Adjustable Headrest with Impact Energy Absorbing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety seats do not adequately protect the fragile heads of young children from hazards during vehicle side impacts, such as encroachment by vehicle body parts, seat displacement, and debris within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A child safety seat with an adjustable headrest and impact energy absorbing elements, such as hollow plastic shells or foam-filled structures, that can absorb and redirect blows to protect the child's head, combined with optional cushioning elements for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single child safety seat is designed to accommodate both babies (prone configuration) and toddlers (forward facing configuration), then the seat can be used for a wide range of ages saving expense, but the head protection capability for very young children is insufficient during side impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest is divided into multiple height positions that can be adjusted independently. The headrest assembly includes a headrest portion and a backrest portion that can be positioned at different heights to accommodate children of varying ages and sizes, while maintaining adequate head protection for younger children
Solution Approach 2:
The headrest height is made adjustable through a mechanical system involving a headrest adjustment lever, release button, and cam mechanism. This allows the headrest to be dynamically repositioned between multiple height levels to suit different child ages and safety requirements
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the headrest position is fixed to provide optimal head protection for young children, then head safety is improved, but the seat cannot accommodate older children who need higher headrest positions
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest height adjustment mechanism allows the headrest to be repositioned between multiple fixed height levels. A release button activates a cam mechanism that enables the headrest to be moved vertically along guide rails, providing adaptable head protection for children of different ages and sizes
3Stability of the object's composition
If the headrest is made rigid to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to absorb impact energy during side collisions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest incorporates energy-absorbing materials with specific mechanical properties that allow controlled deformation under impact. The material parameters are selected to provide both structural stability during normal use and energy absorption capability during side collisions, balancing rigidity and compliance
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 impact energy absorbing elements reduce the energy transferred to the child's head during side collisions, providing effective protection from vehicle encroachment, seat displacement, and debris, accommodating varying child ages and sizes with adjustable headrests.
Implementation Method 1
each impact absorbing element is adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming, cushioning, crushing, rupturing, deflating or bursting
Implementation Method 2
each impact absorbing element is adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming, cushioning, crushing, rupturing, deflating or bursting
Implementation Method 3
each impact absorbing element is adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming, cushioning, crushing, rupturing, deflating or bursting
Implementation Method 4
each impact energy absorbing element comprises any one or more of a hollow and/or gas, liquid, gel or other energy absorbing material filled shell of deformable or cellular material
Implementation Method 5
each impact energy absorbing element comprises any one or more of a hollow and/or gas, liquid, gel or other energy absorbing material filled shell of deformable or cellular material
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a child safety seat comprising a seat body with a base portion, a back portion, a headrest, and an impact energy absorbing element positioned at or about the level of the headrest, wherein the height of at least the impact energy absorbing element above the base is adjustable, and the impact energy absorbing element is adapted to absorb and/or redirect blows incident to or about at least the headrest of the seat.