Vehicle Restraint Webbing Guide and Retractor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-point harness restraint systems in vehicles often have webbing guides located high on the seatback or pillar, making it difficult for occupants to access the webbing, and can cause chest deflection and twisting during impacts due to the webbing's position.
Innovation Solution
A restraint system with a webbing guide attached to the seatback frame, a tether that retracts the webbing to a higher position for ease of access, and a roller mechanism with a spring to bias the webbing towards a retracted position, reducing chest deflection and twisting during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the webbing guide is located high on the seatback or pillar, then the webbing position provides better impact protection, but it becomes difficult for occupants to access the webbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic webbing positioning system with a retractor mechanism that allows the webbing to move between a stowed position (during normal use for accessibility) and a deployed position (during impact for protection). The webbing guide can transition between different locations or orientations based on system activation, resolving the contradiction between fixed high-position protection and accessible webbing retrieval.
2Reliability
If the webbing guide is located at a top of the seatback or on a pillar, then the restraint geometry provides better safety, but it increases chest deflection and shoulder band force during impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the restraint system into multiple functional components: a webbing guide mechanism, a retractor system, and a tether assembly. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the webbing guide can be positioned for safety while the retractor and tether manage webbing tension and positioning to reduce harmful forces on the occupant's chest and shoulders during impact.
3Ease of operation
If the webbing is allowed to move freely during normal use, then ease of access is improved, but webbing twisting occurs during impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a tether and retractor mechanism that act as mediators between the webbing and the seat structure. During normal use, these intermediaries allow free webbing movement for accessibility. During impact, the tether engages with the webbing guide and retractor system to prevent twisting while maintaining proper webbing alignment and tension.
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 system allows convenient webbing access for occupants, reduces chest deflection and shoulder band force during impacts, and minimizes webbing twisting, enhancing safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a spring coupled to the roller, and the tether may be retractable by the roller to a retracted position, and the spring may be positioned to bias the roller to retract the tether to the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A restraint system includes a seatback frame, a webbing guide attached to the seatback frame, webbing extending from below the seatback frame through the webbing guide, and a tether attached to the webbing and retractable to the seatback frame above the webbing guide. The restraint system may include a roller coupled to the seatback frame above the webbing guide, and the tether is at least partially wound around the roller.