Magnet-inclusive component suitable for use in occupant-protecting means for motor vehicle and fabrication process thereof

• US 5,060,977 A
• Filed: 03/01/1990
• Issued: 10/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Saito, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/486,863
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 280/802, 280/803, 280/804, 280/801
• US Class Current: 280/802
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/021 Means for holding the tongue or buckle in a non-use position, e.g. for easy access by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/023 Three-point seat belt systems comprising two side lower and one side upper anchoring devices B60R22/022, B60R22/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0033 Mountings; Housings; Connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

A magnet-inclusive component is furnished for use in an occupant protecting system, such as a seat belt system, for a motor vehicle. The component includes a magnet and at least one member located adjacent the magnet. The magnet is molded or cast in situ in the adjcent member, preferably by integrally incorporating a magnetizable member in the adjacent member upon formation of the latter by molding or casting and then subjecting the magnetizable member to magnetization.

Claims

1. In a magnet-inclusive component suitable for use in an occupant protecting means for a motor vehicle, said component having a magnet and at least one member located adjacent the magnet, the improvement wherein the adjacent member has a melting point lower than the magnet and the magnet is molded or cast in situ in the adjacent member.

2. The component of claim 1, further comprising an anti-separation means for the magnet, said anti-separation means being provided between the magnet and the adjacent member.

3. The component of claim 2, wherein the anti-separation means comprises at least one bore formed in the magnet and a matching projection formed of the same material as the adjacent member and extending as an integral part from the adjacent member.

4. The component of claim 2, wherein the anti-separation means comprises at least one groove formed in the magnet and a matching ridge formed of the same material as the adjacent member and extending as an integral part from the adjacent member.

5. The component of claim 2, wherein the anti-separation means comprises at least one projection formed on the magnet and a matching recess formed in the adjacent member.

6. The component of claim 1, wherein a surface of the magnet is exposed to the outside, flush relative to a surrounding surface of the adjacent member.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein a surface of the magnet is exposed to the outside and is raised from a surrounding surface of the adjacent member.

8. In a magnet-inclusive component suitable for use in a passive seat belt assembly, said assembly having a guide rail, a slider operatively movable along the guide rail, an emergency release buckle secured on the slider, a tongue releasably latched in the buckle, a magnet holder movably provided in the buckle, a magnet provided integrally with the magnet holder and movable between a first position which the magnet assumes while the tongue is not inserted in the buckle and a second position which the magnet takes while the tongue is inserted in the buckle, and a magnetic sensor for generating a different output signal depending whether the magnet is at the first position or the second position, the improvement wherein the holder has a melting point lower than the magnet and the magnet is molded or cast in situ in the holder.