Inflatable Seat Belt Buckle with Integrated Cold Gas Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable seat belt systems face challenges such as bulky connectors, remote inflation gas sources, and longer inflation times due to large air bags, which affect their effectiveness in providing timely protection during collisions.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable seat belt system with a buckle and tongue that secures the seat belt and defines a path for inflation gas, featuring a cold inflation gas source and a pivotable buckle for improved flexibility, along with a special seat belt structure with an inflatable member between layers that inflates to provide a protective air bag across the torso.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a cold inflation compressed gas source is integrated into the buckle, then the inflation time is reduced and protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cold inflation compressed gas source directly into the buckle assembly, merging the inflation function with the latching function. This combination eliminates the need for separate inflation systems and reduces inflation time while providing timely protection to the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable member is nested within the seat belt structure, and the compressed gas source is integrated within the buckle. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of multiple functions (latching, inflation, protection) within the existing seat belt geometry, reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the buckle is made pivotable to improve flexibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the seal connection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle is designed with pivotable capability, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one. This allows the buckle to rotate and adapt to different positioning requirements, improving ease of operation and flexibility during latching while maintaining sealing integrity through proper design of the pivot mechanism.
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 enhances protection by rapidly inflating an air bag across the occupant's torso, improving flexibility and reducing the need for bulky components, while maintaining a secure and convenient latching mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
A spring biases a first tubular member provided by the buckle into engagement with a second tubular member provided by the tongue of the seat belt anchor
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable member that is inflated by gas that is directed through the buckle and tongue of the seat belt latch mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable member is inflated by compressed gas that flows through the latch and hollow tubular tongue of a seat belt anchor. The inflatable member is retained in an uninflated condition in a split two layer belt. The latch is pivotally secured to a conduit that receives compressed inflation gas from a cylinder that is provided with a diffuser.