Car Seat Securing Assembly with Dual Lever Locking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child car seat securing devices for vehicles lack a reliable and user-friendly mechanism to securely attach and detach child car seats from vehicle seats, particularly in adjusting between locked and released positions.

Innovation Solution

A securing device comprising a pair of locking units with latching elements that extend between the seat and backrest portions of a vehicle seat, each pivotally coupled with a first and second lever to facilitate the latching element's transition between released and locked positions, utilizing a gear mechanism and spring-actuated fingers to engage and disengage the child car seat's lower anchors and tethers system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple latch mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of securing the child car seat is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of securing mechanismVSAvoidcomplexity of locking units

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing device is divided into multiple independent locking units (first and second locking units), each with its own latching element and lever mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and reliable while the overall system provides enhanced security through redundancy and distributed functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latching elements are designed to be movable between locked and released positions, allowing the mechanism to dynamically transition between secure and open states. The levers provide dynamic control, enabling easy switching between states while maintaining reliability in the locked position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of operation for attaching and detaching is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of child car seatVSAvoidease of attaching and detaching child car seat

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latching elements are designed to be movable between locked and released positions, allowing the mechanism to dynamically transition between secure and open states. The levers provide dynamic control, enabling easy switching between states while maintaining reliability in the locked position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism incorporates self-latching and self-locking features where the latching elements automatically engage with the anchors when the vehicle seat moves forward, providing secure attachment without requiring active user intervention. The springs provide automatic return to the locked position after engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the latching elements are positioned to engage anchors, then the securing function is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring function of child car seatVSAvoidnumber of locking units and levers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing device is divided into multiple independent locking units (first and second locking units), each with its own latching element and lever mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and reliable while the overall system provides enhanced security through redundancy and distributed functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each locking unit serves multiple functions: the latching element engages with anchors to provide securing, the lever provides manual control for locking and releasing, and the spring provides automatic return and biasing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides a secure and easy-to-use mechanism for attaching and detaching child car seats by ensuring the latching elements are reliably locked or released, enhancing safety and convenience by allowing effortless installation and removal.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a gear mechanism and spring-actuated fingers to engage and disengage the child car seat's lower anchors and tethers system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11529894B1Car seat securing assembly

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 PEARSON BENJAMIN

AI summary

A car seat securing assembly includes a pair of locking units that can each be positioned between a seat portion of a vehicle seat and a backrest portion of the vehicle seat. Each of the locking units includes a latching element which extends outwardly between the seat portion and the backrest portion. The latching element in each of the locking units is biased into a released position to engage an engagement on a child car seat. The latching element in each of the locking units is urgeable into a locked position to secure the child car seat to the vehicle seat. A first lever is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the locking units to urge the latching element between the released position and the locked position. A second lever is pivotally coupled between each of the locking units to urge the latching between the released position and the locking position.