Child Restraint Base With Pivoting Panel for Anchor Belt Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child restraint systems face difficulties in easily arranging and storing the anchor belt when transitioning from the LATCH system to a vehicle belt, particularly when the combined weight exceeds 65 lbs or when the vehicle is not compatible with the LATCH system.
Innovation Solution
A child restraint base design featuring a base body with first and second panel components, an anchor belt that slides through slots, and a pivotable third panel component to tension the anchor belt, allowing easy transition between in-use and stored positions, and accommodating both anchor and vehicle belts without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the anchor belt is removed from the path of the vehicle belt and stored properly, then the child restraint system can be attached by vehicle belt, but the operation becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor belt is nested within the base structure, passing through designated slots and paths that guide its storage and retrieval. The belt is contained within the base body rather than being externally stored, allowing automatic nesting when the base is installed on the vehicle seat.
Solution Approach 2:
The base body acts as an intermediary structure that manages the anchor belt's position and path. The base includes specific structural elements (slots, guides, and paths) that mediate between the anchor belt and the vehicle belt, allowing both systems to be accommodated without direct interference.
2Reliability
If the anchor belt is tensioned to remove slack, then secure attachment is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure is designed so that the anchor belt naturally tensions itself through the geometric arrangement of slots and paths. When the base is installed on the vehicle seat, the belt automatically achieves proper tension without requiring additional active tensioning mechanisms, creating an equipotential state where the belt is both stored and tensioned simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor belt tensions itself through the structural design of the base. The slots and paths are configured so that when the base is installed, the belt automatically removes slack and secures itself without requiring separate tensioning actions or complex mechanical tensioning devices.
3Ease of operation
If the anchor belt is allowed to slide freely, then easy positioning is achieved, but slack and instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor belt is designed to be dynamic during installation, allowing free sliding through the slots and paths to accommodate different vehicle seat geometries. Once installed, the belt transitions to a stable state where the structural configuration maintains proper tension and prevents excessive movement, achieving both ease of positioning and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A child restraint base adapted to a child restraint carrier is disclosed herein. The child restraint base includes a base body including a first pocket and a second pocket. The first pocket and the second pocket are disposed on front lateral sides of the base body. An anchor belt is included that comprises a first anchor attached to a first end of the anchor belt, and a second anchor attached to a second end of the anchor belt. The first pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of the first anchor, and the second pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of the second anchor. A panel is pivotable between an opened position and a closed position, and the panel pivots to the closed position to tension the anchor belt to remove slack from the anchor belt.