Curved Slot Buckle Bracket for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt buckle attachment systems for reconfigurable vehicle seats face the risk of damage due to vertical loads, particularly when space constraints limit the downward motion of the buckle bracket, which is necessary to absorb impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat belt buckle attachment system featuring a buckle bracket with a curved slot and a torsion spring, where the buckle bracket pivots around a pivot connected to an anchor bracket, allowing for controlled rotation and translation within the curved slot to absorb impact forces while minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the buckle bracket is designed to move downward on a pivot to absorb impact forces, then the risk of buckle damage is reduced, but the space required to accommodate this motion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved slot instead of a straight vertical slot, allowing the pivot to travel along a curved path that combines vertical and horizontal motion components. This curvature enables the buckle bracket to absorb impact forces while requiring less overall space, as the motion is distributed along a curved trajectory rather than requiring full vertical travel distance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from purely vertical motion (one dimension) to motion along a curved path that incorporates both vertical and horizontal components (two dimensions). This dimensional change allows the system to achieve the same impact absorption function within a more compact space envelope by utilizing multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously
2Reliability
If a conventional straight slot is used to allow downward motion of the buckle bracket, then impact forces can be absorbed, but the device complexity increases and space requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The curved slot geometry simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating the need for complex guide rails, stops, or additional constraint elements that would be required for straight vertical motion. The curved path inherently guides the pivot's motion while maintaining compact dimensions, reducing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the slot from linear to curved, which fundamentally alters the motion trajectory. This parameter change enables the system to achieve impact absorption with a simpler, more compact structure that doesn't require additional complex components or mechanisms
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 system effectively reduces the risk of buckle damage by allowing the buckle to move downward and absorb impact forces, while maintaining a compact design suitable for reconfigurable seats, thus protecting the buckle from vertical loads without requiring excessive space.
Implementation Method 1
the torsion spring includes a first torsion coil positioned around the pivot
Implementation Method 2
the anchor bracket includes a ramp surface positioned to guide rotation of the buckle bracket around the pivot in response to the pivot translating within the curved slot
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat belt buckle attachment system includes an anchor bracket fixed to a vehicle, a pivot fixed to the anchor bracket, a buckle bracket defining a curved slot that receives the pivot, and a buckle connected to the buckle bracket.