Seatbelt Guide Assembly with Dynamic Post Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seatbelt systems do not effectively reduce chest deflection and resulting injuries during vehicle collisions, particularly in oblique impacts, as they fail to dynamically adjust the load distribution across the occupant's chest.
Innovation Solution
A seatbelt guide assembly with a releasable post and a solenoid that allows the seatbelt webbing to move from a first position to a second position in response to impacts, reducing chest deflection by retracting the releasable post upon detection of an oblique or frontal impact, thereby alleviating loading forces on the occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seatbelt webbing is kept taut and fixed in position, then the occupant is securely restrained, but the chest deflection and loading forces increase during oblique impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The seatbelt guide assembly incorporates a movable webbing position and a releasable post mechanism that allows the system to transition from a fixed state to a dynamic, adjusted state during impact. The webbing can move from a first position to a second position, and the releasable post can be released from a first state to a second state, enabling the system to adapt to different impact conditions and reduce harmful forces on the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the seatbelt configuration by allowing the webbing to move between different positions in the slot and the releasable post to transition between extended and retracted states. This parameter change modifies the load distribution and chest deflection characteristics during impact, reducing harmful forces while maintaining restraint effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If the seatbelt system remains in a fixed configuration, then the structure is simple, but it cannot dynamically adjust to reduce chest deflection during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The seatbelt guide assembly incorporates a movable webbing position and a releasable post mechanism that allows the system to transition from a fixed state to a dynamic, adjusted state during impact. The webbing can move from a first position to a second position, and the releasable post can be released from a first state to a second state, enabling the system to adapt to different impact conditions and reduce harmful forces on the occupant.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the releasable post is released to allow webbing movement, then chest deflection is reduced, but the restraint system becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The seatbelt guide assembly incorporates a movable webbing position and a releasable post mechanism that allows the system to transition from a fixed state to a dynamic, adjusted state during impact. The webbing can move from a first position to a second position, and the releasable post can be released from a first state to a second state, enabling the system to adapt to different impact conditions and reduce harmful forces on the occupant.
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 effectively reduces chest deflection and associated injuries by dynamically adjusting the seatbelt's load distribution, as measured by test devices like THOR in USNCAP tests, enhancing occupant safety during various types of vehicle impacts.
Implementation Method 1
A seatbelt guide assembly with a releasable post and a solenoid that allows the seatbelt webbing to move from a first position to a second position in response to impacts
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a seatbelt guide. The seatbelt guide includes a slot. A webbing extends through the slot. A releasable post is supported by the seatbelt guide and extends across the slot. The releasable post releases during a vehicle impact to allow the webbing to move along the slot to reduce chest deflection of an occupant during the vehicle impact.