Adjustable Connecting Bar for Child Restraint Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety seat mounting systems are cumbersome and space-intensive, with separate adjustment mechanisms that complicate the secure and user-friendly mounting of child safety seats in vehicles, and there is a need for a more integrated and convenient solution that ensures safe and secure attachment to varying vehicle seat configurations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable connecting bar system with telescopically interconnected elongated bar members, featuring a coupling device that transforms between locked and release configurations, and a built-in latch system to prevent misuse and facilitate easy installation and adjustment, allowing for semi-automatic length adjustment of the connecting bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate adjustment mechanisms are used for connecting bars, then the connecting bars can be adjusted to varying vehicle seat configurations, but the mounting system becomes space-intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the adjustment mechanism directly into the connecting bar structure itself, merging the adjustment function with the connecting function. The connecting bar includes a telescopic structure with inner and outer bars that can be adjusted in length, and a latch mechanism that is part of the same component assembly, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting bar is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural connection, enables length adjustment, and includes integrated latching for secure engagement. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to various vehicle seat configurations.
2Reliability
If rigid connectors are used for mounting child safety seats, then secure attachment is achieved, but adaptability to varying vehicle seat dimensions and shapes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting bar incorporates a telescopic structure with an inner bar that can move relative to an outer bar, allowing the length of the connecting bar to be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the rigid connector to adapt to varying vehicle seat dimensions and shapes while maintaining secure attachment when locked into position.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting bar is divided into segmented sections (inner bar and outer bar) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows for length adjustment while maintaining the overall structural integrity and secure attachment capability when the segments are locked together in the desired position.
3Volume of moving object
If connectors are made retractable and enclosed in the child safety seat, then space is saved, but ease of operation for mounting and adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting bar is pre-configured with an extended length and the latch mechanism is pre-positioned in an unlocked state, allowing for easy engagement with vehicle seat anchoring points. The design anticipates the mounting operation by having the connector ready in an accessible, extended position rather than requiring retraction or complex manipulation to access the connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the inner bar relative to the outer bar when adjusted, and to automatically disengage when the release button is pressed. This self-latching and self-releasing functionality reduces the manual effort required for mounting and adjustment operations while maintaining compact storage when retracted.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an adjustable connecting bar for releasable fastening of a child restraint system to a vehicle seat having mounted anchoring members. The adjustable connecting bar (1) comprises a first and a second elongated bar member (2, 3) telescopically interconnected and arranged for relative displacement along a longitudinal axis (L). The first elongated bar member (2) is provided with a coupling device (4) at an end thereof and the coupling device (4) is transformable from a locked configuration to a release configuration in a first operation step by means of a manually operable actuator (8) which is operatively connected via a maneuvering system (9) to the coupling device. The connecting bar (1) further comprises a latch system (10, 11) housed within the connecting bar (1) for selectively preventing extension and retraction of the connecting bar (1). The latch system comprises a first latch (10) arranged to prevent retraction of the connecting bar (1) when the connecting bar (1) is in an extended end position and the coupling device (4) is in the release configuration. The second latch (11) is arranged to be transferrable from an active state preventing extension of the connecting bar to an inactive state allowing both extension and retraction of the connecting bar (1). The second latch (11) is biased to the active state and transferrable from the active state to the inactive state in a second operation step by means of the manually operable actuator (8). The second operation step is separate from the first operation step and only allowed when the coupling device (4) is in the release configuration. The second latch (11) is arranged to return to the active state upon release of the manually operable actuator (8).