Vehicle Occupant Restraint Fastening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for vehicle occupants lack an optimized fastening mechanism that simplifies operation, provides secure fastening, and accommodates tolerance variations in the distance between upper and lower fastening devices, which can lead to complex and insecure load restraint during braking or accidents.
Innovation Solution
A protective device with a connecting device featuring a lower fastening device that integrates a locking mechanism and a clamping device, allowing the restraining element to be securely clamped and locked in place, using a spring-loaded clamping element and a movable handle for easy operation, ensuring the restraining element is held in both the upright use and lockable rest positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate locking and clamping devices are used, then the fastening function is complete, but the device complexity increases and operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking device and clamping device into a single integrated fastening mechanism. The locking device includes a locking element that engages with a locking surface, while the clamping element is integrated into the same device structure to provide clamping force. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall fastening device while maintaining both locking and clamping functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device is designed to perform multiple functions through a single mechanism. The movable element can simultaneously provide locking engagement, clamping force, and tolerance compensation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated locking and clamping devices, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed distance between fastening devices is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but tolerance variations cause insecure fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fastening mechanism where the movable element can adjust its position along the fastening element to accommodate distance variations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to compensate for tolerance variations in the distance between upper and lower fastening devices, ensuring reliable fastening without requiring precise fixed dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device incorporates a movable element that can change its position parameter to adapt to varying distances between fastening points. This parameter adjustment enables the device to maintain proper clamping force and locking engagement despite manufacturing tolerances or installation variations in the distance between upper and lower fastening devices.
3Device complexity
If manual fastening operation is used, then the device is simple, but the operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is designed so that the movable element can be quickly positioned and engaged in a predetermined sequence. The locking element and clamping element are arranged to engage simultaneously or in a predetermined order, reducing the number of discrete manual operations required. This preliminary arrangement of components enables faster manual operation while maintaining the simplicity of the mechanical mechanism.
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 solution provides a simplified and secure operation of the protective device, allowing for compact construction and tolerance compensation, ensuring the load is effectively restrained in both positions, enhancing safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping device for keeping the restraining element clamped with the upper fastening device, in the upright use position
Data Source
AI summary
A protective device for vehicle occupants of a motor vehicle contains a restraining element and a connecting device for the restraining element in order to be able to connect the latter releasably to the motor vehicle and to be able to hold it in a use position. The connecting device contains for this purpose an upper and lower fastening device. In order, in particular, to optimize the operation of the protective device, the lower fastening device has, on the one hand, a locking device which locks the restraining element in the rest position, and, on the other hand, a clamping device which keeps the restraining element clamped—with respect to the upper fastening device—in the use position.