Child Seat Buckle

Jan-Apr 2019

This Embodiment Design project formed 25% of my overall grade towards DM200: Design 2, a class in my 2nd year at the University of Strathclyde. Module syllabus: "Methods to progress from chosen concept through to developed concept. Introduction and application of methods for initialsizing, component, manufacturing technology and material selection trade-off’s."

Concept Generation

Sketch 1

Sketch 2

Concept Development

Developed Concept 1 & 2

Developed Concept 3 & 4

Developed Concept 1 was chosen to be the final concept after a series of concept evaluation processes; the evaluative techniques consisted of a Controlled Convergence Matrix (CCM) and Weighting & Rating Matrix (W&R).

Materials & Process Costing

The specific materials and processes were chosen for their thorough use in the industry combined with their strength and durability. As well as their ability to be recycled, this was important to me for designing and manufacturing a low carbon footprint, and sustainable design. The costs of each material and process have been referenced in the full project (linked below).

For the start-up quantity of 1000 pieces, total manufacturing cost = £2,350.

Costing Table

Mechanism & Forces

Section View and Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Button is compressed making immediate contact with the belt lock (ref. exploded diagram below for part geometries).
Button lock pushes against cantilever springand then releases the Belt Receiver, uncoiling the Dia.3mm Springs.
The Belt Receiver now returns to the springs’ rest positions as the belt buckle is removed.

Shown in the middle of the page is the static stress diagram, where I have applied a Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) of 30N on the top of the button. A von Mises chart with colours co-ordinated to the model represents the stress (N/m^2). The model shows mild stress from blue to green.

Exploded View & Bill of Materials (BOM)

Exploded View with BOM