Seat belt buckle

Abstract

A belt buckle includes a casing (12) and an illumination system (24) present in the area of a locking tongue insertion opening (14). The illumination system (24) includes a lamp (32) and a light conductor (26; 26) having a light emission area, and the light conductor (26; 26) includes an annular portion (42; 42) which surrounds at least a major part of the locking tongue insertion opening (14).

Claims

1. A belt buckle comprising a casing (12) and an illumination system (24) present in an area of a locking tongue insertion opening (14), wherein the illumination system (24) comprises a lamp (32) and a light conductor (26; 26) having a light emission area and the light conductor (26; 26) includes an annular portion (42; 42) which surrounds at least a major part of the locking tongue insertion opening (14), the light emission area being formed to be peripherally circumferential on an axial end face (48; 48) of the annular portion (42; 42) of the light conductor (26; 26), wherein the annular portion (42; 42) of the light conductor (26; 26) is arranged radially inside a front panel (22) of the casing (12) which is at least largely peripherally closed, with the front panel (22) framing the insertion opening (14), and in that the front panel (22) includes an annular at least partly transparent diffusor (58) which is axially adjacent to the light emission area of the light conductor (26; 26) such that light emitted by the lamp (32) passes through the diffusor (58) after passing through the light conductor (26; 26).

2. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein, with an exception of the diffusor (58), the front panel (22) is opaque.

3. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein an air gap is formed between the diffusor (58) and the light emission area of the light conductor (26; 26).

4. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the casing (12) includes a first shell part (18) having an annularly circumferential projection (54) which is arranged radially inwardly of the light conductor (26; 26).

5. The belt buckle according to claim 4, wherein the casing (12) consists of the first shell part (18), the front panel (22) and a second shell part (20).

6. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the illumination system (24) comprises an electronic control module (28) in which the lamp (32) as well as electronics (33) are disposed, and especially wherein the electronic control module (28) is mounted on an inside of a first shell part (18) of the casing (12).

7. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light conductor (126) is connected to, especially engaged in or permanently arranged on the casing of the belt buckle.

8. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the light conductor (126) includes a coupling element (138) which is coupled to the lamp (32) and is especially designed to be tapered in wedge shape.

9. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the casing (112) of the belt buckle is a multi-part casing, wherein the light emission area of the light conductor (126) is provided on an edge (121) of the casing of the belt buckle and is associated with a casing portion (129, 164) on which the edge (121) is formed.

10. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 9, wherein the light conductor (126) is substantially embedded in the casing portion (129, 164).

11. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 9, wherein the casing of the belt buckle is a two-part casing and comprises first and second shell parts (118, 120), the casing portion (164) being provided at the first shell part (118).

12. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 11, wherein the light conductor (126) includes a connecting structure (162) by which the front panel (122) is connectable to the shell parts (118, 120).

13. The belt buckle (100) according to claim 9, wherein the casing of the belt buckle is a three-part casing and comprises two shell parts (118, 120) as well as an, especially insertable, front panel (122) on which the casing portion (129) is provided.

14. The belt buckle according to claim 1, wherein the light conductor is positioned within the casing and the diffusor covers the light emission area of the light conductor.

15. A belt buckle comprising a casing (12) and an illumination system (24) present in an area of a locking tongue insertion opening (14), wherein the illumination system (24) comprises a lamp (32) and a light conductor (26; 26) having a light emission area and an annular portion (42; 42) which surrounds at least a major part of the locking tongue insertion opening (14), the light conductor (26) further comprising a structured surface including a plurality of juxtaposed structures (52) on an end face (50) facing away from the light emission area, wherein the annular portion (42; 42) of the light conductor (26; 26) is arranged radially inside a front panel (22) of the casing (12) which is at least largely peripherally closed, with the front panel (22) framing the insertion opening (14), and in that the front panel (22) includes an annular at least partly transparent diffusor (58) which is axially adjacent to the light emission area of the light conductor (26; 26).

16. The belt buckle according to claim 15, wherein the juxtaposed structures (52) are prisms.

17. A belt buckle comprising a casing (12) and an illumination system (24) present in an area of a locking tongue insertion opening (14), wherein the illumination system (24) comprises a lamp (32) and a light conductor (26; 26) having a light emission area and an annular portion (42; 42) which surrounds at least a major part of the locking tongue insertion opening (14), wherein an extension (38; 38) projects axially from the annular portion (42; 42) of the light conductor (26; 26) and through which light of the lamp (32) is coupled into the light conductor (26; 26), wherein a recess (44) is provided in an area of a transition of the extension (38) into the annular portion (42) and shaped so that a coupled light is distributed uniformly in the annular portion (42), wherein the annular portion (42; 42) of the light conductor (26; 26) is arranged radially inside a front panel (22) of the casing (12) which is at least largely peripherally closed, with the front panel (22) framing the insertion opening (14), and in that the front panel (22) includes an annular at least partly transparent diffusor (58) which is axially adjacent to the light emission area of the light conductor (26; 26).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Hereinafter the invention shall be described in detail by way of an embodiment and with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective representation of a belt buckle according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the belt buckle from FIG. 1 in a side view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the belt buckle from FIG. 1 in a top view;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a first shell part of the casing of the belt buckle from FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an electronic control module of the illumination system of the belt buckle from FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a representation of the electronic control module mounted in the first shell part;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a perspective representation of a light conductor of the belt buckle according to the invention from FIG. 1;

(9) FIGS. 8 and 9 show details of the light conductor from FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 10 is a variant of the light conductor from FIG. 7;

(11) FIG. 11 shows a front panel of the belt buckle from FIG. 1;

(12) FIG. 12 shows a first shell part having a mounted light conductor and a mounted front panel for the belt buckle from FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 13 shows the inside of a second shell part of the casing of the belt buckle from FIG. 1;

(14) FIG. 14 shows a schematic sectional view of the belt buckle according to the invention from FIG. 1;

(15) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a belt buckle according to the invention in accordance with a further embodiment;

(16) FIG. 16 is another perspective view of the belt buckle from FIG. 1;

(17) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a casing part of the belt buckle from FIGS. 15 and 16;

(18) FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the casing part from FIG. 17;

(19) FIG. 19 is another perspective view of the casing part from FIG. 17;

(20) FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the casing part from FIG. 17;

(21) FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the casing part from FIG. 17;

(22) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a casing shell of a belt buckle in accordance with another embodiment;

(23) FIG. 23 is another perspective view of the casing shell from FIG. 22;

(24) FIG. 24 is another perspective view of the casing shell from FIG. 22;

(25) FIG. 25 is another perspective view of the casing shell from FIG. 22;

(26) FIG. 26 is another perspective view of the casing shell from FIG. 22;

(27) FIG. 27 shows a semi-transparent perspective representation of the casing shell of FIGS. 22 to 26; and

(28) FIG. 28 shows a top view onto the casing shell of the FIGS. 22 to 27.

DESCRIPTION

(29) FIG. 1 illustrates a belt buckle 10 comprising a casing 12 in which a locking tongue insertion opening 14 for a locking tongue of a seat belt system not shown in detail is provided in a vehicle. The casing 12 encloses a support 16 on which an internal mechanism for fixing the locking tongue including a button 17 for releasing the locking tongue is mounted (also see FIG. 14). The support 16 includes a portion extending out of the casing 12 in the axial direction A and serving for fastening the belt buckle 10 on the vehicle.

(30) The casing 12 in the embodiment shown here is made of plural casing parts, namely a first shell part 18 (see also FIGS. 4 and 6), an opposite second shell part 20 (also see FIG. 13) as well as a front panel 22 (illustrated in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12) axially abutting on both shell parts 18.

(31) Moreover, the belt buckle 10 includes an illumination system 24 (see FIG. 14) comprising a light conductor 26 (see FIGS. 7 to 10 in detail) as well as an electronic control module 28 (see especially FIGS. 5 and 6).

(32) The electronic control module 28 of the illumination system 24 includes a control board 30 on which one or more LED are provided as lamps 32 as well as corresponding electronics 33 adapted to control the lamps 32 as to luminous period, luminous intensity and, where appropriate, luminous color is provided. The lamps 32 optionally may be provided in one color only or there may be provided plural lamps 32 in different colors which are controlled by the electronics 33 so that any color is generated. The choice of color may be dependent on the situation and also changes in color are possible.

(33) The electronic control module 28 is for example a LIN module for connection to a LIN bus in the vehicle.

(34) An electric feed line 34 enables the electronic control module 28 to be supplied with electrical energy. The electric feed line 34 is combined, for example, with a supply line for a switch (not shown in detail) for detecting the inserted locking tongue.

(35) The electronic control module 28 in this example is fixed to the inside of the first shell part 18, for instance by a snap or welding connection. A cable passage 36 is integrated in the inside of the first shell part 18 (see FIG. 6) and in this case also causes strain relief for the feed line 34.

(36) The light from the lamps 32 is coupled into the light conductor 26. The light conductor 26 in this context includes an extension 38 extending in the axial direction A away from the insertion opening 14 which extension serves as coupling element and which includes at a free end a front-side coupling surface 40 into which the light irradiated from the lamps 32 enters.

(37) At its other end the extension 38 is transformed into an annular portion 42 which in this case is peripherally closed.

(38) In the area of the transition a recess 44 in the form of an opening in the annular portion 42 is provided, in this case in the form of a triangle, the point of which faces the coupling surface 40. The sides 46 of the recess 44 inclined relative to the axial direction A serve for reflecting the light entering the annular portion 42 through the extension 38 in the circumferential direction into the annular portion 42.

(39) The end face 48 of the annular portion 42 of the light conductor 26 facing away from the extension 38 constitutes a light emission area 60. In this example the end face 48 has a planar design.

(40) The end face 50 of the annular portion 42 opposed to the end face 48 exhibits a structured surface, on the other hand. In this example, a plurality of uniform structures 52 are juxtaposed, wherein in this case the structures 52 are formed by prisms each of which has a trapezoidal cross-section and the longitudinal direction of which is oriented transversely to the circumferential direction. This is indicated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(41) The structures 52 serve for reflecting the light in the annular portion 42 toward the front end face 48 where it is intended to leave the light conductor 26.

(42) FIG. 10 shows a variant of a light conductor 26. In this case the extension 38 is shorter, but the coupling surface 40 is wider so that e.g. the lamp 32 more easily may include plural juxtaposed LED. There may also be plural coupling surfaces 40 located next to each other or there may be provided a coupling surface extending in curved shape around the lamp 32. The rear end face may be structured or even also in this case.

(43) The first shell part 18 of the casing 12 includes an annular projection 54 (see FIGS. 6 and 12) extending around the looking tongue insertion opening 14. The projection 54 is formed integrally with the residual first shell part 18. The entire first shell part 18, but especially the projection 54, is opaque in this example. The material for the first shell part 18, but also for the other parts of the casing 12, is considered to be acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or polypropylene (PP), for example.

(44) The light conductor 26, 26 consists, for instance, of polycarbonate (PC).

(45) When mounting the belt buckle 10, the light conductor 26 is attached with its annular portion 42 onto the projection 54 at the first shell part 18 and may be connected to the projection 54 by welding (ultrasound or laser welding) or gluing, for example.

(46) Light emission of the light conductor 26 radially inwardly is prevented by the projection 54. The projection 54 extends in the axial direction A in this example at least up to the end face 48 of the light conductor 26 or even somewhat beyond the same, as is evident from FIG. 14.

(47) The front panel 22 of the casing 12 in this case is equally designed as a peripherally closed circumferential ring (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and is attached to the light conductor 26 (FIG. 12 and FIG. 14). The front panel 22 and the light conductor 26 moreover are appropriately fastened to each other, e.g. by a locking, gluing or welding connection, for example by ultrasound or laser welding, and are tightly and permanently interconnected.

(48) The front panel 22 is opaque along its peripheral surface and thus blocks emission of light from the light conductor 26 outwardly in the radial direction r. The front panel 22 may be a design element, for example comprising a chrome-plated outer surface or having a piano lacquer appearance. The front panel 22 is manufactured separately from the other casing parts so that the appearance of the belt buckle 10 can be varied by providing a differently designed front panel 22.

(49) On the locking tongue-side end face 56 of the front panel 22 a transparent annularly circumferential diffusor 58 surrounding the locking tongue insertion opening 14 is provided through which the light emitted from the end face 48 of the light conductor 26 penetrates to the outside. The diffusor 58 is connected in the axial direction A to the end face 48 of the light conductor 26. Between the diffusor and the end face 48 of the light conductor 26 an air gap is formed which in this embodiment has a height of 0.25 mm.

(50) The diffusor 58 may be configured so that it influences the color of the emitted light and/or varies the emission characteristic of the end face 48 of the light conductor 26. However, it also provides for a gap-free termination of the casing 12 to the outside and prevents dirt from penetrating the casing 12. The diffusor 58 and the front panel 22 therefore are formed integrally by two-component injection-molding in this example. For example polycarbonate (PC) is used as a material for the diffusor. The looking tongue-side end face of the diffusor is structured, i.e. roughened fine-grained with low roughness, to improve the homogeneity of the light emission.

(51) Instead of the light conductor 26, also the light conductor 26 shown in FIG. 10 can always be mounted.

(52) As the last mounting step, the second shell part 20 is connected to the first shell part 18, for example by a snap, gluing or welding connection.

(53) In the radial direction r the width of the end face 48 is approximately 1 mm, for example. The width of the diffusor 58 in the radial direction r is selected here in the same order of magnitude. In this way, a light emission area 60 of the belt buckle 10 is formed which is configured to be peripherally circumferential around the locking tongue insertion opening 14 and which widthwise amounts to approx. 1 mm.

(54) The projection 54 of the first shell part 18 as well as the front panel 22 prevent light from being emitted from the light conductor 26 in the radial direction r so that light is emitted only from the light emission area 60 and the light emission area 60 forms the only illuminated portion of the belt buckle 10.

(55) The FIGS. 15 to 28 show further embodiments.

(56) In FIGS. 15 and 16 a belt buckle 100 according to another embodiment is illustrated, wherein the closing mechanism of the belt buckle 100 interacting with a locking tongue is not shown for reasons of clarity.

(57) The belt buckle 100 includes a belt buckle casing 112 which has a three-part design in the shown embodiment.

(58) The casing 112 includes a first shell part 118, also considered to be a first casing shell, a second shell part 120, also referred to as second casing shell, as well as a casing part forming a front panel 122 and including an edge 121 which borders a receiving area 114 for a locking tongue including an insertion opening for the locking tongue.

(59) The two shell parts 118, 120 together form a base body 123 of the casing 112 into which the front panel 122 is inserted. Thus the two shell parts 118, 120 and the front panel 122 are coupled to each other so as to form the complete casing 112.

(60) Furthermore the belt buckle 100 includes an illumination system 124 comprising a lamp 132 as well as a light conductor 126. The lamp 132 may be a LED which emits, for example, red light. Alternatively, also a multi-color LED may be provided so that the color of the emitted light can be adapted to the preferences of the vehicle occupant.

(61) The lamp 132 is provided inside the belt buckle 100, wherein it is arranged on the first shell part 118. The light conductor 126, on the other hand, is arranged in a casing portion 129 of the casing 112 which in the shown embodiment is constituted by the second shell part 120. Therefore the lamp 132 and the light conductor 126 are arranged on different parts of the three-part casing 12.

(62) The light conductor 132 further includes a coupling element 128 which in the assembled state of the belt buckle 100 is coupled to the lamp 132 such that the light emitted from the lamp 132 is coupled into the light conductor 126 via the coupling element 138.

(63) The coupling element 138 is tapered in wedge shape so that the coupling element 138 has a large coupling surface 140. The light coupled via the coupling element 138 extends via the light conductor 126 to an output surface 160 which is arranged at the edge 121 of the casing 112.

(64) In the shown embodiment, the output surface 160 is formed as a circumferential ribbon at the edge 121 so that if encloses the insertion opening and the receiving area 122 in ring shape.

(65) The output surface 160 especially has a width of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably of 1 mm, and is arranged directly on the surface of the casing 112 located in the visual range of the belt buckle 100, when the latter adopts a typical position in a vehicle.

(66) In FIGS. 17 to 21 the casing part corresponding to the front panel 122 of the first embodiment is separately illustrated.

(67) It can be inferred from FIGS. 17 to 21 that, in addition to the output surface 160 and the coupling element 138, the light conductor 126 includes a connecting structure 162 via which the front panel 122 can be coupled to the two shell parts 118, 120 and, resp., to the base body 123. The connecting structure 162 is formed at an end of the front panel 122 opposed to the edge 121.

(68) From the Figures one can further take that the light conductor 126 is embedded in the front panel 122, as the light conductor 126 is substantially surrounded by the casing material of the front panel 122. Merely the output surface 160 at the edge 121 as well as the coupling element 138 and the connecting structure 162 are not surrounded by the casing material. The light conducting structure of the light conductor 126 thus extends substantially inside the front panel 122 so that only the output surface 160, the coupling element 138 and the connecting structure 162 of the light conductor 162 are visible.

(69) Accordingly, the light conductor 126 is formed integrally with the casing portion 129 and the front panel 122, respectively, in the shown embodiment.

(70) The front panel 122 therefore may preferably be manufactured by multi-component injection-molding. In this way, the inner and outer casing surfaces of the front panel 122 are ensured to be formed of a first opaque material, whereas the light conductor 126 embedded therein is made from a second light-conductive material. Thus the light conductor 126 is surrounded by the casing material of the front panel 122 or the front panel 122, resp., and includes merely one single output surface 160.

(71) The material for the light conductor 126 may be, for instance, high-tech refined plastics exhibiting special light scattering, light conducting properties or an additional metallic effect.

(72) On the other hand, the first and second shell parts 118, 120 in this embodiment may have been manufactured by single-component injection-molding, as these parts may be standardized components.

(73) As an alternative, the light conductor 126 may also be a separate component and may be engaged in the casing portion 129 and, resp., in the front panel 122. For this purpose, both the light conductor 126 and the casing portion 129 and, resp., the front panel 122 may exhibit an engaging structure.

(74) FIGS. 22 to 28 illustrate the first shell part 118 of a belt buckle 100 according to a further embodiment which is merely designed in two parts. Like or equally acting components therefore are provided with the reference numerals already introduced before.

(75) In this embodiment the casing 112 represented only partly is thus formed by the two shell parts 118, 120 only the first shell part 118 of which is shown.

(76) The first shell part 118 includes a casing portion 164 substantially corresponding to the front panel 122 in the first embodiment according to FIGS. 15 to 21. Analogously to the front panel 122 of the first embodiment, the casing portion 164 includes the peripheral edge 121 and the light conductor 126 which in the previous embodiment is embedded in the first shell part 118. The output surface 160 of the light conductor 126 is provided, analogously to the first embodiment, on the edge 121 which now is arranged on the first shell part 118.

(77) According to the previous embodiment, the first shell part 118 thus includes, as compared to the first shell part 118 according to this embodiment, additionally the front panel 122 which in this embodiment is formed integrally with the first shell part 118 and is referred to as the casing portion 162.

(78) In this embodiment, the lamp 132 shown in the FIGS. 25 to 27 is equally arranged on the inner surface of the first shell part 118. Hence in this embodiment both the lamp 132 and the light conductor 126 are provided on the same casing portion or, resp., part of the casing 12. This also applies to the coupling element 128 which interacts with the lamp 132 via its coupling surface 140.

(79) Since the first shell part 118 includes the light conductor 126, it was preferably manufactured by multi-component injection-molding. The light conductor 126 therefore is surrounded substantially completely by the casing material of the first shell part 118 or, resp., is substantially embedded in the first shell part 118.

(80) The second shell part 120 in this embodiment, which is not shown in the Figures, may be designed analogously to the second shell part 120 according to the previous embodiment and may have been manufactured by single-component injection-molding, as it may be a standardized component.

(81) In the two-part embodiment according to FIGS. 22 to 28, the second shell part 120 is attached or slipped on and is fixed by the first shell part 118 so that the complete belt buckle casing 112 is configured.

(82) In general, in both embodiments of the belt buckle 100 the parts forming the casing 112, viz. the two shell parts 118, 120 and possibly the front panel 122, are provided to be attached or slipped onto each other or inserted so as to provide a casing 112 which can be easily released. In this way the lamp 26 can be quickly and easily replaced, if required.

(83) In general prior to assembling the belt buckle 100 the components for the belt buckle mechanism interacting with the locking tongue are inserted in the first shell part 118.

(84) Generally, it is ensured by the geometry of the light conductor 126 and the optional use of lenses that the output surface 160 is homogenously illuminated so that a uniformly peripheral light band marks the receiving area 114 so that the later can be easily found by the vehicle occupant.

(85) Furthermore, generally a chrome element may be provided at the edge 121 so as to impart an appearance of higher quality to the belt buckle casing 112. The chrome element may be in the form of a peripheral chrome ring and may especially be arranged adjacent to the output surface 160 so that the output light is reflected by the chrome surface. Preferably the chrome element is provided next to the output surface 160 on the side of the output surface 160 facing away from the insertion opening 114.

(86) The lamp 132 may in general be a kind of pre-assembled unit, that is to say that electric connections as well as optionally a series resistor are provided which merely have to be connected when mounting the belt buckle 100.