Seat Belt Buckle with Multi-Surface Unlocking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat belt buckles are prone to erroneous release, particularly in situations where children or accidental contact may trigger the unlocking mechanism, leading to safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A seat belt buckle design featuring independent unlocking surfaces that require coordinated and simultaneous force application to operate, with at least one surface accessible only by a tool, and fastening elements that prevent movement in the unlocking direction, ensuring secure engagement with the casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple unlocking mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The unlocking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent unlocking surfaces (at least two, preferably three) that must be operated simultaneously. Each surface is associated with a separate fastening element that forms an engaging connection with the casing. This segmentation ensures that accidental contact with a single surface cannot trigger unlocking, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through coordinated multi-point actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unlocking surfaces are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations around the casing. At least one unlocking surface is positioned in a recess that requires tool access, creating a dimensional barrier against accidental activation. This spatial arrangement ensures that forces must be applied from multiple different directions simultaneously, preventing erroneous release while keeping the mechanism easy to operate intentionally.

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

2Reliability

If multiple independent unlocking surfaces are used, then reliability is improved by preventing erroneous release, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fastening elements are merged into a single integrated unlocking device component that moves as one unit. When the unlocking surfaces are actuated, all fastening elements are released simultaneously through the coordinated movement of the single unlocking device, rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each fastening element. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple independent unlocking surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unlocking device serves multiple functions: it provides the unlocking action for all fastening elements, maintains their engaged state during normal operation, and prevents erroneous release through its multi-surface design. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate components into a single universal unlocking mechanism, reducing device complexity while achieving high reliability.

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

3Reliability

If fastening elements are arranged at opposite sides of the casing, then reliability is improved by preventing release from single-side contact, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening elements located at opposite sides of the casing are merged into a single unlocking device that actuates both simultaneously. When sufficient force is applied to any unlocking surface, the integrated unlocking device moves to release all fastening elements at once, eliminating the need for separate operations at each side. This maintains reliability by requiring coordinated force application while improving ease of operation through unified actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8950780B2Seat belt buckle and seat belt system for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2015.02.10 ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
  • US8950780B2 patent drawing
  • US8950780B2 patent drawing
  • US8950780B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat belt buckle for a seat belt comprising a casing, a locking member for a plug-in latch and an unlocking device (26) for releasing the unlocking member. The unlocking device (26) includes at least two unlocking surfaces (56, 60) which are independent of each other, wherein a predetermined force has to be applied to both unlocking surfaces (56, 60) for operating the unlocking device (26). The unlocking device (26) includes at least one fastening element (30) constituting an engaging connection with the casing, wherein the engaging connection prevents a movement of the unlocking device (26) in an unlocking direction of the locking member and the fastening element (30) has to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the unlocking direction for releasing the engaging connection.