Seat Belt Retainer Layout for Compact Adaptive Belt Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt retainers in vehicles often fail to adapt to varying occupant heights, leading to suboptimal force distribution during collisions or sudden stops, and may not fit within the vehicle's space constraints, while also not being able to withstand incident forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A seat belt retainer with a moveable actuator and guide aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt, which reduces space requirements and includes a push button actuator, indicator, and a guide that allows the seat belt to pass without deformation, attached to a seat latch mechanism to transmit forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a retainer is provided to constrain the seat belt path within space constraints, then the device fits within vehicle space limitations, but it may not provide optimal force distribution for varying occupant heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a moveable actuator that can adjust its position along the longitudinal axis within the retainer body. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the retainer to adapt to different occupant heights while maintaining a compact fixed external structure, resolving the contradiction between space constraints and adaptability.
2Area of stationary object
If the actuator and guide are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt, then space requirements are reduced, but the device must withstand higher incident forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator and guide components into a compact aligned arrangement along the longitudinal axis. This integration reduces the overall footprint of the retainer while the combined structure is designed to collectively withstand incident forces, distributing the load across both components.
3Ease of operation
If the guide allows the seat belt to pass through with minimal deformation, then the seat belt path is optimized, but the guide structure requires precise alignment with the actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retainer into distinct functional components (body, actuator, guide) that can be manufactured and assembled separately. The guide is designed as a separate element that receives the seat belt, allowing for optimized seat belt passage while the modular construction facilitates achieving precise alignment during assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a seat belt retainer for a vehicle, the retainer comprising a body having an opening, the body being configured for attachment to a support. An actuator is mounted within the opening, the actuator being moveable within the opening for actuating a seat latch mechanism. A guide is supported by the body, the guide defining an at least partial aperture for receiving a seat belt therethrough. The actuator and the guide are at least partly aligned along the longitudinal axis of the seat belt passing through the aperture, in use.