Buckle Illuminator Assembly Orthogonal Light Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a space-efficient and energy-efficient illuminator assembly for safety belt buckles in vehicles that effectively addresses packaging, energy management, and optical quality challenges.
Innovation Solution
The assembly includes a base mountable within the buckle housing, a light source with a lens having a light-transmissive input and output surface, and a waveguide to direct light rays orthogonally, using polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate for the lens and incorporating a side-emitting LED, with opaque coatings on exterior surfaces except the input and output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional incandescent lamps are used for interior lighting, then general area illumination is achieved, but thermal management becomes complicated and space for lamp/socket/lensing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-generating function from the heat-generating incandescent lamp and replaces it with LED technology, separating the illumination function from thermal management requirements. The LED module is integrated directly into the buckle assembly, eliminating the need for separate lamp sockets and complex thermal management systems while maintaining illumination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminator assembly is nested within the buckle housing, with the LED module integrated into the existing buckle structure. The light guide is embedded within the buckle components, allowing the illumination system to occupy minimal space within the confined buckle assembly while providing effective lighting.
2Ease of operation
If distributed light systems with fiber optics are used, then light delivery to desired locations is achieved, but packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light delivery function from complex fiber optic distributed systems and implements it through a simplified integrated LED module with built-in light guiding structures. The light guide is formed as a single integrated component rather than requiring separate fiber optic elements, significantly reducing packaging space while maintaining light delivery capability to the buckle opening.
3Illumination intensity
If light intensity is increased for visibility, then illumination effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the high efficiency characteristics of LED technology, which provides high luminous efficacy (light output per unit of electrical power) compared to traditional incandescent sources. The side-emitting LED configuration optimizes light extraction and distribution, achieving effective illumination of the buckle opening with minimal energy consumption.
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 configuration provides a compact, energy-efficient, and high-quality light pattern proximate the buckle opening slot, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality while meeting regulatory brightness requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide intermediate the input surface and the output surface and configured to guide or direct light rays to the output surface in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the light rays projected by the light source
Implementation Method 2
a lens having a light-transmissive input surface aligned to receive light rays emitted by the light source, a light-transmissive output surface configured to be placed proximate the opening slot
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminator assembly for use in a conventional safety seat belt buckle is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the illuminator assembly comprises a base including a substrate mountable internally of the buckle housing. A light source is mounted on the substrate. The light source has a light emitting surface for emitting incoherent, visible optical radiation or light rays when the light source is energized. A lens has a light-transmissive input surface aligned to receive light rays emitted from the light emitting surface of the light source. A light-transmissive output surface is configured to be placed proximate an opening slot in the buckle housing. A waveguide is intermediate the input surface and the output surface. The waveguide may be configured to guide or direct light rays to the output surface in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the light rays emitted by the light source.