Illuminated Seat Belt Buckle Shielding Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated seat belt buckles face issues with inefficient and non-uniform illumination due to manufacturing-related shape deviations and mechanical influences, leading to reduced light emission and increased risk of soiling or damage to the light guide.
Innovation Solution
A shielding element is arranged between the branches of the light guide to prevent stray light and protect the light guide from damage, while allowing for efficient distribution of light to two separate emission surfaces, which are designed to be flexible and adaptable to the housing shape, reducing the risk of damage and improving contrast for easier insertion slot identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a light guide is provided in the seatbelt buckle to illuminate the insertion slot, then the visibility and ease of locating the insertion slot is improved, but the light guide is exposed to risk of contamination from dirt, dust, and liquids and potential mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding element is introduced as an intermediary component between the light guide and the external environment. This shielding element protects the light guide from contamination by dirt, dust, and liquids while allowing light to pass through to illuminate the insertion slot, thus resolving the contradiction between improved visibility and protection from harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is nested within the housing structure, with the shielding element positioned between the light guide and the external environment. This nested arrangement allows the light guide to fulfill its illumination function while being protected from contamination and mechanical damage, addressing both the ease of operation and protection requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide is positioned close to the insertion slot for effective illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the light guide becomes more vulnerable to mechanical damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element serves as a mediator that allows the light guide to be positioned close to the insertion slot for effective illumination while protecting it from mechanical damage and contamination. The shielding element transmits light to maintain illumination intensity while providing physical protection to enhance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element can be designed as a thin, transparent or translucent structure that allows light to pass through effectively while providing sufficient protection. This thin film approach maintains high illumination intensity at the insertion slot while protecting the light guide from mechanical damage and environmental contamination.
3Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are loose to reduce production costs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the optical connection between the light source and light guide may be compromised, reducing light emission
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element acts as an intermediary that can compensate for manufacturing tolerances. By providing a standardized interface and protection structure, it allows for easier manufacturing while ensuring consistent optical connection and light emission intensity, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and illumination quality.
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 solution enhances light yield and contrast on the emission surfaces, making it easier to find the insertion slot, while also protecting the light guide and light source from dirt, dust, and liquid, thereby improving the overall functionality and durability of the illuminated seat belt buckle.
Implementation Method 1
a light source and at least one light guide, wherein the light guide branches out from a light entry surface into two separate branches, which are coupled to at least one light emission surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an illuminated belt buckle (1) for a safety belt device of a motor vehicle. The illuminated belt buckle (1) comprises a housing (2), a push button (3) which is movable in the housing (2), an insertion slot (4) delimited by an edge portion (21) of the housing (2) and the push button (3) for insertion of a belt tongue which can be secured in the belt buckle (1), at least one light source (10) and at least one light guide (11), the light guide (11) being coupled, starting from a light entry surface (22), to at least one light-radiating surface (12, 13). According to the invention, a shielding element (14) is arranged on the light guide (11), which shielding element shields the light guide (11) at least relative to a housing part (7, 8, 9) of the housing (2) and/or a cavity (15) in the interior of the housing (2) in which the push button (3) is arranged. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an illuminated belt buckle (1).