Integrally Molded Spring in Seat Belt Locking Tongue
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of seat belt locking tongues with spring elements is complicated due to the need for mounting these elements under bias, which increases the number of individual parts and assembly steps, leading to potential noise and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The spring element is formed integrally with the deflecting portion of the locking tongue, typically through overmolding with plastic material, eliminating the need for separate spring components and simplifying assembly, and a retaining pin ensures the clamping element remains in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring elements are mounted separately to the locking tongue, then the clamping element can be maintained free from play, but the assembly becomes complicated with many individual parts and mounting steps
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is formed integrally with the deflecting portion of the locking tongue, merging two previously separate components into one. This eliminates the need for separate mounting steps while maintaining the spring's function to maintain the clamping element free from play and prevent rattling noise.
2Ease of operation
If spring elements are mounted under bias, then the clamping element can be maintained in the home position, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-formed integrally with the deflecting portion in the required biased state during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex assembly operations under bias, as the spring element is already in its functional configuration before assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in the locking tongue, then each component can be optimized independently, but the number of individual parts increases leading to potential noise and reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
By forming the spring element integrally with the deflecting portion, the patent eliminates gaps and interfaces between separate components that could cause rattling noise. The merged structure ensures reliable functioning while reducing harmful noise generation.
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
This approach simplifies the manufacturing and assembly of the locking tongue, ensures reliable operation by preventing spring element misplacement, and reduces noise from rattling, while providing a flexible and effective clamping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element is provided for acting upon the clamping element in the home position
Implementation Method 2
the clamping element is moved against a wall of the webbing passage so that the webbing is clamped between the clamping element and the wall of the webbing passage
Data Source
AI summary
In a locking tongue (10) for a seat belt comprising an inserting portion (12) adapted to be inserted in a belt buckle and a deflecting portion (14) for webbing, wherein the deflecting portion (14) includes a webbing passage (20) as well as a clamping element (22) for the webbing and the clamping element (22) is movable between a home position in which the webbing is freely movable and a blocking position in which the clamping element is moved against a wall of the webbing passage so that the webbing is clamped between the clamping element (22) and the wall of the webbing passage (20), and wherein at least one spring element (34) is provided for forcing the clamping element (22) into the home position, it is provided that the spring element (34) is formed integrally on the deflecting portion (14).