Plastic Seat Belt Guide Device with Spring-Actuated Catching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt guide devices for motor vehicles are costly to manufacture and may not provide reliable operation due to the use of metal components, which can lead to production-related damages and increased installation space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A seat belt guide device made from injection-molded plastic with a fastening system that includes spring-actuated catching devices, allowing for secure attachment to a vehicle without mechanical play, and a guide recess designed to accommodate the seat belt width, reducing installation space and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal components are used for seat belt guide devices, then strength and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases and production-related damages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal components with inexpensive plastic injection-molded parts. The seat belt guide device and fastening components are manufactured as disposable plastic parts that can be easily replaced if needed, eliminating the need for costly metal manufacturing while maintaining functional reliability through proper design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, specifically using injection-molded plastic components. This material substitution maintains mechanical functionality while dramatically reducing manufacturing cost and eliminating production-related damages associated with metal working.
2Strength
If metal components are used for seat belt guide devices, then strength is improved, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested fastening components where the catching device is integrated within the seat belt guide device housing. The spring-actuated catching mechanism is contained within the plastic housing, allowing compact installation in limited B-pillar space while maintaining adequate fastening strength through the spring-loaded engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin plastic walls and flexible spring elements to create a compact fastening system. The plastic housing with integrated spring-actuated catching devices provides sufficient strength in a minimized space footprint, replacing bulky metal assemblies with sleek plastic components.
3Reliability
If traditional fastening systems are used, then attachment security is improved, but mechanical play increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring-actuated catching mechanism that automatically adjusts to maintain constant engagement pressure. The spring-loaded catching device compensates for tolerances and dimensional variations, eliminating mechanical play through continuous adaptive force application while securing the seat belt guide device to the B-pillar.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates spring elements that pre-load the catching mechanism to provide beforehand cushioning against dimensional variations and assembly tolerances. This pre-compression ensures immediate engagement without play when the seat belt guide device is installed.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used for seat belt guide devices, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but force absorption capacity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reinforced plastic materials with fiber reinforcement to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio. The injection-molded plastic components incorporate glass fiber or carbon fiber reinforcement to maintain adequate force absorption capacity (1500-1600 Newtons) while keeping manufacturing costs low and enabling complex integrated geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved and optimized structural geometries in the plastic components to distribute stress efficiently. The molded-in structural reinforcements and optimized wall thicknesses in the plastic housing maximize force absorption capacity while minimizing material usage and maintaining cost-effectiveness.
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 plastic seat belt guide device offers a cost-effective and reliable solution with reduced installation space requirements, ensuring safe and damage-free operation by minimizing mechanical play and preventing force transfer to internal vehicle components during accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a fastening device with at least one catching device or a spring-actuated catching device
Data Source
AI summary
A seat belt guide device for a passenger restraint belt of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the seat belt guide device includes a fastening device with at least one spring-actuated catching device, with which the seat belt guide device can be snap-fitted or fastened to a motor vehicle in an assembly direction, wherein the seat belt guide device is preferably molded from at least one plastic injection.