WO2019096153A1

WO2019096153A1 - Luminous buckle for a seat belt

Info

Publication number: WO2019096153A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/115388
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Han; Zihong XU; Kezhao WEI
Original assignee: Trw Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-16
Filing date: 2018-11-14
Publication date: 2019-05-23
Also published as: CN109793318A; CN109793318B

Abstract

A luminous buckle for a seat belt comprises a housing (1) and a buckle head assembly (2). The housing (1) is provided with an annular groove (11) on its end face, and the housing (1) is provided in its sidewall with a first receptacle in communication with the annular groove (11), and a second receptacle. The luminous buckle further comprises a flexible optical fiber (3), both end sections of which are put together and aligned, such that the two end sections of the optical fiber (3) form a shank (3a) and an intermediate section of the optical fiber (3) forms a loop (3b), the shank (3a) being accommodated and held in the first receptacle, and the loop being accommodated and held in the annular groove; a light source assembly (5) with an LED, which is accommodated and held in the second receptacle of the housing (1); and a diffusor ring (4) provided in the annular groove (11) of the housing (1) and together with the annular groove (11) holding the loop(3b) of the optical fiber (3). The luminous buckle is simple in structure, easy to manufacture and assemble, and reliable in operation.

Description

LUMINOUS BUCKLE FOR A SEAT BELT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a luminous buckle for a seat belt, which is in particular applied in the technical field of motor vehicles, but may also be applied in other transport means such as airplanes, motorboats, amusement rides.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In modern motor vehicles, a seat belt is a necessary safety protection device. When a driver or other occupants of a motor vehicle wears a seat belt, it is necessary to insert a lock tongue of the seat belt into a buckle of the seat belt, and more specifically, into an insertion slit of the buckle. When the seat belt is released, it is necessary to press a manipulation button on the buckle to release the latching of the lock tongue by the buckle. In a dark environment, occupants of motor vehicles often cannot easily find the buckle, and cannot easily insert the lock tongue into the insertion slit of the buckle. Accordingly, different solutions have been proposed, such as the installation of an illumination device in the buckle, so as to illuminate the buckle in the dark.

A buckle for a seat belt for a motor vehicle is known from the patent application publication CN107105828A, wherein an optical conductor made of plastic and a light-scattering element made of plastic together with a light source assembly are injection molded as an integrated mounting unit. The optical conductor is connected to the light source at one end thereof, and coiled by one turn at the other end thereof as a luminous face. Such a mounting unit that is not flexible, can only be adapted to a particular buckle, and is sensitive to manufacturing errors of the buckle. In addition, such a mounting unit is also sensitive to an external force and is therefore prone to damage, especially to fracture due to compression. Such a mounting unit, when damaged, needs to be replaced as a whole. Related prior art may also be seen in the documents US5892436 and WO2016/008585A1.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Confronting the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved luminous buckle for a seat belt, which is simple in structure, easy to manufacture and assemble, and reliable in operation.

For this purpose, according to the present invention a luminous buckle for a seat belt, preferably a luminous buckle for a seat belt for a motor vehicle, is provided, said luminous buckle comprising a housing and a buckle head assembly accommodated inside the housing, characterized in that, the housing is provided with an annular groove on its end face, and the housing is provided in its sidewall with a first receptacle in communication with the annular groove and with a second receptacle, preferably the first receptacle having an arc-shaped transition portion to the annular groove, said luminous buckle comprising a flexible optical fiber, both end sections of which are put together and aligned, such that the two end sections of the optical fiber form a shank and an intermediate section of the optical fiber forms a loop, the shank being accommodated and held in the first receptacle of the housing, and the loop being accommodated and held in the annular groove of the housing, said luminous buckle comprising a light source assembly with an LED, which is accommodated and held in the second receptacle of the housing, the LED lining up with the aligned two ends of the optical fiber, for inputting the light towards said two ends, said luminous buckle further comprising a diffusor ring provided in the annular groove of the housing and holding the loop of the optical fiber together with the annular groove, the light emitted from the LED and transmitted via the optical fiber being capable of penetrating through the diffusor ring for illumination.

According to the technical solution of the present invention, the manufacturing and assembling of the luminous buckle is simple and inexpensive, and does not require the injection molding process as used in the prior art. The flexible optical fiber is widely applicable to various seat belt buckles, is insensitive to manufacturing errors of the buckle, and can favorably avoid and withstand the external pressure. In addition, a single LED light source feeds both ends of a single optical fiber, with doubling the efficiency of the optical conductor over the prior art. In the event of damage to the diffusor ring or the optical fiber or the light source assembly, only the corresponding part has to be replaced, but not the whole device has to be replaced as in the prior art.

The luminous buckle according to the present invention not only can be applied in motor vehicles, but also can be applied in other transport means such as airplanes or motorboats.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the diffusor ring has an arc-shaped thickening portion, in an area of a bifurcating portion of the optical fiber where the shank transitions towards the loop. When the LED emits the light, a part of the light is transmitted via the optical fiber, while the remaining part of the light is emitted onto the diffusor ring. If no special measures would be taken, an interfering bright spot may be formed in the luminous circle. Such a bright spot adversely affects the operational experience of a user. By means of the measures in the present invention, such a bright spot can be eliminated and a uniformly luminous circle is formed. As an alternative or supplementary measure, a filler may also be provided at the bifurcating portion, for eliminating the bright spot.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the first receptacle is designed as a passage in the sidewall of the housing with a closed cross-section having a height corresponding to the diameter of the optical fiber and a width corresponding to twice the diameter of the optical fiber. The cross section of the first receptacle has a dimension substantially equal to the two end sections of the optical fiber put together, and is in particular only slightly larger in the sense of the tolerance fit, so that not only the end sections of the optical fiber are easily mounted in the first receptacle, and moreover, the end sections of the optical fiber are reliably held by the first receptacle. It is particularly preferable that the cross section of the first receptacle is rectangular. However, other shapes may also be considered, e.g. an ω shape. As an alternative, the first receptacle may also be designed as a recess which is provided with a detachable closure cap. It is particularly advantageous that, the housing is made of plastic by an injection molding process.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the second receptacle is designed as a recess in the sidewall of the housing, preferably the recess being provided with a detachable or non-detachable closure cap. Thus, the light source assembly can be easily mounted and held. This is especially the case when the light source assembly is designed as a flat part, in particular a printed circuit board. As an alternative, the second receptacle may also be designed as a card slot, such that the flat light source assembly can be pushed into the card slot, as in the installation of a cell phone card. As an alternative, it may also be considered that the printed circuit board is fastened in the recess by a screw. It is particularly advantageous that, the closure cap covers the ends of the optical fiber and the light source assembly in a mounted state. Further, it is particularly advantageous that, the housing is provided with four columnar projections on its sidewall as well as one central projection with a larger diameter located at the center of said four columnar projections, such that in a mounted state, conductive lines of the light source assembly are guided between the columnar projections and the central projection and then lead out through a through opening at the bottom of the housing, wherein the closure cap has a joint plate with an opening through which the central projection passes, such that fixation of the closure cap on the sidewall of the housing can be realized by connection technique and in particular by ultrasonic welding, wherein the joint plate presses against the conductive lines of the light source assembly and accordingly holds the conductive lines on the sidewall of the housing.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the light source module is designed as a printed circuit board, the LED being disposed on an end side of the printed circuit board and immediately adjacent to the two ends of the optical fiber. It is particularly advantageous that, the LED contacts the two ends of the optical fiber.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the surface of the diffusor ring facing the optical fiber is designed concavely in an arc shape, for holding and guiding the loop of the optical fiber.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the free outer surface of the diffusor ring is flush with an end face of the housing.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the diffusor ring is made of a translucent material. For example, the diffusor ring is made of a milky white plastic material, and thus can generate a particularly mild illumination.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the optical fiber has a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, in particular 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm or 4 mm.

According to a preferable solution of the present invention, the housing is designed in two pieces, comprising a main body portion and a cover detachably connected with the main body portion.

The technical features set forth in the present application can be combined arbitrarily, unless a combination is self-contradictory. All of these technically feasible feature combinations are technical contents of the present application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the present invention is further explained by means of the embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings are as follows:

Figure 1 a shows an assembled view of the luminous buckle according to the present invention;

Figure 1b shows an exploded view of the luminous buckle according to the present invention;

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d respectively show a perspective view of a main body portion of the housing of the luminous buckle according to the present invention;

Figure 2e shows a perspective view of a closure cap for a light source assembly;

Figure 3a shows a schematic view of part of the luminous buckle according to the present invention;

Figure 3b shows a locally enlarged view of the luminous buckle according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 a shows an assembled view of the luminous buckle according to the present invention, and Figure 1b shows an exploded view of the luminous buckle according to the present invention. Here it can be seen that, the housing 1 of the luminous buckle is designed in two pieces, comprising a main body portion 14 and a cover 15 detachably connected with the main body portion. The two parts of the housing are connected particularly in a snap-fit manner, and may be additionally adhered if necessary. Here it can also be seen that a buckle head assembly 2 is accommodated inside the housing, for which the technique that has been widely known in the prior art may also be used.

The housing 1 is provided with an annular groove 11 on its end face, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed on the main body portion 14 of the housing 1. In addition, the housing 1, more specifically the main body portion, is provided in its sidewall with a first receptacle in communication with the annular groove 11, and is provided in its sidewall with a second receptacle 12. It is particularly advantageous that, the first receptacle has an arc-shaped transition portion transited to the annular groove 11, whereby the flexible optical fiber 3 can be guided in a particularly favorable manner. Please refer to the arc-shaped portion of the optical fiber in Figure 3b, which is guided by the aforementioned arc-shaped transition portion in a particularly favorable manner, and thus allows that the light can well pass here.

The luminous buckle comprises a flexible optical fiber 3, both end sections of which are put together and aligned, such that the two end sections of the optical fiber form a shank 3a and an intermediate section of the optical fiber forms a loop 3b, wherein the shank 3a is accommodated and held in the first receptacle of the housing, and the loop 3b is accommodated and held in the annular groove 11 of the housing. Advantageously, the optical fiber has a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, in particular 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm or 4 mm.

The luminous buckle comprises a light source assembly 5 with an LED. Said light source assembly is accommodated and held in the second receptacle 12 of the housing. The one LED lines up with the aligned two ends 3d (see Figure 2b) of the optical fiber, for inputting the light towards said two ends. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source assembly 5 is designed as a printed circuit board, on which the single LED is held. It is particularly advantageously that the conductive lines 13 are printed conductive lines, for supplying power to the printed circuit board and the LED. Such power supply may be controlled by a controller in a motor vehicle, so as to supply power when necessary according to a control logic. However, the conductive lines 13 may also be conventional conductive lines.

The luminous buckle further comprises a diffusor ring 4 provided in the annular groove 11 of the housing. The diffusor ring together with the annular groove holds the loop 3b of the optical fiber, wherein the light emitted from the LED and transmitted via the optical fiber is capable of penetrating through the diffusor ring 4 for illumination. The diffusor ring has an arc-shaped thickening portion 4a, in an area of a bifurcating portion 3c of the optical fiber where the shank 3a transitions towards the loop 3b. With the thickening portion to eliminate the bright spot that would otherwise be generated during the illumination, a complete circle of uniform illumination can be obtained. The surface of the diffusor ring 4 facing the optical fiber is configured concavely in an arc shape, for holding and guiding the loop of the optical fiber. As an alternative, it may also be considered that, the surface is configured in a flat surface. Advantageously, the free outer surface of the diffusor ring is flush with an end face of the housing. The diffusor ring is made of a translucent material, and it is particularly advantageous to be made of a milky white plastic material.

The first receptacle is designed as a passage in the sidewall of the housing with a closed cross-section, said cross-section having a height corresponding to the diameter of the optical fiber and a width corresponding to twice the diameter of the optical fiber. The central axis of the passage does not have to be a straight line, but may also be slightly curved along the profile of the sidewall of the housing. The second receptacle 12 is designed as a recess in the sidewall of the housing. Preferably, the recess is provided with a detachable or non-detachable closure cap. The closure cap is fixed on the recess particularly by a snap-fit connection or by ultrasonic welding or by a screw connection, and thus can reliably hold the light source assembly 5 in the recess. The light source module 5 is here designed as a printed circuit board. The LED is disposed on an end side of the printed circuit board and immediately adjacent to the two ends of the optical fiber. As an alternative, it is also possible that the light source assembly 5 is formed as a thin film and is attached to the sidewall of the housing 1.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d respectively show a perspective view of the main body portion 14 of the housing of the luminous buckle according to the present invention, wherein in Figure 2a, the optical fiber 3 and the light source assembly 5 have not been mounted in the housing; in Figure 2b, the optical fiber 3 has been mounted in the housing while the light source assembly 5 has not been mounted in the housing; in Figure 2c, both the optical fiber 3 and the light source assembly 5 have been mounted in the housing, but the closure cap 18 has not been mounted; and in Figure 2d, both the optical fiber 3 and the light source assembly 5 as well as the closure cap 18 have been mounted in the housing. In Figure 2b, it can be seen that there are two ends 3d of the optical fiber 3, which slightly extend out of the first receptacle. In the state shown in Figure 2c, the two ends 3d are adjacent to the LED of the light source assembly 5, so that a single LED can input light to the two ends 3d. In Figures 2a to 2d, it can be seen that there are four columnar projections 16 extending out from the sidewall of the main body portion 14 of the housing and one central projection 17 with a larger diameter located at the center of the four columnar projections. In a mounted state of the light source assembly 5, conductive lines 13 of the light source assembly 5 are guided between the columnar projections 16 and the central projection 17 and lead out through a through opening at the bottom of the housing. The closure cap 18 in the mounted state covers the ends 3d of the optical fiber and the large portion of the light source assembly 5. The closure cap 18 includes a joint plate with an opening 19 through which the central projection 17 passes. At the end section of the central projection 17 passing through the opening, ultrasonic welding serves to fix the closure cap 18. The joint plate is pressed against the conductive lines, and accordingly holds the conductive lines securely on the sidewall of the housing.

Figure 2e shows a perspective view of the closure cap 18 for the light source assembly. The closure cap 18 is to be mounted on the second receptacle of the sidewall of the housing, mainly for holding and protecting the light source assembly 5, and fixing the conductive lines 13 of the light source assembly 5. Here, it can be seen that there is an opening 19 in the joint plate of the closure cap 18. Two further openings 20 with a smaller diameter may also be additionally provided at both sides of the joint plate, so as to better secure the connection by means of ultrasonic welding. Instead of the ultrasonic welding, a screw connection or other connection techniques may also be considered.

Figure 3a shows a schematic view of a part of the luminous buckle according to the present invention, and Figure 3b shows a locally enlarged view of the luminous buckle according to the present invention. Only the flexible optical fiber 3 and the diffusor ring 4 are shown here, while the remaining parts of the luminous buckle are concealed, in order to highlight the arc-shaped thickening portion 4a of the diffusor ring as well as the effect produced thereby. The remaining light in the light emitted by the LED that does not enter the optical fiber is irradiated to the arc-shaped thickening portion 4a, which eliminates the bright spot that would otherwise appear and may be perceived by a user.

In the automobile manufacturing industry, several German automotive companies such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Porsche jointly release and implement a fracture experiment AKLV108 for a seat belt buckle, the standard of which experiment is widely adopted in the automobile manufacturing industry. The luminous buckle according to the present invention meets the experiment standard in a particularly favorable manner, better than the luminous buckle known in the prior art.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in the embodiments shown in the drawings. It has to be pointed out that, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments. On the contrary, modifications can be made within the capability of a person skilled in the art on the basis of the technical contents recited in the present application. These modifications as well as equivalent or similar technical measures all fall into the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A luminous buckle for a seat belt, preferably a luminous buckle for a seat belt for a motor vehicle, said luminous buckle comprising a housing (1) and a buckle head assembly (2) accommodated inside the housing, characterized in that,

the housing is provided with an annular groove (11) on its end face, and the housing is provided in its sidewall with a first receptacle in communication with the annular groove, and is provided in its sidewall with a second receptacle (12) , preferably the first receptacle and the annular groove having an arc-shaped transition portion;

the luminous buckle comprises a flexible optical fiber (3) , both end sections of which are put together and aligned, such that the two end sections of the optical fiber form a shank (3a) and an intermediate section of the optical fiber forms a loop (3b) , wherein the shank (3a) is accommodated and held in the first receptacle of the housing, and the loop (3b) is accommodated and held in the annular groove (11) of the housing;

the luminous buckle comprises a light source assembly (5) with an LED, said light source assembly being accommodated and held in the second receptacle (12) of the housing, the LED lining up with the aligned two ends (3d) of the optical fiber, for inputting the light towards said two ends (3d) ; and

the luminous buckle further comprises a diffusor ring (4) provided in the annular groove (11) of the housing, the diffusor ring together with the annular groove holding the loop (3b) of the optical fiber, wherein the light emitted from the LED and transmitted via the optical fiber is capable of penetrating through the diffusor ring for illumination.
The luminous buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that, the diffusor ring (4) has an arc-shaped thickening portion (4a) in an area of a bifurcating portion (3c) of the optical fiber where the shank (3a) transitions towards the loop (3b) .
The luminous buckle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first receptacle is designed as a passage in the sidewall of the housing with a closed cross-section, said cross-section having a height corresponding to the diameter of the optical fiber and a width corresponding to twice the diameter of the optical fiber.
The luminous buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, the second receptacle (12) is designed as a recess in the sidewall of the housing, preferably the recess being provided with a detachable or non-detachable closure cap (18) , further preferably, the closure cap (18) covers the ends (3d) of the optical fiber and the light source assembly (5) in a mounted state;

it is particularly advantageous that: the housing (1) is provided with four columnar projections (16) on its sidewall as well as one central projection with a larger diameter located at the center of the four columnar projections, such that in the mounted state, conductive lines (13) of the light source assembly (5) are guided between the columnar projections (16) and the central projection (17) and lead out through a through opening at the bottom of the housing, wherein the closure cap (18) includes a joint plate with an opening (19) through which the central projection (17) passes, such that fixation of the closure cap (18) on the sidewall of the housing is realized by connection technique and in particular by ultrasonic welding, wherein the joint plate presses against the conductive lines (13) of the light source assembly (5) and accordingly holds the conductive lines (13) on the sidewall of the housing.
The luminous buckle according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the light source assembly (5) is designed as a printed circuit board, the LED being disposed on an end side of the printed circuit board and immediately adjacent to the two ends of the optical fiber.
The luminous buckle according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the surface of the diffusor ring (4) facing the optical fiber is designed concavely in an arc shape, for holding and guiding the loop (3b) of the optical fiber.
The luminous buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, the free outer surface of the diffusor ring (4) is flush with an end face of the housing.
The luminous buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, the diffusor ring (4) is made of a translucent material.
The luminous buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the optical fiber has a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, in particular 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm or 4 mm.
The luminous buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, the housing is designed in two pieces, comprising a main body portion (14) and a cover (15) detachably connected with the main body portion.