Quick-Release Fastener With Self-Verifying Shaped Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release fasteners for seat belts in vehicles require complex assembly processes and can lead to improper locking, especially during rapid assembly, which increases the risk of errors and costs.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release fastener design featuring a housing with a shaped mounting that ensures the locking head and spring element are in the fully assembled and locked position, utilizing a protrusion to verify the completion of the locking movement and prevent improper assembly, and a two-part housing with a hinge for secure retention and protection of the fitting part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a quick-release fastener is designed with a simple assembly process requiring only two steps, then assembly time and cost are reduced, but the risk of improper locking increases during rapid assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting is designed to automatically verify the locked position through its shape-coding features. The protrusion and opening geometry ensure that the locking head can only be completely inserted when the spring element and locking head are in the correct locked position, making the system self-verifying without requiring additional tools or complex procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The shape-coding mounting provides immediate mechanical feedback through the protrusion-opening engagement. When the locking head is properly positioned, the protrusion engages with the opening to confirm correct assembly. This feedback mechanism prevents improper locking by making incorrect assembly physically impossible or immediately detectable
2Reliability
If the mounting is designed with shape-coding features to verify locked position, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shape-coding features (protrusion and opening) are localized to specific critical areas of the mounting rather than distributing complexity throughout the entire structure. The mounting retains simple overall geometry with localized geometric constraints that provide verification functionality without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the assembly
3Reliability
If the housing is designed as two parts connected by a hinge, then protection and secure retention of the fitting part are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate parts connected by a hinge, allowing each part to be manufactured independently using standard manufacturing processes. This segmentation enables mass production of individual housing parts that can then be assembled in the final assembly step, actually simplifying the manufacturing process while providing the benefits of a protective enclosure
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
Simplifies the assembly process, reduces the likelihood of improper locking, and ensures secure engagement of the seat belt, while allowing for cost-effective mass production and easy disassembly, thereby enhancing safety and reducing assembly time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element displaceable into a locking position from an assembly position is provided, and the fastening part with the locking head is insertable into the opening in which the spring element is positioned in the assembly position, and the spring element can be moved by performing a relative movement of the locking head to the fitting part into the locking position that secures the locking head against any slipping out
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release fastener for a vehicle seat belt (21) with a fitting part (1), and a fastening part (7). The fitting part (1) has a first opening (2), and a second opening (3), in which the fastening part (7) can be locked to a locking head (6). The fastening part (7) can be inserted into the opening (3) in which a spring element (14) is arranged in an assembly position (I), and the spring element (14) can be moved into the locked position (II). A housing (100) is adapted to the shape of the fitting part (1) with the locking head (6) retained therein. The mounting (112) is shaped n such that the fitting part (I) with the locking head (6) can be completely received in the mounting (112) only when the locking head (6) is in the locked position (II).