Child Carrier Side-Impact Insert Structure for Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional child vehicle safety seats often lack adequate side impact protection, which is a concern given recent regulatory developments aimed at improving safety standards in this area.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an impact energy-absorbing apparatus with interlocking shell elements and a resilient material within a cavity, designed to compress and deform upon impact, reducing the force transferred to the child during a collision, and potentially featuring a reusable or replaceable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional child vehicle safety seats are used without additional energy-absorbing apparatus, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but side impact protection is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-absorbing insert is nested within the receptacle of the inner support, which itself is integrated into the child conveyance device. This nested configuration allows the energy-absorbing apparatus to be compactly integrated without significantly increasing overall device complexity, while still providing enhanced side impact protection through the insert's deformation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The energy-absorbing insert is specifically positioned at locations where side impact forces are most likely to occur, providing localized protection rather than requiring comprehensive reinforcement of the entire device. This allows enhanced safety performance in critical areas while maintaining overall device simplicity
2Reliability
If an energy-absorbing insert is added to the child conveyance device, then side impact protection is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-absorbing apparatus is segmented into distinct components (insert, inner support, outer cover) that can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced efficiently independently, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity despite adding functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of the insert within the inner support receptacle allows for compact integration of multiple components in a space-efficient manner, simplifying the assembly process and reducing the number of separate manufacturing operations required
3Reliability
If the insert is designed to slide inwardly and plastically deform under high impact force, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed with specific geometric parameters (frustum shape, wall thickness, material properties) that enable it to plastically deform in a controlled manner under impact. By carefully selecting and optimizing these parameters, the device achieves high energy absorption capability while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing tolerances
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
Enhances side impact protection by mechanically compressing and deforming the energy-absorbing material to absorb forces, thereby reducing the risk of injury to children, while also providing a mechanism for indicating when the apparatus needs replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The insert may be caused to plastically deform as the insert is moved within the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the inner support may be fabricated from foam material
Data Source
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AI summary
A child conveyance device includes an impact energy absorbing apparatus disposed on a portion of the child conveyance device. The impact energy absorbing apparatus includes an inner support configured to be positioned against the portion of the child conveyance device. The inner support has a receptacle formed therein. The impact energy absorbing apparatus further includes an outer cover configured to releasably secure the inner support and an insert received within the receptacle of the inner support. The insert is held in place by the outer cover when securing the outer cover.