Adjustable Seat Belt Webbing Guide for Neck Contact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seatbelt webbing positioning systems fail to adjust for varying occupant sizes and body types, often causing uncomfortable contact with the neck or other undesirable positions due to lack of lateral and vertical adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A webbing guide system with a base and guide body that includes multiple pairs of spaced-apart post holes and a guide channel, allowing for adjustable positioning of the seatbelt webbing relative to the vehicle seat and headrest, enabling comfortable placement away from the neck and onto the torso.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed guides or pass-throughs are used on the vehicle seat, then the webbing positioning is simplified, but the ability to adjust for varying occupant sizes and body types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a moveable guide body that can be repositioned along the seat belt webbing, allowing dynamic adjustment of the webbing's lateral position. This dynamic element enables the system to adapt to different occupant sizes and body types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vertically moveable D-ring assemblies are used to move the upper anchoring point, then vertical adjustment is achieved, but lateral positioning of the webbing on the user is not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adjustment function into two independent components: a vertically moveable D-ring assembly for vertical adjustment and a laterally adjustable guide body for lateral positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, providing both vertical and lateral adjustment capabilities without complicating the overall system operation.
3Device complexity
If the webbing positioning is fixed, then the device structure is simplified, but uncomfortable contact with the occupant's neck occurs for shorter occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The guide body acts as an intermediary element between the fixed anchoring point and the webbing. By positioning and adjusting the guide body at different locations along the webbing path, the system can redirect the webbing to avoid uncomfortable contact with the occupant's neck while maintaining a simple fixed anchoring structure, thus reducing harmful effects without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A webbing guide for a vehicle seat includes a base defining a length between a first end and a second end and defining a plurality of pairs of corresponding spaced-apart post holes extending through the base between top and bottom surfaces thereof. The webbing guide further includes a guide body coupled with the base and defining a guide channel extending through the guide body in a direction generally normal to the length of the base and normal to the post holes.