Strain Gage Load Cell Anchor for Vehicle Safety Belt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load cells used for testing vehicle safety harnesses are bulky, heavy, and often require elongation or repositioning of safety belts, leading to inaccurate force measurements due to size and access constraints, especially in high-performance vehicles with multiple attachment points.
Innovation Solution
A strain gage load cell anchor that integrates strain gages into the safety belt anchor, allowing it to elastically deform and measure force by changes in resistance, eliminating the need for separate load cells and enabling accurate force measurement directly at the anchor points, even in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate load cells are used to measure force on safety belts, then force measurement capability is achieved, but device size and weight increase, making it difficult to fit in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load cell functionality directly into the safety belt anchor by integrating strain gages onto the anchor structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate load cells, reducing device volume and weight while maintaining force measurement capability at the critical attachment point
Solution Approach 2:
The safety belt anchor is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural anchoring function and simultaneously performs force measurement through integrated strain gages. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement devices, solving the space constraint problem
2Measurement precision
If separate load cells are attached to measure force at multiple attachment points, then comprehensive force data is obtained, but device weight and complexity multiply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates strain gage measurement functionality directly into each safety belt anchor, combining the anchoring and measurement functions into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate load cells at each attachment point, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive force measurement capability across multiple points
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
This solution provides accurate, real-time force measurement during vehicle crashes, improving harness design and passenger safety by integrating the load cell functionality into the safety belt anchor, reducing the need for separate sensors and accommodating multiple attachment points without size or access issues.
Implementation Method 1
The safety belt anchor may elastically deform at least between the first and second anchor openings in response to the force applied to the safety belt anchor. The one or more strain gages may elastically deform when the safety belt anchor elastically deforms.
Implementation Method 2
a resistance of each strain gage may be configured to change when elastically deformed, such that the one or more strain gages may be configured to measure the force on the safety belt anchor via the change in resistance of each strain gage
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method of manufacturing, and method of using a strain gage load cell anchor are provided that include a safety belt anchor for connecting a safety belt to a vehicle. The safety belt anchor may have a first anchor opening that connects the safety belt anchor to a safety belt, and the anchor may have a second anchor opening that connects the safety belt anchor to a vehicle. One or more strain gages may be provided on the safety belt anchor to measure a force applied to the safety belt anchor, such that the safety belt anchor operates as a strain gage load cell anchor.