U-Shaped Retractor Bracket for Side-Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seatbelt retractor attachment structures in vehicles face issues with direct impact transmission during side collisions, leading to potential detachment or breakage of fastening parts, and energy absorbing mechanisms are difficult to apply to center pillars, while also compromising vibration characteristics due to deformation of retractor brackets with bent portions.
Innovation Solution
A seatbelt retractor attachment structure using a retractor bracket with a fixing portion, a fastening portion, and a curved portion that includes a U-shaped design with bent flange portions and a bead or stiffening portion to absorb impact energy and enhance rigidity, preventing breakage and improving vibration characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the upper end portion and lower end portion of the seatbelt retractor are fixed by the pillar inner upper portion and anchor bracket, then the support strength of the seatbelt retractor is improved, but when an impact generated at the time of side collision is directly transmitted to a fastening part, the fastening part may be detached or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor bracket serves as an intermediary component between the seatbelt retractor and the vehicle body structure. It includes a curved portion that acts as a mediator to absorb impact energy during side collisions, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the fastening parts while maintaining secure attachment of the retractor to the vehicle body
2Loss of energy
If the retractor bracket includes the bent portion for energy absorption, then the energy absorbing mechanism is provided, but the retractor bracket is likely to be deformed and thus there is a concern that vibration characteristics may be deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor bracket is designed with different structural characteristics in different regions: the curved portion has specific geometric features optimized for energy absorption during collisions, while other portions maintain structural rigidity to preserve vibration characteristics. This local differentiation allows the bracket to perform both energy absorption and maintain stability
Solution Approach 2:
The curved portion of the retractor bracket incorporates curved geometric features that are optimized to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation during side collisions. The curvature is designed to distribute stress and absorb energy while maintaining overall structural integrity and vibration characteristics
3Adaptability or versatility
If a specific attachment state of the seatbelt retractor to the vehicle body is not described in existing energy absorbing mechanisms, then the energy absorbing mechanism can be applied to various structures, but it is difficult to apply the energy absorbing mechanism to a structure disposed in a recess formed in a center pillar
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor bracket is designed as a segmented structure with distinct functional portions: a fixing portion for attachment to the retractor frame, a fastening portion for securement to the vehicle body, and a curved portion for energy absorption. This segmentation allows the bracket to be adapted to recess structures in center pillars while maintaining energy absorbing capabilities
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 proposed structure effectively absorbs impact energy during side collisions, reducing the risk of breakage and intrusion, while maintaining satisfactory vibration characteristics, as demonstrated by noise test results that meet or exceed reference values without abnormal noise issues.
Implementation Method 1
The curved portion includes a part bent from the fixing portion in a direction surrounding the seatbelt retractor
Implementation Method 2
The fastening portion includes at least one of a pair of bent flange portions on both sides in a width direction of the fastening portion and a bead portion protruding along a longitudinal direction of the fastening portion
Data Source
AI summary
In a seatbelt retractor attachment structure, a seatbelt retractor is fixed to a vehicle body via a retractor bracket. The retractor bracket includes a fixing portion, fastening portion, and a curved portion. The fixing portion is fixed to a retractor frame of the seatbelt retractor. The fastening portion is fastened and fixed to the vehicle body. The curved portion connects the fixing portion and the fastening portion. The curved portion includes a part bent from the fixing portion in a direction surrounding the seatbelt retractor and a part folded back toward the fastening portion. The curved portion has a substantially U shape. The fastening portion includes at least one of a pair of bent flange portions on both sides in a width direction of the fastening portion and a bead portion protruding along a longitudinal direction of the fastening portion.