. This allows it to be wound up easily in the retractor, the risk of twisting in the latch plate is comparatively low and it is also more resistant to chafing. A comparatively thinner seat belt webbing can thus be specified whose service life corresponds to that of thicker seat belt webbing. With the fabric weave according to the invention, a seat belt webbing with a thickness of less than 1 mm can be specified, for example with a thickness of 0.95 mm.

In the case of the fabric weave, the weave repeat per warp thread can therefore have (exactly) two floats in the warp rise and two floats in the warp drop and, in addition, one warp drop and one warp drop. The term warp lowering is synonymous with the term warp depth.

In weaving, the term weave repeat describes the repetitive weave pattern (also called weave pattern) of a weave cartridge. A binding pattern is the schematic representation of a binding. According to the invention, the weave repeat for a single warp thread is often mentioned. Then the binding sequence of the first warp thread of the binding repeat is meant, the next warp threads follow the rules of the twill weave.

The term binding or "binding" means the number of warp threads and weft threads (or weft entries) in the weave repeat. A 6-binding multi-ridge twill has 6 warp threads and 6 weft threads (weft insertions) in the weave repeat, an 8-binding one corresponding to 8 threads.

When we talk about warp floatation or the fact that a warp thread floats, this means that there is more than one weft thread between two consecutive binding points of the warp thread. In other words, a warp thread floats when the warp thread has, for example, two successive warp depths or warp depths along the weave repeat. A warp drop in the weave pattern means that the warp thread lies below the weft thread, a warp rise means that the warp thread lies above the weft thread.

On conventional needle tape machines, the weft is inserted into the shed with the help of a weft needle, which is why there are two weft threads per weft insertion in the fabric due to the process. Another weft can also be inserted with a second weft needle, in this case there would be 4 weft threads per weft insertion in the fabric. In the case of the warp rises over the weft and the warp falls, i.e. the lowering of the warp thread under the weft, it is not the “weft threads” that are meant and represented as one, but the weft insertion or simply the weft. This is also reflected in the numbering of the weft threads in the weave repeat. The weft thread is not a single weft, which is cut off after insertion, but a continuous weft thread, which forms the webbing edge of the finished seat belt webbing on the one hand through the weft reversal and on the other hand through a row of stitches together with the edge warp thread.

If, according to the invention, we speak of binding points, this means the crossing of a warp thread and a weft thread or a weft insertion meant in the binding image. The terms “weft thread” and “weft insertion” are therefore used synonymously in the present invention.

The definition “at least 6-binding” means that the fabric comprises at least 6, preferably exactly six and particularly preferably exactly 8 warp threads in the weave repeat. The maximum number here can be 10 warp threads, i.e. 10 bindings.

Typically, the warp yarns run the length (length) of the finished seat belt webbing. The weft threads run transversely to this, i.e. in the width extension (width) of the seat belt webbing. The thickness dimension (thickness) is perpendicular to the width and length dimensions of the seat belt webbing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the immediately adjacent warp thread in the pattern repeat is offset by at least one weft thread, preferably by exactly one weft thread (also called weft). The warp threads are usually numbered from left to right in the pattern repeat. In an 8-binding repeat, the first, left warp thread is number 1, the right and last warp thread is number 8. Warp thread number 2, which is directly adjacent to warp thread number 1, is offset by at least one weft thread. Warp thread number 3, which is immediately adjacent to warp thread number 2, is in turn offset by at least one weft thread compared to warp thread number 2, and so on.

The seat belt webbing according to the invention can be realized by a multi-ribbed twill. Such a pattern comprises at least two twill lines in the weave repeat and has at least 6 bindings, preferably 8 bindings. In the case of the multi-ribbed twill, the offset of directly adjacent warp threads in the weave repeat would be exactly one. The multi-ridge twill can be designed as an equilateral or non-equilateral multi-ridge twill. The advantage of a multi-rib twill over a 3-binding single-bin warp twill alternating with a 3-binding single-bin weft twill, as described in DE102011084336B4, is that all the warp threads within the weave repeat at least temporarily meet and thus have a hard, thread-by-thread counter-weave. Another advantage of an equilateral multi-ridge twill is that both sides of the fabric have the same look. Another advantage of an equilateral multi-rib twill, for example compared to conventional single-rib twills, is that the number of binding points per binding repeat is increased. Overall, there is less warp and weft shifting in the fabric. The sliding resistance of such a fabric is therefore higher. Slip resistance is understood as the force that is necessary to prevent warp or weft threads from being displaced horizontally from their original position, i.e. the fabric becoming unstable. In the present case, counter-weave means that in the case of adjacent warp threads at the level of the same weft thread, one warp thread is raised, i.e. there is a warp lift, whereas the other warp thread is lowered, so that they block each other and do not block each other under stress, in particular due to friction and pressure move.

Preferably, the ridge direction of the multi-ridge body may alternate from an S ridge to a Z ridge or vice versa along the width or the length of the seat belt webbing. In principle, it is conceivable to rearrange the fabric, starting from the base or starting position of the multi-ribbed twill, by swapping the order of the warp threads. With these measures, different patterns and thus optically appealing forms of appearance can be realized.

Through the measures according to the invention, such as the fabric weave and the use of an 8-binding multi-ribbed twill, a fabric can be specified that implements the advantages according to the invention particularly well.

The seat belt webbing can preferably have warp threads which have a thread count of between 550 dtex and 2500 dtex and preferably between 800 dtex and 1200 dtex. The weft thread count can also be between 280 dtex and 1400 dtex. It has been shown that these are optimal parameters for the highest possible tissue factor. Further measures improving the invention are presented in more detail below together with the description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures.

Show it:

1a: a binding cartridge of a first embodiment of the invention with an 8-binding equilateral multi-ridge twill;

FIG. 1b: the manner of tying the first warp thread of the tying cartridge from FIG. 1; FIG.

2 shows a binding cartridge of a second embodiment of the invention with an 8-binding equilateral multi-ridge twill with a modified burr sequence;

3 shows a weave pattern of a third embodiment of the invention with an 8-binding multi-ridge twill by rearranging the warp threads;

4 shows a binding cartridge of a fourth embodiment of the invention with a 6-binding multi-ridge twill;

5 shows a binding cartridge of a fifth embodiment of the invention with an 8-binding multi-ridge twill with a change of ridges and with lateral edges;

6 shows a schematic representation of a seat belt webbing according to the invention in a restraint system of a vehicle. 1 to 5 show different embodiments of the fabric 2 of a part of a seat belt webbing 1 according to the invention in a very schematic representation of the respective weave cartridge. In each of the binding cartridges shown, the binding repeat is indicated in the lower left quadrant of the binding cartridge by the lines on the side. It indicates how many warp and weft threads 3, 4 are necessary to produce the pattern once. The warp threads 3 in FIGS. 1a and 2 to 5 run vertically (ie in the longitudinal extension of the seat belt webbing 1 to be produced), while the weft threads 4 run horizontally (ie in the width extension of the seat belt webbing 1). Each of the small squares in the weave cartridge forms a binding point of a warp thread 3 with a weft thread 4. If the square is black, there is a warp rise, so the warp thread 3 lies over the weft thread 4. If the square is white, then there is a warp fall , the warp thread 3 is below the weft thread 4. What is common to FIGS. 1a, 2, 4 and 5 is that it is an equilateral multi-rib twill weave. FIG. 3 is a modification of such a binding.

If warp threads are referenced with numbers in the figures, then they are numbered consecutively from left to right starting with 1. Weft threads are numbered from bottom to top, starting with 1. The origin of counting for both warp and weft threads is the first, lower left square of the binding cartridge.

If you look at the weave repeat of each individual warp thread 3 starting from the origin of the count, i.e. from the first lower left square, i.e. warp thread number 1 here, the weave method can also be described as follows: first 2 warp lifts, then a warp lowering, one warp lift, two Warp drops, a warp raise and finally a warp drop. The following abbreviation according to DIN 61 101 results for this weave repeat of the 8-binding multi-ribbed twill: K z

1 2 ~T

The letter K stands for the twill weave, the letter Z for the direction of the ridge, here Z-ridge. Consequently, this binding method results in an equilateral multi-ridge twill, i.e. two identical-looking fabric sides of the seat belt webbing with several ridges (twill ridges).

In the following, this type of weave is used as the basis or starting position of the multi-ribbed twill, also referred to as a combined twill weave. Twill weaves are basically constructed in such a way that the warp thread immediately adjacent to the first warp thread of the weave repeat, i.e. warp thread number 2, is offset by exactly one weft thread. This can be seen from FIG. 1a by the fact that warp thread number 2 has an identical weave to warp thread number 1, only the former is offset by one weft thread “up” compared to the latter. The same applies to warp thread number 3, which in turn is offset by one weft thread “up” compared to its direct neighbour, warp thread number 2.

In Fig. 1b the weave of the warp thread number 1 from Fig. 1a is shown in detail. After the eighth weft thread 4 seen from the left (weave repeat), the weaving pattern is repeated again. It can be seen quite clearly here that the warp float is exactly two, that is to say that the warp thread 3 runs over exactly two weft threads 4 in the warp up pass and also under exactly two weft threads 4 in the warp down pass. In addition to the two floats, there are further individual warp raises and lowers. This means that there are exactly two warp floats and a total of four individual warp rises and warp sinks per warp thread 3 in the weave repeat. In this way, viewed in the weave repeat, per warp thread 3 for such an 8-binding multi-ridge twill there are a total of six crossing points (tie-off points that arise from a warp rise to a warp depth or vice versa) with the weft threads 4. This is a relatively high number, so that as a result the advantages of the invention can be implemented particularly well. FIG. 2 shows a modification of the binding cartridge of FIG. 1a according to a second embodiment of the invention. There is also an 8-binding multi-ridge twill, here only the sequence of the ridges (2/2: 1/1) has changed. Binding can be described by the following abbreviation:

2 1 1 k e.g

2 G 1

Here, too, there are again two warp floats over (exactly) two weft threads per weave repeat of a warp thread 3 and a total of four further, individual warp rises/drops.

3 shows a third embodiment of the invention. This is also an 8-binding multi-ribbed twill. The basis for this type of binding is in turn formed by the embodiment of FIG. 1a. Based on this, the warp threads 3 are rearranged. Starting with the warp threads numbers 1 to 8 of the weave repeat for each warp thread 3 in Fig. 1a, the warp threads 3 are now interchanged, resulting in the rearranged sequence now shown in Fig. 3 (the numbers being the number of the original binding method from Fig Play 1a): 1-5-2-6-3-7-4-8.

In contrast to the preceding alternatives, the fourth embodiment according to FIG. 4 shows a 6-binding multi-ridge twill. This embodiment also follows the requirement according to the invention that each individual warp thread in the weave repeat has a warp float (over or under exactly two weft threads) and then individual warp rises and warp sinks. The binding style for this embodiment can be described by the following acronym:

2 1k Z

1 2 Here, too, there are exactly two warp floats and, in addition, a total of two individual warp rises/warp sinks for each individual warp thread in the weave repeat. This weave also results in an equilateral multi-ridge twill.

The fabric from which the safety belt webbing 1 according to the invention is at least partially made can be described by the respective binding pattern of FIGS. 1 to 4. Combinations of binding methods in a single seat belt webbing, as shown individually in the embodiments, are conceivable. The fabric of such a seat belt webbing 1 could then comprise several strips across its width (in the direction of the weft thread), with the binding methods being able to alternate from strip to strip. After a first warp repeat (6 or 8 warp threads), the pattern can change across the width of the seat belt webbing. It is also conceivable to provide several strips of a single weave. It is also conceivable that the seat belt webbing 1 also has edges which, according to the prior art, can be designed as rips, hollow, twill weaves or as Rukaflex® edges.

A fifth embodiment according to FIG. 5 shows an exemplary binding cartridge for a seat belt webbing 1 comprising a fabric made from a multi-rib twill. The fabric is divided widthwise into seven individual strips 1-7. The left and right strips 1 and 7 form the edges of the seat belt webbing. In the present case they are 4-binding. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case. The strips 2-6 presently have 8 bindings. The manner of binding of the strips 2, 4 and 6 corresponds to the binding pattern (basic binding) according to FIG. 1a. This has a Z ridge. Strips 3 and 5 differ accordingly in their ridge (here S-ridge). Here, only S and Z ridges alternate across the width. With such an arrangement, particularly appealing optical product images, patterns and appearances can be achieved.

With both of the fabrics mentioned here as examples, the advantages mentioned can be achieved particularly well with the required mechanical and functional properties. Because the multi-rib twill bindings according to the invention score in the Generally due to a comparatively high number of binding points, a very high sliding resistance and stability and also as a result of the possible, extended counter-binding of directly adjacent warp threads.

In Fig. 6, a restraint system 5 for vehicle occupants, as it also relates to the present invention, is shown. This includes a safety belt that is produced by weaving from the safety belt webbing 1 according to the invention. The seat belt webbing 1 is automatically (partially) wound up in a Retractor6 when it is not in use, ie when it is unbuckled. Due to the design of the seat belt webbing 1 according to the invention, a seat belt webbing 1 that is significantly thinner than the prior art can now be specified, which essentially has the same mechanical properties and usage properties as such a known seat belt webbing. The method of binding according to the invention means that less material can be used, but the fabric no longer loses stability. Relatively good usage characteristics, such as putting on and wearing the seat belt for the vehicle occupants, can be achieved with this. The risk of twisting in the latch plate is reduced, the seat belt webbing 1 is less sensitive to chafing due to extension and retraction in the refractor 6 and on the latch plates and on the deflector. Ultimately, a thinner seat belt webbing 1 with a comparatively long service life can be specified.

Reference sign

1 seat belt strap

2 tissues

3 warp threads

4 weft threads

5 restraint system

6 retractor

Claims

patent claims

1. Seat belt webbing (1) for a vehicle, comprising a fabric (2) made of interlaced warp threads (3) and weft threads (4), wherein the fabric (2) is at least partially designed in such a way that it has at least 6 strands in the weave repeat, is preferably 8-binding, with a) the binding repeat for each warp thread (3) comprising at least four, preferably six crossing points with the weft threads (4), the crossing points being those binding points which are located between said warp thread (3) and the weft threads (4) arise when the warp thread (3) changes within the weave repeat from a high warp to a low warp or vice versa; and b) within the weave repeat the largest warp float per warp thread (3) is over two weft threads (4) and the maximum warp drop is less than two weft threads (4) and c) within the weave repeat per warp thread (3) there is at least one in addition to the warp float Warp lifting over a weft thread (4) and at least one warp lowering under a weft thread (4).

2. Seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the immediately adjacent warp thread (3) is offset by at least one weft thread (4), preferably by exactly one weft thread (4).

3. Seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fabric (2) is designed as a multi-rib twill, comprising at least two twill ribs in the binding repeat, and the multi-rib twill has at least 6 strands, preferably 8 strands.

4. Seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the multi-ribbed twill is designed as an equilateral or non-equal-sided multi-ribbed twill.

5. Seat belt webbing (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the ridge direction of the multi-ridge body alternates along the width or the length of the seat belt webbing (1) from an S ridge to a Z ridge or vice versa.

6. Seat belt webbing (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the fabric (2) is rearranged starting from the base of the multi-bone twill by reversing the order of the warp threads (3).

7. Seat belt webbing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread count of the warp threads (3) is between 550 dtex and 2500 dtex and preferably between 800 dtex and 1200 dtex.

8. Seat belt webbing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread count of the weft threads (4) is between 280 dtex and 1400 dtex.