Motorized Retractor Assembly for Child Seat Webbing Lock Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic connector assemblies in vehicles face challenges in ensuring sufficient webbing length for securing restraint systems without inducing retraction, and existing retraction systems can inhibit installation if more webbing is needed, making it difficult to achieve the required length and remove slack effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system with a retractor assembly that includes a spool, rotation sensor, and motor, which selectively activates an auto-locking retractor mode to prevent spool rotation when a predetermined webbing length is unwound, allowing for easy extension and subsequent retraction of the webbing, and includes vehicle sensors to detect the restraint system and top tether for correct installation verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the automatic connector assembly is engaged, then the webbing is automatically retracted to secure the restraint system, but it becomes difficult to ensure sufficient webbing length without inducing premature retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor assembly dynamically switches between locked and unlocked states based on installation detection. When a restraint system is detected, the retractor unlocks to allow webbing extension. Once installation is confirmed, it locks to prevent premature retraction, ensuring sufficient webbing length remains available for securing the restraint system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence and installation status of the restraint system, providing feedback to the control module. This feedback enables the control module to adjust the retractor's locking state accordingly, ensuring that webbing is extended when needed and retracted only when the restraint system is properly installed.
2Reliability
If the retractor assembly automatically retracts the webbing, then the restraint system is secured, but it inhibits installation if more webbing length is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor assembly performs preliminary actions by extending the webbing to a predetermined length before the restraint system is fully installed. This preliminary extension ensures that sufficient webbing is available for installation without triggering premature retraction, as the retractor remains in an unlocked state during the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor assembly dynamically adjusts its locking state based on the installation phase. During installation, it remains unlocked to allow webbing extension. Once installation is confirmed through sensor detection, it transitions to a locked state to enable automatic retraction and securing of the restraint system.
3Reliability
If the auto locking retractor mode is activated to prevent spool rotation, then webbing length is controlled, but it makes threading and securing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the auto-locking retractor mode only after the restraint system is properly installed and detected by the sensors. This preliminary installation phase allows unrestricted webbing extension for threading and securing. Once installation is confirmed, the auto-locking mode activates to control webbing length and enable automatic retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor assembly dynamically switches between unlocked and locked states. During the installation phase, it remains unlocked to facilitate easy threading and securing of the webbing. After installation detection, it transitions to a locked state to control webbing length and enable automatic retraction for securing the restraint system.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securing a restraint system includes a retractor enclosing a spool, a sensor coupled to the spool, and a motor coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool about a spool rotation axis. The system also includes webbing configured to be wound and unwound from around the spool. An automatic locking retractor mode is enabled and disabled to selectively and automatically lock the retractor to prevent rotation of the spool when a predetermined length of the webbing is unwound from the spool.