Vehicle Buckle Device Inertia Member Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckle devices fail to reliably prevent the release of a tongue plate from an inertial force, as the direction of the inertial force can cause unintended operation of the release mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A buckle device design featuring a hollow buckle body with a rotatable inertia member, including first and second levers that apply different pressing forces based on the direction of the inertial force, ensuring that the engagement of the tongue plate is not released by inertial forces regardless of their direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lever is used to prevent inertial force operation, then the structure is simple, but the release mechanism may be unintentionally operated when inertial force acts in certain directions
Solution Approach 1:
The inertia member is segmented into two separate levers (first lever and second lever) positioned at different locations. The first lever prevents operation when inertial force acts in one direction, while the second lever prevents operation when inertial force acts in the opposite direction. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity while achieving comprehensive protection against unintended release from both directions.
2Reliability
If the inertia member prevents operation in all directions, then reliability is improved, but the release button cannot be operated when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The inertia member with two levers applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the levers such that they block the release button's movement path during normal operation. However, when the release button is intentionally pressed with sufficient force, it overcomes the blocking action of the levers. This allows the system to prevent unintended operation while still permitting intentional release when needed.
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 design effectively prevents the release of the tongue plate from inertial forces in both directions, enhancing the reliability of the buckle device and allowing for simpler manufacturing and reduced noise due to the separate contact points for different inertial forces.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial force in the A direction acts on the release button 130, in which the inertial force caused by an acceleration in a B direction, which is opposite to an A direction that is an insertion direction of the tongue plate 110, is generated in the buckle device 100
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle device into which a tongue plate provided on a seat belt of a vehicle is to be inserted, and which detachably engages with the inserted tongue plate. The buckle device includes a hollow buckle body, an operating member configured to be operated in response to a release operation for releasing engagement between the tongue plate and the buckle device, the operating member being supported, in the buckle body, to be slidable in an insertion direction of the tongue plate, and an inertia member supported, in the buckle body, to be rotatable about a rotation center axis extending in a width direction of the tongue plate.