Extendable Seat Restraint Release for Simultaneous Buckle Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat restraint systems often require multiple restraints to be released individually, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A seat restraint system with extendable restraints and a release actuation system that allows simultaneous release of multiple restraints using actuator cables with inner wires sliding within outer sheaths, enabling synchronized operation of release mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple restraints are used to securely hold the user, then safety and restraint reliability are improved, but the time required to release all restraints increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual release operations into a single simultaneous release operation. The actuator system integrates multiple actuation cables that can be pulled simultaneously through a single user action, causing all buckles to release at once. This merging of release operations resolves the contradiction by maintaining multiple restraints for safety while enabling rapid simultaneous release.
Solution Approach 2:
The release system is segmented into multiple independent actuation cables, each connected to individual buckles. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple restraints while providing independent control paths for each restraint, enabling simultaneous release when all cables are actuated together through a single interface.
2Ease of operation
If restraints are made extendable to facilitate user freedom of movement, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintentional release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraints are designed with dynamic extendability, allowing the webbing to extend and retract as needed for user movement. The actuation cables incorporate flexible elements that allow movement while maintaining connection. This dynamic design provides user freedom while the cables remain taut enough to transmit release forces when intentionally actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation cables serve as intermediaries between the user's release action and the buckle release mechanisms. Even when restraints are extended, the cables maintain their connection and can transmit the release force from the actuator to all buckles simultaneously, preventing unintentional release while enabling intentional release regardless of restraint position.
3Productivity
If a complex release actuation system is implemented for simultaneous release, then release speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it simultaneously actuates multiple actuation cables, each connected to different buckles. This single multi-functional component enables simultaneous release of all restraints without requiring separate actuators for each buckle, thereby improving release speed while limiting the increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation cables are designed to automatically transmit the release force from the actuator to all buckles simultaneously. The system uses the mechanical advantage of the cable-pulley arrangement to distribute the release force throughout the system without requiring complex control mechanisms, electronic systems, or additional power sources.
4Weight of moving object
If buckles are tethered to the seating rig rather than the user, then weight distribution is improved, but the complexity of the restraint system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy buckle components are extracted from the user's equipment and repositioned on the seating rig structure. This extraction removes the weight burden from the user while the buckles remain functionally connected to the restraints through the actuation cable system. The complexity increase is limited to the additional tethering connections required to attach buckles to the rig.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seat restraint system (110) holds a user to a seating rig (100) using multiple restraints (112). These restraints can be released simultaneously using a release actuation system (140), thereby quickly freeing the user from the seating rig. Certain types of restraints are extendable relative to the seating rig between retracted and extended positions to facilitate freedom of movement of the user. The release actuation system allows the restraints to extend without unintentional actuation of the release mechanism (130). The release actuation system allows the restraints to be released regardless of the position (e.g., retracted, extended, therebetween) of the extendable restraints.