Adjustable Vehicle Side Impact Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rear seat occupants in motor vehicles, especially children, are vulnerable to severe injury during side impacts due to the inadequacy of existing safety devices, which do not provide sufficient protection in the rear seats.
Innovation Solution
An impact absorption device comprising a base with a planar portion, a transition portion, and an insert portion, along with a barrier featuring a double-layered core for absorbing impacts, which can be vertically adjusted and securely fastened to provide side impact protection. The device includes a spring-loaded pin for height adjustment and is designed to fit under a child's automobile seat or safety seat cradle, featuring a flame-retardant cover for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing safety devices (side air bags) are used, then front seat passengers are protected, but rear seat occupants remain vulnerable to side impact injury
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the safety protection system into separate components: a base portion that provides structural support and an barrier portion that provides impact absorption. This segmentation allows the device to be specifically tailored for rear seat occupant protection, addressing the gap left by conventional side air bags that primarily protect front passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier acts as an intermediary element positioned between the rear seat occupant and the vehicle door frame. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes impact forces during side collisions, protecting occupants who would otherwise be directly exposed to impact from conventional side air bags.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed-height barrier is used, then installation is simple, but it cannot accommodate different occupant heights or vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier height is made adjustable through a fastening system with multiple engagement positions along the insert portion. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same device to adapt to different occupant heights and vehicle configurations while maintaining relatively simple installation through the snap-fit mechanism.
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 device effectively reduces the severity of side impacts by providing structural support and absorbing shock, offering enhanced protection for rear seat occupants, including children, by positioning the barrier between the occupant and the vehicle's door frame, thereby minimizing injury potential.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening means includes a spring-loaded pin extending through a from wall of the barrier such that a handle portion is outside the front wall and the pin portion resides within the slot. The pin portion is capable of engaging one (1) of a plurality of apertures located within the insert portion. The plurality of apertures is aligned along the bisecting axial centerline of the insert portion. The pin is preferably spring-loaded to bias the pin portion into the slot.
Implementation Method 2
a barrier, comprising a double-layered core capable of absorbing an impact and rebounding to maintain its original shape
Data Source
AI summary
An impact absorption device configured for use in a vehicle includes a barrier and a base capable of removably securing a barrier at a right angle. The barrier is composed of an impact reducing material. The base is configured to rest beneath a vehicle safety seat or safety seat cradle. The barrier is capable of vertical adjustment relative to the base.