WO2015035470A1

WO2015035470A1 - Seatbelt buckle

Info

Publication number: WO2015035470A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/050226
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Svarc
Original assignee: Australian Performance Vehicles Pty Ltd
Current assignee: APV Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-11
Filing date: 2014-09-11
Publication date: 2015-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-03-11

Abstract

A buckle for a seatbelt or safety harness, the buckle including: a housing having proximal and distal ends; a stem having mounting means at a distal end thereof, the other end extending into the distal end of the housing; a locking mechanism mounted on the stem within the housing; an opening in the proximal end of the housing to permit a tongue to pass therethrough and engage the locking mechanism; signal generating means mounted within the housing, the signal generating means including at least one actuating member which when activated produces an electromagnetic signal; and coupling means locating within the housing operatively coupled between the locking mechanism and the actuating member, the arrangement being such that passing a tongue into the opening causes the coupling means to actuate the actuating member to produce said electromagnetic signal.

Description

SEATBELT BUCKLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] his invention relate to seatbelt buckles.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to seatbelt buckles which include signal generating means therein for indicating whether or not the seatbelt buckle has been correctly done u to a seatbelt or safety harness.

[00033 US Patent No. 6,809,640 (Sherman) discloses a seatbelt. alarm system in which the seatbelt includes a proximity sensor in order to determine whether or not the seatbelt has been correctly done up, US Patent No. 7,383, 11 (Schondorf et al.) discloses a seatbelt monitoring system for monitoring whether or not seatbelts in a vehicle have been correctly fastened. The content of those patents is incorporated herein by ciOss-reference. Each of the seatbelt includes a self-powered wireles switch assembly which is activated when the seatbelt is correctly fastened so that signals therefrom can be received and processed by a control module. The control module can therefore provide an indication that all of the seatbelts in the vehicle are correctly fastened for those seats being utilised.

[00043 The object of the present invention is to provide a buckle for a seatbelt or safety harness which, can be utilised in a monitoring system for seatbelt or safety harnesses.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a buckle for a seatbelt or safet harness, the buckle including:

a housing having proximal and distal ends;

a stem having mounting means at a distal end thereof, the other end extending into the distal end of the housing;

a locking mechanism mounted on th stem within the housing;

an opening in the proximal end of the housing to permit a tongue to pass therethrough and engage the locking mechanism;

signal generatin means mounted within the housing, the signal generating means including at least one actuating member which when activated produce an electromagnetic signal; and coupling means locating within the housing operatively coupled between the locking mechanism and the actuating member, the arrangement being such that passing a tongue into the opening causes the coupling means to actuate the actuating member to produce said electromagnetic signal.

[0006] The invention also provides a set of seatbelt buckles as defined above for use in a monitoring system wherein the signal generating means of each buckle produces a different electromagnetic signal.

[0007] Preferably, the signal generating means is self-powered, that is to say it does not require any batteries o external power supplies thereto. This enables the seatbelt buckle to be conveniently installed, either at the time of initial manufacture of a vehicle such as a car, minibus, bus or aeroplane, or alternatively retrofitted to an existin car, minibus, bus or aeroplane.

[00083 in another aspect the invention provides a self powered intelligent seatbelt buckle which uses energy harvesting technology to power wireless transiiiitters embedded into the buckle itself.

[0009] The buckle of the invention can be used in a monitoring system which includes a receiver which processes all information and may temporarily store data. It can then communicate this data ove a wireless signal to a cloud database or local device which connects to the receivers broadcast network or IP address.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanyin drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a seatbelt buckle and seatbelt;

FIGURE 2 is schematic fragmentar underside view of part of a seatbelt buckle of con vention construction;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary underside view showing insertion of a tongue into the locking mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view of a seatbelt buckle constructed in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of parts of the buckle of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic side view of the coupling means when the buckle is unsecured;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic side view of the coupling mean when the buckle is secured;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic plan view of the coupling means which forms part: of the buckle of the invention; and

FIGURE 9 i a simplified cross-sectional view along the line 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Figure 1 shows a seatbelt or safety harness 2 including a buckle 4, belt or harness 6 which includes a webbing belt 8 and tongue 10. The buckle 4 includes a stem 12 which enables the buckle to be securely fixed to a vehicle or vehicle seat (not shown). The stem 12 extends into a buckle housing 14 which includes an opening 16 in its proximal end face. The buckle 4 also includes a release button 18. In use, a user fastens the seatbelt or safety harness by inserting the tongue 10 into the opening 16 so that it engages with a locking mechanism (not shown in Figure 1) located within the housing 14. The release button 18 can be pressed by a user when it is desired to release the tongue 10 from the buckle 4,

[0012] Figures 2 and 3 are fragmentary views showing some more details of a typical structure for the seatbelt buckle 4, In this arrangement, the buckle 4 includes a locking mechanism 20 located within the housing 14. Figure 2 shows a schematic underside view of the buckle with the housing 14 removed. The locking mechanism 20 includes a cantilever component 22 which includes laterally extending flanges 24 and 26 connected together by a connecting bar 28. The cantilever 22 is located inwardly adjacent to the opening 16 and, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 3, is engaged by the end of the tongue 10 and moved as the tongue 10 is inserted into locking mechanism 20. In some arrangements the flanges 24 and 26 can be located, adjacent to microswitches (not shown) which can indicate whether the seatbelt has been correctly done up. In arrangement which utilise microswitches. it is usually necessary to hardwire the microswitches into the wiring system of a vehicle. [OOI33 Figure 4 schematically illustrates a buckle 30 for a seatbelt or safety harness constructed in accordance with the invention. In this drawing similar reference numerals have been used to denote parts which are the same as or correspond to those of the known arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 3. The buckle 30 of the invention has a housing 32 which is somewhat elongate compared to known arrangements. ^'This is so that the housing 32 can accommodate additional components as will be described below. In the illustrated arrangement the distal end of the stem 12 includes a bolt hole 31 for fixing the stem to a vehicle or vehicle seat. The stem i typically made from steel.

[0014] The buckle 30 of the invention includes a locking mechanism 20 mounted on the stem 12, in the usual way. The locking mechanism 20 can be of standard type, and therefore does not need to be described in detail. The buckle 30 includes signal generating means 34 and coupling means 36 operatively connected between the locking mechanism 20 and the signal generating means 34. The signal generating mean 34 can be of known type and again it does not need to be described in detail . Preferably it is of a type which does not require a battery or other electrical power for its operation. It may include magnets, and coils and is arranged, to produce an electromagnetic signal when an actuating member (not shown in Figure 4) is actuated. It will be seen in Figure 5 that both the signal generating means 34 and coupling means 36 are located within the housing 3_.2 and are mounted on the stem 12. The signal generating means can be of a type such as model PTM 210 made by Enocean hie. of Cottonwood Heights, UT.

[00153 in. the illustrated arrangement, it is important to note that the provision of the signal generating means 34 within the housing 32 does not interfere with the normal operation of the locking mechanism 20. In other words, the coupling mean i such that it does not interfere with the normal operation of the locking mechanism 20 or make i more difficult for the user to open and close the locking mechanism. As will be described below, the coupling means 36 utilises levers or other techniques for achieving a mechanical advantage in order to operate the signal generating means 34 without causing any more resistance or substantially any more resistance to movement of the tongue 10 into or out of the opening 16 than in a con ventional buckle. [00163 As best seen in. Figure 5, the signal generating means 34 include an actuator 40 which may be in the form of a rocker arm. The arrangement is such that, when the rocker aim is moved by relatively short distance, say 1,8mm, it produces a pulse of electromagnetic radiation. The pulse can be detected by a seat belt monitoring system of known type as to indicate that the buckle has been fastened.

[0017] Figure 5 also schematically illustrates one embodiment of the coupling means 36. In this arrangement, the coupling means 36 includes first and second side arms 4.1 and 42 which are pi.votal.ly connected to stub axles 44 and 46 mounted on the ends of levers 48 and 50. The levers 48 and 50 are integrally moulded with a mounting shaft 52. The mountin shaft 52 is mounted for rotation about its axis 54 by means of upstanding support posts 56 and 58 which form part of a carrier body 60. in the illustrated arrangement the upper end of the posts are formed with cylindrical recesses 57 and 59 which form a pivot with the mounting shaft 52. The carrier body 60 includes a base 62 from which project four upstanding integral clips 64, 66, 68 and 70. The signal generating means 34 is supported on the base 62 and is retained in position by means of the clips 64, 66, 68 and 70 which engage the top surface 35 of the housing of the signal generating means 34. The underside of the base 62 includes a number of clips (preferably four) 72 which engage the side edges of the stem 12 so that the carrier body 60 and the signal generating means 34 are securely located within the buckle housing 32. The first and second side arms 41 and 42 extend laterally beside the locking mechanism. 20 which, as indicated above, is of known type. The side arm 41 and 42 are relatively long and slender and enable a conventional mounting and location of the locking mechanism 20 but provide for a coupling between the flanges 42 and 46 and the signal generating means 34, as described above,

[00181 The mountin shaft 52 is integrall farmed with a projecting cam member 74. The cam member 74 cooperates with a hook member 76 which is formed with an upper hook portion 78 and the lower hook portion 80. As will be described in more detail below, the lower hook portion 80 engages the actuator 40 of the signal generating means 34 and the upper hook portion 78 engages the cam member 74, as bes seen in Figure 6. The hook member 76 i retained between the activator 40 and cam member 40 but is capable of limited upward and downward movement. The side aims 41 and 42 are arranged to be moved when the tongue 10 is inserted into the opening 16. This causes rotation of the levers 48 and 50 (in a clockwise direction as seen in Figures 6 and 7). This causes upward movement of the cam 74 which is translated into upward movement of the hook member 76 which, in turn, causes upward movement of the actuator 40 by virtue of engagement of it wi th the lower hook portion 80.

[00193 Figures 6 to 9 illustrate in more detail one way in which the coupling means 36 can be implemented, In. this arrangement, the forward ends of the side arms 4.1 and 42 are formed with elongate slots 82 and 84 respectively. The slots are arranged to receive the flanges 24 and 26 respectively of the cantilever component 22. As best seen in Figure 6, the slots 82 and 84 are significantly longer than the widths of the flanges 24 and 26 so that the flanges are movable within the slots Before engaging the ends thereof so as to cause movement of the arms 40 and 42. In a prototype device there is about 9mm. of lost movement before the flanges 24 and 26 engage the ends of the slots. As shown in Figure 3 above, the tongue 10 engages the connecting bar 28 when it is inserted in the opening 16. This initially causes movement of the cantilever component 22 in a direction towards the carrier body 60 (i.e. to the left in Figure 8) whilst the arms 41 and 42 initially remain stationary. This action is similar in the buckle of the invention and Figure 6 shows the coupling means in a position which the tongue 10 is not inserted into the opening. It will be seen that the actuator 40 is in a lower rest position and that the hook member 76 is als correspondingly lower. When a user pushes the tongue 10 into the opening 6, the cantilever component 22 and its flanges 24 and 26 will be moved in a distal direction (i.e., to the left in Figure 6) and this will cause movement of the side arms 41 and 42 in the distal direction causing consequential rotation of the levers 48 and 50 in a clockwise direction. This lifts the hook member 76 which causes raising of the actuator 40 so a to generate a pulse. Figure 7 shows the couplin means 36 in a position in which the tongue locked into the locking mechanism 20. Tire coupling means will remain in this position until the user presses the release button 18 whereupon the coupling means will return to the position shown in Figure 6.

[0020] In the illustrated arrangement, the side arms 41 and 42 are integrally moulded and are interconnected by a crossbar- 86 which braces the positions of the side arms 41. and 42, as shown in Figure 8. The locking mechanism 20 is such that when the release button 18 is pressed (without the tongue 10 being inserted) it will move the cantilever component 20 and its flanges 24 and 26 in a distal direction, but movement is restricted so that the flanges 24 and 26 do not come into contact with the ends of the slots 82 and 84. When, however, the tongue 10 engages the cantilever component 22, the cantilever component can only then be moved a sufficient distance in the distal direction so that the flanges 24 and 26 will engage the end of the slots 82 and 84 so as to cause generation of a pulse the signal generating means 34. In this way false signals are not generated by a user merely pressing on the release button 18 without inserting the tongue 10 fully into the opening 16.

[0021] In the arrangement shown in Figure 8, coupling means 36 i.e.. the moulding which forms the levers 48 and 50, shaft 52 and cam 74 includes integral locating flanges 88 and 90 which engage the sides of the hook member 76 and help to prevent lateral displacement thereof. The flanges 88 and 90 are not shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 for clarity of illustration. In the arrangement shown in Figure 8, the base 62 includes a central openin 92 for lightness and saving of materials. The forward end of the base 62 i formed with a downwardly projectin locating pin 94 which passes through a complementary hole 96 formed in the stem 12, as seen in Figure 9. Engagement of the pin 94 and hole 96 assist in mountin and correct location of the carrier body 60 relative to the locking mechanis 20.

[0022] The inner surface of the housing 14 may include ribs or projection (not shown) which, when assembled, form a guideway (not shown) for guiding movement of the arm 40 and 42. Similarly the housing 14 may include ribs or projections (not shown) which when assembled engages the mounting shaft 52 and assists in maintaining the pivotal connection to the posts 56 and 58.

[00233 The various components which make up the coupling means 36 can be moulded from suitable plastics material such as Acetal (polyoxymethylene). When the couplin means is moulded in this way it is inexpensive, lightweight and robust.

[0024] The signal generating means 34 can be of the type as described above which produces a burst or signal of electromagnetic radiation when the actuator 40 is displaced upwardly. Normally the activator 40 Of the signal generating means 34 has an automatic return, to its non-activated positio so that, it will be ready for reactivation after release of the tongue 10 and reinsertion thereof. [00253 Where the seatbeK buckle 30 of the invention is to be used in a monitoring system a set of buckles can be provided for use with the system and the signal generating means selected so as to produce discrete or different signals whereby the state of the buckle can be monitored, for instance, as shown in a system of the type disclosed in US 7,383,911 referred to above. The signal generating means 34 can be selected so as to produce signals at different frequencies so that the monitoring system can distinguish between them. Alteniatively the signals could be coded so that the monitoring system can distinguish between them.

[0026] Typical dimensions for the buckle SO of the invention are as follows;

housing 32: length 140mm, width 50mm, height 28mm

stem 12: length 110mm, width 20mm, thickness 3mm

[0027] Typically the side anus 82 and 84 are displaced by about 5 to 10mm and preferably about 7mm when the tongue is inserted in the opening 16 and this produces a rotation of about 5 ° to 15° of the levers 48 and 50. This ensures upward movement of the lower hook portion b about 1 to 2mm. The mechanical arrangement helps in reducing resistance to the insertion of the tongue. 10 into the opening.

[0028] Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF PARTS

[00291

seatbelt or safety harness 2 levers 48, 50 buckle 4 mounting shaf 52 belt or harness 6 axis 54 webbing belt 8 support posts 56, 58 tongue 10 cylindrical recesses 57, 59 stem 12 carrier body 60 buckle housing 14 base 62 opening 16 upstanding clips 64. 66, 68, 70 release button 18 clips 72 locking mechanism 20 cam member 74 cantilever component 22 hook member 76 flanges 24, 26 upper hook portion 78 connecting bar 28 lower hook portion 80 buckle 30 elongate slots 82, 84 bolt hole 31 crossbar 86 housing 32 flanges 88 , 90 signal generating means 34 central opening 92 top surface 35 pin 94 coupling means 36

actuator 40 hole 96 first and second side anns 41, 42

stub axles 44, 46

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A buckle for a seatbelt or safety harness, the buckle including:

a housing having proximal and distal ends;

a stem having mounting means at a distal end thereof, the other end extending int the distal end of the housing;

a locking mechanism mounted on the stem within the housing;

an opening in the proximal end of the housing t permi a tongue to pass therethrough and engage the locking mechanism;

signal generating means mounted within the housing, the signal generating means including at least one actuating member which when activated produces an electromagnetic signal; and

coupling means locatin within the housin operatively coupled between the locking mechanism and the actuating member, the arrangement being such that passin a tongue into the opening cause the coupling means t actuate the actuating member to produce said electromagnetic signal.

2. A buckle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes support means for supporting the signal generating means.

3. A buckle as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the coupling means includes a pair of lever arms mounted for rotation about an axis which is transverse t the proximal-distal direction and a pair of arms, the distal ends of which are connected to the lever arms and proximal ends of which are coupled to first and second flanges which move in a distal direction when the tongue is inserted in said opening.

4. A buckle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coupling means includes a cam member and a hook member, the cam member being rotatable with the lever arms and wherein one end of the hook member is engagable with the cam member and the other end is engagable with the actuating member.

5. A buckle as claimed in. claim 4, wherein full insertion of the tongue into the locking mechanism causes rotation of said lever arms through 5° to 1.5° whic causes the other end of the hook member to rise about l~2mm.

6. A buckle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the proximal ends of amis include elongate slots within which the flanges are received such that there is lost motion between tire arms and the flanges.

7. A buckle as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the insertion of the tongue into the locking mechanism causes the side arms to move about 5 to 10mm in the- distal direction.

8. A buckle as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 or 4, as dependent on claim 2, wherein the support means includes integral clip members which interlock wit the stem.

9. A buckle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support means includes a. locatin member which is engaged with a complementary locating opening in the stem.

10. A buckle as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the lever arms are integrally formed with a mounting shaft, the cam member being also integrally formed with the mounting shaft.

11. A buckle as claimed in claim 10. wherein the mounting shaft is integrally formed with flanges which are located adjacent to the sides of the hook member so as to assis in maintaining the hook member in its operative position.

1 . A buckle as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the support means includes integral support posts which support the mountin shaft for rotation about said axis.

13. A buckle as claimed in claim 12, wherein upper ends of the support posts are formed with cylindrical recesse engage the mounting shaft t form pivotal connection therewith.

14. A buckle according to any one of claims 3 to 13» wherein the. inner surface of the housing is formed wit ribs or projections which form a guideway for guiding movement of said amis.

15. A buckle accordin to any one of claims 3 to 14 wherein the amis are integrally moulded with a crossbar which serves to brece the arms,

1.6. A buckle according to any one of claims 3 to 15 wherein the distal, ends of the arms and pivotally connected to the lever arms and the crossbar is located near said distal ends of the arms.

17. A set of buckles as claimed in any preceding claim for use in a seatbelt or safety harness monitoring system wherein the signal generating means of each buckle produces a different or discrete electromagnetic signal.

18. A set of buckles as claimed in claim 17, wherein the signal generating means produce electromagnetic signals at different frequencies,

19. A vehicle fitted with seat belts each fitted with one of the buckles as claimed in claim 17 or 18.