JP2019112014A - Buckle with lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a buckle with a lighting which enables an insertion port to be clearly indicated.SOLUTION: A buckle 8 includes: a body part 20 which can be coupled to a tongue 7 attached to a seat belt of a vehicle; covers 30, 40 which house the body part 20; an insertion port 21 which is provided at the covers 30, 40 and into which the tongue 7 for connecting with the body part 20 is inserted; LEDs 53; a reflector 52 which emits light by using light from the LEDs 53; and a button 22 which is provided adjacent to the insertion port 21 and can release connection between the body part 20 and the tongue 7 when pressed. The reflector 52 has a first light emission surface 56C which is disposed so as to illuminate an entire part along a cover opening width of a surface of an inner peripheral surface of the insertion port 21 which faces the button 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a lighted buckle.

  There is proposed a buckle which causes the area around the tongue insertion opening of the buckle to emit light when the seat belt is attached. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a wedge-shaped light emitting surface is provided on a cover surface of a buckle toward an insertion port. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which light emitting surfaces are provided on both the left and right sides of the insertion slot.

German Patent Application Publication No. 102011114538 German Patent Application Publication No. 102007047704

  However, in the conventional lighted buckles described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like, there is room for further improvement in clarifying the instruction of the insertion slot because the light emitting surface is arranged around the insertion slot.

  The present disclosure aims to provide a lighted buckle that can clearly indicate the insertion slot.

  An illuminated buckle according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is provided on a body portion connectable to a tongue attached to a seat belt of a vehicle, a cover for accommodating the body portion, and the cover, the body portion An insertion slot for inserting the tongue for coupling with the light source, a light source, a reflector for emitting light from light from the light source, and a gap between the main body portion and the tongue at the time of pressing. A possible button is provided, and the reflector has a first light emitting surface arranged to illuminate the whole of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion opening along the cover opening width of the surface facing the button.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a lighted buckle capable of clearly indicating the insertion slot.

It is a figure showing an example of composition of a seat belt device where a buckle with a light concerning an embodiment is applied. It is a perspective view of a buckle with a light concerning a 1st embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view of a buckle with a light concerning a 1st embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked the buckle 8 with a light shown in FIG. 2 from z positive direction side. It is a V-V cross-sectional view of the illuminated buckle shown in FIG. It is a perspective view showing arrangement configuration of LED to a reflector concerning a modification of a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of a buckle with a light concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflector concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement configuration of LED with respect to the reflector which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of a lighted buckle concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflector concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement configuration of LED with respect to the reflector which concerns on the modification of 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of a lighted buckle concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reflector concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement configuration of LED with respect to the reflector which concerns on the modification of 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted. In the following description, the x direction, the y direction, and the z direction are directions perpendicular to each other. The x direction is the width direction of the buckle 8. The y direction is the direction in which the buttons 22 and the insertion opening 21 are arranged, and the z direction is the direction in which the tongue 7 is inserted into the buckle 8. In the following, for convenience of the description, the y positive direction side may be referred to as the upper side, the y negative direction side as the lower side, the z positive direction side as the front side, and the z negative direction side as the rear side.

First Embodiment
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. First, with reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of a seat belt device 1 to which a lighted buckle 8 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “buckle 8”) according to a first embodiment is applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a seat belt device 1 to which the illuminated buckle 8 according to the embodiment is applied. The seat belt device 1 is an example of an in-vehicle system mounted on a vehicle. The seat belt device 1 includes, for example, a seat belt 4, a retractor 3, a shoulder anchor 6, a tongue 7, and a buckle 8.

  The seat belt 4 is an example of a webbing that restrains the occupant 11 sitting on the seat 2 of the vehicle, and is a belt-like member that can be taken up by the retractor 3 so as to be able to be pulled out. The belt anchor 5 at the front end of the seat belt 4 is fixed to the seat 2 or the vehicle body in the vicinity of the seat 2.

  The retractor 3 is an example of a winding device that enables the seat belt 4 to be wound or pulled out, and the seat belt 4 is pulled out of the retractor 3 when a deceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value at the time of a vehicle collision is applied to the vehicle. Limit that. The retractor 3 is fixed to the seat 2 or the vehicle body in the vicinity of the seat 2.

  The shoulder anchor 6 is an example of a belt insertion tool through which the seat belt 4 is inserted, and is a member for guiding the seat belt 4 pulled out from the retractor 3 toward the shoulder of the occupant 11.

  The tongue 7 is an example of a belt insertion tool through which the seat belt 4 is inserted, and is a component slidably attached to the seat belt 4 guided by the shoulder anchor 6.

  The buckle 8 is a component to which the tongue 7 is detachably connected, and is fixed to, for example, the seat 2 or a vehicle body near the seat 2.

  When the tongue 7 is engaged with the buckle 8, the portion of the seat belt 4 between the shoulder anchor 6 and the tongue 7 is a shoulder belt portion 9 that restrains the chest and shoulders of the occupant 11. In a state in which the tongue 7 is engaged with the buckle 8, a portion of the seat belt 4 between the belt anchor 5 and the tongue 7 is a lap belt portion 10 that restrains the waist of the occupant 11.

  Next, the configuration of the illuminated buckle 8 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the illuminated buckle 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the illuminated buckle 8 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the illuminated buckle 8 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the z positive direction side. FIG. 5 is a V-V cross-sectional view of the illuminated buckle 8 shown in FIG. In the perspective view of FIG. 4, among the components of the buckle 8, the buckle base 23, the holding substrate 51, the reflector 52, and the LED 53 are illustrated by solid lines, and the other components are illustrated by alternate long and short dashed lines.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the buckle 8 includes a main body 20, an upper cover 30, a lower cover 40, and an illumination unit 50.

  The main body 20 is a subassembly that can be connected to the tongue 7 attached to the seat belt 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the main body portion 20 includes an insertion port 21 into which the metal plate of the tongue 7 is inserted, a button 22 for the occupant 11 to attach and detach the tongue 7, and the main body portion 20. And a buckle base 23 for holding parts such as buttons 22 and the like.

  The button 22 is provided adjacent to the y positive direction side of the insertion slot 21. When the button 22 is pressed, the connection between the main body 20 and the tongue 7 can be released. The buckle base 23 is, for example, a substantially U-shaped frame as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and actually contains various components such as a control circuit, but the illustration of each component is omitted here.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the upper cover 30 is an example of a buckle cover that covers the main body 20 so that the button 22 and the insertion opening 21 of the main body 20 are exposed. The upper cover 30 is a resin component that holds and holds the main body portion 20 and the illumination portion 50 between the upper cover 30 and the lower cover 40.

  The lower cover 40 is an example of a buckle cover having an inner surface to which the holding substrate 51 of the illumination unit 50 is fixed. The lower cover 40 is also a resin component similar to the upper cover 30. In addition, although various parts are installed in the buckle 8 inner side of the lower cover 40, in FIGS. 3-5, the rib for installing each part which has nothing to do with the characteristic part of this embodiment, each part, etc. Illustration of is omitted.

  The upper cover 30 and the lower cover 40 form a contour of the buckle 8, and accommodate the main body 20 and the illumination unit 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper cover 30 and the lower cover 40 form a predetermined housing shape by a combined structure. In this embodiment, the outer shape cover of the buckle 8 is configured by two parts of the upper cover 30 and the lower cover 40 in order to accommodate the main body portion 20 and the illumination portion 50, but is configured by three or more parts It is also good.

  When the buckle 8 is attached to the vehicle, the upper cover 30 faces the side opposite to the occupant 11, and the lower cover 40 faces the occupant 11.

  When attaching the tongue 7 to the buckle 8, the illumination unit 50 causes the insertion hole 21 of the buckle 8 and the periphery thereof to emit light, and instructs the occupant 11 the position of the insertion hole 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the illumination unit 50 includes a holding substrate 51 and a reflector 52. The illumination unit 50 allows the lighting or blinking of the LED 53 (light source) mounted on the holding substrate 51 to be visible from the outside of the buckle 8 through the reflector 52.

  The holding substrate 51 holds the LED 53 at a predetermined position in the buckle. As shown in FIG. 3, the holding substrate 51 has a pair of engagement grooves 54 on both sides in the width direction. On the other hand, a notch 42 is provided on the upper side at the center of the wall portion 41 erected at the front end of the lower cover 40, and the holding substrate 51 is a wall of the lower cover 40 by fitting the notch 42 in the engagement groove 54. It is held by the part 41. At this time, the lower surface of the holding substrate 51 is placed on the plurality of ribs 43 provided on the lower cover 40. The portion of the holding substrate 51 on which the LED 53 is mounted is disposed further to the front than the wall portion 41 when installed on the lower cover 40 (see FIG. 5).

  The LED 53 lights up or blinks according to the control signal. The control signal is output from, for example, a control circuit (not shown) installed inside or outside the buckle 8.

  The LED 53 lights or blinks, for example, when the door of the vehicle is open. As a result, the reflector 52 disposed in the vicinity of the insertion opening 21 lights up or blinks, so that the occupant 11 can easily grasp the position of the insertion opening 21 even if it is dark. Further, the occupant 11 can be urged to wear the seat belt 4.

  The LED 53 is an example of a light source, and may be replaced with another light source that can be lit or blinked according to a control signal.

  The reflector 52 emits light from the LED 53. As shown to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, the reflector 52 has several light emission surface 56A-56E, and is integrally formed. The reflector 52 is installed above the holding substrate 51 (the y positive direction side). The reflector 52 has a light receiving surface 55 for receiving the light emitted from the LED 53 at a position facing the LED 53 at the time of installation. In the present embodiment, since the LED 53 emits light to the reflector 52 from the lower side (y negative direction side), the light receiving surface 55 of the reflector 52 is a surface facing downward.

  The reflector 52 has a first light emitting surface 56C that is arranged to illuminate the entire surface of the surface 21a (see FIG. 3) facing the button 22 along the cover opening width of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion opening 21. Here, “cover opening width” means the dimension of the insertion opening 21 of the buckle 8 in the x direction. The cover opening width is smaller than the U-shaped inner x-direction dimension of the buckle base 23 (so-called base width across flats).

  Further, the reflector 52 connects the first light emitting surface 56C (surface 21a) and the button 22 in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion opening 21, and faces the pair of surfaces 21b and 21c facing in the direction (x direction) of the cover opening width. It has a second light emitting surface 56B and a third light emitting surface 56D which are arranged to illuminate (see FIG. 3) respectively.

  Furthermore, the reflector 52 is arranged to illuminate the outer surfaces 30a and 30b (see FIG. 3) of the cover surface of the buckle 8 in the direction of the cover opening width of the insertion opening 21 respectively. A light emitting surface 56E is provided.

  That is, in the first embodiment, five light emitting surfaces 56A to 56E are provided. Among them, the first light emitting surface 56C emits light in the y direction, the second light emitting surface 56B and the third light emitting surface 56D emit light in the x direction, and the fourth light emitting surface 56A and the fifth light emitting surface 56E emit light in the z direction. That is, each light emitting surface of the reflector 52 is formed so that the light emitting direction of each light emitting surface is different so that light is emitted in all directions of three axial directions.

  The reflector 52 has a substantially rectangular first block 52-1 having a first light emitting surface 56C and a light receiving surface 55 at the center in the x direction. The surface on the y positive direction side of the first block 52-1 is the first light emitting surface 56 C, and the surface on the y negative direction side is the light receiving surface 55. The reflector 52 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped second block 52-2 and a third block 52-3 standing in the y direction from both ends of the first block 52-1 in the x direction, and the second block 52-2 and the second block 52-2 A second light emitting surface 56B and a third light emitting surface 56D are provided in the third block 52-3. The surface on the x positive direction side of the second block 52-2 is the second light emitting surface 56B, and the surface on the x negative direction side of the third block 52-3 is the third light emitting surface 56D. Furthermore, the reflector 52 includes substantially rectangular parallelepiped fourth blocks 52-4 and fifth blocks 52-5 extending outward in the x direction from the second block 52-2 and the third block 52-3. In the present embodiment, the fourth block 52-4 and the fifth block 52-5 are formed to be inclined in the z positive direction side and the y positive direction side in accordance with the case shape around the insertion port 21 of the buckle 8. ing. A fourth light emitting surface 56A and a fifth light emitting surface 56E are provided in the fourth block 52-4 and the fifth block 52-5, respectively. The surface on the z positive direction side of the fourth block 52-4 is the fourth light emitting surface 56A, and the surface on the z positive direction side of the fifth block 52-5 is the fifth light emitting surface 56E.

  Thus, the buckle 8 of the first embodiment can specify the position of the insertion opening 21 by the light emission of the fourth light emission surface 56A and the fifth light emission surface 56E by having the reflector 52 having the five light emission surfaces 56A to 56E. Also, since the shapes of the three inner surfaces of the insertion port 21 can be clearly shown by the light emission of the first light emitting surface 56C, the second light emitting surface 56B and the third light emitting surface 56D, the insertion port 21 for the occupant 11 is Can be clearly indicated.

  Further, the buckle 8 of the first embodiment has a rib 57 provided on the first light emitting surface 56C and formed to extend along the insertion direction (z direction) of the tongue 7. Thus, even when the tongue 7 is inserted into the insertion opening 21, even if the tip of the tongue 7 contacts the reflector 52, it can be avoided to hit the rib 57 and directly hit the first light emitting surface 56 C. As a result, the light emitting surface of the reflector 52 can be prevented from being scratched, and the light emission of the reflector 52 can be made more uniform. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of ribs 57 at substantially equal intervals along the x direction (the width direction of the insertion port 21).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, one LED 53, which is a light source for irradiating light to the reflector 52, is disposed substantially at the center of the width direction of the buckle 8 so that the light emission direction is upward. Will be placed. As a result, light can be irradiated to a substantially central portion in the width direction of the reflector 52, and light can be easily transmitted uniformly to each light emitting surface of the reflector. In addition, since the number of LEDs 53 can be reduced to one, the cost can be reduced.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the LEDs 53A and 53B with respect to the reflector 52 according to a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, two light receiving surfaces on both sides in the width direction of the reflector 52 (that is, the ends in the x positive direction side and the x negative direction side) and on the rear side of the fourth light emitting surface 56A and the fifth light emitting surface 56E. 55A and 55B may be provided, and two LEDs 53A and 53B may be disposed behind the reflector 52 to irradiate light to the light receiving surfaces 55A and 55B, respectively.

  With this configuration, the LEDs 53A and 53B can be disposed in a larger space in the cover of the buckle 8, so that the degree of freedom such as the types and installation positions of the LEDs 53A and 53B can be improved.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a buckle 8A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a reflector 52A according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the reflector 52A of the second embodiment differs from the reflector 52 of the first embodiment in that the fourth light emitting surface 56A and the fifth light emitting surface 56E are not provided.

  Also according to this configuration, the outlines of three surfaces of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion slot 21 can be illuminated by the light emission of the first light emitting surface 56C, the second light emitting surface 56B and the third light emitting surface 56D. Can be clearly indicated, so that the insertion opening 21 can be clearly instructed to the occupant 11 as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the LEDs 53A and 53B with respect to the reflector 52A according to a modification of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the reflector 52A has a pair of light receiving surfaces 55A, 55B facing the outside of this direction at both ends in the direction (x direction) of the cover opening width, and from the pair of light receiving surfaces 55A, 55B It is good also as composition which has a pair of LED53A and 53B arranged to counter light receiving surfaces 55A and 55B outside the direction.

  With this configuration, light can be more uniformly transmitted to the light emitting surfaces 56B, 56C, and 56D of the reflector 52A, and the light emission of the reflector 52A can be made more uniform.

Third Embodiment
The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a buckle 8B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a reflector 52B according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, the reflector 52B of the third embodiment differs from the reflector 52 of the first embodiment in that the second light emitting surface 56B and the third light emitting surface 56D are not provided.

  Also according to this configuration, the position of the insertion opening 21 can be specified by the light emission of the fourth light emitting surface 56A and the fifth light emitting surface 56E, and the size of the cover opening width of the insertion opening 21 can be clearly indicated by the light emission of the first light emitting surface 56C. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the insertion opening 21 can be clearly instructed to the occupant 11.

  Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of the LEDs 53A, 53B with respect to a reflector 52B according to a modification of the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, two light receiving surfaces on both sides in the width direction of the reflector 52B (that is, the ends in the x positive direction side and the x negative direction side) and on the rear side of the fourth light emitting surface 56A and the fifth light emitting surface 56E. 55A and 55B may be provided, and two LEDs 53A and 53B may be disposed behind the reflector 52 to irradiate light to the light receiving surfaces 55A and 55B, respectively.

  With this configuration, the LEDs 53A and 53B can be disposed in a larger space in the cover of the buckle 8, so that the degree of freedom such as the types and installation positions of the LEDs 53A and 53B can be improved.

Fourth Embodiment
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 14. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a buckle 8C according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a reflector 52C according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, the reflector 52C of the fourth embodiment does not have the second light emitting surface 56B, the third light emitting surface 56D, the fourth light emitting surface 56A, and the fifth light emitting surface 56E. It differs from the reflector 52 of the embodiment. That is, the reflector 52C of the fourth embodiment has only the first light emitting surface 56C.

  Even with this configuration, since the dimension of the cover opening width of the insertion opening 21 can be clearly indicated by the light emission of the first light emitting surface 56C, it is necessary to clearly instruct the occupant 11 the insertion opening 21 as in the first embodiment. it can.

  Next, a modification of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of the LEDs 53A and 53B with respect to a reflector 52C according to a modification of the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the reflector 52C has a pair of light receiving surfaces 55A, 55B facing the outside of this direction at both ends in the direction (x direction) of the cover opening width, and from the pair of light receiving surfaces 55A, 55B It is good also as composition which has a pair of LED53A and 53B arranged to counter light receiving surfaces 55A and 55B outside the direction.

  With this configuration, light can be transmitted more uniformly to the light emitting surface 56C of the reflector 52C, and the light emission of the reflector 52C can be made more uniform.

  The present embodiment has been described above with reference to the specific example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Those appropriately modified in design by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present disclosure as long as the features of the present disclosure are included. The elements included in the above-described specific examples, and the arrangement, conditions, and shapes thereof are not limited to those illustrated, but can be appropriately modified. The elements included in the above-described specific examples can be appropriately changed in combination as long as no technical contradiction arises.

Reference Signs List 7 tongue 8, 8A, 8B, 8C buckle 20 main body 21 insertion port 22 button 30 upper cover 40 lower cover 52, 52A, 52B, 52C reflector 53, 53A, 53B LED (light source)
55, 55A, 55B light receiving surface 56C first light emitting surface 56B second light emitting surface 56D third light emitting surface 56A fourth light emitting surface 56E fifth light emitting surface 57 rib

Claims (5)

A body portion connectable to a tongue attached to a seat belt of the vehicle;
A cover for housing the main body;
An insertion opening for inserting the tongue provided on the cover and for connecting to the main body;
Light source,
A reflector that emits light from the light source;
A button provided adjacent to the insertion opening and capable of releasing the connection between the main body and the tongue when pressed;
Equipped with
The reflector has a first light emitting surface arranged to illuminate the entire inner peripheral surface of the insertion port along the cover opening width of the surface facing the button.
Illuminated buckle. The reflector connects the first light emitting surface and the button in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion port, and the second light emitting surface is arranged to illuminate a pair of surfaces facing in the direction of the cover opening width. Having a third light emitting surface,
The lighted buckle according to claim 1. The reflector has a fourth light emitting surface and a fifth light emitting surface, which are disposed so as to respectively light the outer surfaces of the cover opening width of the insertion port in the surface of the cover.
The illuminated buckle according to claim 1 or 2. A rib provided on the first light emitting surface and formed to extend along the insertion direction of the tongue;
The lighted buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The reflector has a pair of light receiving surfaces facing outward in the direction at both ends in the direction of the cover opening width,
It has a pair of light sources disposed opposite to the light receiving surface outside the pair of light receiving surfaces in the direction of the cover opening width.
The illuminated buckle according to claim 1 or 2.

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