Child restraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child restraints do not effectively distribute impact loads from the child to the vehicle seat, limiting the design's ability to use less rigid materials for increased comfort and ergonomic features.

Innovation Solution

A child restraint system with an occupant-seat anchor system that transfers loads directly from the harness to a rigid seat-support shell, allowing the inner juvenile seat to be less rigid and more comfortable while maintaining safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inner juvenile seat is made rigid to ensure safety during impact, then safety is improved, but comfort and ergonomic design deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The child restraint system is divided into two distinct seats: an outer child restraint seat and an inner juvenile seat. This segmentation allows each seat to have different structural characteristics - the outer seat provides rigid impact protection while the inner seat offers comfort and ergonomics for the child.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer child restraint seat acts as an intermediary protective layer between the vehicle seat and the inner juvenile seat. During impact events, it absorbs and distributes loads before they reach the child, allowing the inner juvenile seat to use less rigid, more comfortable materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the inner juvenile seat uses less rigid materials for comfort, then comfort is improved, but impact load distribution capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidimpact load distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the impact protection function (outer seat) from the comfort function (inner juvenile seat), allowing each to be optimized independently for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer child restraint seat serves as a mediator that intercepts and manages impact loads, protecting the inner juvenile seat and child from direct impact forces while allowing the inner seat to prioritize comfort materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the inner juvenile seat is directly coupled to the vehicle seat for stability, then stability is improved, but the ability to selectively change recline orientation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidrecline orientation adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling between the inner juvenile seat and outer child restraint seat is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The inner seat can move selectively within the outer seat to change recline orientation, providing adaptability while maintaining overall stability through the outer seat's connection to the vehicle seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12472853B2Child restraint

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP INC

AI summary

A child restraint comprising an outer seat-support shell adapted to rest on a vehicle seat and to be secured to the vehicle seat for transportation in a vehicle and an inner juvenile seat coupled to the outer seat-support shell. The inner juvenile seat is configured to provide a child-receiving space sized to receive a child therein. The child restraint further includes a child restraint harness configured to secure the child within a child-receiving space of the inner juvenile seat.