Adjustable Catch Element for Child Seat Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child seat safety devices inadequately adjust to the size of the child, compromising both safety and comfort during vehicle deceleration or accidents, as they fail to effectively restrict the child's movement and provide sufficient comfort.
Innovation Solution
A safety device with a catch element that is adjustable at a predetermined angle greater than 0° (5° to 20°) relative to the seat surface, allowing stepless or stepwise adjustment, and incorporating plastically deformable elements to absorb impact energy, while also serving to secure the vehicle's safety belt, thus enhancing both safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the catch element is made fixed and simple in structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different child sizes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The catch element is designed to be adjustable in position along the armrest, allowing it to adapt to different child sizes. The longitudinal adjustability enables the catch element to be positioned at optimal locations for various child dimensions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable one without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch element is divided into multiple functional parts: the catching portion that contacts the child, the adjustment mechanism with guide openings, and the connection to the armrest. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each part's function while maintaining overall simplicity.
2Reliability
If the catch element is positioned far from the child, then the comfort is improved, but the safety potential in case of accident is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catch element's position is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. In normal conditions, it can be positioned to provide comfort, while in accident scenarios, its ability to move and absorb energy provides safety. The longitudinal adjustability allows optimization of the balance between comfort and safety based on specific needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch element incorporates energy-absorbing characteristics that prepare it to cushion impact forces before they reach the child. The plastically deformable elements are pre-positioned to engage during deceleration events, providing beforehand protection without interfering with normal comfort.
3Strength
If rigid structures are used for the catch element, then the strength is improved, but the impact energy absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catch element combines rigid structural components with plastically deformable elements. The rigid parts provide necessary structural strength and geometry, while the deformable elements (such as foam or plastic components) absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, creating a composite structure that achieves both strength and energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the catch element are designed to change under impact conditions. The plastically deformable elements undergo permanent deformation during impact, changing their physical state from rigid to deformed, thereby absorbing energy while the overall structure maintains its strength through the rigid framework.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable catch element effectively restricts the child's movement during deceleration, providing increased safety and comfort by adapting to the child's size and absorbing impact forces, while securing the child seat to the vehicle seat.
Implementation Method 1
the catch element (16) should comprise elements which are plastically deformable under the action of impact forces, which absorb and destroy a large part of the impact energy
Data Source
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AI summary
The safety device has a seat surface (12), where a backrest is provided with a catch element (16). A displacement of the catch element extends according to the seat surface at a certain sloping angle. The catch element is adjusted in a continuous, alternative and regular manner, and has plastically deformable elements.