Vehicle Restraint Harness With Adjustable Straps for Disabled Children
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety devices for securing children in vehicles are inadequate for disabled children, as they do not provide sufficient restraint, adjustable fit, or childproof mechanisms, which can compromise safety during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A restraint harness with multiple lateral, shoulder, and crotch straps, D-ring connectors, and a childproof safety buckle, designed to securely attach to a vehicle seat, offering adjustable fit and enhanced comfort through stretch mesh linking straps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seat belts or restraint harnesses are used for disabled children, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of restraint is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into multiple independent strap components (shoulder straps, lateral straps, crotch straps) that can be adjusted and positioned separately. Each strap targets a specific body region to distribute restraint forces effectively, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The harness incorporates stretch mesh material in the linking straps to provide both flexibility and structural integrity. This composite approach combines rigid anchoring points with flexible connecting elements, enhancing restraint reliability while accommodating disabled children's varying body positions
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size restraint harnesses are used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the adaptability to different torso diameters is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral straps incorporate flexible portions with stretch mesh material that dynamically adapt to different torso diameters. This allows a single harness design to accommodate varying body sizes of disabled children without requiring multiple fixed-size models, improving adaptability while maintaining straightforward manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The harness uses adjustable strap lengths and flexible materials that change their physical parameters (length, flexibility) to match different user requirements. The stretch mesh linking straps specifically change their extension parameters to accommodate different torso diameters, providing adaptability without complex manufacturing
3Reliability
If simple buckles are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability against accidental release is low
Solution Approach 1:
The childproof safety buckle is designed to be operated independently by the child themselves through a simple pulling motion on the release tab. The buckle automatically latches and unlatches without requiring adult assistance, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability through the childproof mechanism that prevents accidental release
4Reliability
If multiple straps and connectors are used, then the restraint reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stretch mesh linking straps provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing caregivers to easily modify the harness fit by simply stretching or releasing the mesh material. This eliminates complex buckles or clips for adjustment, maintaining restraint reliability through multiple straps while significantly improving adjustment ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adjustment function from complex mechanical systems and simplifies it to basic stretching and releasing actions on the mesh material. This removes unnecessary adjustment mechanisms while preserving the security provided by multiple straps and connectors
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 restraint harness provides a secure, adjustable, and comfortable solution for disabled children, ensuring effective restraint during accidents and reducing caregiver risk by allowing easy adjustment and secure attachment to the vehicle seat.
Implementation Method 1
At least two lateral straps comprise a flexible portion allowing the restraint harness to accommodate a variety of torso diameters
Data Source
AI summary
A restraint harness for securing a passenger in a seat of a vehicle includes a plurality of lateral straps, a pair of shoulder straps, a pair of crotch straps, and a plurality of D-ring connectors. The plurality of lateral straps may be configured to encircle a torso of the passenger. At least two lateral straps include a flexible portion allowing the restraint harness to accommodate a variety of torso diameters. The pair of shoulder straps generally extend over left and right shoulders of the passenger from an anterior side of the restraint harness to a posterior side of the restraint harness. The pair of crotch straps generally extend from an anterior side of the restraint harness to a posterior side of the restraint harness. The plurality of D-ring connectors is generally disposed on the posterior side of the restraint harness and configured to provide four points of attachment between the posterior side of the restraint harness and the seat of the vehicle.