Illuminated Safety Belt Buckle with Dynamic Light Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt buckles are difficult to locate and operate, especially in low light conditions, due to production-related shape deviations and mechanical influences affecting the positioning of light-emitting surfaces and the movable push button.
Innovation Solution
The design features linear light-emitting surfaces that match the edge sides of the push button and extend to the ends of the insertion slot, providing clear illumination and orientation for the push button and insertion slot, allowing for easier location and operation without recognizing the push button itself, with two symmetrical light-emitting surfaces framing the push button for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-conducting material is fixedly disposed in the push button, then the push button can be illuminated, but production-related shape deviations and mechanical influences cause the light entry surface to be misaligned with the external light source, resulting in incomplete or weak illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The push button is designed to be movable relative to the housing, allowing it to automatically adjust its position to maintain proper alignment between the light entry surface and the external light source. This dynamic adjustment compensates for manufacturing deviations and mechanical influences, ensuring consistent illumination without requiring high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The push button performs dual functions: it serves as both the release mechanism and its own positioning element for the light guide. By making the push button movable, it self-adjusts to maintain the light entry surface alignment with the light source, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms or high-precision manufacturing.
2Reliability
If the insertion slot is made relatively narrow for secure locking, then the locking mechanism functions properly, but the occupant has difficulty locating the insertion slot and push button, especially in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The push button and light entry surface are illuminated by a light guide, creating a visible luminous indication that draws the occupant's attention to the correct location. This optical enhancement makes the narrow insertion slot and push button easily locatable in low light conditions without compromising the secure locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the external light source and the push button/light entry surface. It transfers and directs light to illuminate the operational area, making the narrow components visible and easy to locate without changing their physical dimensions or locking function.
3Illumination intensity
If the light-emitting surfaces are dimensioned to fill the free surfaces at the corners of the housing, then the greatest possible luminosity is achieved, but the positioning becomes more sensitive to manufacturing deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The movable push button design allows the light entry surface to dynamically adjust its position to maintain optimal alignment with the light source, compensating for manufacturing deviations. This enables the light-emitting surfaces to be dimensioned for maximum luminosity without being overly sensitive to positioning errors.
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 solution simplifies the process of locating and operating the push button and insertion slot, enabling users to fasten and unfasten the seat belt more easily, even in the dark, by providing a clear visual cue for the position of the push button and insertion slot, reducing the need for precise recognition of the push button.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (3) coupled to predetermined light-emitting surfaces (13, 14) of the buckle (1) via a light-conducting material (5, 8, 9)
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated belt buckle for a seat belt device of a motor vehicle including a housing (1), a push button (2) displaceable in the housing (1), an insertion slot (12) delimited by an edge section (23) of the housing (1) and the push button (2) for insertion of a belt tongue that can be locked in the belt buckle, and at least one light-emitting surface (13,14). The light-emitting surface (13,14) having a linear contour, the shape of which matches the shaping of a laterally positioned edge side (24) of the push button (2) when viewed toward the insertion slot (12).