Seatbelt Barrier Preventing Unauthorized Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seatbelt systems in amusement park ride vehicles are unsuitable due to passengers being able to operate the release buttons, leading to potential safety risks and weight, cost, and complexity issues in battery-operated vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A barrier is integrated with off-the-shelf seatbelt components to allow the seatbelt tongue to be inserted into the buckle while preventing passengers from operating the release button, using a combination of a slot in the barrier and an electromechanical device or solenoid to control the release, ensuring secure restraint without additional weight or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional seatbelt systems are used in amusement park vehicles, then passengers can easily insert the tongue into the buckle, but passengers can also easily operate the release button and release themselves, creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is segmented into two separate access paths: one for the tongue insertion and one for the release button. The release button is positioned in a recessed area that is not accessible through the slot, requiring separate access. This segmentation prevents unauthorized release while maintaining easy tongue insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical linkage system acts as an intermediary between the release button and the tongue retention mechanism. When the release button is pressed (by authorized personnel with a key or tool), it activates the linkage that releases the tongue. This intermediary mechanism ensures that only intentional, authorized actions can release the seatbelt.
2Reliability
If child-safety devices or prisoner transportation devices are installed to prevent unauthorized release, then safety is improved, but the device complexity, weight, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The complex electronic or mechanical child-safety devices are extracted and replaced with a simple geometric solution. The release button is positioned in a recessed area that is naturally inaccessible to children's fingers, eliminating the need for additional safety mechanisms while maintaining prevention of unauthorized release.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive, complex electronic safety systems, the invention uses a simple, inexpensive geometric design of the release button recess. This low-cost solution provides the same safety function without the complexity and expense of electronic or mechanical safety devices.
3Reliability
If multiple individual lap bars are used to restrain passengers, then restraint effectiveness is improved, but the weight and parts count of the vehicle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seatbelt system serves multiple functions: it restrains the passenger's torso, prevents forward motion during acceleration, and provides lateral support. This single multi-functional seatbelt system replaces multiple specialized restraint components, reducing overall weight while maintaining comprehensive passenger safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple restraint functions are merged into a single seatbelt assembly. The lap bar, shoulder harness, and tongue retention mechanisms are combined into one integrated system, eliminating the need for separate restraint devices and reducing the overall parts count and weight of the vehicle.
4Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend travel distance or duration, then vehicle operational capability is improved, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is pre-loaded with elastic potential energy in the buckled state. When release is authorized, the stored energy automatically propels the tongue outward without requiring additional power from the battery system. This preliminary energy storage allows for extended operational duration without increasing battery capacity or weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic force that could potentially cause the tongue to snap back unexpectedly is converted into a beneficial automatic ejection mechanism. When the retention mechanism is released, the stored elastic energy actively propels the tongue away from the buckle, ensuring reliable release without requiring additional power systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and secure seatbelt system that prevents passengers from releasing their own seatbelts while allowing authorized simultaneous release, addressing safety and weight concerns in battery-operated vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical device or solenoid to control the release
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier may be configured to maintain a fixed position with respect to a seat, the barrier separating a first space from a second space, a seatbelt buckle may be configured to maintain a fixed position with respect to the barrier in the second space, the buckle includes an opening to receive a seatbelt tongue and a release button to release the tongue from the buckle, the barrier may include a slot having dimensions selected to permit passage of the tongue from the first space into the opening and prevent an object from passing through the slot to operate the release button. A force-transfer-structure, coupled between the release button and a solenoid may transfer a force exerted by the solenoid to the release button, where the buckle and force-transfer-structure maintain operational alignment therebetween. A second structure can operate the release button in event that the solenoid is inoperable.