Impact bar designed to provide support between a child seat and a backrest of a vehicle seat, and child seat assembly provided therewith

Abstract

A crash bar (12) is disclosed, which is designed to be supported between a child seat (11) and a backrest (21) of a vehicle seat (2). The crash bar (12) comprises a main body (121) and at least one shock-absorbing region (122). The main body (121) is connected to a seat region (111) or a base region (112) of the child seat (11). The at least one shock-absorbing region (122) is combined with the main body (121) to absorb an impact from the backrest (21). The at least one shock-absorbing region (122) can generate a deformation when the crash bar (12) absorbs the impact from the backrest (21). Consequently, the risk of injury to a child can be effectively reduced. Furthermore, a child safety seat assembly (1) with the aforementioned crash bar (12) is disclosed.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an impact bar and a child seat arrangement equipped therewith. Background of the invention

[0002] For safety reasons, a child traveling in a vehicle should sit in a child safety seat mounted on the vehicle seat, rather than sitting directly on the vehicle seat. A child safety seat can be installed on a vehicle seat facing forward or rearward, depending on practical needs. When the child safety seat is in a forward-facing position, the child faces forward. When the child safety seat is in a rearward-facing position, the child faces the back of the vehicle seat, and an impact bar on the child safety seat is used to rest against the back of the vehicle seat. In the event of a traffic accident and an impact, the impact bar can thus prevent the rearward-facing child safety seat from tipping over into the vehicle seat.However, the impact force directly from the backrest of the vehicle seat onto the conventional impact bar is still too great for a small child. It is desirable to improve the structure of the conventional impact bar to reduce the risk of injury to the child.

[0003] EP 0 317 438 B1 discloses a safety seat for small children in a motor vehicle with a restraint bar. A padded cuff is slid onto the restraint bar.

[0004] DE 42 22 692 C1 discloses a child restraint for a motor vehicle, consisting of a stable outer shell, for example as a reclining shell in a "reboard" position. The base frame is supported by a moment support on a backrest surface of the vehicle seat.

[0005] US 5,918,930 A discloses a vehicle seat comprising a lower layer formed from an impermeable element, a permeable layer formed from a permeable material adhesively attached to the upper surface of the lower layer, and an upper layer arranged on the upper surface of the permeable layer and having a permeable section formed therein, which provides a transmission between the permeable layer and an external element, arranged toward the front surface of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat is equipped with an air inlet opening through which external air is introduced into the permeable layer. A hose connects the air inlet opening to an air outlet opening of an air conditioning system.

[0006] EP 1 526 034 A1 discloses a side-protecting headrest cushion, a cushion assembly, and a safety seat. The restraint cushion comprises an air bladder with a pump for selective inflation and a release valve for selective deflation, an energy-absorbing component, and a comfort component. A flexible housing is provided in which the air bladder, the energy-absorbing component, and the comfort component are configured to overlap and form a single unit. The headrest cushion is designed to be placed in a seat in a laterally oriented position with one side of the occupant's head and to be inflatable as needed to restrain the head against harmful lateral movements caused by a side impact relative to the seat.

[0007] US 9,434,279 B2 discloses a child seat arrangement comprising a support base and a child carrier. The support base may include a shell body, an anti-rebound frame, and a locking mechanism. The shell body has a lower surface that supports the support base when placed on a support surface and an upper surface for mounting a child carrier. The anti-rebound frame is assembled with the shell body, being movable up and down relative to the shell body to extend upward beyond the upper surface and downward beyond the lower surface. The locking mechanism secures the anti-rebound frame to the shell body. Summary of the invention

[0008] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an impact bar capable of generating a deformation to reduce the risk of injury to a child, and a child seat arrangement equipped therewith.

[0009] The problem is solved by an impact bar and a child seat arrangement according to the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements.

[0010] According to the invention, at least one shock-absorbing area is a honeycomb structure or an air cell structure. Furthermore, at least one shock-absorbing area is arranged at a position near a connection between the main body and the seat area or the base area of ​​the child seat, or at one end of the main body.

[0011] As will become clearer from the detailed description below, the claimed impact bar is designed to act as a support between a child seat and the backrest of a vehicle seat. The impact bar comprises a main body and at least one shock-absorbing area. The main body is connected to a seating area or a base area of ​​the child seat. The at least one shock-absorbing area is combined with the main body to absorb an impact from the backrest in order to prevent the child seat from rotating backwards.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main body is U-shaped and comprises a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. One end of the third segment is connected to one end of the first segment. The other end of the third segment is connected to one end of the second segment. The other end of the first segment is connected to the seat area or the base area of ​​the child seat, and the other end of the second segment is connected to the seat area or the base area of ​​the child seat.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock absorption area is integrated in the first segment, the second segment and / or the third segment of the main body.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock absorption area is detachably combined with the first segment, the second segment and / or the third segment of the main body.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock absorption area is made of an elastic material, a plastic material or a metal material.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock absorption area is a sandwich structure.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one shock-absorbing area comprises a first lamination, a second lamination, a honeycomb component, and at least one elastic component. The at least one elastic component is connected to the first and the second laminations. The honeycomb component is installed between the first and the second laminations and is separated from the first and / or the second laminations when the first and second laminations are unloaded. Deformation of the at least one elastic component occurs before fracture of the honeycomb component when the first and second laminations are subjected to a collision.

[0018] Furthermore, the claimed child seat arrangement comprises a child seat and an impact bar. The child seat comprises a seating area and a base area. The impact bar is supported between the child seat and the backrest of a vehicle seat. The impact bar comprises a main body and at least one shock-absorbing area. The main body is connected to the seating area or the base area of ​​the child seat. The at least one shock-absorbing area is combined with the main body to absorb an impact from the backrest in order to prevent the child seat from rotating backward.

[0019] In summary, the impact bar of the present invention uses deformation of the shock-absorbing area to absorb an impact from the backrest of the vehicle seat. If the impact is minor, the shock-absorbing area can deform elastically. If the impact is severe, the shock-absorbing area can be permanently deformed or fractured. Consequently, improved cushioning and an effective reduction in the risk of injury to a child can be provided.

[0020] These and other problems of the present invention will undoubtedly become obvious to the person skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the various figures and drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The invention is illustrated in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a child seat arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a child seat arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 each a view of an impact bar according to different embodiments of the present invention, and Fig. 7 a view of a shock absorption area according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0022] To illustrate the technical specifications and structural features as well as the intended purposes and effects of the present invention, relevant embodiments and figures are described as follows.

[0023] It will be on Fig. 1 referenced. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a child seat arrangement 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the child seat assembly 1 is mounted on a vehicle seat 2 in a rearward-facing position and comprises a child seat 11 and an impact bar 12. The child seat 11 comprises a seat area 111 and a base area 112. The impact bar 12 is connected to the seat area 111 and supported between the child seat 11 and a backrest 12 of the vehicle seat 12 to prevent the child seat 11 from tipping backward toward the backrest 21 when the child seat assembly 1 is mounted on the vehicle seat 2 in the rearward-facing position. However, the structure of the child seat assembly 1 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it is shown that Fig. 2. Referenced. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the child seat arrangement 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the impact bar 12 in this embodiment can also be connected to the base area 112 of the child seat 11 for support between the child seat 11 and the backrest 21.

[0024] It will be on Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Referenced. Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 6 shows illustrations of the impact bar 12 according to different embodiments of the present invention. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the impact bar 12 in this embodiment comprises a main body 121 and two shock-absorbing areas 122. The main body 121 is essentially U-shaped and includes a first segment 1211, a second segment 1212, and a third segment 1213. One end of the third segment 1213 is connected to one end of the first segment 1211. The other end of the third segment 1213 is connected to one end of the second segment 1212. The first segment 1211, the second segment 1212, and the third segment 1213 can be formed in one piece.

[0025] The other ends of the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212 can be connected to the seat area 111 or the base area 112 of the child seat 11. The third segment 1213 serves to rest against the backrest 21 of the vehicle seat 2. The two shock-absorbing areas 122 are combined with the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212 of the main body 121 to absorb an impact from the backrest 21. The two shock-absorbing areas 122 are arranged at positions near a connection between the first segment 1211 and the seat area 111, or between the second segment 1212 and the seat area 111. More precisely, in this embodiment, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 are arranged near the other ends of the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212, respectively.In one embodiment, the two shock absorption areas 122 can be removable for replacement from the first segment 1211 and from the second segment 1212 of the main body 121.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the impact bar 12 in this embodiment can comprise the two shock-absorbing areas 122, which are combined with the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212. The two shock-absorbing areas 122 are arranged in different positions near the junction of the first segment 1211 and the seat area 111 or the base area 112, or the junction of the second segment 1212 and the seat area 111 or the base area 112. More precisely, in this embodiment, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 are arranged near the seat area 111 or the base area 112 instead of at the other ends of the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212. As shown in Figure 4, the impact bar 12 can be arranged near the seat area 111 or the base area 112. Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the impact bar 12 in this embodiment can comprise the two shock-absorbing areas 122, which are integrated into the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212 and are arranged at the central regions of the first segment 1211 and the second segment 1212. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the impact bar 12 in this embodiment can only comprise a shock absorption area 122 which is integrated into the third segment 1213 and is arranged at a central area of ​​the third segment 1213.

[0027] Furthermore, the shock-absorbing area 122 of the present invention can be a spring, a honeycomb structure, an air cell structure, or a composite structure, such as a sandwich structure. Additionally, the shock-absorbing area 122 of the present invention can be made of an elastic material (such as foam), a plastic material (such as PVC), or a metallic material (such as aluminum). However, this is not limited to these materials. It depends on practical requirements.

[0028] When the child seat assembly 1 is mounted on the vehicle seat 2 in the rear-facing position, the impact bar 12 rests against the backrest 21 of the vehicle seat 2. If a traffic accident occurs and the impact bar 12 absorbs an impact from the backrest 21, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 can be subjected to deformation in order to absorb the impact and reduce the risk of injury to a child. It should be noted that if the impact is minor, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 can be subjected to elastic deformation in order to absorb the impact due to their material properties. Since the deformation of the shock-absorbing area 122 is restorable, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 can regain their original shape when the impact bar 12 is released.If the impact is severe, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 may be subjected to permanent deformation or collapse in order to absorb the impact. In this case, however, the two shock-absorbing areas 122 may be designed in such a way that they are not repairable due to structural failure and should later be replaced with new ones. In this way, the present invention can provide an improved buffering effect.

[0029] It will be on Fig. 7 referenced. Fig. Figure 7 shows a representation of the shock absorption area 122 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 7, the shock-absorbing area 122 in this embodiment can be a sandwich structure and comprise a first lamination 1221, a second lamination 1222, a honeycomb component 1223, and at least one elastic component 1224. The honeycomb component 1223 can be an injection-molded plastic honeycomb structure or a metal honeycomb structure. The material of the honeycomb component 1223 can be selected according to the required impact absorption capacity. The elastic component 1224 can be a spring, and the number of elastic components 1224 can be determined according to practical requirements. The at least one elastic component 1224 is connected to the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222.The honeycomb component 1223 is installed between the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 and separated from the first lamination 1221 and / or the second lamination 1222 by a predetermined distance when the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 are unloaded. When the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 are subjected to a slight impact, causing them to move towards each other, and the distance of movement of the first lamination 1221 relative to the second lamination 1222 is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, only the at least one elastic component 1224 is subjected to elastic deformation. When the shock-absorbing area is released, the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 can recover their shape through the at least one compressed elastic component 1224.If the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 are subjected to a strong impact causing them to move towards each other, and the distance of movement of the first lamination 1221 relative to the second lamination 1222 is greater than the specified distance, the at least one elastic component 1224 is subjected to elastic deformation in the first stage. Subsequently, the honeycomb component 1223 is elastically deformed or even permanently fractured by the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 to absorb the strong impact in the second stage. That is, the deformation of the at least one elastic component 1221 occurs before the deformation or fracture of the honeycomb component 1223 when the first lamination 1221 and the second lamination 1222 are subjected to a movement towards each other. The two stages of impact absorption can provide improved protection for the child.

[0030] In contrast to the prior art, the impact bar of the present invention uses deformation of the shock-absorbing area to absorb the impact from the backrest of the vehicle seat. If the impact is minor, the shock-absorbing area can deform elastically. If the impact is severe, the shock-absorbing area can be permanently deformed or fractured. Consequently, it can provide improved cushioning and effectively reduce the risk of injury to a child.

Claims

[1] Impact bar (12) designed to provide support between a child seat (11) and a backrest (21) of a vehicle seat (2), wherein the impact bar (12) comprises: a main body (121) connected to a seat area (111) or a base area (112) of the child seat (11); and at least one shock absorption area (122) which is combined with the main body (121) to absorb an impact from the backrest (21), wherein at least one shock absorption area (122) is a honeycomb structure or an air cell structure, and wherein the at least one shock absorption area (122) is arranged at a position near a connection of the main body (121) with the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11) or is arranged at an end of the main body (121). [2] Impact bar (12) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the main body (121) is U-shaped and comprises a first segment (1211), a second segment (1212) and a third segment (1213), wherein one end of the third segment (1213) is connected to one end of the first segment (1211), the other end of the third segment (1213) is connected to one end of the second segment (1212), the other end of the first segment (1211) is connected to the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11), and the other end of the second segment (1212) is connected to the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11). [3] Impact bar (12) according to claim 2, characterized by , that at least one shock absorption area (122) is integrated into the first segment (1211), the second segment (1212) and / or the third segment (1213) of the main body (121). [4] Impact bar (12) according to claim 2, characterized by, that at least one shock absorption area (122) is detachably combined with the first segment (1211), the second segment (1212) and / or the third segment (1213) of the main body (121). [5] Child seat arrangement (1), comprising: a child seat (11) comprising a seating area (111) and a base area (112); and an impact bar (12) designed to provide support between the child seat (11) and a backrest (21) of a vehicle seat (2), wherein the impact bar (12) comprises: a main body (121) connected to the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11); and at least one shock absorption area (122) which is combined with the main body (121) to absorb an impact from the backrest (21), wherein at least one shock absorption area (122) is a honeycomb structure or an air cell structure, and wherein the at least one shock absorption area (122) is arranged at a position near a connection of the main body (121) with the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11) or is arranged at an end of the main body (121). [6] Child seat arrangement (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the main body (121) is U-shaped and comprises a first segment (1211), a second segment (1212) and a third segment (1213), wherein the third segment (1213) is connected to one end of the first segment (1211) and one end of the second segment (1212), the other end of the first segment (1211) is connected to the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11) and the other end of the second segment (1212) is connected to the seat area (111) or the base area (112) of the child seat (11). [7] Child seat arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that at least one shock absorption area (122) is integrated into the first segment (1211), the second segment (1212) and / or the third segment (1213) of the main body (121). [8] Child seat arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that at least one shock absorption area (122) is detachably combined with the first segment (1211), the second segment (1212) and / or the third segment (1213) of the main body (121).

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