Multi-Point Seat Restraint with Dynamic Web Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle seat restraint systems often lack effective multi-point restraint configurations that can securely and dynamically adjust to various operating conditions, such as during vehicle movement or occupant shifts, leading to inadequate safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A multi-point restraint system for vehicle seats that includes shoulder, lap, and thigh webs with retractors and attenuators, which are operatively coupled to engagement members and mounted to both the vehicle and seat, allowing for dynamic adjustment and force distribution to enhance occupant safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional restraint devices with limited connection points are used, then device complexity is reduced, but safety and restraint effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into multiple independent web segments (shoulder web, lap web, thigh web) each connected to separate retractors. This segmentation allows each component to function independently while collectively providing comprehensive restraint, resolving the contradiction by distributing safety functions across multiple simple components rather than one complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system transitions from conventional 2-point or 3-point connections to a multi-dimensional 6-point configuration by adding vertical restraint through the thigh web and lateral restraint through shoulder webs. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive occupant containment in multiple spatial directions, improving safety without requiring overly complex individual components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed restraint systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to various operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system employs dynamic retractors that can automatically extend and retract based on occupant movement and vehicle dynamics. Each retractor independently adjusts web length in response to acceleration, deceleration, and occupant position changes, providing adaptive restraint without requiring complex electronic control systems or sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractors are self-regulating mechanisms that automatically respond to force applications from the occupant or vehicle motion. The system requires no external power source or control input - the physical forces generated during vehicle operation directly actuate the retractors to provide appropriate restraint levels for each operating condition.
3Reliability
If multi-point restraint systems with multiple retractors are implemented, then safety and force distribution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple restraint functions are merged into a single integrated web assembly where the shoulder web, lap web, and thigh web are connected through common engagement members and retractors. This merging allows the system to provide comprehensive 6-point restraint using coordinated action of shared components, reducing overall complexity compared to separate independent restraint systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members serve multiple functions by connecting different web segments to multiple retractors simultaneously. Each engagement member acts as a universal connection point that can interface with various retractor types and web configurations, allowing the same component to fulfill multiple restraint functions and reducing the total number of unique parts required.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle, seat and multi-point restraint system combination may include one or a combination of means for selectively preventing forward pivoting of the seat, one or more web attenuators for dampen forces applied thereby by one or more respective shoulder webs of the multi-point restraint system, at least one sleeve received on at least one shoulder web and a corresponding sleeve adjuster for adjusting a position of the sleeve along the respective shoulder web, web retractors operatively coupled to each of a pair of lap webs and to each of a pair of thigh webs of the multi-point restraint system, and at least one web retractor operatively coupled to the shoulder webs of the multi-point restraint system.