Child Seat Base Release Mechanism for Easier Belt Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child restraints do not efficiently allow for the separation of a juvenile seat from a seat base without requiring users to reposition their hands, complicating the process of securing the seat base to a vehicle seat using a seatbelt.

Innovation Solution

A juvenile-seat attachment system comprising an installation guide, a juvenile seat anchor, and an anchor lock, which enables the juvenile seat to be releasably mounted to the seat base, allowing for separation by applying a pulling force on a seat-release handle and a lifting force without disengaging the handle, thereby exposing a seatbelt retainer for securing the seat base to the vehicle seat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the juvenile seat is permanently attached to the seat base, then the installation process is simplified, but the ability to separate and reuse the seat base independently is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation processVSAvoidseparability of seat base

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The child restraint system is divided into two separable components: a juvenile seat and a seat base. The attachment system includes a seat anchor with a retainer and a seatbelt retainer that can independently secure to vehicle seatbelt anchors, allowing the components to be separated and used independently while maintaining secure installation capability when combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the juvenile seat is made separable from the seat base, then the seat base can be independently secured to vehicle seat, but the separation mechanism adds complexity to the attachment system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent seat base installationVSAvoidattachment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system merges two functions into a unified mechanism: the juvenile seat attachment system and the seat base attachment system. Both systems share common components including the seat anchor, retainer, and seatbelt retainer, allowing a single integrated system to perform both attachment functions without requiring separate independent mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a simple attachment mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of securing the juvenile seat to the seat base may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment mechanismVSAvoidsecure attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system incorporates a latch mechanism that automatically engages and locks the juvenile seat to the seat base upon insertion. This pre-engagement mechanism ensures secure attachment before any force is applied, providing reliability without requiring complex additional securing steps or user intervention during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20240166101A1Child restraint

Publication Date: 2024.05.23 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP INC

AI summary

A child restraint includes a seat base and a juvenile seat. The seat base is adapted to rest on a vehicle seat. The juvenile seat adapted to support a child and includes a seat bottom and a seat back arranged to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom. The child restraint further includes a juvenile-seat attachment system configured to mount the juvenile seat to the seat base.