JP2003063352A - Buckle device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a buckle device having a mechanism capable of easily and certainly judging whether a child seat is set or not. SOLUTION: In the buckle device 11, a force sensor 100 is installed in a latch 250. When the child seat is set, a tongue plate 36 is pulled with a relatively large tension exerting on a weaving belt. When an engaging piece 90 of the latch 84 is pressed on the perimeter of a through-hole of the tongue plate 36, a pressing force (load) is detected with the force sensor 100, therefore it is detected that the child seat is set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a buckle device for fixing a tongue plate used for a seat belt device of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A webbing belt, which constitutes a seat belt device for restraining the body of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat, has one end portion in the longitudinal direction thereof wound by a winding device provided on the side of the seat, for example. It is locked to the take-up shaft, and the other end is fixed to an anchor plate provided in the vicinity of the winding device. Further, an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the webbing belt is folded back upward through the insertion hole formed in the through anchor above the winding device, for example, on the upper end side of the center pillar of the vehicle.

The webbing belt penetrates the through hole of the tongue plate between the folded back portion and the other end of the through anchor, and the webbing wound on the take-up shaft of the take-up device by pulling the tongue plate. The webbing belt is mounted by pulling out the belt and connecting the tongue plate to the buckle device provided on the side opposite to the winding device via the seat.

On the other hand, when an infant or child who is under a certain age is to be put on a vehicle, it is obliged to attach a so-called child seat to the vehicle and put the infant or child on the child seat.

As a structure for attaching a child seat of this type to a vehicle, the child seat is mounted on the seat, and the above-mentioned webbing belt is engaged with and connected to the child seat, and the tongue plate is connected to the buckle device as described above. Therefore, there is a structure for fixing the child seat.

[0006]

By the way, in recent vehicles, in addition to the above-described seat belt device, the bag body is inflated and deployed to the front side of the vehicle occupant at the time of sudden deceleration of the vehicle so that the inertia of the vehicle at the time of sudden deceleration is increased. A so-called airbag device is mounted that receives an occupant moving toward the front side of the vehicle with a bag body. In a vehicle equipped with this type of airbag device, when the child seat is attached to the vehicle seat as described above, it is preferable not to operate the airbag device corresponding to the seat.

As a mechanism that does not activate the airbag device when the child seat is attached, a load sensor is attached to the vehicle seat and a general occupant is seated on the seat based on the load acting on the seat, or the child seat is attached. There is a method of determining whether or not the air bag device is controlled based on the determination result.

However, considering that there is a large variation in the weight of the occupants seated on the seats, in the method for judging whether or not the child seat is attached based on the load acting on the seat as described above, the judgment is made. It is difficult to set the reference threshold value.

In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a buckle device having a mechanism capable of easily and reliably determining whether or not a child seat is attached.

[0010]

A buckle device according to claim 1, wherein the buckle device is capable of inserting a tongue plate attached to a webbing belt for holding the body of the vehicle occupant by being attached to the body of the vehicle occupant. And a tongue plate that is movable in and out of the tongue plate that is inserted into the inside of the device body, and that is brought into engagement with the tongue plate by moving toward and away from the tongue plate to move the tongue plate into the device body. A latch for limiting the movement of the tongue plate in a removal direction opposite to the insertion direction, and a load detection provided to face the tongue plate on the insertion direction side of the latch and detect a load from the tongue plate. Means and a tension acting on the webbing belt based on the load from the latch detected by the load detecting means. Put out, and a determination means for determining whether or not the child seat has been attached by the webbing belt based on the calculated the tension, the.

According to the buckle device having the above-mentioned structure, the vehicle occupant inserts the tongue plate into the main body of the device while the webbing belt is wound around the front side of the body of the vehicle.
Further, in this state, when the latch in the main body of the apparatus engages with the tongue plate, the movement of the tongue plate in the pulling-out direction that comes out of the main body of the apparatus is restricted by the latch. It is restrained (held) by a belt.

Further, the child seat is placed on the seat, the tongue plate is inserted into the main body of the apparatus with the webbing belt engaged with the engaging portion provided at the predetermined position of the child seat, and the tongue plate is pulled out by the latch. By restricting the movement of the tongue plate, the child seat is fixed to the seat by the webbing belt (that is, the child seat is held by the webbing belt).

By the way, the webbing belt is usually wound around the winding shaft of the webbing winding device at its base end side. Further, the winding shaft that constitutes this webbing winding device is urged in the direction of winding the webbing belt by urging means such as a spring.

Therefore, tension is always applied to the webbing belt, and the tension causes the tongue plate inserted into the main body of the apparatus to receive an external force in the extracting direction opposite to the inserting direction into the main body of the apparatus. Further, the tongue plate that receives this external force (tension) pushes the latch toward the extraction direction side in an attempt to accompany the latch engaged with the tongue plate.

However, since the latch is provided with load detecting means facing the tongue plate, the tongue plate indirectly presses the latch via the load detecting means.

Here, in general, there is a clear difference in the above-mentioned tension between the case where the occupant directly seated on the seat is restrained by the webbing belt and the case where the child seat is attached to the seat by the webbing belt. . Therefore, if the tension is large, the pressing force with which the tongue plate presses the load detecting means becomes large,
If the tension is small, the pressing force with which the tongue plate presses the load detecting means becomes small.

Based on the load from the tongue plate detected by the load detecting means, the determining means calculates the tension acting on the webbing belt, that is, the tension acting on the tongue plate, and the webbing belt moves the child seat based on the calculated tension. It is determined whether or not it is attached.

As described above, according to the present invention, the child seat is attached to the seat on the basis of the tension acting on the webbing belt, which causes a clear difference between the case where the child seat is attached and the case where the occupant sitting directly on the seat is restrained. Since it is determined whether or not the child seat is attached, it can be reliably determined whether or not the child seat is attached to the seat.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a buckle device including a device main body into which a tongue plate attached to a webbing belt for holding the body of the vehicle occupant can be inserted when the buckle device is attached to the body of the vehicle occupant. It is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the tongue plate inserted inside and displaceable within a predetermined range in the inserting direction of the tongue plate into the apparatus main body and the extracting direction opposite to the tongue plate. Provided on either a latch that engages with the tongue plate to limit the movement of the tongue plate in the extraction direction, and an opposing object facing the latch on the extraction direction side or the extraction direction side of the latch. And is pressed against the other of the latch and the opposing object by moving the latch in the extraction direction, Based on the load detection means for detecting the load at the time of pressing and the load from the other one detected by the load detection means, a tension acting on the webbing belt is calculated, and the webbing is calculated based on the calculated tension. And a determination unit that determines whether or not the child seat is attached by the belt.

According to the buckle device having the above-mentioned structure, the vehicle occupant inserts the tongue plate into the main body of the device while the webbing belt is wound around the front side of the body of the vehicle occupant,
Further, in this state, when the latch in the main body of the apparatus engages with the tongue plate, the movement of the tongue plate in the pulling-out direction that comes out of the main body of the apparatus is restricted by the latch. It is restrained (held) by a belt.

Further, the child seat is placed on the seat, and the tongue plate is inserted into the main body of the apparatus while the webbing belt is engaged with the engaging portion provided at the predetermined position of the child seat, and the tongue plate is pulled out by the latch. By restricting the movement of the tongue plate, the child seat is fixed to the seat by the webbing belt (that is, the child seat is held by the webbing belt).

By the way, the webbing belt is usually wound around the winding shaft of the webbing winding device at its base end side. Further, the winding shaft that constitutes this webbing winding device is urged in the direction of winding the webbing belt by urging means such as a spring.

Therefore, tension is always applied to the webbing belt, and the tension causes the tongue plate inserted into the main body of the apparatus to receive an external force in the extracting direction opposite to the inserting direction into the main body of the apparatus. Further, the tongue plate which receives this external force (tension) tends to accompany the latch engaged with the tongue plate.

Since the latch is movable in the extracting direction by a predetermined amount, the latch can be moved along with the tongue plate within the range of the predetermined amount, and by the movement, the latch and the opposing surface facing the latch on the moving direction side. The load detection means provided on any one of the objects comes into contact with the other and is pressed.

Here, in general, there is a clear difference in the above-mentioned tension between the case where the occupant directly seated on the seat is restrained by the webbing belt and the case where the child seat is attached to the seat by the webbing belt. . Therefore, if the tension is high, the pressing force of the other pressing the load detecting means is large, and if the tension is small, the pressing force of the other pressing the load detecting means is small.

The tension acting on the webbing belt, that is, the tension acting on the tongue plate is calculated by the determining means on the basis of the load from the other detected by the load detecting means, and the webbing belt operates the child seat based on the calculated tension. Is attached or not.

As described above, in the present invention, the child seat is attached to the seat on the basis of the tension acting on the webbing belt, which causes a clear difference between the case where the child seat is attached and the case where the occupant sitting directly on the seat is restrained. Since it is determined whether or not the child seat is attached, it can be reliably determined whether or not the child seat is attached to the seat.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <Structure of First Embodiment> FIG.
2 shows an exploded perspective view of the buckle device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
A cross-sectional view at an appropriate position is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the buckle device 11 is provided with a case 12 formed of a synthetic resin material in a substantially box shape. As shown in FIG. 2, one end in the longitudinal direction of the case 12 is opened by a slit hole 14 which is elongated in the width direction of the case 12, and the other end in the longitudinal direction of the case 12 is opened by an opening 16. There is.

Inside the case 12, a buckle body 20 which constitutes the apparatus body is housed. Buckle body 20
Has an anchor plate 26. Anchor plate 2
6 is formed, for example, by bending the central portion of the plate material in the longitudinal direction into a substantially U-shape, and the case 12 is formed so that the open end in the U-shaped bend faces the slit hole 14.
It is housed inside.

When the case 1 is accommodated in the case 12,
Upper plate 28 of the anchor plate 26 facing in the height direction of 2
An insertion portion 34 is provided between the lower plate 30 and the lower plate 30, and U
At the bottom of the anchor plate 26 bent in a letter shape, that is, at the end of the anchor plate 26 on the opening 16 side, the opening width corresponding to the tongue plate 36 is the anchor plate 2.
A slit-shaped insertion hole 32 is formed in the longitudinal direction along the width direction of 6.

The tongue plate 36 has a substantially slit-shaped insertion hole (not shown) formed on the base end side thereof, into which a long belt-shaped webbing belt is inserted, and the tongue plate 36 passes through the insertion hole 32 from its tip end side. And slides between the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30, that is, into the insertion portion 34.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, from the opening end side of the anchor plate 26 bent in a U shape, that is, from the slit hole 14 side of the anchor plate 26, the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30 are formed. One end side of the plate-shaped mounting piece 22 is inserted between the two. The other end of the mounting piece 22 is fixed to the vehicle at the side of a seat (for example, a driver's seat or a passenger seat) provided inside the vehicle, and the mounting piece 22 is inserted between the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30. One end of the upper plate 2 is provided with a rivet 24 on the upper plate 2
The anchor plate 26 is attached to the vehicle by being fastened and fixed to at least one of the lower plate 8 and the lower plate 30.

An ejector 38 is housed inside the anchor plate 26 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the anchor plate 26 (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the opposite direction). Ejector 38 and mounting piece 22
An eject spring 40 is arranged between the and, and urges the ejector 38 toward the insertion hole 32 side (the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIGS. 2 and 3).

Further, a pair of corner pieces 42 are provided at both ends of the ejector 38 in the width direction, on the side of the mounting piece 22 (that is, the case 12).
Of the slit hole 14). An abutting portion 46 is formed in the vicinity of the tips of the square pieces 42. The anchor plate 26 corresponding to these contact portions 46
Projections (not shown) are formed so as to project into the insertion portion 34, and these projections interfere with the corresponding contact portions 46 to limit the slide of the ejector 38 within a certain range.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a button 50 is arranged on the upper plate 28 of the anchor plate 26. The button 50 is generally formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The button 50 includes an operation unit 52. The operation portion 52 has a pressing surface facing the opening 16 side, and the button 50 can be moved to the slit hole 14 side by pressing the pressing surface.

A pair of outer plates 54 extend in parallel to each other from the side opposite to the pressing surface of the operating portion 52 (that is, the slit hole 14 side). Each of the outer plates 54 is formed in a substantially plate shape having a thickness direction along the width direction of the anchor plate 26, and is opposed to each other in the width direction.

Each outer plate 54 is formed with a claw piece 62 directed inward. These claw pieces 62 are the anchor plate 26.
Is engaged with the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30 of the anchor plate 26 from the outside of the anchor plate 26. In the engaged state, the button 50 cannot be detached from the anchor plate 26, and , Can be slid along the longitudinal direction of the anchor plate 26 (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the opposite direction).

A pair of inner plates 58 are provided inside the outer plates 54. Similar to the outer plate 54, the inner plate 58 extends in parallel to each other from the side opposite to the pressing surface of the operation portion 52 (that is, the slit hole 14 side). Further, each of the inner plates 58 has a substantially plate shape whose thickness direction extends along the width direction of the anchor plate 26 and faces each other in the width direction.

Stoppers 64 are formed on the inner surfaces of the inner plates 58 (that is, the surfaces of the other inner plate 58 facing each other). When the tongue plate 36 is not inserted into the insertion portion 34, the stopper 64 abuts on a latch 84 described later to prevent the latch 84 from moving in the engagement direction (the arrow B direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). . Further, the stopper 64 is
When the tongue plate 36 is inserted into the insertion portion 34 and the latch 84 is engaged with the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36 (locked state: see FIG. 3), the tongue plate 36 abuts on the upper surface of the abutted piece 86 of the latch 84. The movement of the latch 84 in the disengagement direction (the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 2).

A button slope 66 is formed on the inner surface of the inner plate 58 on the operating portion 52 side of the stopper 64. The button slope 66 is a slope inclined so as to face the direction opposite to the anchor plate 26 with respect to the direction opposite to the operation portion 52 (that is, the slit hole 14 side), and faces the side opposite to the anchor plate 26. The surface is gradually separated from the anchor plate 26 toward the operation portion 52 side.

In the button slope 66, the button 50 is unlocked in the locked state (direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2).
When it is moved to, the pressing force is converted into a force for moving the latch 84 in the disengagement direction (the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the contacted surface 86A of the contacted piece 86 is converted. From below. As a result, the latch 84 moves in the disengagement direction.

On the other hand, the outer plate 5 of the button 50 is provided on the upper plate 28.
The holding block 8 straddling the inner plate 58 at a position inside 4
0 is set up. The holding block 80 has a pair of parallel holding plates 82, and a latch 84 is arranged between the holding plates 82. The holding plate 82 blocks the movement of the latch 84 in the longitudinal direction of the anchor plate 26 (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the opposite direction), and engages and disengages the latch 84 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In the arrow B direction and the opposite direction).

The latch 84 is formed in a substantially U shape in a front view, and a contacted piece 86 extends outward from the upper end in the width direction. An engagement piece 90 extends from the center of the latch 84 in the width direction toward the anchor plate 26. When the tongue plate 36 is inserted into the insertion portion 34 to a predetermined position, the engagement piece 90 penetrates the through hole 92 formed in the upper plate 28 of the anchor plate 26 and engages with the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36. In addition, the through hole 94 (see FIG. 3) formed in the lower plate 30 also penetrates.

From the holding block 80, a pair of leaf spring pieces 96 as a releasing member urging means are provided on the operating portion 5 of the button 50.
It is extended toward 2, and pushes the button 50 toward the opening 16 side. As a result, when the operating portion 52 is pressed, an appropriate resistance is generated. In the present embodiment, the release member urging means is constituted by the leaf spring piece 96, but the release member urging means urges the lock release member, that is, the button 50 toward the opening 16 side in the present embodiment. All you have to do is
It is not limited to a specific form. Therefore,
A coil spring may be used instead of the leaf spring 96.

On the other hand, the slit hole 1 of each inner plate 58 described above
From the end on the 4 side toward the anchor plate 26, the leg portion 68
Are formed to project. The leg portion 68 penetrates the elongated hole 70 formed in the upper plate 28 and is located between the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30. The long hole 70 is elongated along the sliding movement direction of the button 50, and the leg portion 68 moves along the long hole 70 as the button 50 slides.
The button 50 slides as 8 moves along the long hole 70.

The leg portion 68 penetrating the elongated hole 70 is located on the movement locus of the tongue plate 36 which moves between the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30, and a predetermined distance between the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 30. When the tongue plate 36 reaches the position, the ejector 38 comes into contact with the leg portion 68, and further, in this state, the tongue plate 36
When is slid, the leg portion 68 is pressed by the ejector 38 and moves.

Further, one end of a leaf spring-shaped lock spring 98 is attached to the button 50. The other end of the lock spring 98 is in contact with the upper surface of the latch 84 and urges the latch 84 in the engaging direction (direction of arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 2).

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the child seat detecting device 10 as load detecting means is provided on the surface of the engaging piece 90 of the latch 84 on the slit hole 14 side.
The force sensor 100 constituting the is fixed.

Here, the schematic structure of the force sensor 100 is shown in FIG. As shown in this figure,
A hollow diaphragm 102 that is elastically deformable is provided. A pressing protrusion 104 is formed on a surface of the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm 102, which is relatively located on the slit hole 14 side. Further, a pressure sensor 106 is fixed to a surface of the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm 102 opposite to the surface on which the pressing protrusion 104 is formed. Pressure sensor 1
06 detects the pressure from the pressing protrusion 104 side. Also,
Between the pressure sensor 106 and the pressing protrusion 104, a transmission rod 110 having a substantially hemispherical head 108 formed at the end on the pressing protrusion 104 side is provided.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned pressure sensor 106 is electrically connected to the computer 112 as a judging means, and outputs an electric signal according to the magnitude of the detected pressure to the computer 112. In the computer 112, the pressure sensor 10 is detected based on the electric signal from the pressure sensor 106.
The magnitude of the pressure acting on 6 is calculated.

Further, the computer 112 is connected to the airbag device 114, and when the calculated pressure is a predetermined value or more, the computer 112 renders the airbag device 114 inoperable.

<Operation and Effect of First Embodiment>
The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the buckle device 11 having the above structure, the stopper 64 of the button 50 is in contact with the contacted piece 86 of the latch 84 from the lower side when the tongue plate 36 is not inserted in the insertion portion 34. Therefore, the biasing force of the lock spring 98 does not cause the latch 84 to move in the engaging direction (the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 2).

When the tongue plate 36 is inserted into the insertion portion 34, the tongue plate 36 engages with the ejector 38, the tongue plate 36 presses the ejector 38, and the ejector 38 slides against the biasing force of the eject spring 40. Further, when the ejector 38 slides to a predetermined position, the ejector 38 causes the leg portion 6 of the button 50 to move.
8 and the leg portion 68 is pressed and moved.

Since the stopper 64 of the button 50 is separated from the contacted piece 86 of the latch 84 by the movement of the leg portion 68, the latch 84 receives the biasing force of the lock spring 98 and the engaging direction (FIGS. 1 and 2). 2 in the direction of arrow B), and as shown in FIG.
8 through the through hole 92 and engage with the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36.

When the button 50 is pushed by the leaf spring piece 96, as shown in FIG.
2 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A in FIG. 2 to be in the locked state, the stopper 64 of the button 50 abuts against the abutted piece 86 of the latch 84 from the upper side, and the disengagement direction of the latch 84 (see FIG. 3). (The direction opposite to the arrow B) is blocked.
In this locked state, withdrawal of the tongue plate 36 from the insertion portion 34 (from the case 12) is restricted by the engagement piece 90 of the latch 84.

Further, in the state where the engaging piece 90 of the latch 84 restricts the removal of the tongue plate 36, of the inner peripheral portion of the through hole 88 formed in the tongue plate 36,
The surface facing the opening 16 side faces the force sensor 100 provided on the engagement piece 90.

The mounting state of the tongue plate 36 is as follows.
If the tongue plate 36 is in the mounted state after the webbing belt is pulled so that the webbing belt is located in front of the occupant seated in the seat, this is the mounted state of the webbing belt, and the webbing belt restrains the occupant. On the other hand, if the tongue plate 36 is in the mounted state after the webbing belt is engaged at the predetermined position of the child seat, this is the child seat attached state, and the child seat is fixed to the seat by the webbing belt.

By the way, generally, the amount of withdrawal of the webbing belt from the webbing belt retractor for retracting the webbing belt is different between the above-described webbing belt mounted state and the child seat mounted state, so that the child seat is mounted as compared with the webbing belt mounted state. The amount of withdrawal is larger in the attached state. Since the above-mentioned webbing belt retractor generally winds the webbing belt by the urging force of the spring, the tension which acts on the webbing belt when the withdrawal amount is large, that is, the tongue plate 36 is the buckle device 11.
The force to pull it out is great.

As described above, although there are differences in size, the above-mentioned tension acts on the webbing belt, which causes the tongue plate 36 to push the engaging piece 90 toward the opening 16 side so as to come out of the buckle device 11. . However, as described above, since the force sensor 100 is fixed to the surface of the engagement piece 90 on the slit hole 14 side, the inner peripheral portion of the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36 is indirectly connected via the force sensor 100. The engaging piece 90 is pressed against.

As described above, since the tension acting in the child seat mounted state is larger than that in the child seat mounted state, the force sensor 100 is pressed with a larger force than the webbing belt mounted state in the child seat mounted state. It Force sensor 10
Pressing force acting on 0, that is, force sensor 100
The pressing force acting on the diaphragm 102 of the
04 and the transmission rod 110 to act on the pressure sensor 106. From the pressure sensor 106, an electric signal corresponding to the magnitude of the pressing force applied is sent to the computer 108.

In the computer 112, the pressure sensor 10
The tension of the webbing belt is calculated based on the electric signal from 6, and when the result is larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that the child seat is attached to the seat, and the airbag device 114 is made inoperable. As a result, the operation of the airbag device 114 with the child seat attached to the seat can be stopped.

Here, in the present embodiment, since the difference between the tension acting on the webbing belt when the child seat is attached and the tension acting on the webbing belt when the ordinary webbing belt is attached is utilized, the difference is relatively large. Appears remarkably. For this reason, the reliability is higher than that of the conventional configuration in which the determination is performed based on the load acting on the seat.

<Structure of Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a buckle device 212 having a child seat detection device 210 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 7 shows the structure of the buckle device 212 in a sectional view.

(Overall Structure of Buckle Device 212) As shown in FIG. 7, the buckle device 212 has a case 214. The case 214 is a box-shaped tubular member with both ends in the longitudinal direction opened, and an opening at one end in the longitudinal direction is an anchor insertion opening 216 and an opening at the other end in the longitudinal direction is a tongue insertion opening 218. There is. Also, the case 214
A base 220, which constitutes the main body of the apparatus, is housed inside.

The base 220 has a bottom wall 222.
The bottom wall 222 is formed in a flat plate shape that is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the case 214. A substantially plate-shaped anchor plate 224 is superposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222, and a rivet 230 penetrating a through hole 226 formed in the bottom wall 222 and a through hole 228 formed in the anchor plate 224. The bottom wall 222 and the anchor plate 224 are mechanically connected by. The other end of the anchor plate 224 is on the side of the seat of the vehicle body (both not shown).
The buckle device 212 is attached to the vehicle.

On the other hand, side walls 232 are erected in the thickness direction of the bottom wall 222 from both widthwise ends of the bottom wall 222, and an ejector 234 is arranged between these side walls 232. A part of the ejector 234 is engaged with a guide hole 236 formed in the bottom wall 222 and is slidable along the guide hole 236 in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222 by a predetermined range.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the bottom wall 222
An engaging protrusion 238 is formed so as to project from the end of the guide hole 236 on one side of the compression coil spring 2.
One end of 40 is locked. Compression coil spring 2
The other end of 40 is pressed against one end of the ejector 234, and the ejector 234 is biased toward the other end of the bottom wall 222 in the longitudinal direction by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 240.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the buckle device 212 has a latch 250. The latch 250 comprises a base 252. Although depending on the attitude of the latch 250, the base portion 252 is generally formed in a flat plate shape having a longitudinal direction along the opposing direction of the side walls 232 and a thickness direction along the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222. Both ends in the longitudinal direction enter into the holes 254 formed in the side walls 232. The hole portion 254 is formed in a taper shape in which the inner width gradually increases toward the side opposite to the bottom wall 222, and the base portion 252 (that is, the latch 250) is formed so as to interfere with the inner peripheral portion of the hole portion 254. It is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of 252 and rotatable by a predetermined angle with the longitudinal direction of the base portion 252 as the axial direction.

A flat plate-like connecting portion 256 extends from one end in the width direction of the base portion 252 on the side of the longitudinal intermediate portion toward one side in the width direction of the base portion 252, and further, the connecting portion 25.
The engaging piece 258 extends from the side opposite to the base portion 252 of 6 toward the bottom wall 222 side. The tip portion of the engagement piece 258 (more specifically, the end portion on the side opposite to the connecting portion side with the connecting portion 256) has a through hole 2 formed in the bottom wall 222.
60, and the engaging piece 258 can enter the through hole 260 by the displacement of the latch 250.

A mounting piece 262 is integrally provided on one surface (opposite the bottom wall 222) of the ejector 234 in the thickness direction corresponding to the tip of the engaging piece 258 of the latch 250. ing. As described above, the ejector 23
4, the urging force of the compression coil spring 240 acts, but basically the ejector 234 is located at the arrival position in the state where no external force other than the urging force of the compression coil spring 240 acts (FIG. 7), the placing piece 262 is provided so as to face the tip end portion of the engaging piece 258 along the thickness direction of the bottom wall 222.
The mounting piece 262 is engaged with the engaging piece 25 in a state of facing the tip portion of 58.
The movement of the engagement piece 258 (that is, the movement of the latch 250) in the direction of approaching the bottom wall 222 by interfering with the tip portion of 8 is restricted.

Further, stoppers 264 are extended from both longitudinal ends of the base 252. Stopper 264
Is formed such that the tip end side is positioned on the slide locus of the ejector 234 that resists the biasing force of the compression coil spring 240. When the ejector 234 slides a predetermined distance against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 240, the ejector 234 contacts the stopper 264.

Further, a lock member 270 is disposed on the side of the base 220 opposite to the bottom wall 222 via the connecting portion 256 of the latch 250. The locking member 270 is the base 2
72 are provided. The base portion 272 has a substantially rectangular rod shape extending in the longitudinal direction along the facing direction of the side walls 232.

Both ends of the base portion 272 enter into the engagement holes 274 formed in the both side walls 232. The engagement hole 274 is formed on the other end side of the side wall 232 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the through hole 260, and the base portion 272 is supported by the side wall 232 so as to be rotatable about its own longitudinal axis. A pair of substantially fan-shaped lock pieces 276 are formed on both longitudinal ends of the base 252. The lock piece 276 is the connecting portion 2 of the latch 250.
The lock pieces 276 are in contact with the contact pieces 278, which correspond to the contact pieces 278 extending from both ends of the width direction 56.

Further, an abutting portion 280 is formed at the longitudinal middle portion of the base portion 272. The contact portion 280 contacts the engagement piece 258 in a state where the engagement piece 258 of the latch 250 is separated from the bottom wall 222 (see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the buckle device 212 has a release button 290. The release button 290 has a pressing portion 292 for operation.
The pressing portion 292 has a plate-like shape whose pressing surface faces the other end of the bottom wall 222 in the longitudinal direction, and is formed in the longitudinal direction along the facing direction of the side walls 232. Side walls 294 extend from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pressing portion 292 toward one end side in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222. These side walls 294 are the side walls 23 described above.
The two side walls 294 are opposed to each other along the facing direction, and the end portions of the side walls 294 opposite to the bottom wall 222 are connected by the top wall 296, so that the side walls 294 are generally concave toward the bottom wall 222. It is shaped.

Arms 298 extend from opposite ends of the side walls 294 opposite to the pressing portion 292 so as to face each other along the facing direction of the side walls 294. Engagement protrusions 300 are formed at the tips of both arms 298 toward the other arm 298. These engaging protrusions 30
0 enters the guide hole 302 formed in the side wall 232. The guide hole 302 is a long hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222. The engagement protrusion 300 is displaceable within a predetermined range along the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222 by the inner peripheral portion of the guide hole 302, whereby the movement direction of the release button 290 by the guide hole 302 is the bottom wall 222.
Is regulated in the longitudinal direction.

A stopper 310 is arranged between the pressing portion 292 and the lock member 270. The stopper 310 includes a plate-shaped base portion 312 extending in the longitudinal direction along the facing direction of the side wall 294. A pair of concave engagement pieces 314 that are open toward the bottom wall 222 when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the base portion 312 are formed on both end sides of the base portion 312 in the longitudinal direction, and these engagement pieces 314 are formed. The stopper 310 is supported by the lock member 270 by engaging with the base portion 272 of the lock member 270 described above.

Further, an interference portion 316 is formed in the vicinity of both engagement pieces 314 of the stopper 310 so as to be able to interfere with the engagement projection 300 of the release button 290 described above.

Furthermore, the stopper 310 and the release button 29
0 between the pressing portion 292 and the compression coil spring 3
18 are arranged. One end of the compression coil spring 318 is in contact with the side opposite to the pressing surface of the pressing portion 292. On the other hand, the other end of the compression coil spring 318 is in contact with the base portion 312 of the stopper 310. The stopper 310 is urged in a direction in which it is separated from the pressing portion 292.

<Operation and Effect of Second Embodiment> Next,
The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

(Operation of Buckle Device 212) In this buckle device 212, when the tongue plate 36 is inserted from the tongue insertion opening 218 of the case 214 in the unattached state shown in FIG. 7, the tip of the tongue plate 36 is ejected by the ejector 23.
4 is pressed against the end of the compression coil spring 24.
The ejector 234 is slid toward one end in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222 against the biasing force of zero. When the ejector 234 slides to the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222 by a predetermined amount, the mounting piece 262 of the ejector 234 and the engaging piece 258 of the latch 250 are released from the facing state and the ejector 2 is released.
34 pushes the stopper 264 of the latch 250 to rotate the latch 250. As a result, the tip of the engagement piece 258 moves closer to the bottom wall 222. Further, in this state, the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36 and the through hole 260 formed in the bottom wall 222 overlap each other. Therefore,
In this state, the engaging piece 25 rotated as shown in FIG.
8 penetrates the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36 and the through hole 260 of the bottom wall 222.

Further, as the latch 250 rotates, the contact state between the engaging piece 258 of the latch 250 and the contact portion 280 of the lock member 270 is released. Where the lock piece 2
76 is the compression coil spring 3 via the stopper 310.
18, the lock member 270 is rotated by the urging force of the compression coil spring 318 so that the locking member 276 is rotated by the urging force of the compression coil spring 318 so as to be linked to the rotation of the latch 250.
The latching piece 258 abuts on the abutting piece 278, thereby restricting the rotation of the latch 250 in the direction in which the engaging piece 258 separates from the bottom wall 222, whereby the tongue plate 36 is attached to the buckle device 212. .

The mounting state of the tongue plate 36 is as follows.
If the tongue plate 36 is in the mounted state after the webbing belt is pulled so that the webbing belt is located in front of the occupant seated in the seat, this is the mounted state of the webbing belt, and the webbing belt restrains the occupant. On the other hand, if the tongue plate 36 is in the mounted state after the webbing belt is engaged at the predetermined position of the child seat, this is the child seat attached state, and the child seat is fixed to the seat by the webbing belt.

Here, when the tongue plate 36 tries to pull out from the buckle device 212 due to the tension acting on the webbing belt as in the first embodiment, the tongue plate 36 causes the engaging piece 258 to extend in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 222. Direction to the other end.

As described above, the inner peripheral portion of the through hole 88 of the tongue plate 36 is in contact with the engaging piece 258, but the engaging piece 258 is in contact with the inner peripheral portion of the through hole 260. Since the engaging piece 258 does not exist, the tongue plate 36 can move until the engaging piece 258 comes into contact with the inner peripheral portion of the through hole 260.
The engagement piece 25 is pulled by being pulled by the tongue plate 36.
8, that is, the latch 250 moves, whereby the base 252 of the latch 250 presses the force sensor 100 facing in the moving direction.

If the force acting on the force sensor 100 at this time is the force with the child seat attached, the first
As in the embodiment described above, the force becomes larger than the force when the webbing belt is attached. Therefore, even in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, since it is determined whether or not the child seat is attached based on the difference in tension acting on the webbing belt through the tongue plate, the child seat can be easily and surely attached. It can be detected whether or not it has been.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a buckle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the buckle device showing a state before the latch is engaged with the tongue plate.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the buckle device showing a state where the latch is engaged with the tongue plate.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a load detecting means and a block diagram showing a relationship between the buckle device and the airbag device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a buckle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the base.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the buckle device showing a state before the latch is engaged with the tongue plate.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the buckle device showing a state in which the latch is engaged with the tongue plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Buckle device 20 Buckle body (device body) 36 tongue plate 84 Latch 100 force sensor (load detection means) 112 Computer (determination means) 212 Buckle device 220 base (apparatus body) 250 latch

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takayuki Hara             260-chome, Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi             Tokai Rika Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Iwata             260-chome, Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi             Tokai Rika Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoshi Muromachi             260-chome, Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi             Tokai Rika Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Teruhiko Koide             260-chome, Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi             Tokai Rika Electric Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3B090 BC05 BC07 BC22 BC27                 3D018 BA12

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A device main body into which a tongue plate attached to a webbing belt for holding the body of the vehicle occupant can be inserted when mounted on the body of the vehicle occupant, and the tongue inserted inside the device main body. The tongue plate is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the plate, and engages with the tongue plate by moving toward and away from the tongue plate, and the tongue plate is in a removal direction opposite to an inserting direction of the tongue plate into the apparatus main body. A load limiting means for limiting the movement of the latch, a load detecting means provided to face the tongue plate on the insertion direction side of the latch and detecting a load from the tongue plate, and a latch detected by the load detecting means. The tension acting on the webbing belt is calculated based on the load, and the tension is calculated based on the calculated tension. A buckling device comprising: a determining unit that determines whether or not a child seat is attached by a webbing belt. 2. A device main body capable of inserting a tongue plate attached to a webbing belt for holding the body of the vehicle occupant when the tongue is inserted into the body of the vehicle occupant, and the tongue inserted inside the device main body. It is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the plate and displaceable within a predetermined range in the inserting direction of the tongue plate to the apparatus main body and the extracting direction opposite thereto, and engages with the tongue plate by the approaching movement to the tongue plate. And a latch that restricts the movement of the tongue plate in the extraction direction, and is provided on either the extraction direction side of the latch or an opposing object facing the latch on the extraction direction side,
When the latch moves in the extraction direction, the latch is pressed against the other of the latch and the opposing object, and the load detection unit detects the load at the time of pressing, and the other one detected by the load detection unit. A buckling device, which calculates a tension acting on the webbing belt on the basis of the load from, and judges whether the child seat is attached by the webbing belt based on the calculated tension.