JPH11278210A - Automotive seat belt equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A child seat can be more reliably restrained against a seat by using an existing lock mechanism provided in a seat belt device. When a child seat (10) is provided on a passenger seat (1), a lock mechanism is provided for locking the seat belt from being retracted from a retractor when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value. A seatbelt device for an automobile, wherein the childbelt can be restrained to the passenger seat by the seatbelt, and a child seat detecting means (the transmitting antenna 16, the transponder 15, and the receiving device) for detecting that a child seat is disposed on the passenger seat. An antenna 17) and a lock control unit 18 for receiving a detection signal from the child seat detection means and performing a lock operation on the lock mechanism.
And characterized in that:

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seat belt device for an automobile in which, when a child seat is provided on a seat, the child seat is restrained by the seat belt for the seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a seat belt device for an automobile, when an occupant is seated on a seat, a so-called child seat is disposed on the seat while the upper body of the occupant is mainly restrained to the seat. In the case where the child seat is capable of restraining the child seat with respect to the seat using the same seat belt, the seat belt device is generally well known, and is widely used as, for example, a seat belt device for a passenger seat. I have.

In such a seat belt device, a lock mechanism that locks the seat belt from extending by maximally pulling out the seat belt from the retractor portion operates. When the seat belt is released from the state, the seat belt is wound around the retractor portion. A child seat is known in which the child seat is restrained without loosening (hereinafter, this is referred to as Conventional Technique 1).

In a seat belt device capable of restraining a child seat as described above, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-39626, the seat belt is extended to a shoulder anchor portion of the seat belt. There is a known lock mechanism that locks a child seat by operating the lock mechanism by a manual operation so that the child seat can be more securely restrained to the seat without loosening (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Technique 2). ).

[0005]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned prior art 1, since the operation of pulling out the seat belt to the maximum (full) is required to lock the extension of the seat belt, it is troublesome and requires the user. When the seat belt is pulled out, it may not always be easy to check whether the seat belt is actually pulled out until the locking mechanism operates. Also in the prior art 2, the lock mechanism for locking the extension of the seat belt is operated by manual operation. Therefore, when the child seat is restrained against the seat by the seat belt, the manual operation of operating the lock mechanism is inadvertent. You may forget.

In connection with the above problems, there is known a seat belt locking mechanism that locks the extension of the seat belt from the retractor when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value. By using such a lock mechanism, after the vehicle starts, when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body becomes a predetermined value or more, the extension of the seat belt from the retractor unit is locked, and the seat belt is extended (extended) from that state. Thus, the upper body of the occupant can be more securely restrained to the seat without loosening while the vehicle is running. If such a lock mechanism is provided in the seat belt device, it would be extremely advantageous if the lock mechanism could be used to more reliably restrain the child seat with respect to the seat at all times.

Therefore, the present invention has been made with the object of making it possible to more reliably restrain a child seat with respect to a seat by utilizing an existing lock mechanism provided in a seat belt device. is there.

[0008]

For this reason, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application (hereinafter referred to as the first invention) is characterized in that when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value, the seat belt from the retractor section is moved. A seat belt device for an automobile, comprising a lock means for locking the feeding, and when a child seat is disposed on the seat, the child seat is restrained by the seat belt by the seat belt, and the child seat is provided on the seat. Child seat detection means for detecting that the vehicle is provided, and a lock means control device for receiving the detection signal from the child seat detection means and performing a lock operation on the lock means. .

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application (hereinafter referred to as “the invention”)
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, an airbag device corresponding to the seat is provided, and the child seat detecting means detects that a child seat is disposed on the seat. Is characterized in that the operation of the airbag device is prohibited.

[0010] Further, the invention according to claim 3 of the present application (hereinafter referred to as "the invention")
The retractor includes a winding shaft member for winding the seat belt, a gear member connected to the winding shaft member and rotatable with the shaft member, and a gear member. And a pawl that can be engaged with the vehicle body, and operates according to the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body. When the acceleration or deceleration becomes a predetermined value or more, the pawl engages with a gear member to engage the winding shaft. A first operating member for preventing rotation of the member, a second operating member for engaging the first operating member to prevent the first operating member from rotating the winding shaft member, and An actuator for causing the second operating member to engage with the first operating member in response to a control signal from the locking means control device when the child seat detecting means outputs a detection signal; It is characterized by the following.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat device provided with a seat belt device according to the present embodiment, for example, a passenger seat of an automobile, and a so-called child seat provided thereon. As shown in the figure, the seat belt device is a so-called three-point type seat belt 2 of a shoulder type, and usually, an upper body of an occupant (not shown) seated on a passenger seat 1 is mainly attached to the seat 1. It is binding. The seat belt 2 is a seat 1
The seat back 1b extends obliquely downward from the upper side, and a tongue plate 3 is attached in the middle thereof.

When the occupant is seated on the seat 1, the belt portion above the tongue plate 3 acts as a so-called shoulder belt portion 2a for restraining a relatively upper portion (shoulder) of the occupant's upper body. Then, the belt portion below the tongue plate 3 acts as a so-called waist belt portion 2b that restrains a relatively lower portion (waist portion) of the occupant's upper body. A terminal portion of the waist belt portion 2b is fixed to a vehicle body member or a floor panel on a side of the seat 1. On the other hand, on the side of the seat cushion 1a of the seat 1, a belt buckle 4 fixed to the tongue plate 3 when the seat belt is used is fixed.

A center pillar 8 is located on the side of the passenger seat 1 (left side in FIG. 1), preferably slightly behind. The retractor (described later) of the seat belt 2 is disposed relatively below or on the floor along the center pillar 8, and the seat belt 2 extending from the retractor rises upward along the center pillar 8. After the intermediate part is wrapped around the belt anchor 5 and the direction is changed, the seat back 1 of the passenger seat 1 is
The seat 1 is extended from the obliquely rear upper side to the front side of the seat 1.
The belt anchor 5 is attached to the center pillar 8, and has a certain rigidity or more so as to withstand a belt load at the time of collision or the like.

In the present embodiment, the passenger seat 1
Can arrange a so-called child seat 10, which is a seat for an infant, on the seat cushion 1a. When the child seat 10 is arranged, the child seat 10 can be restrained to the seat 1 by the seat belt 2. It has become. The child seat 10 includes, for example, a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and left and right side walls 13 as shown in FIG. The left and right side walls 13 are integrally erected at a predetermined height on the side portions of the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12, and regulate the behavior of the baby sitting on the child seat 10 to the side of the seat. .

A belt engaging portion 14 which can be engaged through the seat belt 2 is formed at an upper portion of a horizontal portion (a portion covering the side of the seat cushion 11) of the left and right side walls 13. This belt engaging portion 14 is shown in FIG.
As can be clearly understood from FIG. 2, the opening 14a is opened above the side wall 13 and the insertion portion 14b through which the seat belt 2 is inserted. The opening 14 a is set to be at least somewhat wider than the thickness of the seat belt 2 and considerably narrower than the width of the seat belt 2. The insertion portion 14b is set to be at least as wide as the width of the seat belt 2 or more. Therefore, the engaging portion 1
The seat belt 2 inserted into the insertion portion 14b from the opening portion 14a of the seat belt 4 can be inserted into the insertion portion 14b unless an adult artificially removes the seat belt device by operating the seat belt device because the opening portion 14a is sufficiently narrowed. 14b does not easily come off.

The child seat 10 can be arranged in any of a frontward direction and a rearward direction with respect to the passenger seat 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the child seat 10 faces forward (that is, the same direction as the passenger seat 1). In the example shown in (1), they are arranged rearward (in a direction opposite to the passenger seat 1). And
As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a child seat 10 is disposed on a seat cushion 1a of a passenger seat 1, a seat belt 2 is pulled out from a retractor, and a shoulder belt portion 2a of the child seat 10 is engaged with a side wall 13 of the child seat 10. 14
, The tongue plate 3 is fitted to the belt buckle 4 and connected to the seat belt 2,
Thereby, the child seat 10 can be restrained with respect to the seat 1.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, more preferably, an airbag device 21 for a passenger seat is provided in an instrument panel 7 in front of the passenger seat 1, and A portion of the panel 7 facing the airbag device 21 forms a bag cover. When the airbag 21a is inflated and deployed at the time of a vehicle collision, the portion of the instrument panel 7 facing the airbag device 21 is broken by the inflation pressure of the airbag 21a, and the airbag 21a is moved to the passenger seat. 1 to expand and deploy. The airbag device 21 is electrically connected to an airbag control unit 22 that controls the operation of an airbag system of a vehicle including the one for the passenger seat and the one for the driver seat. It operates in response to a command signal.

In this embodiment, the passenger seat 1
A child seat detecting means for detecting that the child seat 10 is provided thereon is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a transmitting antenna 1 for transmitting a detection wave for detecting the presence or absence of a child seat 10 is provided in a seat cushion 1a of a passenger seat 1.
6 and the child seat 10 on the seat cushion 1a.
Is provided, a receiving antenna 17 for receiving the detection wave is provided. The transmitting antenna 16 and the receiving antenna 17 are both electrically connected to a lock control unit 18 of the seat belt device described later in detail. On the other hand, the seat cushion 11 of the child seat 10 has a built-in transponder 15 for reflecting the detection wave from the transmitting antenna 16.

The transmitting antenna 16 periodically outputs a detection wave according to a control signal from the lock control unit 18, and the child seat 10 is disposed on the seat cushion 1a of the passenger seat 1. Otherwise, the detection wave goes straight and dissipates.
7 is not received. However, when the child seat 10 is arranged on the seat cushion 1a of the passenger seat 1, the detection wave output from the transmitting antenna 16 is reflected by the transponder 15 and received by the receiving antenna 17, and Control unit 1
8 receives a received signal. Thus, it is detected that the child seat 10 is disposed on the seat cushion 1a of the passenger seat 1. That is,
The transmitting antenna 16, the transponder 15, and the receiving antenna 17 constitute a child seat detecting means described in the present application.

In the present embodiment, when the child seat detecting means detects that the child seat 10 is disposed on the passenger seat 1, the lock control unit 18 sends a control signal to the airbag control unit 22. Is output, and the operation of the airbag device 21 for the passenger seat is prohibited even in the event of a vehicle collision. As a result, the child seat 1 is added to the passenger seat 1.
When the vehicle is colliding, the passenger seat 1 (ie, the child seat 10)
The airbag 21a is inflated and deployed (toward), and the inflation pressure of the airbag 21a is reliably prevented from acting on the baby sitting on the child seat 10. That is,
The child seat detection means can be shared with the detection means for controlling the operation of the airbag system, and the overall system configuration can be simplified.

Next, the retractor of the seat belt device will be described. Seat belt 2 according to the present embodiment
As described below, the retractor includes a lock mechanism that locks the retracting of the seat belt 2 from the retractor when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value. FIGS. FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 show a state in which the lock mechanism has been operated. As shown in these figures, the retractor 30 has a belt winding shaft 35 for winding the seat belt 2 in a case 31 covered on both sides with a cover 32 and a plate 33, and is integrated with the winding shaft 35. A gear member 36 which is connected to the shaft 35 and is rotatable together with the shaft 35, and a swing lever 37 (first swing) which has a claw portion 37a engageable with the gear member 36 and operates according to the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body Lever).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the first swing lever 37 is connected to the pivot shaft 3 fixed to the case 31.
The pivot shaft 37s is provided so as to be swingable about 7s.
On the way from the support point by the to the claw portion 37a at the tip,
A projection 37p projecting downward is formed. The protrusion 37p is in contact with the upper end surface of a weight (weight) 41 that can swing in the front-rear direction according to the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body. The weight 41 is held in a weight holding portion 42 fixedly provided on the case 31, and a lower end of the weight 41 is formed in a hole 42 h formed in a lower portion of the weight holding portion 42.
It is supported in a state dropped inside. The weight 41 is supported substantially vertically at normal times when no acceleration or deceleration is applied to the vehicle body, and therefore, the upper end surface thereof is maintained substantially horizontal. (See FIGS. 5 and 6).

When acceleration or deceleration acts on the vehicle body, the weight 41 swings and inclines, as shown by the solid arrow in FIG.
Is pushed up by the upper end surface of the weight 41, and the first swing lever 37 also swings clockwise and tilts. At this time, when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body becomes a predetermined value or more, the inclination angle of the first swing lever 37 also becomes a certain value or more, and the claw portion 37a at the tip engages with the tooth portion of the gear member 36 (FIG. 9 (see solid line). Thereby, the rotation of the gear member 36 (therefore, the belt winding shaft 35) in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 is prevented, and the feeding of the seat belt 2 from the retractor 30 is locked. When the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body is less than the above-mentioned predetermined value, the inclination of the weight 41 and the first swing lever 37 is also less than a predetermined value, so that the engagement between the claw portion 37a and the tooth portion of the gear member 36 is released. It becomes possible state.

That is, the first swinging lever 37, the weight 41 and the gear member 36 constitute a lock mechanism for locking the seat belt 2 from being retracted from the retractor 30 when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value. ing. The lock mechanism is the same as a well-known lock mechanism, so that further detailed description and illustration are omitted. By providing such a lock mechanism, when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value after the vehicle starts, the seat belt 2
Is locked, and the seat belt 2 is
Can be prevented from being extended (extended), and the main body of the occupant can be more securely restrained against the seat 1 without loosening while the vehicle is running.

In this embodiment, the transmitting antenna 16
When it is detected that the child seat 10 is disposed on the front passenger seat 1 by the child seat detecting means including the transponder 15 and the receiving antenna 17, regardless of the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body, Instead, the lock mechanism for locking the extension of the seat belt 2 from the retractor 30 is forcibly operated, so that the child seat 10 can always be reliably restrained to the seat 1.

That is, the retractor 30 is provided with a lock actuator 40 composed of an electromagnetic solenoid that operates in response to a detection signal from the lock control device 18. The lock actuator 40 has a lead wire 40w for transmitting and receiving signals, and has a plunger 40p that can move forward and backward along the longitudinal axis thereof. (Second swing lever) is connected to the middle part of the second swing lever.
The swing lever 38 is intermediately supported.

One end of the second swing lever 38 is provided on the case 3
The first swing lever 37 is supported above a terminal on a side opposite to the claw portion of the first swing lever 37 so as to be swingable about a pivot shaft 38 s fixed to the first swing lever 37. A rod member 38r that extends in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the first swing lever 37 is fixed to the other end side of the second swing lever 38. Further, a stopper 44 fixed to the main body of the lock actuator 40 is disposed at an upper position between the intermediate support portion (the connection portion with the plunger 40p) of the second swing lever 38 and the fixing portion of the rod member 38r. Have been. This stopper 44
Is for restricting the swinging of the second swinging lever 38 in the counterclockwise direction beyond a certain level to maintain the second swinging lever 38 in a horizontal posture.

The lock actuator 40 is normally off (off) when the lock control device 18 does not output a detection signal.
Is in the retracted position. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the second rocking lever 38 is kept horizontal, and the rod member 38r at the end thereof is separated from the first rocking lever 37 and located above it. I have. Therefore, the first swing lever 3
7 is a weight 41 according to the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body
Rocking operation corresponding to the inclination of. That is, the lock mechanism normally performs a lock operation according to the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body.

When the lock control device 18 outputs a detection signal, the lock actuator 40 is turned on, and the plunger 40p moves forward (extends downward). Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the second swing lever 38 swings clockwise about the pivot shaft 38 s, and the rod member 38 r of the terminal swings in the first swing direction. The end of the moving lever 37 is pressed downward. As a result, the first
The swing lever 37 swings clockwise and tilts, and the claw 37a at the tip of the swing lever 37 engages with the teeth of the gear member 36 (see the solid line in FIG. 9). Thereby, the rotation of the gear member 36 (therefore, the belt winding shaft 35) in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 is prevented, and the feeding of the seat belt 2 from the retractor 30 is locked. That is, when it is detected that the child seat 10 is disposed on the passenger seat 1, the extension of the seat belt 2 from the retractor 30 is locked regardless of the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body. The locking mechanism is forcibly activated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value, the claw portion 37a
Is engaged with the tooth portion of the gear member 36 to prevent rotation of the belt winding shaft 35, and also engages with the first swing lever 37 and A second swing lever 38 for preventing the rotation of the shaft 35, and a first swing lever 37 to the second swing lever 38 by a control signal from the lock control device 18 when the child seat detecting means outputs a detection signal. And the lock actuator 40 for performing the engagement operation of the child seat 10 is provided. When the child seat 10 is disposed on the passenger seat 1, this is automatically detected and the locking operation is forcibly performed by the locking means. It can be done. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is needless to say that various improvements or design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the child seat detecting means and the lock means control device are provided, when a child seat is disposed on the seat, the child seat is automatically detected. Thus, the locking means can forcibly perform the locking operation. That is, using the existing lock mechanism provided in the seat belt device,
The child seat can be automatically and constantly restrained with respect to the seat. In this case, there is no need to perform a manual operation as in the related art, so that the convenience when using the child seat can be greatly improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, basically, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. In particular, an airbag device corresponding to the seat is provided, and when the child seat detection unit detects that the child seat is disposed on the seat, the operation of the airbag device is prohibited. Therefore, the child seat detection means can be shared with the detection means for controlling the operation of the airbag system, and the overall system configuration can be simplified.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, basically the same effects as those of the first or second aspect can be obtained. In particular, when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value, the pawl portion engages with the gear member to prevent rotation of the winding shaft member, and further includes the first operating member and the first operating member. A second actuating member for engaging the first actuating member to prevent the rotation of the winding shaft member, and a second actuating member for controlling the second actuation member according to a control signal from the lock means control device when the child seat detecting means outputs a detection signal. Is provided with an actuator that engages with the first operating member. Therefore, when a child seat is disposed on the seat, the child seat is automatically detected and forced to the locking means. The locking operation can be performed in an effective manner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat device of an automobile provided with a seat belt device according to the present embodiment and a so-called child seat provided thereon.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a system configuration of the seat belt device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory front view of the retractor of the seat belt device in a normal state.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory side view of the retractor in a normal state.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view taken along line Y5-Y5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part showing a locking operation of the retractor.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory front view of the retractor of the seat belt device in a lock operation state.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory side view of the retractor in a lock operation state.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory sectional view taken along line Y9-Y9 in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Front passenger seat 2 ... Seat belt 10 ... Child seat 15 ... Transponder 16 ... Transmission antenna 17 ... Receiving antenna 18 ... Lock control unit 21 ... Airbag device 30 ... Retractor 35 ... Belt winding shaft 36 ... Gear member 37 ... 1st Swinging lever 37a Claw part 38 Second swinging lever 38r Rod member 40 Lock actuator 41 Weight

Claims (3)

[Claims] When a child seat is disposed on a seat, a lock means is provided for locking the seat belt from being retracted from the retractor when the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body exceeds a predetermined value. A vehicle seatbelt device capable of being restrained to a seat by a seatbelt, comprising: a child seat detection unit configured to detect that a child seat is disposed on the seat; and a detection signal received from the child seat detection unit. An automobile seat belt device comprising: a lock means; and a lock means control device for performing a lock operation. 2. An airbag device corresponding to the seat is provided, and when the child seat detecting means detects that a child seat is provided on the seat, the operation of the airbag device is performed. The vehicle seatbelt device according to claim 1, wherein the seatbelt device is prohibited. 3. A retractable shaft member for rewinding the seat belt, a gear member connected to the retractable shaft member and rotatable with the shaft member, and engaged with the gear member. A possible pawl is provided, which operates according to the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle body, and when the acceleration or deceleration exceeds a predetermined value, the pawl engages with a gear member to rotate the winding shaft member. A first operating member for preventing rotation of the take-up shaft member by engaging the first operating member with the first operating member; and the child seat detecting means. And an actuator for causing the second operating member to engage with the first operating member in response to a control signal from the locking means control device when outputs a detection signal. Claim 1 or Claim 2 The seatbelt device for an automobile according to claim 1.