Electromagnetic Buckle Lock Indication for Dark Ride Restraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current buckle devices for amusement devices, such as motion simulators, are difficult to use in dark environments, cannot easily confirm the locked state without physical inspection, pose risks for germ transmission, have complex structures that complicate assembly, and may be accidentally pressed, leading to occupant unease.
Innovation Solution
A buckle device with a main body, latch unit, fastening unit, electromagnetic unit, and control unit that includes a magnetic bolt detection module and display module, allowing the buckle to display its locked state through lighting effects, enabling confirmation without physical contact and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional buckle device is used in a dark environment, then the movie presentation quality is improved, but the occupant cannot perceive the buckle device position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies light-emitting elements that change color or emit different colors to indicate different states of the buckle device. A first color (e.g., green) indicates the tongue element is properly inserted and locked, while a second color (e.g., red) indicates the tongue element is not inserted or is in a released state. This allows occupants to easily perceive the buckle device status in dark environments without compromising movie presentation quality.
2Reliability
If staff physically inspect the buckle device to confirm locked state, then the locked state can be confirmed, but germ transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical inspection method (staff physically touching and pressing the buckle device) with an optical detection system. Light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements detect the position and state of the tongue element non-contactly, transmitting state information to a control unit that displays the locked state. This eliminates the need for physical contact between staff and occupants, preventing germ transmission while maintaining reliable confirmation of the locked state.
3Reliability
If electromagnetic rods interfere with vertical disks to prevent pressing, then the pressing body cannot be pressed, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the electromagnetic locking mechanism from the vertical disk structure. Instead of incorporating electromagnetic rods within the complex vertical disk grooves and protrusions, the electromagnetic module and electromagnetic rod are positioned to interact with the tongue element directly. This simplifies the overall structure by removing the need for multiple grooves and protrusions in the vertical disks, while still achieving reliable prevention of accidental pressing through the electromagnetic holding force on the tongue element.
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
Enables easy confirmation of the locked state in dark environments, prevents germ transmission by reducing physical contact, simplifies assembly, and enhances structural integrity by preventing accidental pressing and improving force resistance.
Implementation Method 1
When the electromagnetic module is excited and generates a magnetic force for the at least one electromagnetic rod, the at least one electromagnetic rod is moved to a release position
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic bolt detection module arranged on the main body and electrically connected to the control module
Data Source
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AI summary
A buckle device (10) capable of displaying a locked state includes a main body unit (3), a latch unit (4), a fastening unit (5), an electromagnetic unit (7), and a control unit (8). The main body (32) unit includes a main body (32) and the latch unit (4) includes a detachable tongue element (41). The fastening unit (5) includes a bolt body (51) interfering with the tongue element (41). The electromagnetic unit (7) includes an electromagnetic module (71) and an electromagnetic rod (72). The electromagnetic module (71) controls the electromagnetic rod (72) to interfere with the bolt body (51). The control unit (8) includes a control module (82), a display module (84) and a magnetic bolt detection module (81) for detecting the position of the electromagnetic rod (72). The control unit (8) receives detection information of the magnetic bolt detection module (81) and controls the display module (84) to display a current state according to the position of the at least one electromagnetic rod (72).