JPH11103909A - Buckle device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a buckle device by which the movement quantity of a restricting member is suppressed to absolute min., an erroneous suppressing state is prevented and the inertial pulling out of a tongue is also prevented. SOLUTION: The buckle device is provided with the tongue 5 and a buckle main body where the tongue is engaged/attached. The buckle main body is provided with a base 11(11A and 11C), a latch plate 14 for locking the tongue 5 and a restricting pin 17 for controlling the movement of the latch plate 14. A block arm 21 is also included, which is supported by the base 11, synchronized with the movement of the latch plate 14 so as to be moved, moved from a first position which is adopted when the latch plate is in a non-lock state to the second position near the upper part of the restricting pin 17 when the latch plate 14 locks the tongue 5 and is moved from the second position to the third position for suppressing the restricting pin 17 by receiving force in a tongue inserting direction when the latch plate 14 is in a lock state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a buckle device, and more particularly to a buckle device for a seat belt mounted on a seat of a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a seat belt of a vehicle such as an automobile is provided with a seat belt in order to secure occupants. The buckle device for a seat belt usually includes a tongue (tongue piece) provided at an end of the belt, and a buckle main body for engaging and disengaging the tongue. The buckle body includes a latch plate having a latch portion for locking the tongue, a buckle base on which the latch plate is movably supported, and a spring for urging the latch plate in the locking direction. In this buckle device, when the tongue is inserted into the buckle body, one end of the latch plate is locked to the latch plate by the bias of the spring.

In this conventional buckle device, if the urging force of the spring is weak, there is a risk that the tongue may come off the buckle body even if the release button of the buckle device is not operated. For this reason, for example, when an abnormal impact such as a vehicle collision is received, there is a possibility that the latch plate is displaced by inertia and the tongue comes off from the buckle body, that is, the inertia is lost.

[0004] A buckle device that prevents the occurrence of the inertia elimination phenomenon (for which anti-G measures have been taken) is disclosed in German Patent DE38442453C2. This buckle device accommodates and locks an insertable tongue (tab). Specifically, a lock element that rocks between the lock position and the release position of the tongue to fix the tongue, an extruder that is biased by a spring and pushes the tongue out of the buckle housing at the release position of the lock element, A locking element for restraining the locking element to the locking position, and an opening key for moving the locking element to a position where the locking element can swing to the release position. A toggle lever having two arms is rotatably supported by the housing. The first arm of this toggle lever restrains the pin of the locking element and the second arm
Are configured to include a center of mass. Also,
The toggle lever is made of resin and is held in a non-operation position by a spring. The spring is formed integrally with the toggle lever.

[0005] In the buckle device having this configuration, the toggle lever is used to swing the lock element to a position where the lock element is locked when an acceleration that causes the lock element or the opening key to perform an operation occurs. In this way, the tongue is prevented from being lost.

[0006]

However, the buckle device disclosed in German Patent DE 38 42 453 C2 requires a large amount of movement when the first arm rotates to the position where the first arm restrains the pin of the block element, and furthermore the locking element There is a problem that is not synchronized. For this reason, after the pin moves, there is a possibility that an erroneous inhibition state (mis-block state) in which the first arm operates will be obtained.

Further, since the toggle lever and the spring are formed by integral molding of a resin, it is difficult to set an appropriate load, and there is also a problem that fatigue and wear are likely to occur.

[0008] Also, German Patent DE38424
53C2 also discloses an example in which two independent toggle levers are rotatably supported on a housing via pins. However, in addition to the above-described problem, the number of parts is increased and the cost is increased. Has disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and the amount of movement of a locking member is minimized. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable buckle device capable of preventing a depressed state from occurring, and reliably preventing a tongue from coming off.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a buckle device comprising a tongue and a buckle body to which the tongue is disengaged, wherein the buckle body includes a base, A latch plate movably supported between the tongue lock position and the tongue unlock position on the base, a locking position for holding the latch plate at the tongue lock position, and a latch plate for the tongue unlock position. A latch member movably provided between the latch member and a non-lock position allowing the latch plate to move, and the latch plate is movable in synchronization with the movement of the latch plate. When the latch plate is locked, the latch plate moves from a first position located when the tongue is unlocked to a second position near the upper portion of the locking member, and the latch plate Condition When in a receives a force in the tongue insertion direction, there is provided a buckle device provided with a blocking member that moves to the third position to prevent the locking member from the second position.

With this structure, the tongue can be prevented from being lost due to inertia, and the distance by which the locking member moves from the second position to the third position can be shortened. Erroneous deterrence state (mis-block) is prevented from occurring.

[0012]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a buckle body constituting a buckle device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the buckle body, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, and a view showing a state where the tongue is not locked, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the tongue is locked to the buckle body, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, illustrating a state where the block arm of the buckle body is operated. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a buckle device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a tongue 5 provided at a belt end, and a buckle body 10 for engaging and disengaging the tongue 5. ing.

As the tongue 5, a normal seat belt tongue can be used. A locking hole 6 is provided at one end, and a tongue 5 is provided at the other end.
Although not particularly shown, a belt connection hole for connecting the belt is formed.

The buckle body 10 includes a buckle base 11 functioning as a frame, a slider 12 that moves in accordance with insertion and removal of the tongue, a coil spring 13 that moves the slider 12, and a latch plate 14 that locks the tongue 5.
And a coil spring 15 for swinging the latch plate 14
A spring shaft 16 that supports the coil spring 15, a locking pin 17 that is supported by the tip of the spring shaft 16 and controls the movement of the latch plate 14, a release button 18 that unlocks the tongue 5, and a release button. A coil spring 19 for urging the tongue 18 in the direction of withdrawal of the tongue, a spring holder 20 with which the coil spring 19 abuts, a block arm 21 for controlling the movement of the locking pin 17, and the block arm 21 in the initial position. Two energizing coil springs 22B and 22C
And cases 2 and 3 for accommodating them. A belt (not shown) is connected to the buckle body 10 in the same manner as the tongue 5.

The buckle base 11 includes a bottom plate 11A and a pair of opposed side walls 11B and 1
1C. A guide piece for guiding the tongue 5 when inserting and removing the tongue 5 is provided at an end of the bottom plate 11A in a tongue removal direction (a direction indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 3; this direction is hereinafter referred to as an “arrow X direction”). 26 are formed. Further, the bottom plate 11A is provided with an opening 25 for allowing the slider 12 to slide in the insertion / removal direction of the tongue 5. The end of the opening 25 in the direction of the arrow Y (the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 3; hereinafter, this direction is referred to as the “arrow Y direction”) is connected to the end of the coil spring 13 in the direction of the arrow Y. A locking projection 45 for stopping is formed.

At the ends of the side walls 11B and 11C in the direction of the arrow X, L-shaped notches 29B and 29C for fixing the spring holder 20, and substantially U-shaped notches 30B and 30C, and annular projections 32B and 32C proximate to the bottom plate 11A and extending inward.
Are formed. These annular projections 32B and 32C
It constitutes a part of the tongue entrance 53 for inserting the tongue 5.

At substantially the center of the side walls 11B and 11C, substantially L-shaped windows 33B and 33C in which both ends of the locking pin 17 are movably supported are opened. Horizontal holes 34B and 34C extending in the direction of arrow X and horizontal holes 34B and 34C are provided on the tongue insertion direction side of the windows 33B and 33C.
Support holes 35B and 35C provided below and connected to the entrances of B and 34C are formed. The horizontal holes 34B and 34C are for guiding the release button 18 when it moves, as will be described in detail later. As will be described in detail later, the support holes 35B and 35C are provided with support portions 4 serving as fulcrums of the swing (rotation) of the latch plate 14.
6B and 46C are rotatably supported.

At the ends of the side walls 11B and 11C in the direction of the arrow Y, support holes 36B and 36C for supporting the sliding support portions 59B and 59C, which are the fulcrum of sliding of the block arm 21, so as to be slidable in the directions of the arrows XY. Are formed. Further, between the support holes 35B and 36B, and between the support holes 35C and 36C.
C, convex portions 65B and 65C to which one ends of the coil springs 22B and 22C are fixed are formed.

The slider 12 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and has a recess formed between a substantially flat upper plate 37 and a lower portion 38 provided on the lower surface of the upper plate 37 and having an L-shaped cross section. 39
In addition, one end of the coil spring 13 is held. Note that the other end of the coil spring 13 is fixed to the locking portion 45 on the bottom surface 11A.

The slider 12 has a lower portion 38 fitted in the opening 25 of the buckle base 11 and is slidably supported. When the tongue 5 is inserted into the buckle body 10, the tongue 5 is pushed by the tip of the tongue 5 and is slid in the direction of the arrow Y against the urging force of the coil spring 13,
The leg portions 62B and 62C of the latch plate 14 are pressed to rotate the latch plate 14 counterclockwise. On the other hand, when the tongue 5 is pulled out, the slider 12 is returned in the arrow X direction by the urging force of the coil spring 13.

The latch plate 14 has a substantially T-shaped opening 40 into which a part of the spring shaft 16 is inserted at a substantially central portion thereof. When the tongue 5 is inserted into the buckle body 10, a latch portion 41 that is inserted into the locking hole 6 of the tongue 5 and locks the tongue 5 is formed to extend downward.
Side walls 11 are provided on both sides of the end of the latch plate 14 in the arrow Y direction.
Support portions 46B and 46C rotatably supported by the support holes 35B and 35C of B and 11C protrude. That is, the latch plate 14 rotates about the support portions 46B and 46C as a fulcrum, and moves the tongue 5 to the locked position and the unlocked position. Further, on both sides of the end in the arrow Y direction of the latch plate 14, legs 62B and 62C extending downward are provided. As described above, the legs 62B and 62C have The slider 12 can be pressed.

Further, an inclined portion 42 is formed substantially at the center of the latch plate 14 so as to be lowered in the direction of arrow X.
A substantially central portion of the latch plate 14 on the side in the direction of the arrow Y projects substantially perpendicularly to the rotation direction of the latch plate 14,
A contact portion 43 with which the coil spring 15 contacts is provided. As described above, the contact portion 43 is provided with the latch plate 1.
It is preferable to provide it above the fulcrum of rotation (center of rotation). An opening 44 into which the shaft tip of the spring shaft 16 is inserted so as to be able to advance and retreat is formed substantially at the center of the contact portion 43.

The spring shaft 16 is formed with a shaft 47 on the Y direction side and a hook-like support portion 48 for supporting the locking pin 17 on the X direction side with the substantially L-shaped main body 50 interposed therebetween. This spring shaft 16 is
Lower portion of the latch plate 1 through the opening 40 of the latch plate 14.
Locking pin 1 placed on the lower side of the
Reference numeral 7 denotes an upper surface of the latch plate 14, which moves from a substantially upper portion of the latch portion 41 to a vicinity of the inclined portion 42 at a predetermined position.
The coil spring 15 is loosely fitted on the shaft 47,
Due to the presence of the shaft 47, the coil spring 1
5 is prevented from being bent or broken when it expands and contracts.

Further, the diameter of the shaft 47 from the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction to the arrow Y side is smaller than that of the arrow X side, and the smaller diameter portion corresponds to the opening 44 formed in the latch plate 14. Can be freely penetrated. Further, the portion having a large diameter corresponds to the opening 44.
Without passing through the contact portion 4 together with the coil spring 15.
3 can be contacted. On both sides of the main body 50, convex portions 51B and 51C that can contact the lower surface of the latch plate 14 are formed. The convex portions 51B and 51C prevent the spring shaft 16 from coming out of the latch plate 14 upward.

The spring holder 20 has convex portions 27B and 27C at the upper portion on both sides thereof and convex portions 28B and 2B at the lower portion.
8C is formed. Also, the spring holder 20
In the lower part of the tongue, the upper wall of the tongue doorway 53
The tongue guide portion 31 for guiding the tongue 5 when inserting and removing
It is formed to protrude in the direction of the arrow X. Further, a coil spring 19 is provided substantially at the center of the spring holder 20.
A concave portion 61 for locking an end portion in the direction of arrow Y is formed.

The spring holder 20 is fixed to the buckle base 11 on the arrow X side. To fix both, the projections 27B and 27C are cutouts 29B and 29C.
The projections 28B and 28C have notches 30B and 30C
Is performed by engaging each of them. The tongue guide portion 31, the annular protrusions 32B and 32C, and the guide piece 26 constitute a tongue entrance 53.

The release button 18 includes an operation section 54 having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and arms 55B and 55C extending horizontally in the direction of arrow Y on both sides of the operation section 54. At the ends of the arms 55B and 55C in the arrow Y direction, projections 56B and 56C protruding inward are provided. The projections 56B and 56C are provided on the side walls 11B and 11B.
C is slidably supported by the horizontal holes 34B and 34C of C, and guides the movement of the release button 18 in the directions of the arrows XY. Further, when the release button 18 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y, the release buttons 18 push back both ends of the locking pin 17 in the direction of the arrow Y.
Is provided.

A holding portion 57 for holding the coil spring 19 is formed on the inner side surface of the operation portion 54 at a substantially central portion thereof. The other end of the coil spring 19 held by the holding portion 57 is locked in the concave portion 61 of the spring holder 20. The release button 18 is always urged in the direction of the arrow X by the coil spring 19.

The block arm 21 includes first arms 71B and 7B extending parallel to each other in the direction of arrow X from the main body 70.
1C and sliding support portions 59B and 59C on both sides of the main body 70.
, And second arms 72B and 72C for setting the center of gravity, and third arms 73B and 73C extending downward from both side ends of the main body 50 and moving the block arm 21 to an appropriate position. I have. Also, the main body 70
And a spring fixing portion 63 to which one end of each of the coil springs 22B and 22C is fixed is formed substantially at the center of the end in the arrow Y direction. The other ends of the coil springs 22B and 22C are fixed to holes 65B and 65C formed in the side walls 11B and 11C of the buckle base 11, respectively.

As the coil springs 22B and 22C, a tension coil Spg or a wire can be used as it is, and the load can be easily set. Also, less fatigue and wear is required.

When provided on the buckle base 11, the first arms 71B and 71C restrain the locking pin 17;
That is, it has a length that can be blocked.
At the tip of the first arm, a hook-like portion 7 having a curved surface complementary to the shape of the locking pin 17 and capable of suppressing the locking pin 17 is provided.
4B and 74C are formed. This first arm 7
1B and 71C suppress the locking pin 17 on both sides of the spring shaft 16, so that the locking pin 17 can be stably suppressed. The first arms 71B and 71C are in the first position when the latch plate 14 is in the unlocked state, that is, in the state shown in FIG.
The locking pin 17 is located on the arrow Y direction side with respect to the first claw portions 75B and 75C formed on the base end side of the hook portions 74B and 74C. On the other hand, when the latch plate 14 is in the locked state, that is, in the state shown in FIG. 4, when the second arm moves in the arrow Y direction due to the inertial force, as will be described later in detail, the latching is performed immediately. It is waiting at the second position where the pin 17 can be suppressed. When an inertial force acts in the arrow Y direction in the standby state, the first arm 71
B and 71C immediately move to the third position shown in FIG.

The second arms 72B and 72C have a substantially fan shape that gradually spreads downward. This second arm is an arm for setting the center of mass, and inertial force acts in the direction of the arrow Y, and third arms 73B and 73C described later in detail are pushed by the legs 62B and 62C to slide. After the support portions 59B and 59C slide in the direction of the arrow Y, the first arms 71B and 71C can be immediately moved to a position where the locking pin 17 is suppressed.

The third arms 73B and 73C are in contact with the legs 62B and 62C of the latch plate 14, and can move in the direction of arrow Y in conjunction with the movement of the latch plate 14. . The third arms 73B and 73C
Moves the block arm 21 to an appropriate position, that is, a position where the latch plate 14 is in a locked state and the locking pin 17 is suppressed.

Next, a specific operation of the buckle device 1 will be described.

To lock the tongue 5 to the buckle body 10, first, the tongue 5 is inserted into the buckle body 10 from the tongue entrance 53. At this time, the tip of the tongue 5 moves the slider 12 in the direction of arrow Y, presses both legs 62B and 62C, and rotates the latch plate 14 counterclockwise about the supporting portions 46B and 46C. The movement of the slider 12 causes the coil spring 13 to be compressed.

At the same time as this operation, the spring shaft 1
6 rotates counterclockwise, and at the same time, urges the locking pin 17 in the direction of the restraining position for holding the latch plate 14 in the tongue lock position, and urges the latch plate 14 in the tongue lock direction. At this time, the spring shaft 16 advances in the locking direction of the latch plate 14 with respect to the contact portion 43, and the locking pin 17
In the tang lock direction. The movement of the locking pin 17 is performed by moving both ends of the locking pin 17 in the substantially L-shaped windows 33B and 33C. Specifically, both ends of the locking pin 17 are firstly connected to the windows 33B and 33C.
Move vertically along the L-shape of Next, both ends of the locking pin 17 pass through the corners of the windows 33B and 33C, move horizontally, stop at the locking position, and press the upper surface of the latch plate 14 near the latch portion 41. . At this time,
Since the locking pin 17 is locked so as not to move upward by the horizontal upper edges of the windows 33B and 33C, the latch plate 14 can be securely locked.

When the locking pin 17 moves, it comes into line contact with the edges of the windows 33B and 33C, so that the frictional force generated during the movement can be reduced.

Since the coil spring 15 for moving the locking pin 17 is supported by the spring shaft 16, the coil spring 15 does not bend or break when the locking pin 17 is moved. Therefore, the locking pin 17 is always positioned perpendicular to the coil spring 15. Furthermore, the locking pin 17 is supported by a support portion 48 at a substantially central portion thereof. For this reason, both sides of the locking pin 17 are always operated in the same manner, and it is possible to prevent an inappropriate operation that causes a pseudo-latching phenomenon, such as, for example, only one side of the locking pin 17 moving forward and backward. .

Further, even if a false latch is to occur, the locking pin 17 is returned to a predetermined latch plate locking position due to the presence of the inclined portion 42, so that the generation of the false latch can be prevented. .

Further, simultaneously with the above operation, the third arms 73B and 73C of the block arm 21
As shown in FIG. 4, the first arm 71B and the first arm 71C are pushed by the leg portions 62B and 62C, and when the second arm is moved in the direction of the arrow Y by the inertial force, the locking pin 17 is immediately released. The second position to be suppressed is made to wait. So far,
The legs 62B and 62C of the latch plate 14 and the third arms 73B and 73C are synchronized. As described above, since the first arms 71B and 71C can be moved to the above-described standby position (second position), when the inertial force in the direction of the arrow Y acts on the buckle device 1, the first arm 71B and 71C move to the first position. The moving distance for moving the arms 71B and 71C to the third position where the locking pin 17 is suppressed can be reduced. As a result, the locking pin 17 can be immediately suppressed, and the erroneous inhibition state can be prevented. At this time, the block arm 21 is urged in the arrow X direction by the coil springs 22B and 22C.

When the tongue 5 is locked to the buckle body 10, the latch plate 14 is securely held at the locked position by the locking pin 17, as shown in FIG. In this state, when an inertial force acts in the arrow Y direction, the block arms 21 slide due to the synchronization between the legs 62B and 62C and the third arms 73B and 73C and the setting of the mass centers of gravity of the second arms 72B and 72C. The support portions 59B and 59C slide in the support holes 36B and 36C in the arrow Y direction, and the entire block arm 21 moves in the arrow Y direction. Next, the first arms 71B and 71C are lowered by the mass center of gravity of the second arms 72B and 72C, and the locking pin 17 is immediately stopped. This operation results in the state shown in FIG.

At this time, the locking pin 17 is moved from the first position F shown by the broken line in FIG. 5 to the second position S shown by the solid line in FIG.
, But are inhibited (blocked) by the hooks 74B and 74C of the first arms 71B and 71C, and the locked state of the latch plate 14 is not released.

Next, when removing the tongue 5 from the buckle main body 10, the release button 18 is pushed in the direction of arrow Y, and the push-back portions 66B and 66 of the release button 18 are pushed.
Pressing both ends of the locking pin 17 with C returns the locking pin 17 to a non-locking position (the position shown in FIG. 3) that allows the latch plate 14 to take the tongue unlocking position. At this time, the coil spring 15 is pushed and contracted, and the tip of the shaft 47 is gradually extended from the opening 44 by urging (pulling) the locking pin 17 to the non-locking position. The contact portion 43 is urged clockwise, that is, in the tongue unlocking direction. This coil spring 15
The tongue 5 can be pulled out of the buckle main body 10 with a small dissociation force by the above operation. Also at this time, both sides of the locking pin 17 are always operated in the same manner as described above.

By this operation, the first arms 71B and 71C are returned to the original first position by the locking pin 17.

When the tongue 5 is removed from the buckle main body 10, the slide 12 is returned in the direction of the arrow X by the urging force of the spring 13, and the buckle main body 10 returns to the state shown in FIG.

The buckle main body 10 having this structure is fixed to the locking pin 1 by a coil spring 15 which is an urging member.
7, the urging of the latch plate 14 in the tongue lock direction and the urging of the locking pin 17 in the non-locking position direction, and the urging of the latch plate 14 in the tongue unlocking direction. Can be performed.

In this embodiment, the block arm 21 having the above-described structure has been described as the block member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the location and number of arms formed on the block member can be set arbitrarily. May be.

[0050]

As described above, in the buckle device according to the present invention, when the latch plate locks the tongue, the second position near the upper portion of the locking member is synchronized with the movement of the latch plate. When the latch plate is in the tongue lock state and receives a force in the tongue insertion direction,
And a block member that moves from the position (3) to a third position for restraining the locking member. Therefore, the distance by which the locking member moves from the second position to the third position can be shortened, and the occurrence of the erroneous suppression state can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to provide a highly reliable buckle device capable of reliably preventing the tongue from coming off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a buckle main body.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, showing a state where the tongue is not locked.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, showing a state where the tongue is locked to the buckle main body.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG. 2, showing a state where a block arm of the buckle body is operated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 buckle device 5 tongue 10 buckle body 11 buckle base 14 latch plate 17 locking pin 21 block arm 22B, 22C coil spring 71B, 71C first arm 72B, 72C second arm 73B, 73C third arm

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A buckle device comprising a tongue and a buckle body to which the tongue is disengaged, wherein the buckle body is provided between a base and a tang lock position and a tang unlock position. A latch plate movably supported by the latch plate, a latching position for holding the latch plate at a tongue lock position, and a non-locking position for allowing the latch plate to assume a tongue unlocked position. A locking member provided so as to be supported by the base and movable in synchronization with the movement of the latch plate, and when the latch plate locks the tongue, the latch plate is in a tongue unlocked state. When the latch plate is moved from the first position where it was located at a certain time to a second position near the upper portion of the locking member and receives a force in the tongue insertion direction when the latch plate is in the tongue locked state, Previous And a block member which moves from the second position to the third position to prevent the locking member, a buckle device provided with a.