JPH0351249Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of application of the invention] The invention is used in a seat belt device for protecting occupants in vehicle emergencies, and is used to attach webbing for occupant restraints,
This invention relates to an illuminated buckle device for use in releasing the buckle.

[Background Art] In a seat belt device, after an occupant is seated on a seat, a tongue plate attached to an end of the occupant restraining webbing is engaged with a buckle device, so that the webbing is attached. When the passenger exits the vehicle, the engagement of the tongue plate can be released by manually operating a release button attached to the buckle device.

However, when the inside of the vehicle is dark, such as at night,
It is not easy to disengage the tongue plate. A structure of a buckle device that takes into account the above problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 48-49126. In this structure, a rod fixed to a push button, a pin fixed to a latch member, a slide, an overhanging spring, etc. work together to switch the contact points. That is, according to this structure, the contact is opened and closed by the rod, the pin, and the extension spring coming into contact and non-contact with each other.

However, since contact and non-contact are simply repeated, an oxide film is formed on the contact and non-contact portions that become contacts, which may cause conduction failure. In addition, by repeating the operation of inserting the tongue plate into the buckle device and the operation of extracting the tongue plate from the buckle device, each part repeatedly comes into contact and non-contact, which causes deterioration of these parts. There is a risk of conduction failure. Furthermore, this structure not only increases the cost due to the large number of parts, but also increases the size of the entire buckling device because each member must be allowed to rotate, slide, etc.

[Purpose of the invention] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention provides an illuminated buckle device that allows the passenger to easily insert and remove the tongue plate even when the vehicle interior is dark, and that is free from the risk of conduction failure. The purpose is to obtain.

[Configuration of the Invention] In the illuminated buckle device according to the present invention, when the tongue plate is inserted into the tongue plate insertion opening of the buckle main body, the moving part moves against the biasing force. At this time, a movable contact provided integrally with this movable portion slides on a fixed contact disposed within the buckle body. As a result, when the tongue plate is inserted into the buckle body, the insertion port indicator light is turned off and the release button indicator light is lit.

On the other hand, when the tongue plate is extracted from the buckle main body, the moving portion is moved by the biasing force. At this time, the moving contact slides on the fixed contact together with the moving part. As a result, when the tongue plate is removed from the buckle main body, the insertion port indicator light is turned on and the release button indicator light is turned off.

In this way, both when the tongue plate is inserted into the buckle body and when the tongue plate is extracted from the buckle body,
Since the moving contact slides on the fixed contact, no oxide film is formed on the surface of the fixed contact. For this reason,
There is no possibility of conduction failure between fixed contacts and moving contacts. Furthermore, compared to the conventional structure in which the contact member rotates, etc., there is no need to secure a space within the buckle body to allow rotation, etc., so the buckle body can be made smaller.

Note that the lighting and lighting-off conditions may further include, for example, a condition such that a seat switch that detects that the occupant is seated on the seat is turned on.

[Embodiment of the invention] An embodiment of the illuminated buckle device according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 12 is provided at one end of the buckle base 10, and a webbing (not shown) is wound around the opening 12 and connected to the floor of the vehicle. Both sides of the buckle base 10 are bent and provided with legs 14. The upper ends of the legs 14 are further bent in a direction toward each other, and a slide base 16 is provided. A lock plate 18 is inserted between the opposing legs 14, and then a guide piece 20 is inserted. The end of the buckle base 10 opposite to the opening 12 is bent and provided with a locking part 22.
Shaft piece 2 provided at the lower end of lock plate 18
4 is interposed between the locking portion 22 and the end surface 26 of the guide piece 20.

The lower surface of the slide base 16 and the guide piece 20
A tongue plate 30 is inserted between the slide surface 28 and the slide surface 28 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. A groove is provided in the sliding surface 28 of the guide piece 20, and a return spring 32 is fitted into this groove. return spring 3
A pressing piece 34 that slides on the sliding surface 28 is attached to the tip of the pressing piece 2 . Tongue plate 30
presses the pressing piece 34 against the biasing force of the return spring 32, and slides on the sliding surface 28.

A leaf spring 36 is fitted to the lower end of the lock plate 18, so that the lock plate 18 can be biased and rotated about its lower end side 38. A lock piece 4 is attached to the middle part of the lock plate 18.
0 protrudes and can be engaged with an engagement hole 42 provided in the tongue plate 30. A release arm 44 is provided at the upper end of the lock plate 18.

A transparent release button 46 made of synthetic resin slides on the upper surface of the slide base 16, presses the release arm 44, and rotates the lock plate 18 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The upper part of the release button 46 is covered with a cover 48,
The lower surface of the buckle base 10 is covered with a lower cover 50. Atsupa cover 48 and lower cover 50
are designed to fit into each other.

A light stay 52 is mounted on a button base 51 that forms the bottom surface of the release button 46. A light emitting diode 84 is attached to the recess 52A of the light stay 52. The light stay 52 includes a pipe 52B into which a lead wire of a light emitting diode 84 is inserted, and its tip is engaged and fixed to the stay holder 54. This stay holder 54 is engaged with a protrusion 55 of the guide piece 20. A compression coil spring 56 is interposed between opposing surfaces of the button base 51 and the stay holder 54. The compression coil spring 56 is concentric with the pipe 52B.

Therefore, when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the tongue plate insertion opening 58 against the biasing force of the return spring 32, the lock piece 40 engages with the engagement hole 42, so that the tongue plate 30 is locked into the buckle device. It's getting old. Furthermore, when the release button 46 is pressed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 56, the lock plate 18 rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. is disengaged, and the tongue plate 30 is released from the buckle device 8 by the biasing force of the return spring 32. Further, when the release button 46 is released, the urging force of the compression coil spring 56 automatically returns the release button 46 to its original position. Note that even if the release button 46 slides, the light emitting diode 84 does not move.
Therefore, the lead wire does not suffer from bending fatigue. Furthermore, a portion 46A of the letters "PRESS" engraved on the release button 46 is thin, and this portion becomes particularly bright when the light emitting diode 84 is turned on.

A hole 82 is provided in the bar 48A of the top cover 48, through which a lead wire of a light emitting diode 90 is inserted. A transparent side cover 86 made of synthetic resin is adhered to the bar 48A. A light emitting diode 90 is contained in the chamber formed by the bar 48A and the side cover 86, and serves as an indicator light for the tongue plate insertion opening 58.

Next, the buckle switch 98 provided in the buckle device 8 will be explained. A switch housing 60 is provided at the center of the guide piece 20. A slide piece 62 is fitted into the switch housing 60 from below. The slide piece 62 is provided with a protrusion 64,
It protrudes from an opening 66 provided in the switch housing 60. Further, the slide piece 62 is provided with a spring receiving projection 68, which is adapted to lock one end of the compression coil spring 70. The other end of the compression coil spring 70 is adapted to be locked to a side wall 72 of the switch housing 60.

Therefore, when the tongue plate 30 is inserted into the tongue plate insertion opening 58, the projection 64 is compressed by the compression coil spring 7 due to the front end surface of the tongue plate 30.
It is pushed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 against a biasing force of 0, and can slide within the switch housing 60.

A contact 74 is provided on the bottom of the slide piece 62.
is now fitted. contact 74
and the guide piece 20 between the buckle base 10
A printed circuit board 76 is interposed and fixed inside.
The printed circuit board 76 has switching terminals 78.
A, 78B, and 78C are printed wiring.
When the tongue plate 30 is uncoupled from the buckling device 8, the contact 74 is connected to the terminal 78A.
and 78B, and lead wires 80A and 80B connected to their ends are electrically connected. Furthermore, when the tongue plate 30 is locked to the buckle device 8 and the slide piece 62 is slid in the direction of arrow A in FIG. lead wire 80B
and 80C are electrically connected. That is, the contact 74 is configured to always slide on the printed board 76 regardless of whether the tongue plate 30 is inserted or removed. Therefore, each terminal 76A, 76 of the printed circuit board 76
There is no possibility that an oxide film will be formed on the surfaces of B and 76C. Therefore, the contact 74 and each terminal 78A,
The possibility of poor conduction between 78B and 78C is significantly reduced.

Note that the connection of the lead wires is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Next, according to FIG. 3, the light emitting diode 8
4.90 lighting circuit will be explained.

First, the circuit inside the buckle device 8 will be explained. The cathode of the light emitting diode 84 is connected to a lead wire 80C of a buckle switch 98 via a resistor 96. Furthermore, the light emitting diode 90 has a resistor 10
0 to the lead wire 80A. Lead wires 80A, 80B, and 80C are connected to connector terminals 102A, 102B, and 102C, respectively. The anodes of light emitting diodes 84 and 90 are connected to connector terminal 102D.

Next, a circuit arranged outside the buckle device 8 will be explained. The negative electrode of battery 104 is connected to connector terminal 106B. Battery 104
The positive terminal of the headlamp switch 110 is connected to a terminal 112 of a headlamp switch 110 via an ignition switch 108. The opposite terminal of headlamp switch 110 is connected to connector terminal 106D. An indicator light 114 disposed on an instrument panel (not shown) is connected between the terminal 112 and the connector terminal 106A. This indicator light 114 warns that the seat belt device is not worn. A solenoid 118 to which a surge absorber 116 is connected in parallel is connected between the terminal 112 and the connector terminal 106C. This solenoid 118 is adapted to operate a comfort device such as a tension reducer that adjusts the webbing tension. The connector terminals 106A, 106B, 106C, and 106D are the connector terminals 102 on the buckle device 8 side, respectively.
A, 102B, 102C, and 102D.

Next, the operation of the above circuit will be explained. When riding at night, the ignition switch 108 and headlamp switch 110 are turned on. When the tongue plate 30 is being detached from the buckle device 8, the terminals 78A and 78B of the buckle switch 98 are electrically connected, and the light emitting diode 90 and indicator light 114 are turned on. Therefore, the driver sees this indicator light 114 and knows that the occupant is not wearing a seatbelt device, and is urged to fasten the seatbelt device. Further, the lighting of the light emitting diode 90 prompts the user to fasten the seat belt device, and the tongue plate insertion opening 58 can be immediately found, allowing the tongue plate 30 to be easily inserted into the tongue plate insertion opening 58 and the buckle device 8 to be fastened.
It can be made to become a hero.

Due to this lock, the terminal 78B is electrically connected to the terminal 78C, and the light emitting diode 90 and the indicator lamp 1 are connected to each other.
14 is turned off, the light emitting diode 84 is turned on, and the solenoid 118 is energized. By lighting the light emitting diode 84, the passenger can easily find the release button 46, and can easily release the tongue plate 30 from the buckling device 8. Also, solenoid 1
The webbing tension is optimized by the excitation of 18.

When riding during the day, the ignition switch 108 is turned on and the headlamp switch 110 is turned on.
is turned off. In this state, tongue plate 3
Regardless of whether the buckle device 8 is locked or unlocked by the buckle device 8, the light emitting diodes 84, 90 will not be illuminated. Therefore, the light emitting diodes 84, 90 are unnecessarily
is never lit. However, even in this case, the indicator light 114 and solenoid 118 operate in the same manner as described above.

Note that the light emitting diodes 84 and 90 are part of the interior illumination of the vehicle, improving the design of the interior of the vehicle. This can contribute to improving the rate of seatbelt device use, especially when children are riding in the vehicle.

Furthermore, by combining an oscillation circuit and a light emitting diode 8
It is also possible to produce an even greater effect by making the indicator light 114 blink by using a blinking light instead of the indicator light 114.

Furthermore, if the indicator lamp 114 is powered on without going through the headlamp switch 110, it is possible to turn on the illumination lamp regardless of day or night.
4 and a circuit in which the solenoid 118 is removed is also possible.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this second embodiment, the contact 74 has a U-shape, and its tip comes into elastic contact with the printed circuit board 76. Further, an elongated hole 120 is provided in the center of the printed circuit board 76, and wear powder is discharged from this elongated hole 120. Note that the buckle base 10 is also provided with an elongated hole (not shown) corresponding to the elongated hole 120. Therefore, the terminals 78A, 78 due to abrasion powder
Insulation deterioration with B and 78C is reduced.

It should be noted that the buckle switch 98 in each of the above embodiments is small-sized and can be placed in a narrow space inside the buckle. Furthermore, since it is a sliding contact, the conductivity is unlikely to deteriorate due to the cleaning action caused by sliding. Furthermore, the buckle switch 98 has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost.

[Effect of the invention] In the illuminated buckle device according to the present invention, the insertion port indicator light provided on the buckle device lights up when the seatbelt device is not worn, and the release button indicator light lights up when the seatbelt device is worn. This has an excellent effect in that the tongue plate can be easily disengaged from the buckle device even if the vehicle interior is dark. Furthermore, the indicator light becomes part of the interior illumination of the vehicle, improving the design of the interior of the vehicle.

Furthermore, since no oxide film is formed on the surface of the fixed contact, the possibility of poor conduction between the fixed contact and the movable contact can be significantly reduced.

Further, compared to the structure of a conventional buckle device, the number of parts can be reduced and there is no rotating member, so the entire buckle device can be made smaller.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illuminated buckle device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an assembled sectional view of the buckle device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a lighting circuit for the light emitting diode used in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 8... Buckle device (buckle main body), 58...
...Tongue plate insertion port, 62...Slide piece (moving part), 74...Contact (moving contact),
76...Printed board (fixed contact), 84...Light emitting diode (release button indicator light), 90...
...Light emitting diode (insertion slot indicator light).

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A buckle body provided with a tongue plate insertion slot, an insertion slot indicator light provided near the tongue plate insertion slot, and a release button provided on the buckle body or this release button. a release button indicator light provided nearby; a moving part that is disposed within the buckle body and moves together with the tongue plate against an urging force when the tongue plate is inserted; a fixed contact provided therein; and a fixed contact provided integrally with the movable part and slid on the fixed contact by insertion and extraction operations of the tongue plate, and the tongue plate is extracted from the buckle main body. When the tongue plate is inserted into the buckle body, the insertion slot indicator light is turned on and the release button indicator light is turned off, and when the tongue plate is inserted into the buckle body, the insertion slot indicator light is turned off and the release button indicator light is turned off. An illuminated buckle device comprising: a moving contact for lighting;