Child restraint system and headrest thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a child restraint system and a headrest thereof. The child restraint system may be used to secure a child within a vehicle. The child restraint system includes a headrest including a rear portion and one or more side walls. Each of the one or more sidewalls includes a first region and a second region. The first region is disposed between the second region and the rear portion of the headrest. The first region includes a material protruding from the sidewall at a greater distance than the material included in the second region. In addition, a ramp in the material is provided downwardly from the first region into the second region. In this manner, the child's head crosses the first zone and enters the second zone down during a side impact event, which results in energy dissipation over a greater distance.

Description

[0001] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 511,290, filed on June 30, 2023, entitled “Child Restraint System,” and claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Application, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure is generally in the field of child restraint systems, and more particularly, relates to side impact of child restraint systems. Background Art

[0004] New crash standards have been developed in the United States for vehicle side impact events. This brings new challenges to the energy management that occurs during a side impact event. This energy management can include mitigating the energy experienced by the passenger's head and child restraint system when it contacts the vehicle's door structure during a side impact. Summary of the invention

[0005] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a child restraint system including a seat and a headrest. The child restraint system also includes a rear portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The headrest further includes: a first region that protrudes from the first side wall by a first distance; and a second region that protrudes from the first side wall by a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance, wherein the first region is disposed between the rear portion and the second region, and wherein a ramp is formed between the first region and the second region, and wherein the ramp transitions downward from the first region into the second region.

[0006] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a headrest for a child restraint system. The headrest also includes a rear portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The headrest further includes: a first region that protrudes from the first side wall a first distance; and a second region that protrudes from the first side wall a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance, wherein the first region is disposed between the rear portion and the second region, and wherein a slope is formed between the first region and the second region, and wherein the slope transitions downward from the first region into the second region.

[0007] In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a child restraint system including a seat and a headrest. The child restraint system also includes a rear portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The headrest further includes a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is disposed between the second region and the rear portion, wherein the first region includes a first material having a first hardness, wherein the second region includes a second material having a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness, and wherein a transition between the first hardness and the second hardness causes movement of a vehicle occupant to be directed from the first region into the second region during an impact event. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components other than those illustrated in the figures, and some elements and / or components may not be present in various embodiments. The elements and / or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural terms may be used interchangeably, depending on the context.

[0009] Figure 1A is a front view of a child restraint system head restraint.

[0010] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A top view of a head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0011] Figure 1C yes Figure 1A Cross-section of a top view of a head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0012] Figure 2A is a front view of a head restraint of another child restraint system.

[0013] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A top view of a head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0014] Figure 2C yes Figure 2A A side view of the left side of a head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0015] Figure 2D yes Figure 2A Cross-section of a top view of a head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A Front view of the left side of a head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-section of a front view of the right side of another head restraint of the child restraint system.

[0018] Figure 5 is another cross section of a front view of the right side of another head restraint of the child restraint system.

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 2A Another front view of the left side of the head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0020] Figure 7 is another cross-sectional view of a headrest of a child restraint system.

[0021] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0022] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Rear view of the right side of the head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0023] Fig.10 is a perspective view of another head restraint of a child restraint system.

[0024] Fig.11 is a front view of a head restraint of another child restraint system.

[0025] The present disclosure provides a more detailed and specific description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures and specific descriptions of the figures, as well as any specific or other embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entire present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Example embodiments will now be more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown. However, the concepts disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to all similar, but not necessarily identical or equivalent elements.

[0027] A child restraint system may be a different type of seat used to secure a child (or other passenger) within a moving body, such as a vehicle. A child restraint system may include a headrest for supporting the head of a child (or any other type of vehicle occupant) and also protecting the child from injury during a vehicle collision event. In an embodiment, the headrest may be a separate device that is removably inserted into the seat of the child restraint system. However, in other embodiments, the headrest may also be permanently coupled to the seat of the child restraint system.

[0028] In an embodiment, a headrest of a child restraint system may include a rear portion and one or more side walls extending outwardly from the rear portion. That is, when the child restraint system is disposed in a vehicle and a child is seated in the child restraint system, the rear portion of the headrest is positioned behind the child's head and the one or more side walls are positioned on either side of the child's head. For example, the one or more side walls may include a left side wall positioned to the left of the child's head and a right side wall positioned to the right of the child's head.

[0029] In an embodiment, each of the one or more side walls may include a protruding material that provides a physical buffer between a child (e.g., a child's head) and a door or other type of vehicle structure. For example, the material disposed at the one or more side walls may include one or more foam materials, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), polyurethane, and / or a mixture of any of these types of foams. The material may also include materials other than foams as well.

[0030] When a vehicle is involved in a side impact event, due to the force of the side impact event, the child may first contact one of the side walls of the child restraint system, rather than directly contacting the door or other vehicle structure. However, typically these side walls only contain air bags or other types of compressible materials and are substantially parallel to the door or other type of vehicle structure when the child restraint system is disposed in the vehicle. Therefore, when a side impact event occurs, energy dissipation may occur quickly when the child contacts the side walls. That is, the side walls in these types of child restraint systems may compress through the depth of the material to slow the child's momentum against the door or other structure of the vehicle during the impact event. This may result in a large energy transfer in a short period of time.

[0031] The present disclosure describes a child restraint system that provides energy transfer over an extended period of time compared to these existing child restraint systems. This child restraint system described herein has a sidewall that includes two material zones (a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone is positioned between the rear of the headrest and the second zone). The two material zones can protrude from the child restraint system at different distances and different angles. For example, the first zone can protrude from the sidewall a first distance, and the second zone can protrude from the sidewall a second distance. In an embodiment, the second distance is shorter than the first distance. In addition, a slope in the material can be formed between the first zone and the second zone (the slope can also be formed as part of the first zone and / or the second zone).

[0032] In this manner, during a side impact event, the child first contacts the first region of the sidewall and passes through the first region and down into the second region of the sidewall. Thus, the period over which energy transfer occurs is extended as the child's motion is directed along the surface of the sidewall, rather than energy transfer occurring as the child compresses the material of the sidewall. That is, the geometry of the child restraint system described herein redirects the child's motion to allow the child to "roll" on the sidewall, as opposed to causing the child to suddenly stop in conventional child restraint systems by abrupt deceleration due to compression of the sidewall material.

[0033] The child restraint systems described herein may also be configured to direct the child's momentum along the surface of the sidewall in other ways. For example, rather than including two zones protruding at different distances from a given sidewall, the headrest may also include two zones that protrude the same distance from the sidewall but have different hardnesses. The hardness of a zone may be a factor of how easily the material forming the zone deforms when a child comes into contact with the material (e.g., harder versus softer material).

[0034] The first zone may be provided at a first hardness, and the second zone may be provided at a second hardness less than the first hardness. In such embodiments, the first zone may still be disposed between the second zone and the rear portion of the headrest. When a side impact event occurs in the vehicle, the child's head may contact the first zone and the second zone. As the second zone is compressed deeper into the sidewall than the first zone, the transition between the harder first zone and the softer second zone may guide the momentum of the child's head over the first zone and into the second zone.

[0035] Additionally, the sidewall is not necessarily limited to only two distinct regions. For example, the sidewall may include three, four, five, or any other number of regions. Each region may protrude from the sidewall at a different distance, may have a different degree of hardness, etc. In some examples, some regions may protrude from the sidewall at the same distance, have the same hardness, etc.

[0036] Figure 1A is a front view of a headrest 100 of a child restraint system. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A top view of a headrest 100 for a child restraint system. Figure 1C yes Figure 1A FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a top view of a headrest 100 of a child restraint system of FIG. 1. The headrest 100 includes a rear portion 101 and one or more side walls (e.g., a first side wall 102 and a second side wall 104). When a child's head is accelerated toward a vehicle door or other structure of the vehicle during a side impact event, the first side wall 102 and the second side wall 104 can provide energy dissipation. That is, the child's head first contacts the first side wall 102 or the second side wall 104 of the headrest 100, rather than directly contacting the vehicle door or other structure of the vehicle.

[0037] Depending on where the child restraint system is disposed in the vehicle, the first side wall 102 or the second side wall 104 may be positioned at least substantially parallel to a vehicle door or other structure of the vehicle. For example, if the child restraint system is disposed on a seat through the left side seat of the vehicle (from the perspective of a child sitting in the child restraint system), the second side wall 104 may be positioned at least substantially parallel to the left side door of the vehicle. In this example, during a side impact event, when the child's head is accelerated toward the left side door of the vehicle, the second side wall 104 may provide energy dissipation.

[0038] Figure 2A is a front view of a headrest 200 of another child restraint system. Figure 2B yes Figure 2A FIG. 2 is a top view of a headrest 200 for a child restraint system of FIG. 1 . Similar to the headrest 100 , the headrest 200 includes a rear portion 201 and one or more side walls. However, compared to the headrest 100 , the side walls of the headrest 200 each include two regions. For example, the first side wall includes a first region 202 and a second region 204, and the second side wall includes a first region 206 and a second region 208.

[0039] In an embodiment, the two regions of each of the side walls may protrude from the headrest at different distances. For example, the first region 202 of the first side wall and the first region 206 of the second side wall may protrude from the headrest 200 at a first distance. The second region 204 of the first side wall and the second region 208 of the second side wall may protrude from the headrest at a second distance. The first distance may be greater than the second distance, such that the first region 202 of the first side wall and the first region 206 of the second side wall protrude from the headrest 200 at a greater distance than the second region 204 of the first side wall and the second region 208 of the second side wall.

[0040] In an embodiment, the second region 204 of the first sidewall and the second region 208 of the second sidewall may also be provided at an angle such that they are inclined away from the first region 202 of the first sidewall and the first region 206 of the second sidewall. In another embodiment, the angled surface may be included in the first region 202 (and / or the first region 206) and may slope downward into the second region 204 (and / or the second region 204). This embodiment is described in Figure 2C Displayed in.

[0041] This geometric configuration of the first and second regions of the respective side walls directs the movement of the head of a child seated in the child restraint system over the surface of the first region and into the second region during a side impact event of the vehicle in which the child restraint system is provided. This allows energy dissipation to be performed in the head restraint 200 over a greater distance as the head travels along the surface of the side wall, rather than just traveling in compression. Figures 1A to 1C. For example, if the force of a side impact event were to direct a child in a child restraint system toward the left hand side of the headrest 200 (from the perspective of the seated child), the child's head would first contact the first region 206 of the second side wall. The movement of the head would then be directed past the first region 206, along the oblique angle, and into the second region 208 of the second side wall. Similar energy dissipation may also be provided across the first region 202 and the second region 204 of the first side wall.

[0042] Figure 2D yes Figure 2A 2 is a cross-section of a top view of a headrest 200 of a child restraint system.

[0043] The two regions of each of the side walls may be formed using the same or different materials. As a non-limiting example, the two regions may be formed using one or more foam materials, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), polyurethane, and / or a mixture of any of these types of foams. The two regions may also be formed using any other material other than foam.

[0044] In an embodiment, the material forming the first zone and the second zone may be the same type of material or different types of materials. That is, for example, the first zone may include a first type of foam, and the second zone may include a second type of foam. Alternatively, both the first zone and the second zone may include the first type of foam.

[0045] In an embodiment, the first and second regions of a given sidewall may be formed by providing different amounts of foam to each region. For example, a greater amount of foam may be provided in the first region of the sidewall than in the second region of the sidewall so that the first region protrudes a greater distance from the headrest than the second region.

[0046] The hardness of the first region may also be different from the hardness of the second region. For example, the first region may have a greater hardness than the second region. In this way, the momentum of the head may be more effectively directed along the harder first region into the softer second region because the head causes the first region to deform to a lesser extent than the second region.

[0047] The difference in hardness between the first and second regions can be achieved in several different ways. As a first example, the hardness of the first region can be greater by using a harder material in the first region than in the second region. For example, a harder type of foam (or other material) can be provided in the first region, and a softer type of foam (or other material) can be provided in the second region. As a second example, the hardness of the first region can be greater by using a solid material in the first region and a hollow material (e.g., hollow foam) in the second region. As a third example, the first and second regions can include the same type of material, but the hardness of the first region can be increased by providing additional support structure in the first region. For example, the additional structure can include rib-like elements provided in the first region. Fig.11 Headrest 1100 is shown including example rib-like elements 1102 disposed on sidewalls 1104 of headrest 1100. Additional structure is not limited to rib-like elements 1102 and may also include additional structure of any other shape and / or size or combination of different types of shapes and / or sizes.

[0048] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A 2 is a front view of the left side (from the perspective of a child sitting in the child restraint system) of a headrest 200 of a child restraint system. Figure 3 An example configuration of material disposed in the first zone 206 and the second zone 208 to create the side wall 212 at the right side of the headrest 200 is shown. The material in the first zone 206 is shown protruding a first distance from the side wall 212. The material in the second zone 208 is shown protruding a second distance from the side wall 212, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

[0049] In an embodiment, the ramp 210 is disposed between the first zone 206 and the second zone 208. The ramp 210 may be formed as part of the first zone 206 and / or the second zone 208. The ramp 210 transitions from the first zone 206 and down into the second zone 208. In this manner, a child's head may first contact the material of the first zone 206, travel along the ramp 210, and ultimately contact the second zone 208. Thus, the child's head travels along the sidewall 212 during an impact event, and the time during which energy dissipation occurs is extended.

[0050] The ramp 210 disposed between the first region 206 and the second region 208 (or formed as part of the first region 206 and / or the second region 208) can be disposed at any angle between the first region 206 and the second region 208. That is, the ramp 210 can be disposed at a greater angle to provide a longer surface along which the head can travel or to provide less distance to reduce the vertical distance the head travels toward the sidewall 212 during an impact event.

[0051] Additionally, while specific shapes and / or sizes of materials forming the first zone 206 and / or the second zone 208 are shown, these are not intended to be limiting. The materials of the first zone 206 and / or the second zone 208 may also be formed into any other shapes and / or sizes and may protrude from the sidewall 212 at any combination of distances. In some examples, the shapes and / or sizes of the materials may depend on the type of child restraint system. For example, a first combination of shapes and / or sizes may be provided for a first child restraint system intended for older children, and a second combination of shapes and / or sizes may be provided for a second child restraint system intended for younger children. For example, in another embodiment, Figures 5 to 10 Displayed in.

[0052] Figure 4 4 is a cross-section of a front view of the right side (from the perspective of a child sitting in the child restraint system) of another headrest 400 of a child restraint system. The headrest 400 includes a first region 404 and a second region 402. Figure 4 An alternative example of a headrest that includes a second zone having material that protrudes only a shorter distance from the right side wall than the material of the first zone is illustrated. In this alternative example, the second zone 402 is provided as a void (e.g., lacking material protruding from the left side wall of the headrest 400). This alternative embodiment (similar to the other embodiments described herein) also provides a geometry that causes a child's head to roll through the first zone and down into the second zone during a crash event, rather than the child's head simply traveling into the side wall of the headrest and compressing the material of the side wall.

[0053] Figure 5 5 is another cross-section of a front view of another headrest 500 of a child restraint system including a first zone 504 and a second zone 502 , from the perspective of a child seated in the child restraint system.

[0054] Figure 6 yes Figure 2A Another front view of the left side of the head restraint of a child restraint system. Figure 6 A first region 604 and a second region 602 are shown.

[0055] Figure 7 is another cross-sectional view of a headrest 700 of a child restraint system including a first region 704 and a second region 702 .

[0056] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another headrest 800 for a child restraint system including a first region 804 and a second region 802 .

[0057] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Rear view of the right side of the head restraint of a child restraint system. Fig. 9The material forming the second region is shown to be secured to the sidewall 801 by one or more holes 806. However, the material may be secured to the sidewall 801 by any other suitable mechanism, such as an adhesive or the like.

[0058] Fig.10 is a perspective view of another headrest 1000 for a child restraint system including a first region 1004 and a second region 1002 .

[0059] Although the disclosed examples include specific arrangements of several parts, components, features and aspects, the present disclosure is not limited to those examples or arrangements shown. Any one or more of the parts, components, features and aspects of the present disclosure may be used alone or in other arrangements of any two or more thereof.

[0060] Although certain product features, functions, components and parts have been described herein according to the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the present disclosure that fully fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

[0061] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to the definitions of terms provided below, it should be understood that as used in the specification and claims, "a" or "an" can mean one or more, depending on the context in which it is used.

[0062] Throughout this application, the terms "comprises," "includes," or "contains" mean "including (but not limited to)." It should be noted that certain embodiments may be described with respect to a single element, but the corresponding description should be interpreted as an embodiment comprising two or more elements. Different features, variations, and multiple different embodiments are shown and described in various details herein. In this application, what is sometimes described according to a specific embodiment is for illustration only and is not intended to limit or imply that the envisioned content is the only specific embodiment or multiple specific embodiments. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiment or enumerated variation. Many modifications, variations, and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is hoped that they will be and are actually covered by the present disclosure. In fact, it is hoped that the scope of the present disclosure will be determined by the appropriate legal interpretation and construction (including equivalents) of the present disclosure, as understood by those skilled in the art relying on the complete disclosure presented at the time of application.

[0063] Unless expressly stated otherwise or otherwise understood within the context of use, conditional language such as "may," "could," "likely," or "might" is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments may include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and / or operations. Thus, such conditional language is generally not intended to imply that one or more embodiments in any way require features, elements, and / or operations, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining, with or without user input or prompting, whether such features, elements, and / or operations are included or will be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0064] The contents described in the specification and the figures herein include examples of systems, devices, methods, apparatuses and / or technologies. Of course, it is impossible to describe each conceivable combination of components and / or methods for describing the various elements of the present disclosure, but it should be recognized that many other combinations and arrangements of the disclosed elements are possible. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, other embodiments of the present disclosure may become apparent from consideration of the specification and the drawings and the practice of the present disclosure presented herein. It is hoped that the examples proposed in the specification and the drawings are considered to be illustrative and non-restrictive in all respects. Although specific terms are used herein, they are only used in a general and descriptive sense and not for limitation.

Claims

1. A child restraint system, comprising: Seats; and A headrest comprising a rear portion, a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the headrest further comprises: a first region that protrudes a first distance from the first sidewall; and A second zone protrudes a second distance from the first side wall, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance, wherein the first zone is disposed between the rear portion and the second zone, and wherein a slope is formed between the first zone and the second zone, and wherein the slope transitions downward from the first zone into the second zone.

2. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein the first region comprises a first material having a first hardness, wherein the second region comprises a second material having a second hardness, and wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness.

3. The child restraint system of claim 2, wherein the first material and the second material are the same type of material.

4. The child restraint system of claim 2, wherein the first material and the second material are different types of materials. 5 . The child restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the first region comprises a solid material and the second region comprises a hollow material. The child restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the second region comprises a void.

7. The child restraint system of claim 1, wherein one or more rib-like elements are disposed within the material of the first region to provide additional rigidity to the first region. 8 . The child restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the first region and the second region include at least one of the following: expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), and polyurethane foam.

9. A headrest for a child restraint system, comprising: rear; and A first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the headrest further comprises: a first region that protrudes a first distance from the first sidewall; and A second zone protrudes a second distance from the first side wall, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance, wherein the first zone is disposed between the rear portion and the second zone, and wherein a slope is formed between the first zone and the second zone, and wherein the slope transitions downward from the first zone into the second zone. 10 . The head restraint of claim 9 , wherein the first region comprises a first material having a first hardness, wherein the second region comprises a second material having a second hardness, and wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness.

11. The headrest of claim 10, wherein the first material and the second material are the same type of material.

12. The headrest of claim 10, wherein the first material and the second material are different types of materials.

13. The head restraint of claim 10, wherein the first region comprises a solid material and the second region comprises a hollow material. The head restraint of claim 10 , wherein the second region comprises a void.

15. The headrest of claim 10, wherein one or more rib-like elements are disposed within the material of the first region to provide additional rigidity to the first region. 16 . The headrest according to claim 10 , wherein the first region and the second region include at least one of the following: expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), and polyurethane foam.

17. A child restraint system comprising: Seats; and A headrest comprising a rear portion, a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the headrest further comprises: District 1; and a second zone, wherein the first zone is disposed between the second zone and the rear portion, wherein the first zone comprises a first material having a first hardness, wherein the second zone comprises a second material having a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness, and wherein a transition between the first hardness and the second hardness causes movement of a vehicle occupant to be directed from the first zone into the second zone during an impact event.

18. The child restraint system of claim 17, wherein the first region comprises a solid material and the second region comprises a hollow material.

19. The child restraint system of claim 17, wherein one or more rib-like elements are disposed within the material of the first region to provide additional rigidity to the first region. 20 . The child restraint system of claim 17 , wherein the first region and the second region include at least one of the following: expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), and polyurethane foam.

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