Two-Dimensional Seat Belt Support Guide Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seat belt supports that are height-adjustable may not be sufficient for accommodating users of varying stature and seat configurations, as they lack longitudinal adjustment capabilities, which can be necessary for vehicles with extensive seat range adjustments and variable occupant postures.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable seat belt support system that includes a slider coupled with a loop, featuring a guide path that allows for both vertical and longitudinal adjustments, utilizing distinct components and mechanisms such as push-button controlled pins and sliding blocks to enable discrete or continuous positioning along orthogonal directions, ensuring proper belt alignment according to user stature and seat characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If only vertical adjustment is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user statures and seat configurations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different user statures and seat configurationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-dimensional (vertical) adjustment to two-dimensional adjustment by adding longitudinal adjustment capability. The guide path is configured to develop in both vertical and longitudinal directions, allowing the slider to move freely in either direction to achieve comprehensive belt positioning adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both vertical height adjustment and longitudinal position adjustment. The guide path simultaneously enables movement in both directions, making the single support structure universal for accommodating various user statures and seat configurations.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a guide path allowing both vertical and longitudinal adjustment is implemented, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the vertical guide and longitudinal guide into a single integrated guide path structure. This unified guide path allows the slider to move in both vertical and longitudinal directions without requiring separate independent guiding mechanisms, thus reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining dual-directional adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3363690B1An adjustable support for seat belts
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 FCA ITALY SPA
  • EP3363690B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3363690B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2B
  • EP3363690B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3

AI summary

Described herein is an adjustable support (1; 1') for seat belts, comprising: - a slider (2; 2') configured for coupling with a loop (TL) in which a seat belt (SB) runs; and - a guide path (4, 6, 8, 10; 4', 6', 8', 10'), which develops in a first direction of adjustment and is configured for guiding the slider along said first direction of adjustment (z), said slider having a plurality of operating positions along said first direction of adjustment. The guide path (4, 6, 8, 10; 4', 6', 8', 10') develops in a second direction of adjustment (x), incident to said first direction of adjustment (z), and is configured for guiding the slider along said second direction of adjustment (z), said slider having further operating positions along said second direction of adjustment (x).