Rotatable Vehicle Seatbelt Assembly With Deployable Webbing Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seatbelt assemblies in vehicles are not designed to accommodate rotatable seat assemblies that can face different directions, posing challenges in ensuring effective and safe restraint systems.
Innovation Solution
A seat-integrated restraint (SIR) system where the seatbelt retractor and anchor are fixed to the seat assembly, allowing it to rotate with the seat, and an arm mechanism with webbing guides is controlled by an actuator to optimize webbing placement for occupant convenience and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seatbelt assembly is fixed to the vehicle body, then the seatbelt provides stable restraint, but it cannot accommodate rotatable seat assemblies that face different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the seatbelt assembly movable rather than fixed. The seatbelt retractor is mounted to the seat assembly rather than the vehicle body, allowing the entire seatbelt system to move and rotate with the seat assembly. This dynamic mounting approach enables the seatbelt to maintain proper restraint geometry regardless of the seat's orientation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to rotatable seats and reliability of restraint function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seatbelt retractor is mounted to the seat assembly, then it can rotate with the seat, but the webbing deployment path may not be optimized for occupant convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using an actuator to proactively adjust the arm and webbing guide to an optimal position before the occupant needs to use the seatbelt. The system detects when the seat assembly rotates and automatically repositions the webbing deployment path to maintain ergonomics and ease of use, rather than relying on the occupant to manually adjust anything.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - an arm with a webbing guide - that acts as a mediator between the seatbelt retractor and the occupant. This intermediary component can be independently positioned relative to both the retractor and the occupant, allowing the system to maintain optimal webbing geometry even as the seat assembly rotates. The webbing guide ensures the webbing travels along the correct path regardless of seat orientation.
3Ease of operation
If an arm mechanism with webbing guide is added, then webbing placement is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the arm mechanism to perform multiple functions: it positions the webbing guide for optimal webbing placement, provides structural support for the webbing path, and can be actuated to adjust for different seat orientations. The actuator that moves the arm also serves dual purposes by responding to both seat rotation detection and direct user input, reducing the need for separate adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service through automatic detection and adjustment. When the seat assembly rotates, sensors detect this change and automatically trigger the actuator to reposition the arm and webbing guide to the appropriate configuration. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex mechanical linkages, allowing the system to self-adjust based on the seat's position while keeping the overall complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seatback having a top end. The seat assembly includes an arm supported by the seatback, and movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The seat assembly includes a first webbing guide supported by the seatback at the top end. The seat assembly includes a second webbing guide fixed to and movable with the arm, the second webbing guide at the top end of the seatback with the arm at the stowed position, and the second webbing guide spaced from the seatback in a seat-forward direction with the arm at the deployed position. The seat assembly includes a retractor supported by the seatback at the top end. The seat assembly includes a webbing extending from the retractor through the first webbing guide and the second webbing guide.