Seat misuse warning device

Abstract

To provide a seat misuse alarm system which emits an alarm when the seat is misused.SOLUTION: A seat misuse alarm system (100) is disclosed. The seat misuse alarm system (100) contains a base (1), a seat (2), an alarm mechanism (3) and a switch starter (4). The seat (2) has a forward facing position and a backward facing position relative to the base (1). The alarm mechanism (3) includes a switch (31). The switch starter (4) emits an alarm to the alarm mechanism (3) by closing the switch (31) when the seat (2) is in the forward position against the base (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat misuse warning device according to the preamble part of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Child seats are designed to ensure the safety of children in the vehicle. Generally, a child seat is installed in the vehicle to seat and restrain a child in the vehicle to ensure the child's safety. Conventional child seats usually include a base and a seat rotatably disposed on the base. The seat can be forward-facing or rear-facing with respect to the base and can be adjusted to a preferred position according to the application. For safety reasons, it is prohibited to adjust the seat to the forward-facing position and seat a child aged 0 to 15 months on the seat. However, since the child seat does not have a misuse warning function, it often happens that a child aged 0 to 15 months is mistakenly seated forward on the seat. Therefore, it may pose a serious danger to the safety of children in the vehicle.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a seat misuse warning device to solve the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a seat misuse warning device that issues a warning when the seat is misused. This is achieved by the seat misuse warning device according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] As will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed description, the claimed seat misuse alarm device of the present invention comprises a base, a seat, an alarm mechanism, and a switch activation device. The seat has a forward-facing and a backward-facing orientation relative to the base. The alarm mechanism has a switch. The switch activation device is activated to close the switch so that the alarm mechanism transmits an alarm when the seat is in the forward-facing position relative to the base.

[0006] Preferably, the seat is rotatably connected to the base.

[0007] Preferably, the alarm mechanism is located on one of the base and the seat, and the switch activation device is located on the other of the base and the seat.

[0008] Preferably, the alarm mechanism is located on the base, and the switch activation device is located on the seat.

[0009] Preferably, a first hole is formed on the side of the base, a switch is placed in the first hole, a second hole is formed on the side of the sheet, a switch activator is placed through the second hole, and when the sheet is rotated to a forward position relative to the base, the first hole aligns with the second hole, the end of the switch activator extends into the first hole, and activates to close the switch.

[0010] Preferably, the switch activation device includes a drive member and an elastic return member, the drive member being slidably positioned in a second hole, and the elastic return member being positioned between the drive member and a seat, providing an elastic force for ejecting the drive member from the second hole.

[0011] Preferably, a first limiting portion is formed on the inner wall of the second hole, a projection is formed on the driving member, and an elastic return member is positioned between the first limiting portion and the projection.

[0012] Preferably, a fixing base is fixed to the inner wall of the second hole, and the first limiting portion protrudes from the fixing base.

[0013] Preferably, the second limiting portion is formed on a fixed base and spaced apart from the first limiting portion, and the projection is located between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion.

[0014] Preferably, the elastic return member covers the drive member.

[0015] Preferably, the alarm mechanism includes a control device and an alarm device, the switch, the control device, and the alarm device being electrically connected to each other and working together to form an alarm circuit, and when the switch is activated and closed, the control device controls the alarm device to issue an alarm.

[0016] Preferably, the control device controls the alarm device to stop sending alarms after the alarm time of the alarm device reaches a predetermined value.

[0017] Preferably, the seat misuse warning device further comprises a headrest mechanism. The headrest mechanism is movably positioned on the seat and electrically connected to the warning mechanism. When the seat is in a forward-facing position relative to the base and the switch is activated and closed, the height of the headrest mechanism relative to the seat determines whether the warning mechanism activates a selective alarm mechanism.

[0018] Preferably, the headrest mechanism includes a headrest, a headrest fixing base, and a headrest activation switch, wherein the headrest is slidably positioned on the front side of the seat and is slidable between an upper and lower position relative to the seat, the headrest penetrates the seat to connect to a headrest fixing base located on the back side of the seat to allow the headrest fixing base to slide together with the headrest, the headrest activation switch is located on the back side of the seat and is electrically connected to an alarm mechanism, wherein when the headrest slides to the lower position relative to the seat, the headrest fixing base closes the headrest activation switch and the alarm mechanism sounds an alarm, and when the seat is in a forward position relative to the base, the switch is activated and closed.

[0019] Preferably, the headrest fixing base has drive ribs that protrude corresponding to the headrest activation switch, and when the headrest slides downward relative to the seat, the drive ribs press the headrest activation switch to close it.

[0020] Preferably, when the headrest slides away from the lower position relative to the seat and the headrest fixing base does not close the headrest activation switch, the alarm device does not issue an alarm.

[0021] Preferably, the headrest mechanism includes a headrest. The headrest is slidably disposed on the front side of the seat and is slidable between an upper position and a lower position. The headrest is electrically connected to the alarm mechanism to cooperate in forming an alarm circuit. When the headrest slides to the upper position relative to the seat, the headrest cuts off the alarm circuit so that the alarm device does not transmit an alarm.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention adopts a design in which the switch activation device is aligned with the switch of the alarm mechanism in order to activate the switch to close it when the seat is in a forward position relative to the base. In this way, the alarm mechanism can alert not to place a child between 0 and 15 months old forward-facing on the seat. In this way, the safety during the use of the child seat can be improved.

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a view of the seat misuse alarm device of the present invention. <0000​​​​​​​​ [Figure 5] This is a view of the seat of the seat misuse warning device of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged view of the "B" area in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the seat misuse warning device of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view of the "C" area in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] This is a view in which the headrest of the seat misuse warning device slides upward. [Figure 10] This is a view in which the headrest of the seat misuse warning device slides downward. [Figure 11] This is a rear view of the seat misuse warning device in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] This is a circuit diagram of the headrest activation switch, switch, control device, and warning device in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] This is a view in which the headrest fixing base in FIG. 11 is slid downward.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1, 7, and 8. The sheet misuse alarm device 100 of the present invention comprises a base 1, a sheet 2, an alarm mechanism 3, and a switch activation device 4. The sheet 2 has a forward-facing position and a backward-facing position relative to the base 1. Specifically, the sheet 2 is rotatably connected to the base 1. Thus, the sheet 2 can be adjusted to a forward-facing or backward-facing position by rotating the sheet 2 relative to the base 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sheet 2 can be detachably connected to the base 1. In this way, the sheet 2 can be removed from the base 1, moved to a forward-facing or backward-facing position, and assembled to the base 1. The alarm mechanism 3 is located on one of the base 1 and the sheet 2, and the switch activation device 4 is located on the other of the base 1 and the sheet 2. The alarm mechanism 3 has a switch 31. When the sheet 2 rotates to the forward-facing position relative to the base 1, the switch activation device 4 is activated, the switch 31 closes, and the alarm mechanism 3 sounds an alarm. In this embodiment, the alarm mechanism 3 is located on the base 1, and the switch activation device 4 is located on the sheet 2. When the seat 2 is rotated to a forward-facing position relative to the base 1, the switch activation device 4 rotates and aligns with the switch 31 of the alarm mechanism 3, closing the switch 31 and activating the alarm mechanism 3, which issues an alarm to warn the user not to place a child aged 0-15 months on the seat 2 when it is in a forward-facing position. In another embodiment, to achieve the same alarm effect, the alarm mechanism 3 can be located on the seat 2 and the switch activation device 4 can be located on the base 1.

[0027] Refer to Figures 2, 3, and 8. A first hole 11 is formed on the side of the base 1, and the switch 31 is positioned in the first hole 11. A second hole 21 is formed on the side of the sheet 2, and the switch activation device 4 is positioned through the second hole 21. When the sheet 2 is rotated to a forward position relative to the base 1, the first hole 11 aligns with the second hole 21, the end of the switch activation device 4 extends into the first hole 11, and the switch 31 is activated and closed.

[0028] Refer to Figures 5 to 8. In this embodiment, the switch activation device 4 includes a drive member 41 and an elastic return member 42. The drive member 41 is slidably positioned within the second hole 21. The elastic return member 42 is positioned between the drive member 41 and the seat 2 and provides an elastic force that ejects the drive member 41 from the second hole 21. The elastic return member 42 may be a conventional compression spring commonly found in the prior art. When the seat 2 is in a rearward position relative to the base 1, the side wall of the base 1 pushes the drive member 41 into the second hole 21, and the elastic return member 42 is compressed by the drive member 41. When the seat 2 rotates to a forward position relative to the base 1, the first hole 11 aligns with the second hole 21, and the end of the drive member 41 is pushed out of the second hole 21 by the elastic force of the elastic return member 42 and extends into the first hole 11 of the base 1. Since the drive member 41 is no longer pressed by the side wall of the base 1, the drive member 41 closes the switch 31 and causes the alarm mechanism 3 to send an alarm. Note that the design of the switch activation device 4 is not limited to the above embodiment, and the present invention means that the design of another embodiment in which the switch activation device is an elastically deformable member can be adopted. Specifically, a first limiting portion 211 is formed on the inner wall of the second hole 21, and a projection 411 is formed on the drive member 41. The projection 411 is formed in the middle of the drive member 41, and the elastic return member 42 is positioned between the first limiting portion 211 and the projection 411. More specifically, a fixed base 212 is fixed to the inner wall of the second hole 21, the first limiting portion 211 protrudes from the fixed base 212, and the elastic return member 42 covers the drive member 41. The design of the first limiting portion 211 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the present invention can adopt a design in which the first limiting portion 211 protrudes directly from the inner wall of the second hole 21. Furthermore, the second limiting portion 213 protrudes from the fixed base 212 and is spaced apart from the first limiting portion 211, so that the projection 411 is located between the first limiting portion 211 and the second limiting portion 213. In this way, the second limiting portion 213 that restricts the projection 411 of the drive member 41 partially restrains the drive member 41 within the second hole 21, preventing the drive member 41 from being completely ejected from the second hole 21 via the elastic force provided by the elastic return member 42.

[0029] Please refer to Figures 2 and 4. In this embodiment, the alarm mechanism 3 includes a control device 32 and an alarm device 33. The switch 31, the control device 32, and the alarm device 33 are electrically connected to each other and work together to form an alarm circuit. When the switch 31 is closed, the control device 32 controls the alarm device 33 to issue an alarm. Specifically, the control device 32 is located on the base 1, in the middle portion of the base 1, the alarm device 33 is located on the outer front end of the base 1, and the switch 31 is electrically connected to the control device 32 and the alarm device 33 by wires. The control device 32 is supplied with a power supply. A detailed explanation of the relationship between the control device 32 and the alarm device 33 is omitted as it is commonly found in the prior art. The control device 32 also controls the alarm device 33 to stop sending alarms after the alarm time of the alarm device 33 reaches a predetermined value. For example, the predetermined value can be set to 2 seconds, 3 seconds, or 4 seconds, but is not limited to these. In this manner, when the seat 2 rotates to a forward position relative to the base 1, and the drive member 41 closes the switch 31 and conducts the alarm circuit, the control device 32 controls the alarm device 33 to emit an alarm. After the alarm time of the alarm device 33 reaches a predetermined value, the control device 32 controls the alarm of the alarm device 33 to stop until the drive member 41 next activates the switch 31.

[0030] A detailed explanation of the operation of the sheet misuse alarm device 100 is provided below, with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0031] When seat 2 is facing backward relative to base 1, the first hole 11 and the second hole 21 are misaligned, and the side wall of base 1 pushes the drive member 41 into the second hole 21, compressing the elastic return member 42. At this time, switch 31 is open, and alarm device 33 does not emit an alarm. When seat 2 rotates to face forward relative to base 1, the first hole 11 aligns with the second hole 21, and the elastic force of the elastic return member 42 pushes the end of the drive member 41 out of the second hole 21, extending into the first hole 11 of base 1. Since the drive member 41 is no longer being pushed by the side wall of base 1, the drive member 41 activates switch 31 to close it and activates the alarm circuit. At this time, control device 32 controls alarm device 33 to emit an alarm, warning against placing children aged 0-15 months in the forward-facing seat 2. After the alarm time of the alarm device 33 reaches a predetermined value, the control device 32 controls the alarm device to stop sending alarms until the drive member 41 next activates the switch 31.

[0032] In short, the present invention employs a design in which an alarm mechanism 3 is placed on one of the base 1 and seat 2, and a switch activation device 4 is placed on the other of the base 1 and seat 2. When the seat 2 rotates to a forward-facing position relative to the base 1, the switch activation device 4 rotates to align with the switch 31 of the alarm mechanism 3, closes the switch 31, activates the alarm mechanism 3 and issues an alarm, and warns the user not to place a child aged 0 to 15 months in the forward-facing seat 2. In this way, the present invention improves operational safety when using a child car seat.

[0033] Furthermore, please refer to Figures 9, 10, and 11. Figure 9 shows the headrest 101 of the seat misuse alarm device 100 slid upward. Figure 10 shows the headrest 101 of the seat misuse alarm device 100 slid downward. Figure 11 is a rear view of the seat misuse alarm device 100 of Figure 9. As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the seat misuse alarm device 100 may further comprise a headrest mechanism 5. The headrest mechanism 5 is movably positioned on the seat 2 and electrically connected to the alarm mechanism 3. Thus, when the seat 2 is in a forward position relative to the base 1 and activated to close the switch 31, the height of the headrest mechanism 5 relative to the seat 2 can determine whether the alarm mechanism 3 is activated to select whether or not to issue an alarm. For example, the headrest mechanism 5 may include, but is not limited to, a headrest 101, a headrest fixing base 102, and a headrest activation switch 103. The headrest 101 is slidably positioned on the front side F of the seat 2 and is slidable between a high position shown in Figure 9 and a low position shown in Figure 10 relative to the seat 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The headrest 101 is connected to a headrest fixing base 102 located on the back side B of the seat 2, which penetrates the seat 2 and is slidable relative to the seat 2 together with the headrest 101. The headrest activation switch 103 is located on the back side B of the seat 2 and is electrically connected to the alarm mechanism 3. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, which is a circuit diagram of the headrest activation switch 103, switch 31, control device 32, and alarm device 33 of Figure 11, the headrest activation switch 103 works in cooperation with switch 31, control device 32, and alarm device 33 to form an alarm circuit 104. Furthermore, please refer to Figure 13, which shows the headrest fixing base 102 of Figure 11 slid to the lower position. In actual operation, as shown in Figure 13, the headrest fixing base 102 has a drive rib 105 that protrudes to correspond to the headrest activation switch 103 in order to press the headrest activation switch 103 to close it, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0034] As described above, when the seat 2 rotates to a forward-facing position relative to the base 1, the elastic return member 42 drives the drive member 41 to eject from the second hole 21, then extends into the first hole 11 of the base 1, and activates the switch 31 to close. At this time, due to the circuit design described above, when the user slides the headrest 101 further down relative to the seat 2 to a lower position as shown in Figure 10 (corresponding to the headrest position for children aged 0-15 months, meaning the user intends to place a child aged 1-15 months in the forward-facing seat), the headrest fixing base 102 can slide synchronously to a position where the drive rib 105 presses and activates the headrest activation switch 103 (as shown in Figure 13). Thus, the two-stage energizing design, in which the drive member 41 presses and closes the switch 31 and the headrest fixing base 102 presses and closes the headrest activation switch 103, can keep the alarm circuit 104 closed, allowing the control device 32 to control the alarm device 33 to emit an alarm (e.g., light or sound). Therefore, the seat misuse warning device 100 can more accurately warn against placing a child aged 0-15 months in the forward-facing seat 2.

[0035] On the other hand, when seat 2 rotates to a forward-facing position relative to base 1, and the headrest 101 slides away from its lower position (for example, sliding upward to an upper position as shown in Figure 11, which corresponds to the headrest position for children aged 15 months or older; this means that the user does not intend to place a child aged 0-15 months in seat 2 in the forward-facing position), the headrest fixing base 102 is away from the headrest activation switch 103 and cannot be operated to close the headrest activation switch 103, so the alarm circuit 104 remains open. Therefore, the alarm device 33 does not emit an alarm.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention can employ a circuit breaker design. Simply put, in this design, the headrest mechanism 5 may include only the headrest 101. The headrest 101 is electrically connected to the alarm mechanism 3 and works together to form an alarm circuit, and when the headrest 101 slides to a higher position (corresponding to the headrest position for children 15 months and older, meaning that the user does not intend to place a child aged 0-15 months in the forward-facing seat 2), the headrest 101 can accordingly break the alarm circuit (relevant explanations regarding circuit breaker designs are commonly found in the prior art and are omitted herein). In this way, the alarm mechanism 3 does not emit an alarm whether the seat 2 is in the forward-facing or rear-facing position, thus preventing unnecessary trouble when the user operates the seat 2.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that numerous modifications and changes to the apparatus and method can be made while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the above disclosure should be construed as being limited only by the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1 Base 2 sheets 3 Alarm mechanism 4. Switch activation device 5. Headrest mechanism 11 The first hole 21 The second hole 31 switches 32 Control device 33 Alarm device 41 Drive Member 42 Elastic return member 100 Sheet Misuse Alarm System 101 Headrest 102 Headrest fixing base 103 Headrest activation switch 104 Alarm circuit 105 Drive Rib 211 First restriction section 212 Fixed base 213 Second restriction section 411 Protrusion

Claims

1. Base (1), A seat (2) having a forward-facing position and a backward-facing position relative to the base (1), A seat misuse alarm device (100) equipped with, An alarm mechanism (3) having a switch (31), A switch activation device (4) is provided with a drive member (41) that activates the alarm mechanism (3) to close the switch (31) so that the alarm mechanism (3) sounds an alarm when the seat (2) is in the forward position relative to the base (1), Equipped with, A sheet misuse alarm device (100) characterized in that a first hole (11) is formed on one side of the base (1) and the sheet (2), the switch (31) is positioned in the first hole (11), a second hole (21) is formed on the other side of the base (1) and the sheet (2), and the drive member (41) is slidably positioned in the second hole (21).

2. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch activation device (4) further comprises an elastic return member (42), the elastic return member (42) is positioned between the drive member (41) and the sheet (2), and provides elastic force to discharge the drive member (41) from the second hole (21).

3. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 2, wherein when the sheet (2) rotates to the forward position relative to the base (1), the first hole (11) aligns with the second hole (21), and the end of the drive member (41) is pushed out of the second hole (21) by the elastic force of the elastic return member (42) and extends into the first hole (11).

4. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that a first limiting portion (211) is formed on the inner wall of the second hole (21), a projection (411) is formed on the drive member (41), and the elastic return member (42) is disposed between the first limiting portion (211) and the projection (411).

5. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that a fixed base (212) is fixed to the inner wall of the second hole (21), and the first limiting portion (211) protrudes from the fixed base (212).

6. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that a second limiting portion (213) is formed on the fixed base (212) and is spaced apart from the first limiting portion (211), and the projection (411) is located between the first limiting portion (211) and the second limiting portion (213).

7. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the first hole (11) is formed on the side surface of the base (1) and the second hole (21) is formed on the side surface of the sheet (2), and the sheet (2) is not positioned in the forward position relative to the base (1), the first hole (11) is not aligned with the second hole (21), and the side wall of the base (1) pushes the drive member (41) into the second hole (21).

8. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm mechanism (3) includes a control device (32) and an alarm device (33), the switch (31), the control device (32), and the alarm device (33) are electrically connected to each other and cooperate to form an alarm circuit, and when the switch (31) is activated and closed, the control device (32) controls the alarm device (33) to issue the alarm.

9. The sheet misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that when the alarm time of the alarm device (33) reaches a predetermined value, the control device (32) controls the alarm device (33) to stop sending the alarm.

10. The seat misuse alarm device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a headrest mechanism (5), wherein the headrest mechanism (5) is movably positioned on the seat (2) and electrically connected to the alarm mechanism (3), and the height of the headrest mechanism (5) relative to the seat (2) determines whether the alarm mechanism (3) is activated to selectively issue an alarm when the seat (2) is positioned in the forward position relative to the base (1) to activate the switch (31).

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