Child car seat

Abstract

A child car seat (1) according to one embodiment comprises: a seat main body (2) on which a child sits; and a side impact handling member (3) which absorbs impacts from the side of the seat main body (2). The seat main body (2) extends in a front-rear direction (D1) and a left-right direction (D2) that extends in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction (D1), and includes: a seat portion (21); a back portion (22) that is connected to one end of the seat portion (21) in the front-rear direction (D1) and that extends in the left-right direction (D2) and a vertical direction (D3) that intersects the front-rear direction (D1) and the left-right direction (D2); and a side wall (23) that is connected to one end of the back portion (22) in the left-right direction (D2) and that extends in the front-rear direction (D1) and the vertical direction (D3). The side impact handling member (3) is disposed outside the side wall (23) in the left-right direction (D2). The side impact handling member (3) includes: a main body portion (31) that includes a projecting portion (31a) that projects outward in the left-right direction (D2); and a supporting portion (32) that is connected to the main body portion (31) and the seat main body (2). A gap (S2) is provided between the main body portion (31) and the side wall (23).

Description

child seat

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a child car seat.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a child car seat that includes a shell that defines a space for a child to sit in, a housing formed integrally with the shell, and a protective member that is fitted into side wings of the shell and supported by the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The child car seat described in Patent Document 1 allows the protective member to come into contact early with a part of the vehicle body, such as a door, that is pushed into the vehicle due to a side impact.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-151322

[0004] In the child car seat described in Patent Document 1, the housing is integrally formed with the shell. The protective member is supported by the housing. Therefore, when the protective member comes into contact with a part of the vehicle body that is pushed into the child car seat, a relatively strong impact may be immediately transmitted from the protective member through the housing and shell to the child seated in the child car seat.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a child car seat that can effectively cushion a side impact on a seated child.

[0006] The present disclosure includes child seats [1] to [7].

[0007] [1] A child seat comprising: a seat body on which a child sits; and a side-impact compliant member that absorbs impacts from the side of the seat body, wherein the seat body has: a seat portion that extends in a first direction and a second direction that extends in a direction intersecting the first direction; a back portion that is connected to one end of the seat portion in the first direction and that extends in the second direction and a third direction that intersects the first and second directions; and a side wall that is connected to one end of the back portion in the second direction and that extends in the first and third directions, wherein the side-impact compliant member is disposed outside the side wall in the second direction, and the side-impact compliant member has a first portion that includes a protrusion that protrudes outward in the second direction, and a second portion that is connected to the first portion and the seat body, and wherein a gap is provided between the first portion and the side wall.

[0008] In the above-described configuration [1], the side-impact-resistant member is disposed outside the side wall of the seat body in the second direction, and the protrusion included in the side-impact-resistant member protrudes outward in the second direction. As a result, for example, when a part of the vehicle body, such as a vehicle door, is pushed into the vehicle interior due to a side impact, the part of the vehicle body can first come into contact with the protrusion. Furthermore, a gap is provided between the first part including the protrusion and the side wall. As a result, the first part that comes into contact with the protrusion is pushed closer to the side wall without immediately colliding with the side wall. Furthermore, at this time, the first part moves relative to the second part, thereby enabling the second part to be suitably deformed or destroyed. In other words, a portion of the energy transmitted from the part of the vehicle body to the protrusion can be dissipated in the movement of the first part and the deformation or destruction of the second part. Therefore, the above-described child car seat can effectively absorb a side impact on a seated child.

[0009] [2] The child seat described in [1], wherein a corner portion is provided between the first portion and the second portion.

[0010] According to the configuration of [2] above, for example, a part of the vehicle body that is pushed into the vehicle due to a side impact can be made to come into contact only with the first part (particularly the protruding part) (in other words, the part of the vehicle body can be made to be less likely to come into contact with the second part). Therefore, the impact from the part of the vehicle body can be preferentially received by the protruding part, making it easier for the first part to be pushed closer to the side wall. As a result, the effect described in [1] above can be preferably obtained.

[0011] [3] The child seat described in [1] or [2], wherein the first portion is configured separately from the second portion.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned configuration [3], the material constituting the first portion can be made different from the material constituting the second portion, and therefore, the material suitable for the first portion and the material suitable for the second portion can be selected individually.

[0013] [4] The child seat described in [3], wherein the hardness of the material constituting the first portion is higher than the hardness of the material constituting the second portion.

[0014] According to the configuration [4] above, when an impact is transmitted to the protruding portion, the first portion is made less likely to deform or break, while the second portion is made more likely to deform or break. That is, by moving the first portion relative to the second portion without deforming or breaking it, the second portion can be deformed or broken in an appropriate manner. This allows the side-impact-resistant member to absorb the impact in an appropriate manner, thereby more effectively mitigating a side impact on a seated child.

[0015] [5] A child seat described in any of [1] to [4], wherein the gap includes a first gap provided between the first portion and the side wall, and a second gap provided between a part of the second portion adjacent to the outer edge of the first portion and the side wall when viewed from the second direction.

[0016] According to the configuration [5] above, a second gap is provided between the side wall and a portion of the second portion, including the boundary between the first and second portions. This second gap ensures space for the portion of the second portion to approach the side wall. This allows for greater deformation of the second portion as the first portion is pushed in. As a result, the side impact-accommodating member can effectively absorb impact, thereby more effectively mitigating side impacts on a seated child.

[0017] [6] The child car seat according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first portion has an impact absorbing member.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned configuration [6], when an impact is applied to the first part, the first part itself can absorb part of the impact, thereby improving the impact absorption effect of the side impact-resistant member and further effectively mitigating the side impact of a seated child.

[0019] [7] The child car seat according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the second portion has an impact absorbing member.

[0020] According to the above-mentioned configuration [7], when an impact is applied to the second part, the second part itself can absorb part of the impact, thereby improving the impact absorption effect of the side impact-resistant member and further reducing the side impact of a seated child.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a child car seat that can effectively absorb side impacts on a seated child.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a side view of a child car seat according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a seat body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the left side of the child car seat of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a side-impact resistant member. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a side-impact resistant member according to a first modified example. FIG. 7(a) is a schematic diagram of a side-impact resistant member according to a second modified example. FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) are schematic diagrams of a side-impact resistant member according to a third modified example. FIG. 8(a) is a schematic diagram of a side-impact resistant member according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 8(b) is a schematic diagram of a side-impact resistant member according to a fifth modified example.

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0024] A child car seat 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a side view of the child car seat 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the seat body 2. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the left side of the child car seat 1. The child car seat 1 is attached to a car seat for a child, such as an infant, to sit in.

[0025] In this specification, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," "down," "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" with respect to the child car seat 1 and the vehicle mean the "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," "down," "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" with respect to the child seat 1, unless otherwise specified. The "front-rear direction" refers to the direction in which the vehicle moves forward and backward, parallel to the vehicle's ground surface. The "up-down direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the ground surface. The "left-right direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. In the "left-right direction," the side closer to the child seated in the child car seat 1 (the center of the child car seat 1 in the left-right direction) is referred to as the "inner side (left-right)," and the side farther from the child is referred to as the "outer side (left-right)." Unless otherwise specified, the term "child" in this specification refers to the child seated in the child car seat.

[0026] 1 to 8, for convenience, the "front-rear direction" is represented as the front-rear direction D1 (first direction), the "left-right direction" is represented as the left-right direction D2 (second direction), and the "up-down direction" is represented as the up-down direction D3 (third direction). The positive side of the front-rear direction D1 corresponds to "rear," and the negative side of the front-rear direction D1 corresponds to "front." The positive side of the left-right direction D2 corresponds to "right," and the negative side of the left-right direction D2 corresponds to "left." The positive side of the up-down direction D3 corresponds to "up," and the negative side of the up-down direction D3 corresponds to "down."

[0027] The child car seat 1 comprises a seat body 2 and a side collision response member 3. The seat body 2 is the portion on which a child sits. The seat body 2 has a seat portion 21, a back portion 22, a pair of side walls 23, a pair of grips 24, and legs 25. The seat portion 21 is the portion that supports the child's buttocks. The seat portion 21 has a substantially rectangular outer shape when viewed in the up-down direction D3. The seat portion 21 extends in the front-to-back direction D1 and the left-to-right direction D2. The seat portion 21 is inclined downward from the front end to the rear end of the seat portion 21.

[0028] The back portion 22 supports the child's back and head. The back portion 22 extends in the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3. The lower end of the back portion 22 is connected to one end (rear end) of the seat portion 21 in the front-to-rear direction D1. The back portion 22 slopes backward from the lower end to the upper end of the back portion 22.

[0029] The back portion 22 has a back support portion 221, a headrest 222, an adjustment portion 223, a back outer wall 224, and a back inner wall 225. The back support portion 221 is a portion that supports the child's back. The back support portion 221 is a rectangular plate-shaped member. The back support portion 221 is provided with a plurality of through holes that penetrate in the front-to-rear direction D1.

[0030] The headrest 222 supports the child's head. The headrest 222 is provided above the back support portion 221. When viewed from the up-down direction D3, the headrest 222 has a shape that curves backward so as to cover the sides (both sides in the left-right direction D2) and rear of the child's head.

[0031] The adjustment portion 223 is a portion that adjusts the position of the headrest 222. The adjustment portion 223 has a frame 223a and a cushion 223b. The frame 223a extends relative to the backrest 221 in a direction along the backrest 221. The frame 223a is T-shaped when viewed in the front-to-rear direction D1. The frame 223a includes an extending portion 223c and a curved portion 223d. The extending portion 223c is rectangular and extends in the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3. The extending portion 223c is disposed behind the backrest 221. The extending portion 223c moves upward parallel to the backrest 221.

[0032] The curved portion 223d is connected to the upper end of the extending portion 223c. The curved portion 223d has a shape that curves rearward when viewed in the up-down direction D3. The curved portion 223d curves along the headrest 222 so as to surround the sides and rear of the headrest 222.

[0033] The cushion 223b is a portion that protects the child's head. The cushion 223b is made of a flexible material. The cushion 223b is connected to the front side of the curved portion 223d and is disposed between the curved portion 223d and the headrest 222.

[0034] The back outer wall 224 is located at the rear end of the seat body 2. The back outer wall 224 is disposed rearward of the back support portion 221 so as to be spaced apart from the back support portion 221. The back outer wall 224 extends in the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3.

[0035] The back inner wall 225 is disposed between the back support portion 221 and the back outer wall 224. The back inner wall 225 extends in the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3. A rail (not shown) that fits with the extension portion 223c is provided on the front surface of the back inner wall 225. The extension portion 223c moves along the rail. The upper end of the back inner wall 225 is connected to the upper end of the back outer wall 224. The lower end of the back inner wall 225 is connected to the rear end of the seat portion 21.

[0036] The pair of side walls 23 are portions that prevent the child from falling sideways from the child car seat 1. In this embodiment, the portions where the side walls 23 and the grips 24 are integrally formed cover the sides of the child. That is, the side walls 23 have cutouts that correspond to the portions where the grips 24 are to be disposed. In Figure 2, which schematically shows the seat body 2, the cutouts are omitted.

[0037] Each side wall 23 extends in the front-to-rear direction D1 and the up-down direction D3. The rear end of each side wall 23 is connected to both ends of the back 22 (back inner wall 225) in the left-right direction D2. The position of the upper end of each side wall 23 is approximately the same as the position of the upper end of the adjustment part 223 when it is located at the lower end of the range in which it can move. In this embodiment, the back inner wall 225, the pair of side walls 23, and the seat part 21 are integrally molded with one another.

[0038] The pair of grips 24 are portions that a user grasps when holding the child car seat 1. The user may be, for example, a person installing the child car seat 1 in a car seat. Each grip 24 extends in the front-to-rear direction D1 and the up-down direction D3. The upper edge of each grip 24 is connected to the lower edge of the side wall 23. The lower edge of the grip 24 is connected to the edge of the seat portion 21 in the left-to-right direction D2. A rectangular opening is provided in approximately the center of each grip 24 in the up-down direction D3. The portion that defines the front edge of the opening is cylindrical. The user can grasp this cylindrical portion.

[0039] The legs 25 are placed (supported) on the seat of the vehicle. The legs 25 are provided below the seat portion 21. The legs 25 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction D3. The lower end of the back outer wall 224 is connected to the legs 25.

[0040] The side impact compliant members 3 are members for absorbing (mitigating) impacts on the seat body 2. The side impact compliant members 3 are disposed on the outer sides of the side walls 23 in the left-right direction D2. That is, the side impact compliant members 3 are disposed so as to cover the outer sides of the side walls 23 in the left-right direction D2. In this embodiment, a pair of side impact compliant members 3 is provided on the left and right sides of the child car seat 1 so that the child car seat 1 can be placed on either the left or right seat in a vehicle. However, if the child car seat 1 is configured exclusively for either the left or right seat in a vehicle, the side impact compliant members 3 (particularly the main body portion 31 described below) may be provided on only one side (the side facing a part of the vehicle body, such as a vehicle door). The side impact compliant members 3 include a main body portion 31 (first portion) and a support portion 32 (second portion).

[0041] The support portion 32 is connected to the main body portion 31 and the seat body 2. The support portion 32 is disposed outside the side walls 23 of the seat body 2 in the left-right direction D2 so as to cover the side walls 23, and extends in the front-rear direction D1 and the up-down direction D3. In this embodiment, the support portion 32 is connected to the back inner wall 225, the back outer wall 224, the side walls 23, and the grip 24. As shown in FIG. 5 , an inwardly recessed recess 32a is provided on the outer surface of the support portion 32. When viewed from the left-right direction D2, the recess 32a is formed in an elliptical shape. The bottom of the recess 32a is provided with a circular through-hole 32b (see FIG. 5 ) and a pair of through-holes 32c (see FIG. 5 ) that penetrate in the left-right direction D2. The pair of through-holes 32c are formed in a circular shape smaller than the through-hole 32b and are provided on both sides of the through-hole 32b. The support portion 32 is made of, for example, EPS (bead-processed polystyrene foam) material.

[0042] The main body 31 is configured as a separate body from the support portion 32. The main body 31 is connected to the support portion 32. Note that "connecting" two portions includes a mode in which two separate members (the main body 31 and the support portion 32) are connected (coupled) so that their positions are fixed in a normal state, as in this embodiment, and also includes a mode in which the two portions are integrally molded, as in a modified example described later (see FIG. 7 ).

[0043] In this embodiment, the main body 31 is connected to the support portion 32. As an example, the main body 31 is fixed to a recess 32a of the support portion 32. The main body 31 has a protrusion 31a. The protrusion 31a protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. In this embodiment, the protrusion 31a is the part that protrudes furthest outward in the left-right direction D2 among the parts that make up the child car seat 1. The hardness of the material that makes up the main body 31 is higher than the hardness of the material that makes up the support portion 32. The main body 31 is made of, for example, PP (polypropylene).

[0044] The side-impact countermeasure member 3 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the side-impact countermeasure member 3. The main body 31 has an air cushion 311, an outer fastener 312, and an inner fastener 313. The air cushion 311 and the outer fastener 312 are disposed outward from the support portion 32 in the left-right direction D2. The inner fastener 313 is disposed inward from the support portion 32 in the left-right direction D2. The air cushion 311 is sandwiched between the inner fastener 313 and the outer fastener 312 via the support portion 32 (the portion where the recess 32a is provided).

[0045] The air cushion 311 is a member having a space therein. The air cushion 311 is filled with air. The air cushion 311 has an annular portion 311a, a side portion 311b, a curved portion 311c, and a bottom portion 311d. The annular portion 311a is an elliptical annular member. The side portion 311b extends from the annular portion 311a toward the inside of the seat main body 2. When viewed from the left-right direction D2, the outer contour of the annular portion 311a surrounds the side portion 311b.

[0046] The curved portion 311c is a portion that fills the inner region defined by the annular portion 311a. The curved portion 311c is curved outward. The curved portion 311c constitutes the protruding portion 31a. The bottom portion 311d is a portion that faces the annular portion 311a and the curved portion 311c. The bottom portion 311d is connected to the side portion 311b. The bottom portion 311d has a stepped shape. More specifically, a stepped portion 311f that protrudes toward the inside of the seat main body 2 is provided at approximately the center of the bottom portion 311d in the up-down direction D3.

[0047] The annular portion 311a is provided with a pair of through holes 311e. The through holes 311e extend in the left-right direction D2. The through holes 311e are defined by an annular wall portion extending in the left-right direction D2 so as to surround the through holes 311e, and do not communicate with the internal space S4 of the air cushion 311 (i.e., the main cavity formed between the curved portion 311c and the bottom portion 311d). An insertion pin 312b of the outer fixing device 312, which will be described later, is inserted into the through holes 311e. The internal space S4 of the air cushion 311 is airtightly defined by the annular portion 311a, the side portion 311b, the curved portion 311c, the bottom portion 311d, and the annular wall portion that defines the through holes 311e.

[0048] The outer fixing device 312 has an annular portion 312a and a pair of insertion pins 312b. The annular portion 312a is arranged to cover the outside of the annular portion 311a of the air cushion 311. The curved portion 311c is exposed through an opening defined by the annular portion 312a. The pair of insertion pins 312b extend inward in the left-right direction D2 from the inner surface of the annular portion 312a (the surface facing the annular portion 311a) at positions corresponding to the pair of through holes 311e of the air cushion 311.

[0049] The inner fixing member 313 has an annular portion 313a and a protruding portion 313b. The annular portion 313a is formed in a plate shape and is the innermost portion of the main body portion 31. The protruding portion 313b is a portion that protrudes toward the outside of the seat main body 2 at approximately the center of the annular portion 313a. The protruding portion 313b faces the bottom portion 311d. The outer surface of the protruding portion 313b is recessed inward. The step portion 311f fits into a recess 313d formed by the outer surface of the protruding portion 313b being recessed inward. The annular portion 313a is provided with a pair of pin fitting portions 313c. The insertion pin 312b is fitted into the pin fitting portions 313c.

[0050] The through-hole 32b of the support part 32 is provided in approximately the center of the recess 32a. The step part 311f of the air cushion 311 and the protrusion 313b of the inner fixing device 313 are accommodated in the through-hole 32b. The protrusion 313b is fitted and fixed in the through-hole 32b. A pair of insertion pins 312b of the outer fixing device 312 are inserted into the pair of through-holes 32c.

[0051] The main body 31 is attached to the support part 32 by assembling the air cushion 311, outer fixing member 312, and inner fixing member 313 so as to sandwich the support part 32. More specifically, with the air cushion 311 placed in the recess 32a of the support part 32, the insertion pins 312b of the outer fixing member 312 are inserted into the through holes 311e of the air cushion 311 and the through holes 32c of the support part 32 and fitted into the pin fitting portions 313c. A space is provided inside the insertion pin 312b. A thread groove is formed on the inner wall defining the space. A through hole is provided in the pin fitting portion 313c. A screw (not shown) is fastened through the through hole to the thread groove formed in the insertion pin 312b. This fixes the main body 31 to the support part 32.

[0052] The inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the recess 32a of the support portion 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the side surface 311b of the air cushion 311. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, a gap S1 is provided between the recess 32a and the side surface 311b. The outer contour of the side surface 311b and the bottom of the recess 32a are not smoothly connected, and a corner R is provided when viewed from the front-rear direction D1.

[0053] The support portion 32 has an upper support portion 321, a lower support portion 322, a rear support portion 323, and a front support portion 324. The upper support portion 321, the lower support portion 322, the rear support portion 323, and the front support portion 324 are portions of the seat main body 2 that are connected to the side walls 23. The support portion 32 is directly connected to the seat main body 2. However, the support portion 32 may be indirectly connected to the seat main body 2 via a member disposed between the support portion 32 and the seat main body 2.

[0054] The upper support portion 321 is located at the upper edge of the support portion 32. The lower support portion 322 is located at the lower edge of the support portion 32. The rear support portion 323 is located at the rear edge of the support portion 32. The front support portion 324 is located at the front edge of the support portion 32. In this way, the support portion 32 has a plurality of supports connected to the side wall 23 so as to surround the main body portion 31.

[0055] The support portion 32 has a thick portion 325 and a thin portion 326. At least a portion of the thick portion 325 is separated from the side wall 23. The thick portion 325 is connected to each of the upper support portion 321, the lower support portion 322, the rear support portion 323, and the front support portion 324. The thick portion 325 surrounds the recess 32a.

[0056] The plate thickness of the thin portion 326 is thinner than the plate thickness of the thick portion 325. The thin portion 326 forms the bottom of the recess 32a. The thin portion 326 is sandwiched between the air cushion 311 and the inner fixing member 313. The thin portion 326 is spaced apart from the side wall 23.

[0057] A gap S2 (first gap) is provided between the main body 31 and the side wall 23. More specifically, the gap S2 is provided between the inner fixing member 313 and the side wall 23. At any part of the gap S2, the length of the gap S2 in the left-right direction D2 is longer than the thickness of the thin-walled portion 326. The length of the gap S2 in the left-right direction D2 at the upper end is longer than the length of the gap S2 in the left-right direction D2 at the lower end.

[0058] A gap S3 (second gap) is provided between the support portion 32 and the side wall 23. The main body portion 31 has an outer edge B, which is the outer edge of the main body portion 31 when viewed from the left-right direction D2. More specifically, the outer edge B is the outer edge of the inner fixing member 313 when viewed from the left-right direction D2. In other words, the outer edge B is the outer edge of a member of the main body portion 31 adjacent to the gap S2 when viewed from the left-right direction D2. In other words, the outer edge B may be the outer edge of a portion (in this embodiment, the inner fixing member 313) that moves when the main body portion 31 is pressed into the side wall 23.

[0059] The gap S3 is provided between the side wall 23 and a part of the support portion 32 adjacent to the outer edge B. The upper end of the gap S3 is located between the thick portion 325 and the side wall 23. The gap S3 communicates with the gap S2. In other words, no member that prevents the side-impact-compatible member 3 (the main body portion 31 and the support portion 32) from approaching the side wall 23 is provided between the gap S3 and the gap S2.

[0060] [Effects] In the child car seat 1, the side impact response member 3 is disposed outside the side wall 23 of the seat main body 2 in the left-right direction D2, and the protrusion 31a included in the side impact response member 3 protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. In this embodiment, the protrusion 31a protrudes outward most in the left-right direction D2 among the components constituting the child car seat 1. As a result, for example, when a part of the vehicle body, such as a vehicle door, is pushed into the vehicle interior due to a side impact, the part of the vehicle body can first come into contact with the protrusion 31a. Furthermore, a gap S2 is provided between the main body 31 including the protrusion 31a and the side wall 23. As a result, when the part of the vehicle body comes into contact with the protrusion 31a (in this embodiment, the innermost inner fixing member 313 of the main body 31), the main body 31 is pushed closer to the side wall 23 without immediately colliding with the side wall 23. Furthermore, at this time, relative movement of the main body 31 with respect to the support portion 32 is generated, thereby enabling the support portion 32 to be deformed or destroyed in an appropriate manner. Specifically, when the main body 31 is pushed closer to the side wall 23, the thick portion 325 and the thin portion 326 of the support portion 32 are bent or destroyed. In other words, part of the energy transmitted from the part of the vehicle body to the protruding portion 31a can be consumed in moving the main body 31 and deforming or destroying the support portion 32. Therefore, the child car seat 1 can effectively absorb side impacts on a seated child.

[0061] A corner R is provided between the main body portion 31 and the support portion 32. In other words, the main body portion 31 and the support portion 32 are not smoothly connected to each other. This configuration makes it easier for a part of the vehicle body that is pushed into the vehicle due to a side impact to come into contact only with the main body portion 31 (particularly the protruding portion 31 a) (in other words, makes it difficult for the part of the vehicle body to come into contact with the support portion 32). Therefore, by having the protruding portion 31 a receive the impact from the part of the vehicle body preferentially, the main body portion 31 can be more easily pushed toward the side wall 23. As a result, by suitably causing deformation or destruction of the support portion 32 due to the movement of the main body portion 31 as described above, it is possible to more effectively mitigate a side impact on a seated child.

[0062] The main body 31 is configured separately from the support portion 32. With this configuration, the material configuring the main body 31 can be different from the material configuring the support portion 32. Therefore, materials suitable for the main body 31 and the support portion 32 can be selected individually. In this embodiment, the main body 31 has the air cushion 311, which can absorb impact. This improves the impact absorption effect of the side impact response member 3, and can more effectively mitigate side impacts on a seated child.

[0063] The hardness of the material constituting the main body portion 31 is higher than the hardness of the material constituting the support portion 32. With this configuration, when an impact is transmitted to the protrusion 31a, the main body portion 31 is made less likely to deform or break, while the support portion 32 is made more likely to deform or break. In other words, by moving the main body portion 31 relative to the support portion 32 without deforming or breaking it, the support portion 32 can be suitably deformed or broken. This allows the side impact-resistant member 3 to suitably absorb the impact, thereby more effectively mitigating a side impact on a seated child.

[0064] The gap between the side-impact-compatible member 3 and the sidewall 23 includes a gap S2 between the main body portion 31 and the sidewall 23 and a gap S3 between the sidewall 23 and a portion of the support portion 32 adjacent to the outer edge B of the main body portion 31, as viewed in the left-right direction D2. With this configuration, the gap S3 provides space for a portion of the support portion 32 to approach the sidewall 23. This increases the deformation of the support portion 32 when the main body portion 31 is pressed (e.g., the amount of deflection caused by a portion of the support portion 32 being pressed into the gap S3). In this embodiment, the length of the gap S2 in the left-right direction D2 is longer than the thickness of the thin-walled portion 326 at any portion of the gap S2. Therefore, the portion of the main body portion 31 located outside the thin-walled portion 326 can deform or destroy the thin-walled portion 326 so as to cross the thin-walled portion 326. As a result, the side impact countermeasure member 3 can be made to absorb the impact suitably, so that the side impact on the seated child can be alleviated even more effectively.

[0065] [First Modification] A child car seat 1A according to a first modification will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a side impact responsive member 3A according to the first modification. The child car seat 1A differs from the child car seat 1 mainly in that the side impact responsive member 3A is included instead of the side impact responsive member 3. The side impact responsive member 3A has a main body portion 41 (first portion) and a support portion 42 (second portion). The main body portion 41 has a protrusion 41a and an inner main body portion 41b.

[0066] The inner main body portion 41b is, for example, an air cushion filled with air. The inner main body portion 41b does not have to be an air cushion. In other words, the inner main body portion 41b does not have to have a void inside. The inner main body portion 41b has a tapered shape that narrows toward the inside when viewed from the front-rear direction D1. For example, the inner main body portion 41b has a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. The axis of the inner main body portion 41b extends along the left-right direction D2. The inner main body portion 41b has a side surface 41c that connects the inner end surface of the inner main body portion 41b to the outer end surface of the inner main body portion 41b. The side surface 41c is inclined in both the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3.

[0067] The protrusion 41a is connected to the outer end surface of the inner main body portion 41b. The protrusion 41a has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The axis of the protrusion 41a extends along the left-right direction D2. The outer diameter of the protrusion 41a is shorter than the length of the outer end surface of the inner main body portion 41b in the up-down direction D3. The protrusion 41a protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. In this embodiment, the protrusion 41a protrudes furthest outward in the left-right direction D2 among the parts that make up the child car seat 1A. The protrusion 41a and the inner main body portion 41b are made of, for example, a resin such as PP or a metal.

[0068] The support portion 42 has a pair of support portion main bodies 421, a frame portion 422, a pair of elastic bodies 423, and a pressing portion 424. The support portion main bodies 421 are connected to the side wall 23. The pair of support portion main bodies 421 are configured to sandwich the main body portion 41. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the pair of support portion main bodies 421 sandwich the main body portion 41 in the up-down direction D3.

[0069] The frame portion 422 is connected to the outer end of the support portion main body 421. The support portion 42 has a through hole 42a defined by the frame portion 422. The frame portion 422 extends from the outer end of each of the pair of support portion main bodies 421 toward the main body portion 41. The inner diameter of the through hole 42a is smaller than the length of the inner main body portion 41b in the up-down direction D3.

[0070] The pressing portion 424 is a portion that comes into contact with the side surface 41c. The pressing portion 424 is not fixed to the side surface 41c. The pressing portion 424 has a plate shape. The pressing portion 424 extends along the side surface 41c.

[0071] The pair of elastic bodies 423 bias the main body 41 via the pressing portions 424. Each elastic body 423 extends in the up-down direction D3. One end of each elastic body 423 is connected to the support main body 421. The other end of each elastic body 423 is connected to the pressing portion 424. As the main body 41 is biased via the pressing portion 424, the outer surface of the inner main body 41b is pressed against the frame 422. More specifically, in a steady state, as the pair of pressing portions 424 are pressed against the inner main body 41b by the pair of elastic bodies 423, a force acting outward in the left-right direction D2 acts on the inner main body 41b. As a result, the outer surface of the inner main body 41b is pressed against the inner surface of the frame 422.

[0072] In this way, the support portion 42 is connected to the main body portion 41 with the inner main body portion 41b in close contact with the frame portion 422. That is, in the first modified example, the main body portion 41 and the support portion 42 are connected so that their positions are fixed relative to each other in the normal state.

[0073] The effects of the child car seat according to the first modification will now be described. The side-impact-resistant member 3A has an inner main body portion 41b and an elastic body 423 as impact-absorbing members. That is, the main body portion 41 has the inner main body portion 41b as an impact-absorbing member. The inner main body portion 41b is made of an air cushion, so it can absorb impact. When an impact is applied to the main body portion 41, the main body portion 41 can absorb the impact. This improves the impact-absorbing effect of the side-impact-resistant member 3A, and more effectively reduces side impacts on a seated child.

[0074] The support portion 42 has elastic bodies 423 as shock-absorbing members. Therefore, for example, a part of the vehicle body pushed into the vehicle due to a side impact can first come into contact with the protruding portion 41a. When a force is applied to the protruding portion 41a, the inner main body portion 41b is pushed toward the side wall 23. When the inner main body portion 41b is pushed toward the side wall 23, a force is applied to the pressing portion 424 in the left-right direction D2. The side surface 41c of the inner main body portion 41b and the pressing portion 424 are inclined in both the left-right direction D2 and the up-down direction D3. Therefore, a component of the force applied to the pressing portion 424 is in the up-down direction D3. Because this component of the force is in the up-down direction D3, the pair of elastic bodies 423 contract. When the elastic bodies 423 contract, a portion of the energy applied to the child car seat 1A from the part of the vehicle body is absorbed as elastic energy by the elastic bodies 423. This improves the impact absorption effect of the side impact-resistant member 3A, thereby more effectively absorbing the impact from the side of a seated child.

[0075] [Second Modification] A child car seat 1B according to a second modification will be described with reference to Fig. 7(a). Fig. 7(a) is a schematic diagram of a side impact responsive member 3B according to the second modification. The child car seat 1B differs from the child car seat 1 mainly in that it has a side impact responsive member 3B instead of the side impact responsive member 3. The side impact responsive member 3B has a shape that curves outward. The side impact responsive member 3B has a first portion 51 and a second portion 52. When viewed in the left-right direction D2, the first portion 51 is surrounded by the second portion 52.

[0076] The first portion 51 is connected to the second portion 52. That is, in this modification, the first portion 51 is connected to the second portion 52 by being integrally molded with the second portion 52. The first portion 51 is smoothly connected to the second portion 52. That is, no corners are formed between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52.

[0077] The first portion 51 has a protrusion 51a. The protrusion 51a protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. In this embodiment, the protrusion 51a is the outermost protrusion in the left-right direction D2 among the portions constituting the child car seat 1B. When viewed from the left-right direction D2, the protrusion 51a refers to a range within a predetermined radius centered on the outermost protruding portion of the side collision compliant member 3B. The first portion 51 can be defined as a substantially cylindrical portion extending inward from the protrusion 51a along the left-right direction D2.

[0078] A gap S5 is provided between the side-impact corresponding member 3B and the side wall 23. When viewed from the left-right direction D2, the gap S5 is provided so as to completely surround the first portion 51. In other words, the outer edge of the gap S5 (the inner edge of the connection between the second portion 52 and the side wall 23) is located outside the outer edge Ba of the first portion 51.

[0079] In the child car seat 1B, the first portion 51 is integrally molded with the second portion 52, which makes it easy to manufacture the side-impact compliant member 3B. Furthermore, the first portion 51 is smoothly connected to the second portion 52, which provides a pleasant feel when a user or child touches the side-impact compliant member 3B.

[0080] [Third Modification] A child car seat 1C according to a third modification will be described with reference to Fig. 7(b). Fig. 7(b) is a schematic diagram of a side impact responsive member 3C according to the third modification. The child car seat 1C differs from the child car seat 1 mainly in that it has a side impact responsive member 3C instead of the side impact responsive member 3. The side impact responsive member 3C has a first portion 53 and a second portion 54. The first portion 53 is integrally formed with the second portion 54. When viewed in the left-right direction D2, the first portion 53 is surrounded by the second portion 54.

[0081] The first portion 53 has a protruding portion 53a that protrudes from the outer end surface of the second portion 54. The protruding portion 53a is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape and protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. The protruding portion 53a protrudes furthest outward in the left-right direction D2 among the portions that make up the child car seat 1C. The side collision corresponding member 3B has a corner portion Rb provided between the protruding portion 53a and the second portion 54.

[0082] The first portion 53 can be defined as a generally cylindrical portion extending inward from the protruding portion 53a along the left-right direction D2. A gap S6 is provided between the side-impact corresponding member 3C and the side wall 23. When viewed from the left-right direction D2, the gap S6 is provided so as to completely surround the first portion 53. In other words, the outer edge of the gap S6 (the inner edge of the connection between the second portion 54 and the side wall 23) is located outside the outer edge Bb of the first portion 53.

[0083] In the child car seat 1C, the first portion 53 is not smoothly connected to the second portion 54. That is, the protruding portion 53a of the first portion 53 protrudes discontinuously from the surrounding second portion 54. This makes it easier for a part of the vehicle body that is pushed into the vehicle due to a side impact to come into contact only with the protruding portion 53a (in other words, makes it harder for the part of the vehicle body to come into contact with the second portion 54). Therefore, the impact from the part of the vehicle body is preferentially received by the protruding portion 53a, making it easier for the first portion 53 to be pushed closer to the side wall 23. Note that, as shown in FIG. 7C , the tip surface of the protruding portion 53a of the first portion 53 may be formed into a curved surface.

[0084] [Fourth Modification] A child car seat 1D according to a fourth modification will be described with reference to Fig. 8(a). Fig. 8(a) is a schematic diagram of a side impact responsive member 3D according to the fourth modification. The child car seat 1D differs from the child car seat 1 mainly in that the side impact responsive member 3D is provided instead of the side impact responsive member 3. The side impact responsive member 3D has a main body portion 61 (first portion) and a support portion 62 (second portion). When viewed from the left-right direction D2, the main body portion 61 is surrounded by the support portion 62. For example, the main body portion 61 is embedded in a through-hole provided in the support portion 62. The support portions 62 are connected to the side walls 23 on both sides of the main body portion 61 in the up-down direction D3.

[0085] The main body 61 includes a first main body 611 and a second main body 612 that are configured as separate bodies. The first main body 611 is, for example, an air cushion filled with air. The outer end face of the first main body 611 is located outward from the outer end face of the support portion 62. The first main body 611 and the second main body 612 are formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction D2. As an example, the first main body 611 is formed to be slightly larger than the second main body 612 when viewed in the left-right direction D2. However, the size of the first main body 611 when viewed in the left-right direction D2 may be the same as or smaller than the second main body 612.

[0086] The first main body 611 has a protruding portion 61a that protrudes from the outer end surface of the support portion 62. The protruding portion 61a protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 61a protrudes furthest outward in the left-right direction D2 among the portions that constitute the child car seat 1D.

[0087] The second main body 612 is aligned with the first main body 611 in the left-right direction D2. The second main body 612 is connected to the inner end surface of the first main body 611. The second main body 612 is, for example, an air cushion filled with air, similar to the first main body 611.

[0088] In the child car seat 1D, the second main body portion 612 is aligned with the first main body portion 611 in the left-right direction D2. Each of the first main body portion 611 and the second main body portion 612 is an air cushion filled with air. Therefore, part of the impact applied to the protrusion 61a is absorbed by both the first main body portion 611 and the second main body portion 612. Note that in the fourth modified example, the number of multiple main body portions aligned in the left-right direction D2 (in the above example, the two main body portions, the first main body portion 611 and the second main body portion 612) may be three or more.

[0089] [Fifth Modification] A child car seat 1E according to a fifth modification will be described with reference to Fig. 8(b). Fig. 8(b) is a schematic diagram of a side-impact compliant member 3E according to the fifth modification. The child car seat 1E is similar to the fourth modification in that it has multiple main bodies 61, but differs from the child car seat 1D in that the multiple main bodies 61 are arranged not in the left-right direction D2 but in a direction intersecting the left-right direction D2 (in this example, the up-down direction D3). In this modification, the side-impact compliant member 3E has three main bodies 61.

[0090] Each main body 61 is, for example, configured with an air cushion filled with air, similar to the first main body 611 and the second main body 612. In this example, each main body 61 is formed in the same cylindrical shape, but the shapes or sizes of each main body 61 may be different from each other. Each main body 61 has a protrusion 61a. Each protrusion 61a protrudes outward in the left-right direction D2. Of the parts constituting the child car seat 1E, each protrusion 61a protrudes furthest outward in the left-right direction D2.

[0091] The support portion 62 has a pair of support portion bodies 621 and a plurality of connecting portions 622. The upper support portion body 621 connects the side wall 23 to the uppermost main body portion 61. The lower support portion body 621 connects the side wall 23 to the lowermost main body portion 61. The connecting portions 622 connect one main body portion 61 to another main body portion 61.

[0092] In the child car seat 1E, the multiple main bodies 61 are aligned in a direction intersecting the left-right direction D2 (here, as an example, the up-down direction D3). Each of the multiple main bodies 61 is an air cushion filled with air. For example, a portion of the energy applied to the child car seat 1E from a part of the vehicle body that is pushed into the vehicle due to a side impact is used to deform or destroy each of the multiple main bodies 61, thereby absorbing the impact. This improves the impact absorption effect of the side impact-resistant member 3E, thereby more effectively mitigating side impacts on a seated child.

[0093] [Modifications] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications. The materials and shapes of each configuration are not limited to the specific materials and shapes described above, and various materials and shapes other than those described above can be used. Furthermore, some of the configurations included in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be omitted or modified as appropriate, and can be combined in any manner.

[0094] For example, while the main body 31 of the child car seat 1 described above is configured to include the air cushion 311 as a shock-absorbing member, the main body 31 does not have to include such a shock-absorbing member. For example, the main body 31 may be configured from a material that is harder than the support portion 32 and does not have any shock-absorbing properties of its own. Even in this case, the support portion 32 can be suitably deformed or destroyed as the main body 31 moves inward in the left-right direction D2, thereby achieving the effects of the child car seat 1 described above. Furthermore, the main body 31 may include a shock-absorbing member (shock-absorbing mechanism) other than the air cushion.

[0095] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E... Child seat, 2... Seat body, 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E... Side impact response member, 21... Seat portion, 22... Back portion, 23... Side wall, 24... Grip, 25... Leg portion, 31, 41, 61... Main body portion (first portion), 31a, 41a, 51a, 53a, 61a... Protrusion portion, 32, 42, 62... Support portion ( second part), 41b...inner main body part, 41c...side surface, 51, 53...first part, 52, 54...second part, 221...back support part, 222...headrest, 223...adjustment part, 223a...frame, 223b...cushion, 223c...extension part, 223d...curved part, 224...back outer wall, 225...back inner wall, 311...air cushion, 311a...circle shaped part, 311b...side part, 311c...curved part, 311d...bottom, 311e...through hole, 311f...stepped part, 312...outer fixture, 312a...annular part, 312b...insertion Pin, 313...Inner fixture, 313a...Annular part, 313b...Convex part, 313c...Pin fitting part, 313d...Concave part, 321...Upper support part, 322...Lower support part, 323...Rear Side support part, 324... Front support part, 325... Thick wall part, 326... Thin wall part, 421... Support part main body, 422... Frame part, 423... Elastic body, 424... Pressing part, 611... First main body part , 612...Second main body part, 621...Support main body, 622...Connection part, S1, S2, S3, S5, S6...Gap, S4...Inner space, B, Ba, Bb...Outer edge, R, Rb...Corner part.

Claims

1. A child seat includes a seat body on which a child sits and a side impact corresponding member that absorbs an impact from the side of the seat body. The seat body has a seat portion extending in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, a back portion connected to one end of the seat portion in the first direction and extending in the second direction and a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and a side wall connected to one end of the back portion in the second direction and extending in the first direction and the third direction. The side impact corresponding member is disposed outside the side wall in the second direction and has a first portion including a protruding portion protruding outward in the second direction and a second portion connected to the first portion and the seat body. A gap is provided between the first portion and the side wall.

2. The child seat according to claim 1, wherein a corner portion is provided between the first portion and the second portion.

3. The child seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion is configured separately from the second portion.

4. The child seat according to claim 3, wherein the hardness of the material constituting the first portion is higher than the hardness of the material constituting the second portion.

5. The child seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap includes a first gap provided between the first portion and the side wall and a second gap provided between an outer edge of the first portion, a part of the second portion adjacent to the outer edge of the first portion, and the side wall when viewed from the second direction.

6. The child seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion has an impact absorbing member.

7. The child seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion has an impact absorbing member.

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