Buckle Assembly LED Optical Guide Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a vehicle seat belt system, the buckle assembly is difficult to identify in dark or unfamiliar environments due to lack of visibility.
Innovation Solution
A buckle assembly with a light emitting diode (LED) and optical guide, where the LED emits light to aid in locating the assembly, and a latch sensor provides visual feedback on seat belt status, using a mechanism that includes an ejector member and pushbutton for interlocking with the seat belt tongue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an LED and optical guide are added to the buckle assembly, then visibility and location identification are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED light source and optical guide into an integrated lighting assembly that is incorporated within the buckle housing. This merging approach allows the lighting components to be added without requiring separate mounting structures or additional complex assemblies, thereby improving visibility while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical guide serves multiple functions: it transmits light from the LED to illuminate the buckle assembly for location identification, and it also appears to be integrated with the ejector member mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, addressing the visibility improvement while controlling the complexity increase.
2Device complexity
If the ejector member serves as both the optical guide and interlocking mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector member is designed to perform dual functions: it acts as both the mechanical interlocking component that engages with the seat belt tongue and as the optical guide that transmits light from the LED. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall device structure, directly addressing the complexity reduction goal while requiring precise manufacturing to ensure both mechanical and optical functions are achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector member is made from a light-transmitting material and given specific geometric features (incident surface and transmitting surface) to optimize light transmission while maintaining its mechanical interlocking function. These parameter changes allow the single component to satisfy both optical and mechanical requirements, reducing complexity but necessitating higher manufacturing precision to achieve the desired dual functionality.
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
Enhances visibility of the buckle assembly in low-light conditions, providing clear indication of the seat belt status, thus improving user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode (LED) positioned at least partially within a housing. The LED is configured to emit a light
Implementation Method 2
An optical guide is positioned at least partially within the housing and composed of a substantially light transmitting material. The LED is positioned such that the light emitted by the LED passes through the optical guide
Data Source
AI summary
A buckle assembly is configured to releasably interlock with a seat belt tongue. The assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) positioned at least partially within a housing. The LED is configured to emit a light when the seat belt tongue is not interlocked with the assembly. An optical guide is positioned at least partially within the housing and composed of a substantially light transmitting material. The LED is positioned such that the light emitted by the LED passes through the optical guide. In a first embodiment, the optical guide is an ejector member at least partially positioned within the housing. In a second embodiment, the optical guide is a lens at least partially positioned within the housing.