JP2015044460A - Buckle device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a buckle device which reduces burden on the body while an occupant wears a seat belt and allows the occupant to easily put the seat belt on.SOLUTION: A buckle device BA allows a buckle 100 to move upward. As the buckle 100 moves upward, the buckle 100 rotates to change the orientation of a top surface 101.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat belt buckle device.

  The seat belt installed in the vehicle seat as a safety device has a belt (webbing) for protecting the occupant, a tongue plate attached to the belt, and an insertion hole for inserting a part of the tongue plate. And a buckle formed on the. The occupant is in a state where the body is protected by the belt by inserting and engaging a part of the tongue plate in the insertion hole of the buckle while sitting on the seat.

  Generally, the buckle is disposed in the vicinity of the buttocks of the occupant seated on the seat. For this reason, when the occupant intends to wear the seat belt, the occupant is difficult to visually recognize the buckle and its insertion hole. Also, if the occupant grabs the tongue plate with his hand and tries to extend his hand to the buckle near the buttocks, the occupant needs to twist his upper body. This places a burden on the passenger's body.

  Therefore, in order to facilitate the work of attaching the seat belt to the occupant, the following Patent Document 1 proposes a device (buckle device) capable of moving the buckle upward. When the occupant is seated on the seat, the buckle device detects the seating and moves the buckle upward. As a result, the buckle is positioned above the buttocks, so that the occupant can attach the seat belt without twisting the upper body. After the mounting is completed, that is, after the buckle and the tongue plate are engaged, the buckle descends and returns to the normal position (near the occupant's buttocks).

US Pat. No. 7,997,620

  In the buckle device described in Patent Document 1, the buckle moves linearly without changing the direction of the insertion hole (the normal direction of the upper surface) when moving upward. For this reason, the case where the direction of the insertion hole is not appropriate when the upward movement is completed may occur. For example, there may be a case where the direction of the insertion hole is not toward the vicinity of the occupant's face and the occupant is difficult to visually recognize the insertion hole. Moreover, the direction of the insertion hole when a part of the tongue plate is inserted may not be optimal from an ergonomic viewpoint.

  Thus, the conventional buckle device has room for further improvement in order to make it easier for the occupant to attach the seat belt.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object thereof is to reduce the burden on the body when the occupant wears the seat belt and to easily perform the work of wearing the seat belt. An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a buckle device according to the present invention includes a buckle having an insertion hole for inserting a part of a tongue plate formed on an upper surface thereof, and a buckle support portion that supports the buckle from below. The buckle device for a seat belt is configured such that the buckle can move upward while being supported by the buckle support portion, and the buckle moves as the buckle moves upward. Is configured so that the orientation of the upper surface changes.

  The buckle device according to the present invention includes a buckle and a buckle support part. The buckle is engaged with the tongue plate to fix the belt. An insertion hole for inserting a part of the tongue plate is formed on the upper surface of the buckle. When a part of the tongue plate is inserted into the insertion hole, the buckle and the tongue plate are engaged, and the occupant is fixed to the seat by the belt.

  A buckle support part is a part arrange | positioned below the buckle among buckle apparatuses, Comprising: A buckle is supported from the downward direction. The buckle support is fixed to the seat or to a portion of the vehicle near the seat.

  The buckle can move upward while being supported by the buckle support. Immediately after the occupant is seated on the seat, the buckle is moved upward, whereby the burden on the body when the occupant wears the seat belt can be reduced.

  By the way, the optimal direction of the buckle during normal operation such as driving (the optimal direction of the insertion hole when the buckle is positioned below) is substantially along the longitudinal direction of the belt fixing the occupant's body. The direction. On the other hand, the optimal direction of the buckle (the direction of the insertion hole) when the buckle moves upward and the occupant wears the seat belt is often different from the optimal direction in the normal state as described above.

  Therefore, the buckle device according to the present invention is configured such that as the buckle moves upward, the buckle rotates and the orientation of the upper surface (normal direction of the upper surface) where the insertion hole is formed changes. . In other words, the direction of the insertion hole is changed as the buckle moves upward.

  With such a configuration, for example, the buckle can be rotated so that the direction of the insertion hole is directed to the vicinity of the occupant's face, so that the occupant can easily see the insertion hole. In consideration of the movement of the hand holding the tongue plate, the buckle can be rotated so that the direction of the insertion hole is optimal from an ergonomic viewpoint.

  Thus, according to the buckle device according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the body when the occupant wears the seat belt. In addition, the occupant can easily perform the work of attaching the seat belt.

  Further, in the buckle device according to the present invention, the buckle support portion is arranged at a position where one end is fixed to the lower side of the buckle and a position separated from the first cable, and one end is the buckle. A second cable fixed to the lower side, and moving the first cable and the second cable along the respective axial directions to move the buckle up and down. It is also preferable that the moving amount of the first cable is different from the moving amount of the second cable.

  In this preferred embodiment, the buckle support portion has a first cable and a second cable, and these support the buckle from below. The first cable and the second cable are arranged at positions separated from each other, and both ends thereof are fixed to the lower side of the buckle.

  A buckle support part moves a buckle to an up-down direction by moving a 1st cable and a 2nd cable along each axial direction. In this preferred embodiment, the amount of movement of the first cable and the amount of movement of the second cable when the buckle is moved in the vertical direction are configured to be different.

  Due to the difference in the amount of movement of the two cables connected to the lower side of the buckle, the buckle rotates as it moves up and down, and the orientation of the upper surface where the insertion hole is formed changes. Thus, in this preferable aspect, the direction of the buckle can be changed with a simple configuration.

  In the buckle device according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the first cable and the second cable are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to each other.

  In this preferred embodiment, the first cable and the second cable are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to each other. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of the buckle device by arranging two cables in a narrow space.

  In the buckle device according to the present invention, the buckle support portion includes a first clamp attached to a part of the first cable, a second clamp attached to a part of the second cable, and a predetermined direction. A movable member that moves along the first and second clamps, and the first and second clamps are moved to apply a force to the buckle in the vertical direction. The timing at which the moving member comes into contact with the first clamp and starts applying a force is different from the timing at which the moving member comes into contact with the second clamp and starts applying a force. It is also preferable that it is configured.

  In this preferable aspect, it further includes a first clamp attached to a part of the first cable, a second clamp attached to a part of the second cable, and a moving member that moves along a predetermined direction. Yes. When the moving member moves, the moving member abuts on the first clamp and applies a force to the first clamp and the first cable. As a result, the first cable moves under the force. Similarly, the moving member abuts against the second clamp and applies a force to the second clamp and the second cable. As a result, the second cable receives the force and moves. As described above, when the moving member moves, the first cable and the second cable also move, and the buckle fixed to the lower side moves in the vertical direction.

  In addition, the timing at which the moving member starts to contact the first clamp and starts applying force is different from the timing at which the moving member contacts the second clamp and starts applying force. Since the first cable and the second cable start to move at different timings, the respective moving amounts are different from each other. As a result, the buckle begins to rise while changing the orientation of the upper surface. Thus, according to this preferable aspect, the movement of the buckle that rotates as it rises can be realized with a simple configuration.

  In the buckle device according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the moving member is a ball screw nut.

  In this preferred embodiment, the nut of the ball screw is used as the moving member. With such a configuration, the movement of the moving member that applies force to the first cable and the second cable can be controlled with high accuracy.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the buckle apparatus which reduces the burden on the body at the time of a passenger | crew wearing a seatbelt, and makes it possible to perform seatbelt mounting | wearing work easily can be provided.

It is a figure showing the state where the buckle device concerning one embodiment of the present invention was attached to the seat of vehicles. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the buckle apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the buckle apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the buckle apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the buckle apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

  A buckle device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the buckle device BA is attached to a vehicle seat ST, as viewed from the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In FIG. 1, the x-axis is set with the direction from the front to the rear of the vehicle as the x-direction, the y-axis is set with the direction from the bottom to the top of the vehicle as the y-direction, and the vehicle proceeds from the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The z-axis is set with the direction toward the left side as the z direction. In the subsequent drawings, the x axis, the y axis, and the z axis are similarly set.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the buckle device BA is disposed at a position adjacent to the lower side and the right side surface of the seat ST, and is fixed to the vehicle at the position. The buckle device BA constitutes a part of a seat belt that is a safety device provided in the vehicle.

  The seat belt includes a buckle device BA, a belt (webbing) WB for fixing the occupant's body to the seat ST, and a tongue plate TP attached to a part of the belt WB. The tongue plate TP has a plate-like insertion portion TP1. When the occupant wears the seat belt, the insertion portion TP1 is inserted into the buckle 100 of the buckle device BA and is engaged with the buckle 100.

  The buckle device BA includes the buckle 100 that is a portion that engages with the tongue plate TP as described above, and the buckle drive mechanism 200 that is disposed below the buckle 100.

  The shape of the buckle 100 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a slit-like insertion hole 102 is formed on the upper surface 101 thereof. The insertion hole 102 is a portion into which the insertion portion TP1 of the tongue plate TP is inserted. The buckle 100 is arranged in an inclined state so that the normal direction of the upper surface 101 is directed forward and upward. Further, the buckle 100 is disposed at a position near the buttocks of the occupant seated on the seat ST.

  The buckle drive mechanism 200 is a portion of the buckle device BA that is fixed to the vehicle, and supports the buckle 100 from below. Two cables (cables W1, W2) extend from the buckle drive mechanism 200 toward the front side and the upper side, and the upper portions of the cables W1, W2 are fixed to the lower surface (lower side) of the buckle 100. Has been. As a result, the buckle 100 is supported from below by the cables W1 and W2. The cables W1 and W2 are flexible wires mainly formed of metal.

  When the buckle 100 is disposed at a low position as shown in FIG. 1, it is difficult for the occupant to visually recognize the buckle 100 and the insertion hole 102 when trying to wear the seat belt. Further, if the occupant grasps the tongue plate TP with his hand and tries to extend his hand to the buckle 100 near the buttock, the occupant needs to twist his upper body. This places a burden on the occupant's body.

  Therefore, in the buckle device BA according to the present embodiment, it is possible to move the buckle 100 upward instead of fixing the buckle 100 to a low position as shown in FIG. Specifically, the cables W1 and W2 are moved upward along the respective central axes, whereby the buckle 100 can be moved upward (in the present embodiment, upward and forward). The buckle drive mechanism 200 is a device for moving (sending out) the cables W1, W2 as described above.

  The buckle device BA further includes a seating sensor and a control device (not shown). The seating sensor is, for example, a weight sensor provided inside the seat ST, and is a sensor for detecting whether or not an occupant is seated on the seat ST. When an occupant's seating is detected by the seating sensor, a corresponding seating detection signal is transmitted from the seating sensor to the control device.

  The control device is a device for controlling the operation of the buckle drive mechanism 200 described in detail later. When receiving the seating detection signal from the seating sensor, the control device operates the buckle driving mechanism 200 to raise the buckle 100.

  As a result, the occupant wears the seat belt in a state where the buckle 100 is raised and is positioned higher than the hip. That is, the tongue plate TP is grasped by hand, the insertion portion TP1 is inserted into the insertion hole 102 of the buckle 100, and the tongue plate TP is engaged with the buckle 100. Since the buckle 100 is located higher than the buttocks, the occupant can wear the seat belt without twisting the upper body.

  A mounting sensor (not shown) is built in the buckle 100. The seating sensor is a sensor for detecting the engagement between the tongue plate TP and the buckle 100. In other words, it is a sensor for detecting that the seat belt is completely attached. When the engagement is detected by the mounting sensor, a corresponding mounting detection signal is transmitted from the mounting sensor to the control device.

  When receiving the mounting detection signal from the mounting sensor, the control device operates the buckle driving mechanism 200 to lower the buckle 100. The buckle 100 descends together with the engaged tongue plate TP and returns to the original position shown in FIG. 1 (position near the occupant's buttocks).

  Next, a specific configuration of the buckle device BA will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the structure of the buckle device BA, and schematically shows the internal structure of the buckle device BA in the state shown in FIG.

  The buckle driving mechanism 200 of the buckle device BA has a horizontal portion 210 disposed on the front side of the vehicle and a bent portion 250 disposed on the rear side of the vehicle, and these are adjacent to each other along the x direction. Has been placed.

  The horizontal portion 210 is a portion made of a case formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the x direction. Inside the horizontal portion 210, the cable W1 and the cable W2 are arranged in a straight line along the x direction. In addition, the cable W2 is disposed above the cable W1 in the horizontal portion 210.

  The bent portion 250 is connected to the x-direction side end of the horizontal portion 210. Inside the bent portion 250, a guide path 251 for guiding the cable W1 and a guide path 252 for guiding the cable W2 are formed so as to be substantially parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the guide path 251 and the guide path 252 is a curved path. Specifically, the cables W1 and W2 inserted along the x direction from the horizontal portion 210 side are curved inside the bent portion 250, and protrude toward the buckle 100 on the upper side and the front side. It has become.

  Inside the horizontal portion 210, a ball screw is disposed as a mechanism for applying a driving force to the cable W1 and the cable W2. The ball screw includes a shaft SC and a nut NT through which the shaft SC is inserted.

  The shaft SC is a substantially cylindrical shaft having a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface. The shaft SC is disposed between the cable W1 and the cable W2 with its central axis extending along the x direction. The shaft SC is supported by two bearings (first bearing B1 and second bearing B2) disposed inside the horizontal portion 210 so as to be rotatable around its central axis. The first bearing B1 supports the end on the x direction side of the shaft SC. The second bearing B2 supports the vicinity of the end on the −x direction side of the shaft SC.

  The nut NT has a through hole HL0 formed in the center thereof, and is disposed inside the horizontal portion 210 with the through hole HL0 penetrating the shaft SC. The inner peripheral surface of the through hole HL0 is subjected to female screw processing, and the female screw and a male screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft SC are screwed together. Further, the lower surface of the nut NT is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal portion 210, and the nut NT is prevented from rotating around the shaft SC.

  In the nut NT, in addition to the through hole HL0 through which the shaft SC passes, a through hole HL1 through which the cable W1 passes and a through hole HL2 through which the cable W2 passes are formed. The inner diameter of the through hole HL1 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cable W1, and the inner diameter of the through hole HL2 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cable W2.

  Two clamps (clamps CP11 and CP12) are fixed to the cable W1 so as to sandwich a portion of the cable W1 that passes through the nut NT. The clamp CP11 is fixed to a portion of the cable W1 on the side in the x direction from the nut NT. In addition, the clamp CP12 is fixed to the portion of the cable W1 on the −x direction side of the nut NT.

  The clamps CP11 and CP12 are both made of a cylindrical metal, and are fixed to the cable W1 with the center thereof being penetrated by the cable W1. The diameters of the clamps CP11 and CP12 are larger than the inner diameter of the through hole HL1.

  Two clamps (clamps CP21 and CP22) are fixed to the cable W2 so as to sandwich a portion of the cable W2 that passes through the nut NT. The clamp CP21 is fixed to the portion of the cable W2 that is closer to the x direction than the nut NT. The clamp CP22 is fixed to the portion of the cable W2 on the −x direction side of the nut NT.

  The clamps CP21 and CP22 are both made of a cylindrical metal, and are fixed to the cable W2 with the center penetrating the cable W2. The diameters of the clamps CP21 and CP22 are larger than the inner diameter of the through hole HL2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distance between the clamp CP11 and the clamp CP12 is larger than the thickness (dimension along the x direction) of the nut NT. Specifically, a gap dX1 is formed between the clamp CP11 and the nut NT, while the clamp CP12 is close to the nut NT from the −x direction side (the gap is almost zero). ing.

  On the other hand, the distance between the clamp CP21 and the clamp CP22 is substantially equal to the thickness of the nut NT. That is, the clamp CP21 is close to the nut NT from the x direction side, and the clamp CP22 is close to the nut NT from the −x direction side.

  A motor MT is disposed at an end portion on the −x direction side of the horizontal portion 210. The motor MT is a rotary motor whose operation is controlled by a control device, and its output shaft (rotary shaft) is connected to the −x direction side end of the shaft SC. For this reason, the shaft SC can be rotated around its central axis by the driving force of the motor MT. When the shaft SC rotates, the nut NT screwed with the shaft SC receives a force along the x-axis direction and moves in the direction.

  As apparent from FIG. 2, when the nut NT moves in the x direction by the rotation of the motor MT, the nut NT abuts against the clamp CP11, so that the clamp CP11 and the cable W1 have the x direction. Force along is applied. Similarly, when the nut NT abuts against the clamp CP21, a force along the x direction is also applied to the clamp CP21 and the cable W2.

  The cables W1 and W2 move in the horizontal direction 210 in the x direction by the force. As a result, the cables W1 and W2 are sent upward from the bent portion 250. In other words, a portion of the cables W1 and W2 above the bent portion 250 moves toward the upper side (y direction side) and the front side (−x direction side). As the cables W1 and W2 move in this way, the buckle 100 also moves upward and forward.

  On the other hand, when the nut NT moves in the −x direction by the rotation of the motor MT, the nut NT abuts against the clamp CP12, so that a force along the −x direction is applied to the clamp CP12 and the cable W1. It is done. Similarly, when the nut NT abuts against the clamp CP22, a force along the −x direction is also applied to the clamp CP22 and the cable W2.

  The cables W1 and W2 move in the −x direction in the horizontal portion 210 by the force. As a result, portions of the cables W <b> 1 and W <b> 2 above the bent portion 250 are pulled back into the bent portion 250. In other words, a portion of the cables W1 and W2 above the bent portion 250 moves toward the lower side (−y direction side) and the rear side (x direction side). As the cables W1 and W2 move in this way, the buckle 100 also moves downward and rearward.

  Inside the horizontal part 210, two switches (switches SW1 and SW2) for detecting the position of the nut NT are arranged. As will be described later, the movable range of the nut NT is defined by the switches SW1 and SW2.

  A specific movement when the buckle 100 moves upward will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in the middle of the buckle 100 moving upward, and shows a state when the nut NT slightly moves in the x direction (by the gap dX1) from the state shown in FIG. It shows a state.

  When the nut NT starts to move in the x direction by the driving force of the motor MT from the state shown in FIG. 2, the nut NT comes into contact with the clamp CP21 almost simultaneously, and the clamp CP21 and the cable W2 start to move. On the other hand, since the gap dX1 is formed between the nut NT and the clamp CP11, even if the nut NT starts to move in the x direction, the movement of the clamp CP11 and the cable W1 is not started at that time. The clamp CP11 and the cable W1 start to move from the time when the nut NT moves in the x direction by the gap dX1 (the time shown in FIG. 3).

  Therefore, until the state shown in FIG. 3 is reached, only the cable W2 is sent out from the bent portion 250 (moves upward), while the cable W1 remains stationary. As a result, the buckle 100 supported from below by the cable W1 and the cable W2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow AR1, and the normal direction of the upper surface 101 (the direction of the insertion hole 102) is closer to the vertical direction. It becomes.

  Even after the point of time shown in FIG. 3, the motor MT continues to rotate, and the nut NT continues to move further along the x direction. Thereafter, the nut NT contacts the switch SW2. Meanwhile, a gap dX2 is formed between the nut NT and the clamp CP12. The gap dX2 is a gap having the same size as the gap dX1 in FIG.

  The switch SW2 is a sensor for detecting that the nut NT has reached the end of the movable range, and is disposed on the rear side (x direction side) portion of the inside of the horizontal portion 210. When the nut NT contacts the switch SW2, a contact detection signal is transmitted from the nut NT to the control device. When receiving the contact signal, the control device stops the rotation of the motor MT. As is apparent from the above description, the switch SW2 defines the upper limit position of the buckle 100.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where the nut NT has moved to a position where it contacts the switch SW2 and stopped. In the period from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4, the nut NT is always in contact with the clamp CP11 and is always in contact with the clamp CP21. For this reason, the length of the cable W1 sent out from the bent portion 250 during the period is the same as the length of the cable W2 sent out from the bent portion 250 during the period.

  Accordingly, the buckle 100 moves upward and forward from the state shown in FIG. 3 without changing the normal direction of the upper surface 101, and reaches the upper limit position shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the seat belt is worn by the occupant.

  The buckle 100 at this time is not simply moved upward from the state shown in FIG. 2, but is rotated so that its upper surface 101 becomes more horizontal as it moves upward. In other words, it rotates so that the direction of the insertion hole 102 formed in the upper surface 101 is directed to the vicinity of the passenger's face. As a result, the occupant can surely see the insertion hole 102, so that the insertion portion TP1 of the tongue plate TP can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 102.

  As described above, when the seat belt is completely mounted, the mounting sensor in the buckle 100 detects this, and a mounting detection signal is transmitted to the control device. The control device that has received the mounting detection signal rotates the motor MT in the opposite direction. Thereby, the nut NT starts to move in the −x direction.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in the middle of the buckle 100 moving downward, and when the nut NT slightly moves in the −x direction (by the gap dX1) from the state illustrated in FIG. 4. The state of is shown.

  When the nut NT starts to move in the −x direction by the driving force of the motor MT from the state shown in FIG. 4, the nut NT comes into contact with the clamp CP22 almost simultaneously, and the clamp CP22 and the cable W2 start to move. . On the other hand, since the gap dX2 is formed between the nut NT and the clamp CP12, even if the nut NT starts to move in the −x direction, the movement of the clamp CP12 and the cable W1 is not started at that time. The clamp CP12 and the cable W1 start to move from the time when the nut NT moves in the −x direction by the gap dX2 (the time shown in FIG. 5).

  Accordingly, until the state shown in FIG. 5 is reached, only the cable W2 is drawn into the bent portion 250 (moves downward), while the cable W1 remains stationary. As a result, the buckle 100 supported from below by the cable W1 and the cable W2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow AR3, and the normal direction of the upper surface 101 is the original direction (the upper surface 101 in the state shown in FIG. 2). Return to the normal direction.

  The motor MT continues to rotate after the time point shown in FIG. 5 and the nut NT continues to move further along the −x direction. Thereafter, the nut NT contacts the switch SW1. Meanwhile, a gap dX1 is formed between the nut NT and the clamp CP11.

  The switch SW1 is a sensor for detecting that the nut NT has reached the end of the movable range, and is disposed on the front side (−x direction side) of the inside of the horizontal portion 210. When the nut NT contacts the switch SW1, a contact detection signal is transmitted from the nut NT to the control device. When receiving the contact signal, the control device stops the rotation of the motor MT. As apparent from the above description, the switch SW1 defines the lower limit position of the buckle 100. At this point, the buckle device BA has returned to the state shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the buckle device BA according to this embodiment, the buckle 100 rotates as the buckle 100 moves upward, and the orientation of the upper surface 101 where the insertion hole 102 is formed (the normal direction of the upper surface 101). ) Is configured to change. That is, the direction of the insertion hole 102 is changed as the buckle 100 moves upward.

  With such a configuration, when the occupant wears the seat belt, the occupant can surely see the insertion hole 102, and the insertion portion TP1 of the tongue plate TP can be easily inserted into the insertion hole 102. Can do.

  Note that the orientation of the upper surface 101 when the buckle 100 moves upward may be adjusted to be optimal from an ergonomic viewpoint. That is, the buckle 100 may be rotated so that the direction of the insertion hole 102 is optimal in consideration of the movement of the passenger's hand holding the tongue plate TP. The rotation angle of the buckle 100 can be adjusted by changing the position where the clamp CP11 is fixed and adjusting the gap dX1.

  In the present embodiment, the cable W1 and the cable W2 are arranged so as to be aligned along the y direction. That is, they are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the z direction (hereinafter also referred to as “z plane”). For this reason, the buckle 100 rotates so that the normal line direction of the upper surface 101 changes along the up-down direction.

  However, the rotation of the buckle 100 when moving upward is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the cable W1 and the cable W2 below the buckle 100 may be arranged so as to be aligned in the z direction. In this case, the buckle 100 rotates so that the normal direction of the upper surface 101 changes along the left-right direction. That is, the positional relationship (arrangement) between the cable W1 and the cable W2 may be determined based on the direction in which the buckle 100 is to be rotated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the buckle 100 rotates by making the timing at which the nut NT starts to contact the clamp CP11 and starts applying force different from the timing at which the nut NT contacts the clamp CP21 and starts applying force. It has a configuration.

  However, the configuration for rotating as the buckle 100 rises is not limited to such a mode. For example, it is good also as an aspect which rotates the buckle 100 by moving the cable W1 and the cable W2 with a respectively different drive mechanism (for example, rotation roller), and varying each moving speed.

  In addition, the cable W1 and the cable W2 are configured to move with a common drive mechanism (that is, at the same speed and timing), and further include a mechanism that clamps only one cable at a predetermined timing. Also good. In this case, the clamped cable does not move from the clamped portion to the buckle 100. As a result, the buckle 100 rotates. In such a configuration, a portion of the cable from the portion receiving the force from the drive mechanism to the clamped portion is bent inside the buckle drive mechanism 200.

  Further, the mechanism for applying the driving force to the cable W1 and the cable W2 is not limited to the ball screw, and other driving mechanisms may be adopted.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. In other words, those specific examples that have been appropriately modified by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. For example, the elements included in each of the specific examples described above and their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, but can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

BA: Buckle device 100: Buckle 101: Upper surface 102: Insertion hole 200: Buckle drive mechanism 210: Horizontal part 250: Bending part 251, 252: Guide path B1: First bearing B2: Second bearing CP11, CP12, CP21, CP22 : Clamp dX1, dX2: Clearance HL0: Through hole HL1: Through hole HL2: Through hole MT: Motor NT: Nut SC: Shaft ST: Seat SW1, SW2: Switch TP: Tongue plate TP1: Insertion part W1, W2: Cable WB :belt

Claims (5)

A buckle in which an insertion hole for inserting a part of the tongue plate is formed on the upper surface;
A buckle device for a seat belt, comprising a buckle support part for supporting the buckle from below,
The buckle can move upward while being supported by the buckle support part,
The buckle device is configured such that as the buckle moves upward, the buckle rotates and the orientation of the upper surface changes. The buckle support is
A first cable having one end fixed to the lower side of the buckle;
A second cable disposed at a position spaced from the first cable and having one end fixed to the lower side of the buckle;
By moving the first cable and the second cable along the respective axial directions, the buckle is moved in the vertical direction,
The buckle device according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount of the first cable and the movement amount of the second cable are different.   The buckle device according to claim 2, wherein the first cable and the second cable are disposed so as to be substantially parallel to each other. The buckle support is
A first clamp attached to a portion of the first cable;
A second clamp attached to a portion of the second cable;
A moving member that moves along a predetermined direction;
The moving member moves to contact the first clamp and the second clamp, respectively, and by applying force to them, the buckle is moved in the vertical direction,
The timing at which the moving member comes into contact with the first clamp and starts applying force is different from the timing at which the moving member comes into contact with the second clamp and starts applying force. The buckle device according to claim 3.   The buckle device according to claim 4, wherein the moving member is a nut of a ball screw.

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