Vehicle Safety Belt Integrated Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety belts do not effectively integrate heating elements to provide close-to-body heating, leading to discomfort in occupants, especially in cold weather, and result in high electrical energy consumption when heating the vehicle interior.
Innovation Solution
A safety belt with a heating element integrated into the belt interior between two strap layers, allowing for rapid and efficient heating of the occupant without heating the vehicle interior, and featuring an airbag that can be supplied with gas for collision protection without impairing the heating function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the vehicle interior is heated by a heating device (air conditioning system), then the comfort of occupants is improved, but electrical energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated specifically into the belt strap to provide localized heating only to the occupant's body area that requires it, rather than heating the entire vehicle interior. This localized approach significantly reduces electrical energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort in the critical upper body area.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is extracted from the general vehicle climate control system and integrated directly into the safety belt system. This allows the heating function to operate independently and efficiently, providing warmth to the occupant without requiring the energy-intensive vehicle interior heating system to operate.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heating element is integrated into the belt strap, then close-to-body heating efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the safety belt structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is merged with the existing safety belt structure by integrating it into the belt strap. This combination allows the heating function to be added to the safety belt system without requiring separate, complex heating apparatus, thereby improving heating efficiency while keeping the structural complexity increase minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety belt system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it provides both safety restraint and thermal comfort through the integrated heating element. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to serve dual purposes, improving heating efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Temperature
If the belt strap is heated, then occupant comfort in cold weather is improved, but the risk of interfering with airbag function increases
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature control system acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the airbag system. This intermediary monitors temperature and controls the heating element's operation to ensure that the belt strap is heated to a comfortable temperature without reaching levels that could interfere with airbag sensor detection or material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the temperature of the belt strap and adjust the heating element's operation accordingly. This feedback control ensures that the belt strap maintains a comfortable temperature for occupant warmth while preventing temperatures that could compromise airbag reliability or sensor function.
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 increased comfort and reduced energy consumption by heating the occupant directly, while maintaining the functionality of the airbag and reducing the risk of injury during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element is arranged in the belt interior, adjacent to a belt strap layer facing the occupant wearing the belt strap
Data Source
AI summary
A safety belt for a vehicle includes at least one belt strap which has a belt interior arranged between at least two belt strap layers. In order to introduce heat into the vehicle near a vehicle occupant wearing the belt strap, at least one heating element is arranged in the belt interior adjacent to a belt strap layer facing the vehicle occupant wearing the belt strap.