A system and method for securing a child safety seat, in particular, to a vehicle seat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for fixing a child safety seat (10) to a vehicle seat (20), said safety seat (10) having at least one connector (11) including a housing (11A) adapted to receive at least a portion of a fixing element (21) constrained to the seat (20), said at least one connector (11) having a clamping-type latching element, in particular controlled for opening / closing, for hooking the connector (11) to the fixing element (21) to obtain a mechanical fastening between the safety seat (10) and the seat (20), said at least one connector (11) having actuating means for controlling or driving the opening and closing of said latching element so as to enable the connection and separation of the connector (11) with respect to the fixing element (21). A particular feature of the present invention is that said at least one connector (11) and said at least one fixing element (21) have electrical connection means (40; 50; 60) enabling current and / or data to flow from the fixing element (21) to the connector (11) and vice versa.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for fixing a child safety seat, in particular according to claim 1, to a vehicle seat. The present invention also relates to a method for fixing a child safety seat, in particular, to a vehicle seat.

[0002] Since automobiles have been manufactured and sold, that is, since the early 20th century, a number of systems have been used to restrain and protect drivers or passengers of automobiles.

[0003] Most restraint systems are designed to protect only adults and no special measures are taken for small children.

[0004] The production of child safety seats began in the early 1930s, but their main purpose was not safety, but to raise the position of the child so that the child could be more easily seen by adults, especially the adult driving the vehicle.

[0005] As time has passed, several different restraint systems have been developed with the protection of children in mind.

[0006] A first type of system for fixing a child safety seat to a vehicle seat utilizes a standard safety belt, which, as is known, is a passive safety system fixed inside the vehicle and, in the event of a collision, keeps the occupant's body strapped to the seat, preventing the occupant from hitting the internal structure and being thrown out of the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0007] However, this first type of fixing system has a number of drawbacks in that the fixing operation is overly difficult and cumbersome.

[0008] Also, when securing a safety seat with a seat belt, the user may have doubts regarding the correct installation of the safety seat and its various components. This should not happen, as a properly installed safety seat can make a significant difference in the event of an accident.

[0009] A second type of system for securing a child safety seat to a vehicle seat is known as ISOFIX (ISO standard 13216).

[0010] In fact, since 2006, it has been mandatory for all automobile manufacturers to install ISOFIX attachment points in the passenger compartments of their vehicles and to clearly indicate the presence of such a system in the vehicle's instruction manual.

[0011] This regulation has been a very important step in enhancing the level of child safety in automobiles; in fact, the ISOFIX system enables a dedicated component to directly attach the child seat to the vehicle seat, creating a robust connection between the safety seat and the vehicle seat.

[0012] The ISOFIX attachment system is a standardized international system that uses a simple and effective mechanism. It is equipped with two universal connectors at the base of the safety seat, which are inserted into corresponding attachment points provided in the vehicle seat, particularly between the seat cushion and the backrest. In this way, the child safety seat is directly attached to the vehicle seat, establishing a strong connection between the child safety seat and the vehicle chassis.

[0013] In particular, the ISOFIX system comprises the following components. Attachment points in the vehicle: These typically consist of two rectangular metal rings, usually made of steel, which are attached or welded to the vehicle seat frame and positioned at an approximate mutual distance of 280 mm along the line joining the seat backrest to the seat cushion. Connectors for the safety seat: These usually consist of clamps released by control provided on the safety seat, which engage with the fixing points provided on the vehicle seat, thus creating a firm connection between the vehicle seat and the safety seat.

[0014] The ISOFIX system may further comprise a third fixing point adapted to prevent any rotational or tipping movement of the safety seat (also referred to as an "anti-tipping" anchor), where the third fixing point usually consists of a stabilizer strap located on the upper part of the safety seat (also known as the "upper tether") and is usually hooked to a fixing point located at the rear side of the vehicle seat backrest.

[0015] A system with a third fixing point is defined as "Universal ISOFIX" and is distinguished from the "Semi-Universal ISOFIX" version, in which the system comprises a footrest (also known as a "support leg"), i.e., a certain type of bracket or leg fixed to the safety seat or the vehicle floor, arranged perpendicular to the vehicle floor and acting as a support for the safety seat.

[0016] Another "Semi-Universal ISOFIX" system uses a safety belt connected to the safety seat to prevent any rotational or tipping movement of the safety seat.

[0017] Nevertheless, even the ISOFIX fixing systems known in the art have some drawbacks.

[0018] In fact, even if the connection between the vehicle fixing point and the safety seat connector is notified by a dedicated indicator located directly at the fixing point or by other mechanical elements suitable for providing such an indication, in the ISOFIX fixing systems known in the art, it is impossible to be certain whether a safety seat equipped with an ISOFIX connector is actually installed in the vehicle.

[0019] Moreover, the ISOFIX fixing system known in the art does not allow verification that the safety seat is correctly installed and fastened to the vehicle seat.

[0020] A further drawback of the ISOFIX fixing systems known in the art is that they do not actually enable detection of the presence of a child in the safety seat, and do not allow proper management of critical scenarios, such as for example scenarios regarding the possibility that a vehicle driver may leave a child unattended in a vehicle without an accompanying person (in addition to the presence of a child in the seat).

[0021] In this framework, the main object of the present invention is to provide a system for fixing in particular a safety seat for children to a vehicle seat, where said system is conceived to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0022] In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide a system for fixing in particular a safety seat for children to a vehicle seat, where said system is conceived to enable reliable knowledge of whether the safety seat is actually and correctly installed in the vehicle.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for fixing in particular a safety seat for children to a vehicle seat, where said system is conceived to enable knowledge of whether a child is present in the vehicle and to allow proper management of critical scenarios, and optionally to attempt to send a warning message when the safety seat is not correctly installed and / or when the child is left unattended in said vehicle.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for fixing in particular a safety seat for children to a vehicle seat, where said system is conceived to be easily manufacturable and installable even with respect to existing systems.

[0025] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for fixing a safety seat, particularly for children, to a vehicle seat, where the system features a wide range of applications.

[0026] This object is achieved by the present invention by a system for fixing a safety seat, particularly for children, to a vehicle seat, incorporating the features described in the appended claims, which are intended to be an essential part of this description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are provided herein as merely non-limiting exemplary examples.

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Figure 4b

[0028] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 generally designates a system for securing a child safety seat 10 to a seat 20 of a vehicle (not shown in the accompanying drawings); the seat 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a rear seat of the vehicle, but it is obvious that the present invention is also applicable to a front seat of the vehicle.

[0029] The safety seat 10 has at least one connector 11, which has a housing 11A adapted to receive at least a portion of a securing element 21 secured to the seat 20 (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2c, 3a, and 3d); in addition, the at least one connector 11 comprises a clamping type latching element, particularly controlled for opening / closing, for hooking the connector 11 onto the securing element 21 to obtain a mechanical fastening between the safety seat 10 and the seat 20.

[0030] Basically, the system 1 is of the ISOFIX type and is thus made in accordance with the provisions of the international standard ISO 13216.

[0031] In this framework, the safety seat 10 comprises a pair of connectors 11 (only one of the connectors 11 is shown in FIG. 1) that can be hooked onto respective securing elements 21, each securing element 21 consisting, in particular, of a ring attached or welded (preferably made of a metallic material) to the seat 20; for example, each securing element 21 may be attached or welded to the frame 20T of the seat 20 (or another component of the vehicle).

[0032] Preferably, the fixing element 21 is positioned in the joining region 20G between the backrest 20A and the cushion 20B of the seat 20, and in particular the fixing elements 21 are positioned at an inter-distance of approximately 280 mm.

[0033] Furthermore, the connector 11 comprises actuating means for controlling or driving the opening and closing of the latching elements so as to enable the connection and disconnection of the connector 11 with respect to the fixing element 21 (and thus the connection and disconnection of the safety seat 10 with respect to the seat 20). One or more elements of the clamp type for controlling its opening / closing are made in a substantially known manner in the art and it should be noted that they are not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Also, the system 1 may comprise at least one anti-tipping element 30 adapted to prevent any rotational or tipping movement of the safety seat 10 with respect to the seat 20. In FIG. 1, the anti-tipping element 30 consists of a safety belt; however, it is clear that, as is known in the art, the anti-tipping element may alternatively consist of different elements such as, for example, a stabilizer strap (upper tether) or a foot support (support leg).

[0035] According to the invention, the at least one connector 11 and the at least one fixing element 21 comprise electrical connection means (shown generally by reference numeral 40 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, by reference numeral 50 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a - 3d, and by reference numeral 60 in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b) that enable current and / or data to flow from the fixing element 21 (i.e., from the seat 20) to the connector 11 (i.e., to the safety seat 10) and vice versa.

[0036] In particular, the electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 comprise at least one first contact element (or first pin) 41, 51, 61 associated with the fixed element 21 and at least one second contact element (or second pin) 42, 52, 62 associated with the connector 11.

[0037] In this context, referring to the first embodiment (shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b), the electrical connection means 40 comprise at least one first contact element 41 associated with the fixed element 21, in particular the first contact element 41 is positioned on a support 43 which is connected to the fixed element 21 so as to be rotatable; at least one second contact element 42 associated with the connector 11, in particular the second contact element 42 is positioned within the housing 11A of the connector 11, and when at least a part of the fixed element 21 is received in the housing 11A (and preferably when the engaging element of the connector 11 is in a position where it engages or locks at least a part of the fixed element 21), the first contact element 41 is connected to the second contact element 42.

[0038] In FIGS. 2a and 2b, the support 43 is connected to the fixed element 21 so as to be rotatable, in particular by means of a pair of arms 44 (i.e., the support 43 is connected to the fixed element 21 in such a way that it can rotate relative to the fixed element 21); however, it is clear that the connection between the support 43 and the fixed element 21 may be established in a different manner, for example using connection means other than the arms 44.

[0039] According to the advantageous structure of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, one of the first contact element 41 and the second contact element 42 consists of a spring pin (also known as a "pogo pin"), while the other of the first contact element 41 and the second contact element 42 consists of a corresponding receptacle adapted to receive the spring pin (so as to establish an electrical connection). In FIGS. 2a and 2b, the spring pin is the first contact element 41 associated with the fixed element 21, and the second contact element 42 consists of a corresponding receptacle adapted to receive the spring pin; however, it is clear that such elements may be reversed.

[0040] Furthermore, at least a part of the support portion 43 (i.e., a part of the support portion 43 proximal to the point where the first contact element 41 is located), and at least a part of the region of the connector 11 where the second contact element 42 is positioned above, are made of a magnetic material to facilitate the connection between the first contact element 41 and the second contact element 42.

[0041] In the second embodiment (shown in FIGS. 3a - 3d), the electrical connection means (generally indicated by reference numeral 50 in FIGS. 3a and 3d) comprises at least one first contact element 51 associated with the fixed element 21; at least one second contact element 52 associated with the connector 11 and positioned outside the housing 11A of the connector 11 such that when at least a part of the fixed element 21 is received in the housing 11A (and preferably when the latching element of the connector 11 is in a position where it latches onto or locks the at least a part of the fixed element 21), the first contact element 51 is connected to the second contact element 52.

[0042] Preferably, the second contact element 52 is positioned on the surface 11S of the connector 11 extending over the housing 11A. In particular, the surface 11S extends into an inclined plane that impinges on the extended plane of the housing 11A (preferably at an angle smaller than 90°). (This can be seen particularly well in the side views of the connector 11 shown in FIGS. 3c and 3d, where the surface 11S is substantially inclined with respect to the extended plane of the housing 11A).

[0043] Furthermore, the first contact element 51 is preferably associated with the fixing element 21 in a movable manner.

[0044] In particular, the first contact element 51 is positioned in at least one guide 54G of a molding 54 sandwiched between at least a part of the sheet 20 and at least a part of the fixing element 21 (i.e., the part of the fixing element 21 connected to the connector 11) and slides therein. In particular, the molding 54 is attached to the sheet 20 and / or the fixing element 21.

[0045] The sliding part 53 is preferably adapted to abut against the surface 11S of the connector 11 and is adapted to raise the sliding part 53 in response to such abutment, whereby a contact element 53A for obtaining a connection between the first contact element 51 and the second contact element 52 is provided. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a - 3d, the contact element 53A is formed as a roller and is particularly connected to the sliding part 53 in such a manner that it can rotate about its own longitudinal axis; however, it is obvious that the contact element 53A may be designed differently, for example, to include at least one small wheel (or the like).

[0046] In FIGS. 3a-3d, it can also be noticed that the at least one guide 54G of the forming part 54 has a substantially arch shape (as can be well seen especially in FIGS. 3a, 3c, and 3d); in this regard, it should be noted that the shape of the at least one guide 54G substantially corresponds to the contour of the surface 11S of the connector 11 on which the second contact element 52 is positioned above.

[0047] According to the advantageous structure of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a-3d, one of the first contact element 51 and the second contact element 52 consists of a spring pin (also known as a "pogo pin"), while the other of the first contact element 51 and the second contact element 52 consists of a receptacle adapted to receive the spring pin (thus establishing an electrical connection). (Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b) Also in the case shown in FIGS. 3a-3d, the spring pin is the first contact element 51 associated with the fixing element 21, while the second contact element 52 is represented as respective receptacles adapted to receive the spring pin; however, it is clear that such elements may be reversed.

[0048] Furthermore, at least a part of the sliding part 53 (preferably a part of the sliding part 53 proximal to the point where the first contact element 51 is located), and at least a part of the region of the connector 11 on which the second contact element 52 is positioned above, are made of a magnetic material to facilitate the connection between the first contact element 51 and the second contact element 52.

[0049] Preferably, the sliding part 53 is associated with at least one elastic element (such as provided with a spring) adapted to preload the sliding part 53; providing an elastic element is also useful for damping or removing any vibrations transmitted from the vehicle that may prevent an optimal connection between the first contact element 51 and the second contact element 52.

[0050] According to a third embodiment of the system 1 according to the present invention (shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b), the electrical connection means (generally indicated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 4b) comprises a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface.

[0051] In this framework, the connection means 60 of the third embodiment comprises at least one first contact element 61 of the USB type associated with the fixing element 21; at least one second contact element 62 of the USB type associated with the connector 11 and positioned outside the housing 11A of the connector 11 is provided.

[0052] Preferably, the at least one second contact element 62 of the USB type is positioned in a molded part 64 sandwiched between at least a part of the sheet 20 and at least a part of the fixing element 21 (i.e., the part of the fixing element 21 connected to the connector 11), and in particular the molded part 64 is attached to the sheet 20 and / or the fixing element 21.

[0053] From the above description, it becomes clear that the first and second embodiments enable a substantially automatic connection that occurs substantially simultaneously with the mechanical connection between the connector 11 and the fixing element 21 between the first contact elements 41, 51 and the second contact elements 42, 52; in fact, in the first and second embodiments, the connection between the first contact elements 41, 51 and the second contact elements 42, 52 is achieved by inserting and accommodating at least a part of the fixing element 21 into the housing 11A (and preferably when the engaging element of the connector 11 is in a position where it engages or locks the at least a part of the fixing element 21).

[0054] Regarding the third embodiment, the connection between the first contact element 61 and the second contact element 62 must be enabled manually by the user since the mechanical connection between the connector 11 and the fixing element 21 must be established first; indeed, in the third embodiment, the connection between the first contact element 61 and the second contact element 62 is achieved after at least a portion of the fixing element 21 has been inserted and housed in the housing 11A (and preferably, also after the engaging element of the connector 11 has been brought to a position where it engages or locks the at least a portion of the fixing element 21).

[0055] Preferably, in all embodiments of the present invention, the system 1 comprises a control unit of the vehicle (not shown), where the control unit is connected to the electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 of the at least one connector 11 and the at least one fixing element 21 for the purpose of enabling information exchange between the control unit and the safety seat 20.

[0056] In one embodiment, the control unit may be connected via a wireless system (e.g., 5G) and / or a wired system for the following possible scenarios. 1. Communication between the system 1 and the control unit of the vehicle; 2. Transmission of information from the vehicle to an application on a mobile device (in this case, the connection is wireless communication, particularly a 5G connection).

[0057] For example, the above information exchange may indicate whether the safety seat 20 is fastened to the seat 10, where such information can be obtained simply by detecting the flow of current from the first contact elements 41, 51, 61 of the fixing element 21 to the second contact elements 42, 52, 62 of the connector 11 and vice versa; basically, information about whether the safety seat 20 is fastened to the seat 10 can be obtained without necessarily requiring a data flow between the first contact elements 41, 51, 61 and the second contact elements 42, 52, 62.

[0058] The following will describe a method for fixing a safety seat 10, especially for children, to a vehicle seat 20.

[0059] The method comprises step a) of obtaining a mechanical fastening between the safety seat 10 and the seat 20 by housing at least a part of a fixing element 21 constrained to the seat 20 within a housing 11A of at least one connector 11 constrained to the safety seat 10. It should be noted that the mechanical fastening is achieved in accordance with the provisions of the international standard ISO 13216.

[0060] In particular, step a) of obtaining a mechanical fastening between the safety seat 10 and the seat 20 is implemented by actuating actuating means associated with the connector 11 so as to control or drive the opening and closing of a clamping - type engaging element of the connector 11, especially an opening and closing controlled by a control, in order to hook the connector 11 onto the fixing element 21.

[0061] According to the invention, the method comprises step b) of obtaining a connection of electrical connection means 40; 50; 60 provided on both the at least one connector 11 and the fixing element 21, in order to enable current and / or data to flow from the fixing element 21 (i.e., from the seat 20) to the connector 11 (i.e., to the safety seat) and vice versa.

[0062] Step b) of obtaining a connection of the electrical connection means 40; 50; 60 may be substantially automatic and is carried out substantially simultaneously with the mechanical connection between the connector 11 and the fixing element 21.

[0063] Alternatively, step b) of obtaining the connection of the electrical connection means 40; 50; 60 may be carried out manually after establishing a mechanical connection between the connector 11 and the fixing element 21, in particular after at least a part of the fixing element 21 has been inserted and received in the housing 11A (and preferably also after the latching element of the connector 11 has been brought into a position where it latches or locks onto the at least part of the fixing element 21).

[0064] Preferably, the method according to the invention further comprises step c) of connecting the control unit (in particular included in the system 1) to the electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 in order to enable an exchange of information between the control unit and the safety seat 20.

[0065] The features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the above description.

[0066] In particular, by realizing that the connector 11 of the safety seat 10 and the respective fixing element 21 of the seat 20 are provided with electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 to enable current and / or data to flow from the seat 20 to the safety seat 10, it becomes possible to reliably know whether the safety seat 10 has actually been installed in the vehicle and whether the installation process has been carried out correctly.

[0067] Regarding whether the safety seat 10 is correctly installed on the seat 20 (especially referring to the first and second embodiments of the present invention), it should be pointed out that it is confirmed darkly when current and / or data flow correctly without interruption, which means that the mechanical connection between the safety seat 10 and the seat 20 is correctly established. As far as the third embodiment is concerned, whether the safety seat 10 is correctly installed on the seat 20 can be directly verified by the user who establishes the connection between the first contact element 61 and the second contact element 62 after at least a part of the fixing element 21 is inserted and accommodated in the housing 11A (and preferably also after the hooking element of the connector 11 is brought to a position where it hooks or locks the at least a part of the fixing element 21).

[0068] Since the connector 11 of the safety seat 10 and the respective fixing elements 21 of the seat 20 are realized to be provided with the electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 to enable current and / or data to flow from the seat 20 to the safety seat 10, it is also possible to establish an appropriate connection between the safety seat 10 and one or more sensors optionally arranged in the control unit of the vehicle. Providing it in such a way enables the proper management of critical scenarios and, optionally, intends to send a warning message when the safety seat 10 is not correctly installed and / or when a child is left unattended in the vehicle.

[0069] Thanks to the specific provision of the present invention, it is also possible to provide a system 1 for fixing the safety seat 10 to the seat 20 that can be easily manufactured and installed. For example, the electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 of the present invention that enable the flow of current and / or data from the seat 20 to the safety seat 10 can also be installed in an existing system.

[0070] Therefore, it is clear that the electrical connection means 40, 50, 60 of the present invention are characterized by a wide range of applications; in particular, they can be mounted on vehicles that are not yet available on the market, as well as on vehicles that are already available on the market.

[0071] As an example, the system 1 described in this specification can be the subject of numerous possible variations without departing from the gist of the novelty of the inventive concept; also, in the practical implementation forms of the present invention, it is clear that the illustrated details can have different shapes or can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0072] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the system 1 for fixing the above-described safety seat 10, particularly for children, to the vehicle seat 20, and it can be easily understood that it can be the subject of numerous modifications, improvements, or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the inventive concept further defined in the following claims.

Claims

**Claim 1** A system for securing a safety seat, especially for children, to a vehicle seat, said safety seat having at least one connector including a housing adapted to receive at least a portion of a securing element constrained to the seat, said at least one connector including a clamping type engaging element, especially controlled for opening / closing, for hooking the connector to the securing element and obtaining a mechanical fastening between the safety seat and the seat, said at least one connector including actuating means for controlling or driving the opening and closing of the engaging element so as to enable connection and disconnection of the connector to the securing element, said system comprising said at least one connector and said at least one securing element including electrical connection means enabling current and / or data to flow from the securing element to the connector and vice versa. **Claim 2** The system according to claim 1, wherein said electrical connection means includes at least one first contact element associated with the securing element and one second contact element associated with the connector. **Claim 3** Said electrical connection means includes at least one first contact element associated with the securing element, especially said first contact element being connected to the securing element and positioned on a rotatable support; at least one second contact element associated with the connector, especially said second contact element being positioned within the housing of the connector, and when at least a portion of the securing element is received within the housing, said first contact element is connected to said second contact element. The system according to claim 2. **Claim 4** The system according to claim 3, wherein said support is connected to the securing element and is rotatable, especially by means of a pair of arms. **Claim 5** The system according to claim 2, wherein one of said first contact element and said second contact element includes a spring pin and the other of said first contact element and said second contact element includes a corresponding receptacle adapted to receive said spring pin. **Claim 6** The system according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the support portion and at least a portion of the region of the connector where the second contact element is positioned upward are made of a magnetic material to facilitate the connection between the first contact element and the second contact element.

7. The electrical connection means includes at least one first contact element associated with the fixing element; and at least one second contact element associated with the connector and positioned outside the housing of the connector. When at least a portion of the fixing element is received in the housing, the first contact element is connected to the second contact element. The system according to claim 1.

8. The second contact element is positioned on the surface of the connector extending above the housing. In particular, the surface extends to an inclined plane incident on the extended plane of the housing. The system according to claim 7.

9. The first contact element is movably associated with the fixing element. The system according to claim 8.

10. The first contact element is positioned in a sliding portion that slides within at least one guide of a molded portion sandwiched between at least a portion of the sheet and at least a portion of the fixing element. In particular, the molded portion is attached to the sheet and / or the fixing element. The system according to claim 9.

11. The sliding portion is adapted to abut against the surface of the connector and is adapted to raise the sliding portion in response to the abutment, thereby providing a contact element for obtaining the connection between the first contact element and the second contact element. The system according to claim 10.

12. One of the first contact element and the second contact element includes a spring pin, and the other of the first contact element and the second contact element includes a receptacle adapted to receive the spring pin. The system according to claim 7.

13. At least a portion of the sliding portion and at least a portion of the region of the connector where the second contact element is positioned upward are made of a magnetic material to facilitate the connection between the first contact element and the second contact element. The system according to claim 11.

14. The electrical connection means At least one first contact element of the USB type associated with the fixing element; At least one second contact element of the USB type associated with the connector and positioned outside the housing of the connector The system according to claim 1, comprising.

15. The at least one second contact element of the USB type is positioned in a molded part sandwiched between at least a part of the sheet and at least a part of the fixing element, in particular the molded part is attached to the sheet and / or the fixing element. The system according to claim 14.

16. A method for fixing a safety seat, especially for children, to a vehicle seat, the method comprising accommodating at least a part of a fixing element restrained to the seat within a housing of at least one connector restrained to the safety seat, thereby obtaining a mechanical fastening between the safety seat and the seat, step a); Obtaining a connection of electrical connection means provided on the at least one connector and on the fixing element in order to enable current and / or data to flow from the fixing element to the connector and vice versa, step b); A method comprising.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein step b) of obtaining the connection of the electrical connection means is substantially automatic and is carried out substantially simultaneously with the mechanical connection between the connector and the fixing element.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein step b) of obtaining the connection of the electrical connection means is substantially manual and is carried out after mechanically connecting the connector to the fixing element, in particular after a part of the fixing element has been inserted and accommodated in the housing.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising step c) of connecting the control unit to the electrical connection means in order to enable information exchange between the control unit and the safety seat.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein step a) of obtaining the mechanical fastening between the safety seat and the seat is carried out by actuating actuating means associated with the connector so as to control or drive the opening and closing of a clamping type latching element of the connector, in particular controlled to open / close, for latching the connector to the fixing element.

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