Acute-Angle Webbing Passage for Seat Belt Tongue Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in tongues for seat belts require high friction forces to lock the clamping element, which can lead to pinching in the pelvis region and excessive thorax displacement during restraint, and are not efficient in using tensile forces for clamping.
Innovation Solution
The webbing passage in the plug-in tongue extends substantially in the longitudinal direction or at an acute angle, allowing the clamping element to be displaced at an acute angle, enabling the webbing to guide the clamping element into a locking position using tensile forces, and a securing element, such as a spring or pin, ensures reliable clamping only when a defined force is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the webbing passage extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plug-in tongue, then the clamping element can be moved into the locking position, but high friction forces are required which can lead to pinching in the pelvis region and excessive thorax displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing passage is oriented at an acute angle (specifically around 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal direction of the plug-in tongue, rather than extending transversely. This angular orientation changes the dimension of force application, allowing the clamping element to be displaced more efficiently by tensile forces in the webbing, reducing the required friction forces and preventing harmful pinching and excessive displacement.
2Reliability
If the clamping element is moved by friction between the webbing and the clamping element, then the webbing can be clamped, but the movement is slow and requires high friction forces
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is pre-positioned in a home position within the deflecting portion, with the webbing already wrapped around it in a configuration that enables direct force transmission. When tensile forces act on the webbing during restraint, these forces are immediately and directly transmitted to move the clamping element along the acutely-oriented webbing passage into the locking position, eliminating the need for gradual friction-based movement and achieving quick, reliable clamping.
3Reliability
If the clamping element is displaced only when the webbing moves in the plug-in tongue, then the webbing must slip through the plug-in tongue, but this slipping is inefficient and delays clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is directly engaged by the webbing in a wrapped configuration, allowing the webbing itself to serve as the driving force for displacing the clamping element. When tensile forces act on the webbing, these forces directly move the clamping element along the acutely-oriented webbing passage into the locking position without requiring the webbing to slip through the plug-in tongue or any intermediate friction-based mechanism, achieving immediate and efficient clamping.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for quicker and more reliable locking of the seat belt with lower restraining forces, preventing pinching and excessive thorax displacement, and ensures the clamping element is moved directly by tensile forces without slipping, enhancing the overall safety and usability of the seat belt.
Implementation Method 1
both portions of the webbing are drawn in the direction of the webbing passage, causing the clamping element wrapped by the webbing to be moved by force in the direction of the webbing passage
Implementation Method 2
the webbing is clamped between the clamping element and the wall of the webbing passage
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-in tongue (10) for a seat belt includes an inserting portion (12) adapted to be inserted in a belt buckle and a deflecting portion (14) for a webbing (16). The deflecting portion (14) includes a webbing passage (20) as well as a clamping element (22) for the webbing (16). The clamping element (22) can be displaced between a home position in which the webbing (16) is freely movable and a locking position in which the clamping element (22) is displaced against a wall (30) of the webbing passage (20) such that the webbing (16) is clamped between the clamping element (22) and the wall (30) of the webbing passage (20). The webbing passage (20) extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (L) or at an acute angle with the longitudinal direction (L) of the plug-in tongue (10). The clamping element (22) is displaceable at an acute angle with the webbing passage (20) and/or with the longitudinal direction (L) of the plug-in tongue (10) from the deflecting position into the locking position.