Belt Fitting Projecting Portion for Contact Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal belt fittings for vehicle seatbelts have a reduced surface area contact due to thinner plate thickness, leading to potential damage and reduced contact area with the belt.
Innovation Solution
A belt fitting with a projecting portion around the insertion hole, manufactured using press processing and heat-treated carbon steel, increases the surface area of the outer peripheral face even with reduced plate thickness, and curves convexly to minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the plate thickness dimension of the base plate is reduced, then the weight of the belt fitting is reduced, but the contact surface area of the belt with the outer peripheral face is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional surface contact problem to a three-dimensional solution by adding a projecting portion that extends radially outward from the base plate. This projecting portion creates an additional contact surface area that compensates for the reduced plate thickness, effectively solving the contradiction between weight reduction and contact area maintenance through dimensional extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting portion is strategically positioned at the outer peripheral face of the insertion hole where belt contact occurs. This local addition of material precisely where needed increases the contact surface area without requiring a uniform increase in plate thickness throughout the entire base plate, thus achieving weight reduction while maintaining local contact area.
2Weight of moving object
If the plate thickness dimension of the base plate is reduced, then the weight of the belt fitting is reduced, but the strength of the main body member is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the structure into the third dimension with the projecting portion, the invention compensates for the reduced plate thickness. The projecting portion acts as a structural reinforcement that distributes and redirects forces, maintaining the overall strength of the belt fitting even though the base plate thickness is reduced for weight savings.
3Weight of moving object
If the plate thickness dimension of the base plate is reduced, then the weight of the belt fitting is reduced, but the surface area of the outer peripheral face is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting portion extends radially outward from the base plate, creating additional surface area on its outer peripheral face. This dimensional extension directly addresses the surface area reduction caused by thinner plate thickness, providing sufficient contact area for belt interaction while maintaining the weight benefits of the reduced thickness design.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting portion is specifically located at the outer peripheral face where belt contact is required. This localized structural feature concentrates the surface area enhancement precisely where it is needed for belt interaction, rather than uniformly increasing the overall size of the belt fitting.
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 increased surface area and strength of the belt fitting reduce wear and snapping risks while allowing for thinner designs, enhancing the belt's contact area and overall performance during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
heat treating the carbon steel. The main body member, the insertion hole, and the projecting portion can thereby be easily formed by press processing to form the main body member, the insertion hole, and the projecting portion prior to heat treating the carbon steel. By then heat treating the carbon steel, the strength of the main body member and the projecting portion can be effectively increased.
Data Source
AI summary
In an anchor (10), an insertion hole (42) is formed piercing through an anchor main body (36), and a belt is inserted through the insertion hole (42). A projection (44) is formed at the anchor main body (36) around the entire periphery of the insertion hole (42), and the projection (44) configures an outer peripheral face of the insertion hole (42). The projection (44) projects out toward the radial direction outer side of the insertion hole (42). The surface area of a portion configured by the projection (44) at the outer peripheral face of the insertion hole (42) can accordingly be increased, and the contact surface area of the belt with the outer peripheral face of the insertion hole (42) can be increased, even when the plate thickness dimension of the anchor main body (36) is reduced. This thereby enables the plate thickness dimension of the anchor main body (36) to be reduced.