JP2003189912A - Buckle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a buckle provided with a buckle switch in which actuation characteristics of the buckle can be varied in accordance with specifications of a seat belt device, in which the kinds of parts can be reduced, and in which effects of external magnetic fields are less given. <P>SOLUTION: The buckle switch 17 comprises a latch detecting magnet 17c fixed to a lock pin 5, an IC Hall element 17d, and a bias regulating magnet 17i. An on/off changing actuation point of the IC Hall element 17d is regulated by the bias regulating magnet 17i to correspond to the seat belt device. As the lock pin 5 moves from an unlock position to a lock position, the latch detecting magnet 17c is positioned above the IC Hall element 17d to put the IC Hall element 17d on. By only changing the bias regulating magnet 17i, therefore, the actuation characteristics can be varied. The kinds of parts can be reduced, and effects of the external magnetic field are less given. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seatbelt device that is installed in a seat of a vehicle such as an automobile and restrains and protects an occupant, and a buckle used in a safety belt device that protects an operator at a construction work site. The present invention relates to a technical field of a buckle including a buckle switch which is operated by a latch of a tongue and a buckle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, seat belt devices are attached to seats of various transportation systems including automobiles in order to protect an occupant in an emergency such as a collision. A buckle is usually provided in order to easily attach / detach this type of seat belt device, and generally, this buckle biases a latch member for latching the tongue in the direction of latching to the tongue, and a latch member by the lock member. It is configured to hold the member in a latched state with the tongue and the buckle.

By the way, in such a buckle, the latched state of the tongue and the buckle is displayed, and the latched state of the tongue and the buckle is related to the operation of other devices such as a retractor and the seatbelt device. In order to control the operation of other in-vehicle devices,
A buckle switch for detecting the latched state is provided.

As a conventional buckle switch, a contact type switch such as a substrate type switch or a micro switch is generally used. In this contact type switch, a tongue and a buckle are latched or unlatched. Each time it is touched, contact and non-contact switching of the switch terminal at the contact part of the buckle switch is repeated, so contact failure may occur due to wear of the contact part, and durability is not always good. It cannot be said that there is.

Therefore, there is a buckle using a buckle switch which is a non-contact type switch which does not switch between contact and non-contact of a contact at a contact portion.
It is proposed in Japanese Patent No. 3 publication. The non-contact type buckle switch disclosed in this publication includes a magnet for latch detection, which interlocks with the operation of the lock member that locks the latch member to the latch position when the tongue and the buckle are engaged, and a magnet for facing the magnet. The direction of the electromotive force generated by the IC Hall element is determined by the position of the magnet corresponding to the locked position and the unlocked position of the lock member. On,
It is supposed to turn off.

According to this non-contact type buckle switch, since the contact and the non-contact of the contact at the contact portion are not switched, there is no risk of contact failure due to abrasion of the contact at the contact portion. At the same time, it is less likely to be affected by the mounting error or the foreign matter entering the contact portion, so that the operation becomes more reliable and the durability is improved.

[0007]

By the way, since the seat belt device having various specifications is manufactured according to the type of vehicle to which the seat belt device is mounted, the buckle also has various specifications according to the specifications of the seat belt device. Is manufactured. For this reason, it is necessary to change the operating characteristics of the buckle switch for switching on and off according to the specifications of the buckle.

Therefore, in the buckle switch of the above-mentioned publication, in order to change the operation characteristics of the buckle switch, the specifications of the magnet are changed, the specifications of the IC hall element are changed, or the magnet and the IC hall element are changed. It is possible to change the relative specifications of. However, if the specifications of the magnet and the IC Hall element are simply changed in this way, the buckle switch must be designed each time, so not only the number of parts of the buckle switch increases but also the assembly process must be changed. There is a problem of not becoming.

Further, there is a buckle switch using a magnetic proximity switch such as an IC Hall element, which switches on and off in a region where a detected magnetic field is small, depending on the type of magnetic proximity switch. It is conceivable that such a switch is easily affected by an external magnetic field.

Further, in the buckle disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, a magnet is fixed to a sliding member that slides in the case, and the sliding member is interlocked with the operation of the lock member. Since the position of the magnet is controlled so as to correspond to the position of the lock member by sliding in synchronism with the operation of the lock member through the arm portion that connects the sliding members, the position of the magnet is changed. The structure corresponding to the position of the lock member is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to change the operation characteristics of the buckle according to the specifications of the seat belt device, and yet to make the type of parts different. It is to provide a buckle having a buckle switch that is less susceptible to the influence of an external magnetic field.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 is provided with a base having both side walls and a base slidably provided in the base in the longitudinal direction, and is moved by inserting a tongue. In addition, the ejector that allows the tongue to escape from the buckle when the tongue and the buckle are released from the buckle, and these side walls are rotatably supported between the non-latched position and the latched position and urged toward the latched position. And a latch member that pivots to a latch position when the tongue is inserted into a predetermined position and engages with the tongue, an operating member for disengaging the tongue and the latch member in the latched state, and the both sides. The wall is movably provided between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the tongue and the latch member are latched, the tongue and the latch member are set to the locked position to move the latch member forward. Together it is held in the latched position,
A buckle comprising at least a locking member adapted to be moved by the operating member to the unlocked position that enables the latching of the tongue and the latch member to be released, further comprising the ejector and the latch member. , And a non-contact type buckle switch that is switched by detecting the movement of any one of the lock member, and the buckle switch includes any one of the ejector, the latch member, and the lock member. Latch detection magnet attached to
It is characterized by comprising a magnetic sensor that generates an electromotive force by the magnetic field of the latch detection magnet and an operating point adjusting means for adjusting the operating point of the magnetic sensor.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the magnetic sensor comprises a Hall element. Furthermore,
The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the operating point adjusting means comprises a bias adjusting magnet for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor to adjust its operating point.

[0014]

In the buckle according to the present invention having such a structure, the switch is switched in a non-contact manner by using the latch detecting magnet and the magnetic sensor. Therefore, the occurrence of contact failure due to wear or the like at the contact portion is eliminated, and the durability is extremely improved as compared with a contact type switch such as a substrate type switch or a micro switch.

Further, in the buckle of the present invention, since the constituent members of the buckle switch do not contact the constituent members of the buckle at all, the durability and operation reliability of the buckle switch are improved more effectively, and the movable structure of the buckle is improved. The operational reliability of the member is also improved.

Further, the operating point adjusting means for adjusting the operating point of the magnetic sensor is used to adjust the magnetic field direction or the magnetic field strength, or the operating point adjusting means is used to adjust the desired magnetic field direction or the desired magnetic field strength. The operating point of the buckle switch can be changed by using a common detecting member such as a latch detecting magnet for detecting the movement of the movable component of the buckle and the magnetic sensor by simply exchanging the buckle switch. Therefore, a buckle switch having operating characteristics having an on / off operating point corresponding to the type of seat belt device can be obtained, the number of types of buckle parts can be reduced, and part of the buckle switch assembling process can also be shared, so Assembly of the switch and buckle becomes easier.

Further, by providing the buckle switch with the operating point adjusting means, the buckle switch becomes a strong switch which is not affected by the external magnetic field. Further, in the present invention, the operation of the buckle switch disclosed in the above-mentioned publication is also achieved.

Particularly, in the invention of claim 2, since the magnetic sensor is composed of a relatively inexpensive Hall element,
The buckle switch is inexpensive and has a simple structure. Further, in the invention of claim 3, since the operating point adjusting means is composed of a bias adjusting magnet for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor to adjust the operating point, the buckle switch is cheaper and simpler. Becomes

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of a buckle according to the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the buckle of this example in a non-latched state with the tongue, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the buckle of this example in a latched state with the tongue, and FIG. 4 is a side wall of the base of this example. It is a figure which shows the provided guide hole.

The buckle of the present invention is different from the buckle disclosed in the above-mentioned publication in the structure in which the positions of the buckle switch and the magnet for latch detection correspond to the position of the lock member, and other structures are different. It is substantially the same as the buckle of the above-mentioned publication.

Therefore, of the structure and operation of the buckle of the present invention, the same parts as the buckle of the above-mentioned publication can be understood by referring to this publication, and therefore the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding components to make them equivalent. Although a detailed description thereof will be omitted, the structure of the buckle of the present invention will be briefly described including the operation.

In each of the drawings showing the buckle of this example, the left and right sides of the buckle are shown in reverse to those shown in the above-mentioned publication. Further, right and left used in the following description represent right and left in the drawings. Further, the reference numerals, which are described in the description in the following description but are not described in the corresponding drawings, indicate that they are similarly provided on the left and right sidewalls of the base of the buckle, and these left and right sidewalls. It means that the left and right are provided in the same manner corresponding to.

In the figure, 1 is a buckle, 2 is a base, 2a,
2b is a side wall, 2c is a bottom part, 2d and 2e are support grooves, 2f and 2
Reference numeral g is a guide hole, 2k and 2m are guide grooves, 2r is a buckle switch mounting hole, 3 is a tongue, 3a is a locking hole, 4 is a latch member, 4a and 4b are rotary shafts, 4c is a joggle portion, and 5 is a lock. Pins, 5b are protruding ends, 6 is an operation button, 7 is an ejector, 8 is a slider, 9 is a slider spring, 1
0 is a button spring, 11 is an ejector spring,
12 is an inertia lever member, 13 is a spring holder, 14
Is a lever spring, 15 is an upper cover, 16 is a lower cover, 17 is a buckle switch, 17a is a buckle switch housing, 17c is a latch detecting magnet (MG; corresponds to the operating point adjusting means of the present invention), and 17d is I.
C-hall element, 17h is a conducting wire.

In the buckle 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the unlatched state in which the tongue 3 (not shown in FIG. 2; shown in FIG. 3) is not latched, the ejector 7 is right-limited by the spring force of the ejector spring 11. Set to position. At the rightmost position of the ejector 7, the ejector 7 pushes up the joggle portion 4c of the latch member 4, and the bottom portion 4c ₁ of the joggle portion 4c of the latch member 4 is placed on the protrusion 7c on the upper surface of the ejector 7. Has become. In this state, the latch member 4 is disengaged from the insertion passage 1b of the tongue 3 continuous from the tongue insertion port 1a, and is set to a non-latching position where the tongue 3 is not latched.

Further, at this time, the lock pin 5 is in contact with the upper surface of the latch member 4 is pushed up by the latch member 4, the convex-shaped guide hole 2f as shown in FIG. 4, 2 g of vertical holes 2f ₂ , 2g _{2 in} the unlocked position. Further, when the buckle 1 is in the non-latched state, the levers 12e and 12f of the inertia lever member 12 are placed on the lock pin 5 as shown in FIG. 2, and therefore the lock pin 5 is pushed up to the non-locked position. As a result, the levers 12e and 12f of the inertia lever member 12 are set to the non-operating position shown in FIG.

From the unlatched state of the buckle 1 shown in FIG. 2, when the tongue 3 is inserted from the tongue insertion opening 1a at the right end portion of the buckle 1 into the insertion passage 1b, as shown in FIG. The left end of the tongue 3 contacts the right end of the ejector 7, and the ejector 7 is pressed to the left. Then, the ejector 7 moves leftward while contracting the ejector spring 11 according to the insertion of the tongue, so that the joggle portion 4c of the latch member 4 mounted on the protrusion 7c of the ejector 7 is disengaged from the ejector 7.

Then, the lock pin 5 is pressed downward through the slider 8 by the spring force of the slider spring 9, and the lock pin 5 presses the joggle portion 4c of the latch member 4, so that the latch member 4 is pressed. But support groove 2
It rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing around the rotation shafts 4a and 4b that are rotatably supported by d and 2e. Therefore, the joggle portion 4c of the latch member 4 enters the moving passage of the tongue 3 and fits into the locking hole 3a of the tongue 3, and the latch member 4 is in the latch position. Then, when the insertion force of the tongue 3 is released, the ejector 7 presses the left end of the tongue 3 by the spring force of the ejector spring 11, and the left end of the locking hole 3a of the tongue 3 engages with the joggle portion 4c. Is latched by the buckle 1, and the tongue 3 and the buckle 1 are in the latched state shown in FIG.

At this time, by the spring force of the slider spring 9, the lock pin 5 is guided from the unlocked position to the guide portions 2f ₄ and 2g ₄ of the inclined surface as shown in FIG. 4, and the vertical holes 2f ₂ and 2g _{2 are provided.} 2g ₁ after moving the
Enter to and move to the right and reach the locked position. At the lock position of the lock pin 5, the upper surface of the lock pin 5 is pressed from above by the pressing portions 2f ₃ and 2g ₃ , so that the lock pin 5 is prevented from moving upward. As a result, the lock pin 5 holds the latch member 4 in the latched position, so that the latch member 4 does not slip out of the locking hole 3a of the tongue 3 and the latch between the tongue 3 and the buckle 1 is firmly held.

Further, when the tongue 3 and the buckle 1 are latched, the inertia lever member 12 and the spring holder 1 are
Since the inertial lever member 12 is pulled by the spring force of the lever spring 14 that is stretched between the
As shown in (a), the inertia lever member 12 is inserted into the guide groove 2
The rotation shafts 12a and 12b supported by the rotation shaft support portions 2k1 and 2m1 of k and 2m rotate clockwise. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the tip ends of the levers 12e and 12f are located on the moving path of the lock pin 5 to the unlocked position, and the inertia lever member 12 is in the operating position. At the operating position of the inertial lever member 12, even if the lock pin 5 tries to move to the unlocked position, the levers 12e, 12
Since it abuts f, the lock pin 5 is prevented from moving to the unlocked position.

That is, the inertia of the tongue 3 from the buckle 1 is prevented, which occurs when the lock pin 5 is moved to the non-lock position by the inertia acting on the buckle 1 and the latch member 4 is set to the non-latching position. To be done. Further, due to the inertia acting on the buckle 1, the inertia lever member 12 is
Even if the user tries to move to the right and rotate in (a),
When the inertial lever member 1 is moved to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG.
2 pressed portion 12c, so 12d comes in contact with the pressing portion 2k _3, 2m _3, the guide groove 2 inertia lever member 12 is pivoted
It is prevented to get out of k, 2m.

Thus, the tongue 3 is reliably latched by the buckle 1 and the latch member 4 is held at the latched position by the lock pin 5, so that the buckle 1 and the tongue 3 are securely prevented from being disengaged.

When the operation button 6 is pushed to the left in order to release the latch between the tongue 3 and the buckle 1, the operation button 6 is released.
Moves to the left, and first the inertia lever member operating portion pushes up the pressed portions 12c, 12d of the inertia lever member 12 toward the non-operating position, so that the inertia lever member 12 moves the rotation shafts 12a, 12b. Rotate counterclockwise around the center. Therefore, the tips of the levers 12e and 12f move upward from the longitudinal passage of the lock pin 5.

When the operation button 6 is further moved to the left in this state, the lock pin operating portion 6e moves the lock pin 5 to the left. When the lock pin 5 reaches a position where it can be moved to the vertical holes 2f ₂ and 2g ₂ , the lock pin 5 is locked by the pressing portion 2.
Since not be suppressed by f _3, 2g _3, the latch member 4 becomes rotatable counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 4a, the 4b. At this time, the lock pin 5 has the levers 12e, 1
It is located directly below 2f. Lock pin 5 is holding part 2
Since it is no longer suppressed by f ₃ and 2g ₃ and the ejector 7 is biased in the latch release direction by the spring force of the ejector spring 11, the ejector 7 flips the latch member 4 upward, and the latch member 4 rotates. Axes 4a, 4b
The tongue 3 pushes rightward at the same time as the joggle portion 4c comes out of the engaging hole 3a of the tongue 3 by rotating clockwise around the. At this time, lock pin 5
Is pushed up by the latch member 4 as the latch member 4 rotates counterclockwise, and the vertical holes 2f, 2g are
Enter inside. Further, the lock pin 5 is the lever 12e, 1
Since 2f is pushed up, the inertia lever 12 moves the rotation shaft 12
It rotates counterclockwise about a and 12b.

Then, the bottom portion 4c ₁ of the joggle portion 4c of the latch member 4 is placed on the protrusion 7c of the ejector 7, and finally the ejector 7 is at the right limit position as shown in FIG. The member 4 is in the non-latching position, the lock pin 5 is in the non-locking position, the inertia lever member 12 is in the non-operating position, and the buckle 1 is in the non-latching state in which the tongue 3 is disengaged.

Further, a known buckle pretensioner (not shown) is connected to the base 2 of the buckle 1, and the buckle pretensioner is activated in an emergency such as a vehicle collision to rapidly move the base 2 to the left. I was drawn to
The occupant is quickly restrained by a seat belt.

By the way, the buckle switch 17 provided in the buckle 1 of this example has a base 2 made of a U-shaped frame as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 (a) and 6 (a).
Is attached to the side wall 2a. As shown in FIG. 2, the buckle switch 17 includes a buckle switch housing 17a, a latch detection magnet (MG; permanent magnet) 17c fixed to a protruding end 5b of the lock pin 5 on the buckle switch 17 installation side, and IC Hall element 17d operated by magnet 17c, bias adjusting magnet 17i fixed to the lower surface of IC Hall element 17d, IC Hall element 17d and bias adjusting magnet disposed in buckle switch housing 17a Board 17j for fixing 17i, and I
The C Hall element 17d is a central processing unit (not shown) (not shown) for controlling the operation of a display device such as a display lamp (not shown).
It is composed of a lead wire 17h electrically connected to (also referred to as PU) and a screw 17k for fixing the buckle switch housing 17a and the board 17j.

Then, the buckle switch housing 17a and the base plate 17j are connected to the base 2 by the screw 17k.
It is fixed to the side wall 2a by tightening together. With the board 17j fixed to the side wall 2a, when the lock pin 5 is set to the lock position as shown in FIG. 6A, the latch detection magnet 17c is positioned above the IC Hall element 17d. Has been done.

The buckle switch 17 of this example having the bias adjusting magnet 17i uses the latch detecting magnet 17c fixed to the lock pin 5 and the IC Hall element 17d fixed to the side wall 2a of the base 2 as a common sheet. It has an operating point corresponding to the type of belt device and can be set with on / off characteristics that are not affected by external magnetic fields. This will be specifically described below.

The bias adjusting magnet 17i is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the surface (upper surface in the drawing) contacting the IC Hall element 17d can be provided so as to be the S pole, or as shown in FIG. 7C, the IC Hall element 17d.
It is also possible to provide the side (upper surface in the drawing) contacting d so as to be the N pole.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the IC
A bias adjusting magnet 1 is provided on the lower surface of the hall element 17d.
In the case where 7i is not provided, when the latch detecting magnet 17c moves from the left side in FIG. 7A with the N pole side as the leading end and the tip thereof reaches the operating point of the position X ₀ ,
The IC Hall element 17d is turned on (O)
It has an on / off characteristic of switching to N).

In such an IC Hall element 17d, as shown in FIG. 7B, the bias adjusting magnet 17i is provided so that the side (upper surface in the figure) contacting the IC Hall element 17d becomes the S pole. In this case, the magnetic field on the S pole side of the bias adjusting magnet 17i acts as a bias on the IC Hall element 17d. Therefore, even if the latch detection magnet 17c moves from the left to the right in FIG. 7B and the tip thereof reaches the above-mentioned position X ₀ ,
The IC Hall element 17d does not switch from off to on.

When the latch detecting magnet 17c further moves to the right and the tip thereof reaches the operating point of the position X ₁ , the IC Hall element 17d is switched from off to on. That is, the IC of the bias adjusting magnet 17i
When the contact surface side of the Hall element 17d is the S pole, the IC at the operating point at the position X ₁ beyond the operating point at the position X ₀ when the bias adjusting magnet 17i is not provided
The hall element 17d has an on / off characteristic of switching from off to on.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, when the bias adjusting magnet 17i is provided so that the side (upper surface in the figure) side in contact with the IC Hall element 17d becomes the N pole, the IC Hall element 17d. The magnetic field on the N pole side of the bias adjusting magnet 17i is applied as a bias. Therefore, the latch detecting magnet 17c moves from the left side to the right side in FIG. 7C, and the tip of the magnet 17c moves from the OFF state to the ON state at the operating point of the position X ₂ before the position X _0. Switch to. That is, the side of the bias adjusting magnet 17i contacting the IC Hall element 17d is set to N.
In the case of the pole, the position X ₂ before the operating point at the position X ₀ when the bias adjusting magnet 17i is not provided
At the operating point, the IC Hall element 17d has an on / off characteristic of switching from off to on.

In this way, the bias adjusting magnet 1
The operating point of the IC Hall element 17d can be changed by changing the direction of the pole of 7i to change the magnetic flux direction, or by changing the magnetic field strength of the bias adjusting magnet 17i itself by another method. . Therefore,
The pole direction and the magnetic field strength of the bias adjusting magnet 17i are adjusted in accordance with the seat belt device in which the buckle switch 17 is used, or the bias adjusting magnet 17i is replaced with a device corresponding to the seat belt device. It is possible to obtain the buckle switch 17 having the on / off characteristic at the operating point corresponding to the seat belt device without changing the latch detection magnet 17c and the IC Hall element 17d.

As a result, the buckle switch 17 includes the latch detection magnet 17c and the IC Hall element 17d.
In addition, the ON / OFF characteristics having an operating point corresponding to the type of seat belt device can be set, the types of parts can be reduced, and part of the assembly process of the buckle switch 17 is also common. The assembly of the buckle switch 17 and the buckle 1 becomes easier.

Further, by providing the bias adjusting magnet 17i on the lower surface of the IC Hall element 17d, the buckle switch 17 becomes a strong switch which is not affected by the external magnetic field. That is, for example, of the magnetic field generated by the latch detection magnet 17c, the magnetic field applied to the IC Hall element 17d is set so as to change from 0 mT to 250 mT in the stroke range of the latch detection magnet 17c. It is assumed that the on / off boundary is set to 8 mT to 20 mT. At this time,
When an external magnetic field of 20 mT is applied to the IC Hall element 17d, a signal for turning on the IC Hall element 17d is output even if the magnetic field of the latch detection magnet 17c is 0 mT applied to the IC Hall element 17d. I will end up. Therefore, a magnetic field of, for example, −50 mT is constantly applied to the IC Hall element 1 by the bias adjusting magnet 17i.
If it is set so as to apply to 7d, even if an external magnetic field of 20 mT is applied to the IC Hall element 17d, the IC Hall element 17d does not output a signal to turn on. This makes it possible to eliminate the influence of the external magnetic field on the IC Hall element 17d.

In the above example, the buckle switch 17
As the magnetic sensor used for the above, it is only necessary to recognize the on / off state of the switch.
Although d is used, the magnetic sensor is not limited to this, and another magnetic sensor such as a magnetoresistive element or a semiconductor magnetic sensor can be used as the magnetic sensor.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the IC Hall element 17d is thus used as a magnetic sensor.
The buckle switch 17 of this example configured using
As described above, the buckle switch mounting hole 2r formed in the side wall 2a of the base 2 is mounted by the screw 17k. With the buckle switch 17 attached, as is apparent from FIG.
d is located directly below the lock pin 5 when set to the lock position.

When the lock pin 5 is in the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 5B, the latch detection magnet 17c fixed to the lock pin 5 is not directly above the IC Hall element 17d and this IC is not present. It is in a state of being largely separated from the hall element 17d. At this time, the magnetic field of the latch detection magnet 17c is not applied to the IC Hall element 17d, and the IC Hall element 17d does not generate an electromotive force, so that the buckle switch 17 is turned off. Therefore, the output signal (electromotive force) from the IC Hall element 17d is not sent to the CPU via the lead wire 17h, the CPU detects that the buckle switch 17 is off and does not operate the display device (not shown). The display device does not display the latch between the tongue 3 and the buckle 1.

Also, the tongue 3 latches to the buckle 1,
When the lock pin 5 is in the lock position as shown in FIG. 6B, the latch detection magnet 1 of the lock pin 5
7c is located directly above the IC Hall element 17d. At this time, the latch detection magnet 17
Since the magnetic field of c is applied to the IC Hall element 17d and the IC Hall element 17d generates an electromotive force, the buckle switch 17 is turned on. Therefore, the IC Hall element 17d
From the output signal (electromotive force) to the CPU via the lead wire 17h, the CPU detects that the buckle switch 17 is turned on to operate the display device, and the display device operates the tongue 3 and the buckle 1. It indicates that the latch is positive.

That is, the latch detecting magnet 17c
And the IC Hall element 17d are used to detect the electromotive force generated by the IC Hall element 17d due to the magnetic field of the latch detection magnet 17c, so that the tongue 3 is buckled when the lock pin 5 is in the unlocked position. When the lock pin 5 is in the lock position, that is, when the tongue 3 is latched by the buckle 1, the display operation of the display device is not performed when the display device is not latched to the display device. The operation of the display device is switched.

At this time, the bias adjusting magnet 17
Due to i, the operating point of the buckle switch 17 of this example corresponds to this seat belt device, and the on / off characteristics of the buckle switch 17 are not affected by the external magnetic field.

Thus, in the buckle 1 of this example, the latch detecting magnet 17c, the IC Hall element 17d, and the bias adjusting magnet 17i
Using the Hall effect, a non-contact buckle switch that is not affected by an external magnetic field is constructed.

The CPU which controls the operation of the display device by detecting the ON / OFF signal of the IC Hall element 17d of the buckle switch 17 detects the ON / OFF signal of the IC Hall element 17d, and thereby detects a retractor or the like. It is also possible to control the operation of other devices of the seat belt device and other devices mounted on the vehicle related to the operation of the seat belt device.

As described above, according to the buckle 1 of this example, since the buckle switch 1 of the non-contact type is used, there is no risk of contact failure due to wear or the like.
Durability is greatly improved compared to contact type switches such as substrate type switches and micro switches. In particular, in the buckle switch disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the operating member is brought into contact with the lock pin to follow the movement of the lock pin. However, in the buckle switch 17 of this example, the lock which is a component of the buckle 1 is locked. Since the constituent member of the buckle switch is not brought into contact with the pin 5 at all, the durability and operation reliability of the buckle switch can be improved more effectively, and the operation reliability of movable constituent members such as the lock pin 5 of the buckle 1 can also be improved. .

By adjusting the direction and strength of the magnetic field of the bias adjusting magnet 17i, or by simply replacing the bias adjusting magnet 17i with a desired magnetic field direction and desired magnetic field strength. Latch detection magnet 1
It becomes possible to change the operating point of the buckle switch 17 while making the 7c and the IC Hall element 17d common. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the buckle switch 17 having an on / off characteristic having an operating point corresponding to the type of seat belt device, reduce the number of types of parts of the buckle 1, and share the buckle switch 17 assembly process in part. As a result, the assembly of the buckle switch 17 and the buckle 1 becomes easier.

Further, by providing the bias adjusting magnet 17i on the lower surface of the IC Hall element 17d, a strong switch that is not affected by the external magnetic field can be obtained as the buckle switch 17. Furthermore, the effect of the buckle switch disclosed in the above-mentioned publication is also obtained.

Furthermore, a relatively inexpensive IC Hall element 17d
By using, the buckle switch 17 can be made inexpensive and simple. Further, since the bias adjusting magnet 17i that applies a magnetic field to the IC Hall element 17d to adjust its operating point is used, the buckle switch 1 can be made even cheaper and simpler.

In the above example, the latch pin magnet (MG) 17c provided on the lock pin 5 is attached to the lock pin 5.
The latch between the tongue 3 and the buckle 1 is detected by following the movement between the non-locked position and the locked position, and the buckle switch 17 is switched on and off. However, the buckle 1 is not limited to the above-described one, but the components of the buckle 1 such as the movement of the latch member 4 between the non-latched position and the latched position and the movement of the ejector 7 between the non-latched position and the latched position. Of these, the tongue 3 and the buckle 1 are moved by causing the latch detecting magnet (MG) 17c provided on the moving component that moves between the non-latched position and the latched position to follow the movement of the moving component. Detected the latch of, buckle switch 17 on,
It is also possible to switch off.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the buckle of the present invention, the switching of the switch is performed by the non-contact method using the latch detecting magnet and the magnetic sensor. The occurrence of contact failure due to abrasion or the like can be eliminated, and the durability can be extremely improved as compared with a contact type switch such as a substrate type switch or a micro switch.

In particular, according to the buckle of the present invention, since the constituent members of the buckle switch are not brought into contact with the constituent members of the buckle at all, the durability and operation reliability of the buckle switch can be improved more effectively and the buckle can be moved. The operational reliability of the constituent members can also be improved.

Further, the direction of the magnetic field or the strength of the magnetic field is adjusted by the operating point adjusting means for adjusting the operating point of the magnetic sensor, or the operating point adjusting means is used to set the desired magnetic field direction or the desired magnetic field strength. It is possible to change the operating point of the buckle switch by using a common detecting sensor such as a latch detecting magnet for detecting the movement of the movable component of the buckle and the magnetic sensor by simply exchanging the buckle switch. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a buckle switch with operating characteristics having an on / off operating point corresponding to the type of seat belt device, reduce the types of buckle parts, and make the buckle switch assembly process partly common. , Buckle switch and buckle assembly becomes easier.

Further, by providing the buckle switch with the operating point adjusting means, a strong switch which is not affected by the external magnetic field can be obtained as the buckle switch. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the effect of the buckle switch disclosed in the above-mentioned publication is also obtained.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, since the magnetic sensor is composed of a relatively inexpensive Hall element,
The buckle switch can be made inexpensive and simple. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the operating point adjusting means is composed of the bias adjusting magnet for adjusting the operating point by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor, the buckle switch can be made more inexpensive and further. Easy to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a buckle of this example in a non-latching state with a tongue.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a latched state of the buckle of this example with a tongue.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a guide hole provided in a side wall of a base of this example.

5A is a view showing a state in which the buckle switch used in the buckle shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a base, and a non-latched state of the buckle and the tongue;
(B) is a figure which shows each magnetic field of a magnet for latch detection, and a magnet for bias adjustment.

6A is a view showing a state in which a buckle switch used in the buckle shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a base, and a latched state of the buckle and the tongue;
(B) is a figure which shows each magnetic field of a magnet for latch detection, and a magnet for bias adjustment.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the buckle switch of the present invention,
(A) is a diagram showing a case where a bias adjusting magnet is not provided on the IC Hall element, and (b) shows a case where a bias adjusting magnet is provided on the IC Hall element so that the S pole is on the IC Hall element side. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a case where a bias adjusting magnet is provided in the IC Hall element so that the N pole is on the IC Hall element side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Buckle, 2 ... Base, 2a, 2b ... Side wall, 2c ...
Bottom part, 2d, 2e ... Support groove, 2f, 2g ... Guide hole, 2r
... Buckle switch mounting hole, 3 ... Tongue, 3a ... Locking hole, 4 ... Latch member, 5 ... Lock pin, 5b ... Projection end, 6 ... Operation button, 7 ... Ejector, 8 ... Slider,
12 ... Inertial lever member, 15 ... Upper cover, 16 ...
Lower cover, 17 ... Buckle switch, 17a ... Buckle switch housing, 17c is a magnet for latch detection (MG), 17d is an IC hall element, 17h is a conducting wire,
17i ... Magnet for bias adjustment, 17j ... Substrate

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A base having both side walls, and an ejector provided slidably in the longitudinal direction on the base for moving by inserting the tongue and for ejecting the tongue from the buckle when the tongue and the buckle are unlatched. These side walls are rotatably supported between a non-latching position and a latching position and are urged toward the latching position.
When the tongue is inserted into a predetermined position, the latch member rotates to the latch position and engages with the tongue, the operating member for disengaging the tongue and the latch member in the latched state, and the side walls. It is provided so as to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and when the tongue and the latch member are latched, the tongue and the latch member are set to the locked position to hold the latch member at the latched position. A buckle comprising at least a locking member adapted to be moved by the operating member in the unlocked position enabling the latching with the latch member to be released, further comprising: the ejector, the latch member, and the lock. It is equipped with a non-contact buckle switch that can be switched by detecting the movement of any one of the members. The clew switch includes a latch detection magnet attached to any one of the ejector, the latch member, and the lock member, a magnetic sensor that generates an electromotive force by a magnetic field of the latch detection magnet, and the magnetic sensor. And a working point adjusting means for adjusting the working point of the buckle. 2. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor comprises a Hall element. 3. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the operating point adjusting means comprises a bias adjusting magnet for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor to adjust its operating point.