Seatbelt tongue
A seatbelt tongue includes a webbing-receiving portion, a tongue portion, and a connecting portion connecting the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion. The connecting portion includes a lattice structure plastically deformable relative to the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion.
1. A seatbelt tongue comprising:
a webbing-receiving portion;
a tongue portion; and
a connecting portion connecting the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion, wherein the connecting portion includes a lattice structure plastically deformable relative to the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion, and wherein the lattice structure includes a repeating pattern of cells connected to each other.
2. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the tongue portion is formed of metal.
3. The seatbelt tongue of claim 2 , wherein the connecting portion is formed of metal.
4. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure is 3D printed.
5. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the seatbelt tongue is 3D printed.
6. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein each cell includes a plurality of strips and a void between the strips.
7. The seatbelt tongue of claim 6 , wherein each strip of each cell is connected to another one of the strips of the cell and/or to one of the strips of an adjacent one of the cells.
8. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure includes a first lattice structure with a first strength and a second lattice structure with a second strength greater than the first strength.
9. The seatbelt tongue of claim 8 , wherein the second lattice structure is between the first lattice structure and one of the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion.
10. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is covered with a second material, and the second material includes an outer surface flush with the tongue portion and the webbing-receiving portion.
11. The seatbelt tongue of claim 10 , wherein the second material is a polymer.
12. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion extends along a length from the webbing-receiving portion to the tongue portion, and the length of the connecting portion elongates as the lattice structure plastically deforms relative to the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion.
13. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the connecting portion tapers from the webbing-receiving portion to the tongue portion.
14. The seatbelt tongue of claim 1 , wherein the lattice structure has a negative Poisson's ratio.
15. A seatbelt assembly comprising:
a seatbelt retractor;
a seatbelt having a webbing payable from the seatbelt retractor; and
a seatbelt tongue slideably receiving the webbing and releaseably mountable to a buckle;
the seatbelt tongue including a webbing-receiving portion, a tongue portion, and a connecting portion connecting the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion, wherein the connecting portion includes a lattice structure plastically deformable relative to the webbing-receiving portion and the tongue portion, and wherein the lattice structure includes a repeating pattern of cells connected to each other.
16. The seatbelt assembly of claim 15 , wherein the tongue portion is formed of metal.
17. The seatbelt assembly of claim 15 , wherein the connecting portion is formed of metal.
18. The seatbelt assembly of claim 15 , wherein the lattice structure is 3D printed.