Vehicle Seat Belt Frame with Vertical Support Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger restraint systems in vehicles face challenges in achieving optimal stability and adaptability during manufacturing and installation, particularly in ensuring secure attachment to the vehicle structure, especially under dynamic loading conditions.

Innovation Solution

A belt frame with a support arrangement that includes vertically aligned elongated profiles and a cross strut, allowing for a mechanically rigid connection to the vehicle structure above the floor, providing additional anchoring points for enhanced stability and adaptability, and featuring adjustable support members for variable anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the belt frame is designed for maximum stressful situations and rigidly fixed to the vehicle floor, then stability and safety are improved, but adaptability to different installation situations and manufacturing flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidadaptability to installation situation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support arrangement is divided into multiple support struts (first support strut, second support strut, third support strut) that can be independently positioned and connected to different locations on the vehicle structure. This segmentation allows the belt frame to be adapted to various installation situations while maintaining overall stability through the collective support of multiple struts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support struts are designed with adjustable and configurable characteristics, allowing them to be dynamically positioned and connected to different locations on the vehicle structure. This dynamic adaptability enables the same belt frame design to be installed in various vehicle configurations while maintaining the required stability for maximum stressful situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If additional support struts are added to connect to vehicle structure above the floor, then stability under dynamic loading is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability under dynamic loadingVSAvoidcomplexity of support arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support struts are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable adaptation to different installation situations, and connect to various locations on the vehicle structure (floor and areas above the floor). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving enhanced stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arrangement allows for variation in the number, position, and configuration of support struts depending on the specific installation situation and vehicle structure. By allowing parameter changes in the support configuration rather than requiring a fixed complex structure, the design achieves enhanced stability under dynamic loading while managing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the belt frame uses extensive material and rigid construction, then strength and stability are improved, but manufacturing cost and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of belt frameVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using extensive material for a fully rigid monolithic frame, the belt frame is segmented into vertical supports and diagonal support struts that work together to provide the necessary strength. This segmented approach allows material to be strategically placed where it is most needed for structural integrity, reducing overall material usage while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support struts are positioned and configured to provide localized reinforcement at critical areas of the belt frame, particularly at connection points to the vehicle structure and at locations subject to maximum stress during dynamic loading. This local quality approach ensures strength is provided exactly where needed rather than uniformly throughout the entire structure, optimizing material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3539818B1Belt frame for a vehicle seat or a bench seat and vehicle seating assembly
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 AGUTI PRODUKTENTWICKLUNG & DESIGN GMBH
  • EP3539818B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A belt frame (3) for a vehicle seat or bench seat in a vehicle is proposed, wherein the belt frame comprises attachment means for mounting it to a vehicle structure in the area of ​​a vehicle floor (1), such that a lower end section of the belt frame can be fixed in the area of ​​the vehicle floor, and wherein the belt frame comprises a support arrangement (7) with a support element (8-11) for bracing against the vehicle structure. According to the invention, when the belt frame (3) is installed in the vehicle, the support element (8-11), which projects forward in the direction of travel on the belt frame, is spaced vertically upwards from the lower end section of the belt frame and is designed such that the support element can be connected to the vehicle structure located above the vehicle floor.