Vehicle Belt Fitting Non-Linear Clamping Contour
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seat belt fittings in vehicles experience webbing tearing during crashes due to excessive load caused by linear, uniform clamping force distribution across the transverse direction of the belt webbing.
Innovation Solution
The belt fitting incorporates a clamping element with a non-linear and uneven clamping force distribution across the width of the webbing, with reduced clamping force at the outer edges and a cambered or bulged clamping contour that relieves stress, allowing the clamping element to pivot and engage with the webbing only in the middle, distributing forces more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a linear, uniform clamping force distribution is applied across the webbing width, then the clamping element can effectively block the lap belt section during crashes, but the webbing fabric is subjected to excessively high load which causes webbing tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element applies different clamping forces at different locations across the webbing width. The center region experiences higher clamping force to ensure effective blocking, while the edge regions experience reduced clamping force to prevent webbing tearing. This non-uniform, location-dependent clamping force distribution resolves the contradiction between blocking effectiveness and webbing strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clamping element is designed with a straight clamping web, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the clamping force is distributed uniformly which leads to webbing overload at the edges
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping web is designed with a curved or cambered contour instead of a straight line. This curvature causes the clamping force to be distributed non-uniformly across the webbing width, with lower forces at the edges and higher forces toward the center. The curved geometry achieves improved webbing load distribution while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.
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 design reduces the risk of webbing tearing by distributing forces non-linearly across the belt, specifically reducing stress at the outer edges and maintaining safety by effectively blocking the lap belt section during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping element can be pivoted about an axis of rotation between the release position and the clamping position
Implementation Method 2
The clamping element is elastically pretensioned in the direction of the release position
Implementation Method 3
the belt webbing is placed between the clamping element and an abutment acting clamp stop is clamped with a clamping force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A belt fitting for a safety belt device in a motor vehicle, the fitting having a base portion and an adjoining insertion tongue, in which base portion a belt eye is provided, through which a belt strap is guided and which subdivides the belt strap into a shoulder belt portion and a lap belt portion when the belt is fastened, and additionally having a clamping element that is freely movable between a release position, in which the belt strap is run freely movably through the belt eye, and a clamping position in which the belt strap is clamped tightly with a clamping force between the clamping element and a clamping stop. According to the invention, the clamping element and/or the clamping stop has a clamping contour, with which the belt strap can be clamped tightly in the clamping position over a belt strap width in a non-linear and/or uneven clamping force distribution.