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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy, the
displacement permission space being in the range of 10 to 30 mm; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space.
2. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein said
displacement permission space includes at least one of a space between at
least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and a space
between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and said center pillar.
3. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein a
plurality of displacement permission spaces and a plurality of absorbing
means are respectively provided.
4. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein said
absorbing means has rigidity against a load inward of a compartment and
rigidity against a load outward of the compartment, the latter being lower
than the former.
5. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the
plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor plate for
supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate and having
a short head, and a cap mounted on said anchor plate, and
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between the head of
said bolt and said cap.
6. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the
plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor plate for
supporting said seat belt, and a bolt having a spacing portion and for
mounting said anchor plate on said spacing portion displaceably outward of
the compartment,
wherein said displacement permission space includes one of a space between
said anchor plate and said center pillar and a space between said anchor
plate and a slider provided as one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and mounted movably on said center pillar, and
wherein said absorbing means comprises a deformable spacer disposed in said
displacement permission space.
7. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the
plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include a ring allowing for
the piercing of said seat belt, and an anchor plate for supporting said
ring such that said ring is capable of swinging outward of the
compartment,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined on the outside of
said ring, and
wherein said absorbing means is constituted by utilizing the friction
between said ring and said anchor plate.
8. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein said
displacement permission space is defined so as to permit at least one of
said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting means to
displace outward of the compartment, and
wherein said one of said part and said mounting means is deformed in said
displacement permission space to absorb energy.
9. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 8, wherein one
of said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting means has
rigidity against a load inward of the compartment and rigidity against a
load outward of the compartment, the latter being lower than the former.
10. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 8, wherein a
plurality of displacement permission spaces are provided to absorb energy
at a plurality of portions.
11. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate
and having a step portion pressed against said anchor plate and a spacing
portion extending from the step portion, and a cap mounted on the spacing
portion of said bolt,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said cap and
the step portion of said bolt, and
wherein said absorbing means comprises a plurality of projections provided
on said bolt, and a claw provided on said cap and capable of getting over
said projections.
12. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate having a hole allowing for the piercing of said seat belt and a
support portion for supporting said seat belt, a cushion for covering a
portion of said support portion located at least below said hole, and a
cover having a low frictional coefficient and covering at least a portion
of the cushion contacting with the seat belt,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined as a compressible
range of said cushion, and
wherein said absorbing means is constituted by said cushion.
13. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, and a bolt having a spacing portion
and for mounting said anchor plate on said spacing portion,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said anchor
plate and said center pillar, and
wherein said absorbing means comprises a plurality of projections provided
on the spacing portion of said bolt and a claw provided on said anchor
plate and capable of getting over said projections.
14. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate,
a rail fixed to said center pillar, a slider movable along said rail, and
a nut for screwing said bolt and fixed to said slider,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and
said slider, and
wherein said absorbing means comprises a means for fixing said nut to said
slider.
15. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 14, wherein
said fixing means comprises a claw provided on said slider.
16. A seat belt deice for an automobile according to claim 14, wherein said
fixing means comprises a caulking portion of said nut to said slider.
17. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 14, wherein
said fixing means comprises a C-ring.
18. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate,
a rail embedded in said center pillar, a slider disposed in said center
pillar movably along said rail, a nut for screwing said bolt and fixed to
said slider, and a plate disposed on the inside of the compartment apart
from said center pillar and connected to said slider at one end,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and
said slider, and
said absorbing means is constituted by the other end of said plate hooked
by the hole of said slider.
19. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate,
a rail fixed to said center pillar, a slider movable along said rail, and
a nut for screwing said bolt and mounted on said slider immovably inward
of the compartment and movably outward of the compartment,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and
said nut, and
wherein said absorbing means is constituted by a deformable part disposed
in said displacement permission space.
20. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate,
a rail embedded in said center pillar and having a pair of outwardly
tapered constraint portions provided on the outside of the compartment, a
slider movable along said rail and capable of being deformed by the
constraint portions of said rail, and a nut for screwing said bolt and
fixed to said slider,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and
said slider, and
said absorbing means is constituted by the constraint portions of said rail
and said slider.
21. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 20, wherein the
plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor further include a plate
disposed between said center pillar and said anchor plate,
wherein another displacement permission space is defined between said plate
and said center pillar, and
wherein another absorbing means is constituted by said plate.
22. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a bolt for fixing said anchor plate,
a rail having a plurality of positioning holes at intervals in the
vertical direction and embedded in said center pillar, a slider movable
along said rail and having a lock plate capable of being inserted into and
drawn out of each positioning hole of said rail, and a nut for fixing said
bolt to said slider,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and
said lock plate, and
wherein said absorbing means is constituted by said lock plate.
23. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate having a support portion for supporting said seat belt, a fixed
portion and a connection portion extending in an approximately U-like
shape from the support portion to the fixed portion, and a bolt having a
spacing portion and for mounting the fixed portion of said anchor plate on
said spacing portion,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between the fixed
portion of said anchor plate and said center pillar, and
wherein said absorbing means is constituted by the connection portion of
said anchor plate disposed in said displacement permission space so as to
be capable of extending by a load outward of the compartment.
24. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space includes at least one of a space
between at least two of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
and a space between at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and said center pillar,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, and a bolt having a spacing portion
and for mounting said anchor plate on said spacing portion displaceably
outward of the compartment,
wherein said displacement permission space includes one of a space between
said anchor plate and said center pillar and a space between said anchor
plate and a slider provided as one of the plurality of parts of said seat
belt anchor and mounted movably on said center pillar, and
wherein said absorbing means comprises a deformable spacer disposed in said
displacement permission space,
wherein said spacer comprises a first spacer piece having a concave portion
at a portion facing to said center pillar or said slider, and a second
spacer piece having a convex portion at a portion facing to said first
spacer piece and disposed between said anchor plate and said first spacer
piece.
25. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 24, wherein the
plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor further include a rail for
movably supporting said slider, and a nut disposed between said rail and
said slider for fixing said bolt to said slider,
wherein another displacement permission space is defined between said rail
and said slider, and
wherein another energy absorbing means comprises a claw for fixing said nut
to said slider.
26. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined so as to permit at
least one of said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting
means to displace outward of the compartment,
wherein said one of said part and said mounting means is deformed in said
displacement permission space to absorb energy,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting said seat belt, a slider for mounting said anchor
plate, and a rail for supporting said slider so as to be capable of
adjusting the height of said slider, and mounted on said center pillar,
and
wherein the height of said seat belt anchor is made adjustable.
27. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 26, wherein
said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and said
center pillar, and
wherein said mounting means includes an energy absorbing part disposed in
said displacement permission space.
28. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 27, wherein
said energy absorbing part is formed cylindrically and has zigzag-shaped
notches on both axial ends.
29. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 26, wherein
said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and said
center pillar,
wherein said mounting means comprises at least one hole provided in said
center pillar, and one end of said rail inserted into said hole
inseparably by the load inward of the compartment and separably by the
load outward of the compartment, and
wherein the energy is absorbed by the separation of one end of said rail
and the deformation of said rail.
30. A seat belt deice for an automobile according to claim 26, wherein said
displacement permission space is defined between said rail and said center
pillar,
wherein said mounting means comprises a slot provided at least in one end
of said rail such that the longer axis of the slot extends in the vertical
direction, and a bolt inserted through said slot and screwed into said
center pillar such that said one end of said rail is made slidable by the
load outward of the compartment, and
wherein the energy is absorbed by the sliding of said one end of said rail
and the deformation of said rail.
31. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 26, wherein
said displacement permission space is defined between said rail and said
center pillar,
wherein said rail is embedded in said center pillar and mounted on said
center pillar at two portions on the upper and lower ends,
wherein said slider is movably mounted on said center pillar inseparably by
the load inward of the compartment and separably by the load outward of
the compartment, and
wherein the energy is absorbed by the separation of said slider and by the
deformation of said rail caused by the contact of the slider with said
rail.
32. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 26, further
comprising:
a garnish disposed on the inside of said center pillar of said automobile
and capable of absorbing energy,
wherein said garnish is deformed by said anchor plate to absorb the energy.
33. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 26, further
comprising:
a garnish disposed on the inside of said center pillar of said automobile
.and capable of absorbing energy while being deformed by said anchor
plate,
wherein said rail is embedded in said center pillar and has a pair of
outwardly tapered constraint portions provided on the outside of the
compartment, and
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said slider
and said constraint portions of said rail, and
wherein said slider is made deformable by the constraint portions of said
rail.
34. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 33, wherein the
plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor further include a bolt for
mounting said anchor plate on said slider, and a plate disposed between
said center pillar and said anchor plate so as to surround said bolt, and
capable of being deformed by said center pillar, and
wherein another displacement permission space is defined between said plate
and said center pillar.
35. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claims 27, 28 or 30,
wherein said center pillar includes a pillar inner panel defining said
displacement permission space between said pillar inner panel and said
rail, said pillar inner panel having another energy absorbing means
capable of deforming by the contact with one of said rail and said slider
before one of said rail and said slider comes to the bottom of the pillar
inner panel and is prevented from deforming further when the seat belt
anchor is displaced outward of the compartment.
36. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 35, wherein
said pillar inner panel has a pair of outwardly tapered surfaces in plane
and the bottom disposed at the outward ends of the pair of surfaces, and
wherein said energy absorbing means is constituted by said pair of
surfaces.
37. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 35, wherein
said energy absorbing means is constituted by cut and risen portions
provided in said bottom.
38. A seat belt device for an automobile according to claim 35, wherein
said energy absorbing means is constituted by protrusions extending inward
from said bottom.
39. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined so as to permit at
least one of said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting
means to displace outward of the compartment,
wherein said one of said part and said mounting means is deformed in said
displacement permission space to absorb energy,
wherein said center pillar comprises a pillar inner panel, a pillar outer
panel disposed on the outside of said pillar inner panel,
wherein said mounting means has a deformable plate fixed at a peripheral
edge portion to the outside surface of said pillar inner panel and fixed
at a center portion to a bolt provided as one of the plurality of parts of
said seat belt anchor, and
said displacement permission space is defined between said plate and said
pillar outer panel.
40. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined so as to permit at
least one of said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting
means to displace outward of the compartment,
wherein said one of said part and said mounting means is deformed in said
displacement permission space to absorb energy,
wherein said center pillar comprises a pillar inner panel having a hole and
a pillar outer panel disposed on the outside of said pillar inner panel,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include a bolt
having a plurality of projections on the outer peripheral surface at
intervals in the axial direction, and a nut aligned with the hole for
screwing said bolt and fixed to said pillar inner panel,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said nut and
said pillar outer panel, and
wherein the energy is absorbed by expanding and deforming the hole of said
pillar inner panel by the projections of said bolt.
41. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined so as to permit at
least one of said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting
means to displace outward of the compartment,
wherein said one of said part and said mounting means is deformed in said
displacement permission space to absorb energy,
wherein said center pillar is composed of a pillar inner panel, and a
pillar outer panel disposed on the outside of said pillar inner panel,
wherein said mounting means comprises a support portion provided on said
pillar inner panel, a pin for mounting the anchor plate provided as one of
the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor, said pin being supported
by said support portion and having a taper surface at a portion facing to
said pillar inner panel, and a hole provided in said pillar inner panel so
as allow for the advance of the taper surface of said pin,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined between said pillar
inner panel and said pillar outer panel, and
wherein the energy is absorbed by deforming the peripheral edge portion of
the hole by advancing the taper surface of said pin into said hole.
42. A seat belt device for an automobile including a seat belt anchor
mounted on a center pillar for the automobile and composed of a plurality
of parts, and a seat belt slidably supported by the seat belt anchor,
comprising:
a means for mounting one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor
on said center pillar;
a displacement permission space for permitting at least one selected from
at least one of the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor and said
mounting means to displace outward of a compartment to absorb energy; and
an energy absorbing means disposed in said displacement permission space,
wherein said displacement permission space is defined so as to permit at
least one of said part mounted by said mounting means and said mounting
means to displace outward of the compartment,
wherein said one of said part and said mounting means is deformed in said
displacement permission space to absorb energy,
wherein the plurality of parts of said seat belt anchor include an anchor
plate for supporting the seat belt, a bolt for mounting said anchor plate,
and a nut fixed to said bolt with screwing, and
wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of wires stretched across
said nut and fixed to said center pillar. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a seat belt device for an automobile, and more
particularly, to a seat belt device including a seat belt anchor mounted
on a center pillar and composed of a plurality of parts, and a seat belt
slidably supported by the seat belt anchor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A pillar structure for a vehicle body proposed in Japanese Patent Public
Disclosure (KOKAI) No. 2-237873 has a seat belt anchor portion comprising
a seat belt reinforcing panel disposed on the inside of a center pillar
composed of an outer panel and an inner panel, an outer panel reinforcing
panel connected to the inside of the outer panel, a contact surface formed
by a part of the outer panel reinforcing panel so as to be spaced from the
outer panel, and a seat belt support member mounted on a connection
portion between the contact surface and the seat belt reinforcing panel.
According to the pillar structure described above, the amount of
projection of the seat belt anchor portion into a compartment can be
reduced.
The center pillar is formed to have high rigidity in order to ensure
sufficient strength to withstand a load applied to a vehicle body. The
seat belt anchor portion provided on the center pillar also has high
rigidity. Therefore, in case that a load larger than the load applied at
the time of normal traveling, i.e., an impact load in case of a collision
is applied to the vehicle body, when the head of an occupant is struck
against the anchor portion, there is a possibility of applying a large
amount of impact energy to the head of the occupant. However, it is
difficult to relieve the impact load only by reducing the amount of
projection of the anchor portion into the compartment like the pillar
structure described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat belt device for
an automobile, which can ensure the safety of an occupant when a large
load such as an impact load is applied.
According to the present invention, there is provided a seat belt device
for an automobile including a seat belt anchor mounted on a center pillar
of the automobile and composed of a plurality of parts, and a seat belt
slidably supported by the seat belt anchor. The seat belt device according
to the present invention comprises means for mounting one of the plurality
of parts of the seat belt anchor on the center pillar, a displacement
permission space for permitting at least one selected from at least one of
the plurality of parts of the seat belt anchor and the mounting means to
displace outward of a compartment in order to absorb energy, and energy
absorbing means disposed in the displacement permission space.
In one aspect of the present invention, the displacement permission space
includes at least one of a space between at least two of the plurality of
parts of the seat belt anchor and a space between at least one of the
plurality of parts of the seat belt anchor and the center pillar.
In another aspect of the present invention, the displacement permission
space is defined so as to permit at least one selected from the part
mounted by the mounting means and the mounting means to displace outward
of the compartment, and one of the part and the mounting means is deformed
within the displacement permission space to absorb energy.
The displacement permission space can be determined in the range of 10 to
30 mm. Preferably, a plurality of displacement permission spaces and a
plurality of energy absorbing means are respectively provided.
The plurality of parts of the seat belt anchor may include an anchor plate
for supporting a seat belt, a bolt for fixing the anchor plate, a nut for
screwing the bolt, a cap mounted on the anchor plate, a rail fixed to a
center pillar, a slider movable along the rail, and other parts according
to a mode of energy absorption.
The seat belt anchor can be constituted to be of a height adjustable type,
in addition to a height fixed type. In the seat belt anchor of the height
adjustable type, the anchor plate is mounted on the slider, and the slider
is moved along the rail. The present invention provides various modes of
enabling the absorption of energy in any case of the seat belt anchor of
the fixed type and that of the adjustable type.
In case that a load larger than the load applied at the time of normal
traveling is applied to an automobile, when the head and other parts of an
occupant are struck against the seat belt device, the energy absorbing
means is displaced or deformed within the displacement permission space to
absorb the energy. Accordingly, the impact to the occupant can be
relieved.
In case that the plurality of displacement permission spaces and the
plurality of energy absorbing means are respectively provided, the impact
energy can be effectively absorbed in a small space.
In case that the height of the seat belt anchor can be adjusted, since the
seat belt anchor of this type is provided with the rail and the slider as
a peculiar structure, the displacement permission space can be provided in
relation to the rail or the slider in such a state that the length of
projection of the seat belt device into the compartment is held as small
as possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of
the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as an embodiment according to the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as another embodiment according to the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the operation of the seat belt device
for the automobile shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a further embodiment according to
the present invention, and showing the state of the seat belt device prior
to mounting;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a still further embodiment according
to the present invention, and showing the state of the seat belt device
prior to mounting;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention, and showing the state of the seat belt device
prior to mounting;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention, and showing the state of the seat belt device
prior to mounting;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention, and showing the state of the seat belt device
prior to mounting;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the operation of the seat belt device
for the automobile shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the operation of the seat belt device
for the automobile shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the operation of the seat belt device
for the automobile shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the operation of the seat belt device
for the automobile shown in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane of a
seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention, and showing the state of the seat belt device
prior to mounting;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along a substantially horizontal plane of
a seat belt device for an automobile as a yet further embodiment according
to the present invention, and showing an anchor plate in a turned state
for the convenience of explanation;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the | | |
