Car Seat Headrest Wing Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child car seats lack a simple and cost-effective side impact protection device that provides adequate energy absorption capabilities during side crashes or collisions.
Innovation Solution
A car seat design incorporating a headrest with outwardly extending 'wing' portions and an energy absorption system comprising layered energy absorbing materials, such as open or closed cell foams, and an energy dispersing arrangement featuring crush elements and a crush plate, housed in a plastic structure with a flange and cap for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid plastic shell structure is used for car seat, then structural strength is maintained, but energy absorption capability during side impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines rigid plastic shell structure with energy-absorbing foam materials to create a composite side impact protection structure. The rigid plastic provides structural strength while the foam material absorbs impact energy, resolving the contradiction between maintaining strength and improving energy absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy-absorbing foam material is pre-installed within the plastic shell structure to provide cushioning before impact occurs. This beforehand cushioning allows the structure to absorb impact energy effectively during side collisions while maintaining its structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex energy absorption systems are incorporated in car seats, then energy absorption capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side impact protection structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the rigid plastic shell structure and the energy-absorbing foam material. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effective energy absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a foam material that can deform flexibly during impact to absorb energy. This flexible energy-absorbing layer is integrated within the rigid plastic shell, providing complex energy absorption functionality through a relatively simple structural arrangement.
3Strength
If thick plastic shell (5 mm or more) is used for car seat construction, then structural strength is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces portions of the thick plastic shell with a composite structure combining thinner plastic and energy-absorbing foam material. This composite approach maintains the required structural strength while reducing the overall weight compared to using thick solid plastic throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The side impact protection structure incorporates curved and contoured foam elements that provide structural strength through geometric shaping rather than relying solely on material thickness. This allows for weight reduction while maintaining strength requirements.
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 solution effectively disperses and absorbs impact energy, providing enhanced protection for a child's head during side impacts while maintaining a low-cost and modular implementation.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorption system comprising layered energy absorbing materials, such as open or closed cell foams
Implementation Method 2
energy absorbing materials, such as open or closed cell foams
Implementation Method 3
an energy dispersing arrangement featuring crush elements and a crush plate
Data Source
AI summary
A side impact protection device for a child car seat comprised of an energy absorbing element and an energy dispersing element.