Shock Absorbing Height Adjuster Anti-Cinch D-Ring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat belt systems in vehicles, particularly in recreational utility vehicles, experience discomfort and fatigue due to high tension loads during aggressive driving, as the D-loop acts as a rigid anchor, resisting forward motion and causing substantial discomfort and fatigue in occupants.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a shock absorbing height adjuster with a built-in anti-cinch feature, which includes a D-ring that can elastically respond to tension loads and adjustable locking mechanisms, allowing the D-ring to move and absorb shock, reducing the discomfort caused by high tension loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the D-loop acts as a rigid anchor to properly restrain the occupant, then the occupant restraint effectiveness is improved, but the occupant comfort deteriorates due to substantial discomfort and fatigue from high tension loads
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjuster incorporates a D-ring that can dynamically move vertically along the web between fixed stops, transforming the rigid anchor into a dynamic system. This movement allows the D-ring to absorb shock loads and reduce tension transmitted to the occupant while maintaining restraint effectiveness through the fixed stops that prevent excessive displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the D-ring along the web by allowing vertical movement between upper and lower fixed stops. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to varying tension loads, moving the D-ring to optimize both restraint effectiveness and occupant comfort under different driving conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the D-ring is allowed to move to absorb shock loads, then the occupant comfort is improved, but the restraint effectiveness may deteriorate if the D-ring becomes too flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjuster incorporates a D-ring that can dynamically move vertically along the web between fixed stops, transforming the rigid anchor into a dynamic system. This movement allows the D-ring to absorb shock loads and reduce tension transmitted to the occupant while maintaining restraint effectiveness through the fixed stops that prevent excessive displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed stops are positioned in advance to provide cushioning limits for the D-ring movement. These pre-positioned stops ensure that the D-ring can move enough to absorb shock loads and reduce discomfort, while simultaneously guaranteeing that restraint effectiveness is maintained by preventing movement beyond safe limits.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a shock absorbing height adjuster with anti-cinch feature is integrated, then the occupant comfort is improved by reducing shock loads, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shock absorption function and the anti-cinch function into a single integrated height adjuster assembly. The D-ring movement mechanism provides shock absorption, while the web guide channel with anti-cinch features prevents web bunching, combining multiple functions in one compact structure rather than using separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-cinch feature utilizes a web guide channel that flexibly guides the web to prevent bunching and twisting. This flexible guidance structure allows the web to move smoothly during D-ring displacement while maintaining proper web alignment, reducing complexity compared to rigid mechanical anti-cinch mechanisms.
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 shock absorbing height adjuster effectively reduces shock loads on the occupant by allowing the D-ring to elastically move and absorb tension, providing comfort and durability in harsh environments while enabling easy height adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The anti-cinch feature can include one or more elastic web portions that enable the D-ring to elastically respond to tension loads in the shoulder web
Data Source
AI summary
Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes an adjustable D-ring that is operably coupled to an anchor point on a vehicle frame near a seat occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that enables the D-ring to elastically respond to tension loads in a shoulder web portion of the occupant restraint through at least an initial portion of D-ring movement.