Dynamic Seatbelt Restraint for Occupant Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant protection devices maintain high restraint levels even after a dangerous situation is avoided, causing discomfort to vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
An occupant protection device with a determination unit that assesses dangerous situations using sensors, a displacement unit to adjust the relative position of the seatbelt and occupant, and a control unit to release the occupant from the seatbelt tension after the danger has passed, alleviating restraint and reducing discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seatbelt maintains high restraint levels after a dangerous situation is avoided, then the occupant protection is ensured, but the occupant comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seatbelt restraint level is made dynamic rather than static. The control unit adjusts the restraint level between a first level (when danger is detected) and a second level (when danger is avoided), allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and resolve the contradiction between protection and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The seatbelt restraint is applied periodically based on detection results. When the detection unit detects a dangerous situation, the restraint level is increased to the first level; when the dangerous situation is avoided, the restraint level is reduced to the second level, creating a periodic action pattern that balances protection and comfort
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant protection device which causes less discomfort to an occupant after danger is avoided. When danger is detected (estimated collision time t is less than t1), a seat is adjusted to set the inclination angle of a seatback within a predetermined appropriate range. After that, when the danger is avoided, the inclination angle of the seatback is adjusted a predetermined amount so that the occupant is separated from a seat belt. This eliminates situations in which the tension of the seat belt is kept increased even after the danger is avoided, and as a result, discomfort to the occupant is suppressed.