Vehicular Pillar Garnish Recessed Latch Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt systems experience noise issues due to contact between the latch and adjacent vehicular structures during vehicle operation when the seat belt is not in use, with prior solutions increasing manufacturing cost and complexity without satisfactory noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular seat belt assembly featuring a garnish with a recessed portion in its A-surface, designed to avoid contact with the latch by providing a deep and wide aperture, allowing the latch to move freely without knocking against the garnish, and optionally incorporating additional features like electronic device storage and seat belt rerouting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If additional retention pieces (hooks, clips) are placed along the garnish to reduce latch vibration, then noise reduction is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction feature is merged into the garnish itself by forming a recessed portion directly in the garnish structure. This integrates the vibration damping function with the existing aesthetic cover, eliminating the need for separate retention pieces while reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion acts as an intermediary structure that accommodates the latch during vibration, preventing direct contact between the latch and the rigid garnish surface. This mediator approach reduces noise without requiring additional active damping components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conformal rubber or plastic pieces are added to dampen latch knocking, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping function is combined with the garnish structure by forming the recessed portion directly in the garnish. This eliminates the need for separate conformal damping pieces, reducing manufacturing cost and complexity while achieving the same noise reduction effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The garnish structure is modified by creating a recessed portion with specific dimensional parameters (depth and width) that allow the latch to move freely during vibration without contacting the garnish. This parameter change achieves noise reduction through geometric design rather than material substitution.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an over-molded layer of compliant material is placed around the latch, then some noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction function is merged into the garnish structure itself through the recessed portion, eliminating the need for separate over-molded compliant layers on the latch. This integration reduces device complexity and manufacturing steps while achieving effective noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise reduction function is extracted from the latch assembly and transferred to the garnish structure. By placing the recessed portion in the garnish rather than modifying the latch, the solution simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces manufacturing complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a recessed portion is formed in the garnish to avoid latch contact, then noise reduction is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion is formed as an integral feature of the garnish structure, merging the noise reduction function with the existing aesthetic cover. This integration approach actually reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components while achieving effective latch isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat belt assembly, a garnish to cover a vehicular pillar and a method of making a vehicular pillar garnish. The garnish used in the assembly cooperates with a belt with a connected latch such that when the latch is disengaged from a corresponding seat belt buckle, a latch-receiving structure with a recessed portion formed in the garnish prevents contact with latch such that vibratory movement imparted to the disengaged latch as a result of vehicular movement does not result in the latch knocking or banging against the garnish. The recessed portion includes more than one region that may be used to provide extra functionality to the garnish, such as one or more of temporary storage for a portable electronic device and seat belt rerouting.