Vehicle Seat Restraint Harness Layout for Variable Occupant Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing restraint systems for vehicle seats are not configurable to accommodate varying numbers and sizes of occupants effectively, lacking flexibility in securing multiple occupants simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A configurable restraint system with movable engagement members and adjustable harnesses that can be positioned to securely restrain one or multiple occupants by engaging different buckle members, allowing for the use of various restraint harnesses to accommodate different passenger configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a restraint system is designed to accommodate multiple occupants, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurability for variable numbers of occupantsVSAvoidnumber of engagement members and harnesses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable engagement member is designed to perform multiple functions by being repositionable between different locations. When positioned at a first location, it engages with a first harness to restrain one occupant. When repositioned to a second location, it engages with a second harness to restrain another occupant. This single component serves multiple restraint configurations, reducing the need for separate dedicated engagement members for each occupant position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement member is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned between different locations on the seat. This dynamic capability enables the restraint system to adapt to various occupancy scenarios (one occupant, two occupants, or three occupants) using the same physical component, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If fixed engagement members are used for each harness, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of engagementVSAvoidflexibility for different passenger configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A single movable engagement member serves multiple functions by being capable of engaging with different harnesses at different positions. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple fixed engagement members, maintaining ease of operation through simple engagement mechanics while achieving adaptability through the component's repositioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8061781B2Configurable restraint system for a vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 INDIANA MILLS & MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12′) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30″) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34″) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50″″) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50″″) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30″). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50″″) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34″).