Adjustable Mass Force Limiter for Vehicle Safety Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing force limiting devices for motor vehicle safety belts have a fixed force limiting characteristic that cannot be varied after production, limiting their adaptability to different vehicle types and passenger needs.
Innovation Solution
A force limiting device with individual masses that can be coupled to a disk plate with external gearing, allowing the mass of the part performing the wave-like movement to be adjusted, thereby changing the force limiting characteristic without altering the basic design of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed mass system is used in the force limiting device, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the force limiting characteristic cannot be varied after production
Solution Approach 1:
The mass system is segmented into a base mass (part 3) and multiple detachable individual masses (masses 4, 4a, 4b). This segmentation allows the total mass to be varied by coupling or decoupling individual masses from the base mass, enabling different force limiting characteristics without redesigning the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static fixed mass system to a dynamic adjustable mass system. The individual masses can be coupled to or decoupled from the disk plate with external gearing (part 3) depending on the required force limiting characteristic, making the system adaptable to different vehicle types and passenger needs.
2Reliability
If the force limiting characteristic is customized for each vehicle type, then the safety performance is optimized, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mass system into standardized individual masses that can be coupled in different combinations, the device achieves customization for different vehicle types without requiring completely different designs. The base structure remains the same, only the mass configuration varies.
Solution Approach 2:
The base disk plate with external gearing (part 3) is designed as a universal component that can work with different numbers and configurations of individual masses. This universal base structure reduces manufacturing complexity while allowing the force limiting characteristic to be optimized for different safety requirements.
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
Enables the force limiting characteristic to be tailored to specific vehicle types and passengers, providing a basic level or profile that can be fine-tuned using additional masses, allowing for adaptable and customizable force limiting in safety belt systems.
Implementation Method 1
a part which performs a wave-like advancing movement in which the gearing is alternately engaged and disengaged... one or a plurality of individual masses, which are coupled or can be coupled to the part carrying out the wave-like advancing movement
Implementation Method 2
a part which performs a wave-like advancing movement in which the gearing is alternately engaged and disengaged
Data Source
AI summary
A force limiting device for a motor vehicle, which features at least two parts controlled relative to each other with a frequency-based, defined movement, wherein the parts moving relative to each other have mutually engaging gearings and the frequency-controlled movement takes place in such a way that at least one of the parts performs a wave-like advancing motion with respect to another part, in which the gearing is alternately engaged and disengaged, wherein one or a plurality of individual masses are provided, which can be coupled to or decoupled from the part performing the wave-shaped advancing movement thereby changing the force limiting characteristics of the system.