Seat Belt Load Limiter with Button-Activated Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat-belt restraint systems are costly and complex, primarily designed for front-row occupants due to the proximity of stiffer vehicle structures, and often do not adequately address the energy absorption needs of rear-seat occupants, who face less risk of injury but still require effective force management during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A seat-belt apparatus featuring a button-activated lever system that adjusts the orientation of a gear ring, which in turn controls the torsion-bar stiffening element, allowing for adaptive energy absorption based on the amount of webbing paid out, thereby optimizing force distribution for varying occupant sizes and crash conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sensors and control mechanisms are used to optimize seat-belt safety, then energy absorption and occupant protection are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seat-belt system uses the occupant's own movement and the webbing's payout characteristics to automatically determine the appropriate energy absorption level. The button's position on the webbing serves as a passive indicator of occupant size and belt configuration, eliminating the need for active sensors or electronic controls while achieving adaptive safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive electronic sensors and control systems with a simple mechanical button-and-lever system. The button is a basic plastic component that can be molded at low cost, and the entire mechanism uses straightforward mechanical elements (levers, springs, gears) that are inexpensive to manufacture and replace if needed.
2Force
If a torsion-bar stiffening element is engaged to increase energy absorption, then force limitation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the button-activated lever mechanism with the torsion-bar stiffening element into a single integrated system. The lever directly controls the engagement of the stiffening element, merging the control function and the energy absorption function into one compact mechanical assembly that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion-bar stiffening element is pre-positioned and spring-loaded so that it can be quickly engaged or disengaged by the simple movement of the lever. The spring maintains the stiffening element in a ready state, allowing instantaneous activation without complex control sequences or multiple moving parts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If seat-belt systems are designed for front-row occupants with stiffer structures, then energy absorption is optimized for front seats, but rear-seat occupants do not benefit from adequate force management
Solution Approach 1:
The seat-belt system is designed to serve multiple functions: it adapts to different occupant sizes (front and rear seat), different belt configurations (shoulder-only or shoulder-hip), and different crash severity levels. The button's position on the webbing automatically adjusts the energy absorption characteristics to match the specific usage scenario, making the system universally applicable throughout the vehicle.
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 provides adaptive energy absorption, increasing or reducing force based on the occupant's size by engaging or disengaging the stiffer region of the torsion bar, enhancing safety for both front and rear-seat occupants without the need for complex sensors or additional weight, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
control energy absorption of the seat-belt apparatus
Implementation Method 2
torsion-bar stiffening element
Data Source
AI summary
A device that limits a load of a seat belt includes various elements. For example, the device includes a seat-belt webbing and a shoulder anchor to which a portion of the webbing is secured. A button is attached to the webbing at a position that is a distance away from the portion secured to the shoulder anchor. The button is able to engage a lever, when the webbing is pulled out, to control energy absorption of the seat belt.