Seatbelt Buckle Cable Loop Intrusion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern seatbelt restraint systems, the rapid acceleration of the buckle during pretensioner activation can cause the cable to protrude into the buckle housing due to inertia, leading to undesirable cable protrusion, which is not only undesirable but also requires costly reworking of components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a buckle housing with a tab or retainer elements that block the motion of the cable loop, or the use of clips to embrace the cable attachment, preventing protrusion into the buckle assembly during restraint activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable type pretensioner system is used with rapid acceleration, then the restraint system performance is improved, but cable protrusion into the buckle housing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable loop and the buckle housing. This retainer prevents the cable loop from protruding into the housing while allowing the cable to function normally for pretensioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful protrusion motion of the cable loop is extracted and prevented by the retainer element, which isolates the cable's functional motion from its harmful extraneous motion, allowing the pretensioner to operate effectively without cable intrusion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cable protrusion is prevented by redesigning the buckle housing, then cable intrusion is avoided, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the buckle assembly into distinct functional components: the existing buckle housing, the cable attachment mechanism, and a separate retainer element. This segmentation allows the retainer to be added as a simple, low-cost component rather than redesigning the entire housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and installed. It serves its protective function throughout the service life of the buckle assembly without requiring complex materials or manufacturing processes.
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
Prevents cable protrusion into the buckle internal mechanism, maintaining system integrity and reducing manufacturing costs by avoiding the need for reworking of components.
Implementation Method 1
a very rapid acceleration of the buckle occurs in the retraction direction of the pretensioner when the pretensioner is activated; and when the pretensioner reaches the end of its travel, the buckle can continue its motion due to inertia which can cause the cable to be pushed into the buckle housing
Data Source
AI summary
A device for preventing protrusion of a seatbelt anchorage cable into a seat belt system buckle during operation of a pretensioner coupled with the cable and a buckle assembly, the cable of a type affixed at a first end to the pretensioner, and at a second end to the buckle assembly. The cable further having an end wrap forming a loop around a rivet affixed to a frame of the buckle assembly with the cable loop wrapping around the rivet. The device having a feature positioned adjacent to the cable loop and blocking movement of the loop into the buckle. Embodiments include; providing features of a buckle housing in the form of a tab which blocks motion of the cable loop, retainer ring element attached to the buckle frame having features which embrace the cable loop, and clips which can be attached to the buckle assembly, embracing the cable attachment.