Adjustable Buckle Assembly with Ramp-Actuated Locking Cam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat belt buckle assemblies in vehicles have limited adjustability, which can compromise passenger comfort and safety, as they often rely on fixed attachments that allow only angular rotation or linear translation, failing to accommodate varying passenger sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable buckle assembly featuring a buckle base bracket with ramp stops and reset ramps, coupled with a buckle adjustment assembly that includes a buckle strap and a position locking unit with a locking cam, allowing linear movement between extended, intermediate, and reset positions, enabling precise adjustment and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed attachment is used for the buckle assembly, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the adjustability is limited and passenger comfort is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to move linearly along the buckle base bracket between extended, intermediate, and reset positions. The position locking unit with locking cam engages with ramp stops to provide stable positioning at different adjustment levels, transforming a static fixed attachment into a dynamically adjustable system that maintains stability at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The buckle assembly is divided into distinct functional components: the buckle adjustment assembly, the position locking unit, the locking cam, and the ramp stops. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve overall adjustability, resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable mechanism is added to the buckle assembly, then passenger comfort and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position locking unit is designed to automatically lock the buckle adjustment assembly at selected positions without requiring additional user actions. The locking cam automatically engages with the ramp stops when the buckle assembly reaches intermediate or extended positions, providing self-servicing functionality that reduces operational complexity despite the added adjustability features.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking cam utilizes a curved ramp surface that interacts with the ramp stops to provide smooth transitions between positions and automatic locking. The curved geometry of the cam and ramp surfaces enables the adjustment mechanism to achieve customizable fitment while maintaining mechanical simplicity through geometric design rather than complex control systems.
3Reliability
If the locking cam engages with the ramp stop to prevent movement, then security is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to required compressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that the locking cam is pre-positioned to engage with the ramp stops at specific intervals along the buckle base bracket. This preliminary positioning ensures that as the user moves the buckle assembly, it automatically locks at predetermined positions without requiring the user to manually engage locking mechanisms, improving ease of operation while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism utilizes dynamic engagement where the locking cam rides along the ramp surfaces and automatically locks when the buckle assembly reaches extended or intermediate positions. This dynamic design allows the locking action to occur naturally during the adjustment movement itself, reducing the additional force required compared to static locking mechanisms that would need separate engagement actions.
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
The adjustable buckle assembly enhances passenger comfort and safety by allowing customizable fitment, improving adjustability and security through linear movement and locking mechanisms, thereby addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
engage with a ramp surface of the buckle base bracket ramp stop to rotate the locking cam such that the buckle adjustment assembly is movable in a second linear direction toward the distal end of the buckle base bracket
Implementation Method 2
a compression spring, wherein the compression spring engages with the buckle base bracket rivet and the buckle strap rivet to bias the buckle adjustment assembly toward the first end of the buckle base bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly comprises a buckle base bracket including at least one buckle base bracket ramp stop and at least one buckle base bracket reset ramp, and a buckle adjustment assembly. The buckle adjustment assembly includes a buckle strap coupled to the buckle base bracket such that the buckle adjustment assembly is capable of moving linearly along the buckle base bracket, a buckle head attached to the buckle strap, and a position locking unit coupled to the buckle strap, the position locking unit including a locking cam configured to prevent the buckle adjustment assembly from moving toward the proximal end of the buckle base bracket, and engage with a ramp surface of the buckle base bracket reset ramp to over-rotate the locking cam into a disengaged position such that the buckle adjustment assembly is movable in the first linear direction.