Illuminated Safety Restraint Buckle with Integrated Light Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional safety restraint systems face challenges in usability and manufacturing complexity, with a need for improved operational characteristics while reducing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated safety restraint system featuring a buckle assembly with a housing, receiver, button, and light module that selectively emits light to illuminate the button, enhancing visibility and functionality, and reducing manufacturing costs by integrating a light module into the buckle assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional safety restraint systems are used, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but visibility and usability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light module with the buckle assembly housing, integrating the illumination function into the existing structural components. The light module is positioned within the housing to illuminate the button, merging two functions (restraint and illumination) into a single integrated assembly, thereby improving visibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Ease of operation
If an illuminated buckle assembly is added, then usability and visibility are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle assembly is divided into distinct modular components including the housing, receiver, button, and light module. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using existing processes, then assembled together. The light module can be independently sourced and integrated, maintaining ease of manufacture while adding illumination functionality to improve usability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a light module is integrated into the buckle assembly, then dynamic illumination is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light module is designed to serve multiple functions within the buckle assembly, providing dynamic illumination that can adapt to different operating conditions. The same illumination system enhances visibility during normal operation and can indicate operational status, making the system versatile without requiring separate specialized components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity
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 illuminated safety restraint system improves usability and reduces manufacturing complexity by providing enhanced visibility and dynamic illumination, while being compatible with various applications and existing manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
A light module is disposed in the cover chamber adjacent to the aperture of the housing for selectively emitting light so as to illuminate at least a portion of the button
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated safety restraint system including a buckle assembly adapted to selectively releasably engage a corresponding clip. The buckle assembly includes a housing having an inner chamber defined therein, an outer surface, and at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner chamber. A receiver is disposed in the inner chamber for releasably engaging the clip. A button is attached to the housing in the inner chamber, and is in communication with the receiver for selectively releasing the clip from the receiver. A cover is attached to the outer surface of the housing and has a lower surface spaced from the outer surface of the housing to define a cover chamber adjacent the aperture of the housing. A light module is disposed in the cover chamber adjacent the aperture for selectively emitting light so as to illuminate at least a portion of the button.