Child Safety Seat Prop Assembly Sensing for Correct Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety seat assemblies lack effective mechanisms to ensure proper deployment and stability of prop assemblies during vehicle impacts, and fail to provide timely warnings for incorrect installation, which can compromise safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mountable child safety seat assembly with a prop assembly that includes sensors and a visual warning indicator, transitioning through states to alert users of improper deployment, featuring a tilt sensor, displacement sensor, and an audible alarm system to ensure correct installation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a prop assembly is provided to prevent or limit movement or rotation of the child seat assembly in the event of an impact or crash, then the stability of the child safety seat assembly is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for sensors, warning indicators, and state management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect the prop assembly's position and deployment state. The first sensor detects when the prop assembly is not in its stowed position, and the second sensor detects when it is not in its safely deployed position. This feedback is processed by a control system that manages warning states (standby, timing, and warning states) to guide proper installation while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The prop assembly system performs self-verification through integrated sensors and warning indicators that automatically monitor and communicate the deployment status. The system self-regulates by transitioning through warning states that provide real-time feedback to the user, eliminating the need for external monitoring equipment.
2Reliability
If sensors and warning systems are added to ensure proper deployment and provide timely warnings for incorrect installation, then the reliability of the safety system is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system processes sensor feedback to manage three distinct warning states (standby, timing, and warning states), providing reliable detection of improper installation. The system transitions between states based on sensor inputs, ensuring that warnings are provided only when necessary while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and warning before final installation is confirmed. The timing state provides a grace period between detecting improper installation and activating the warning, allowing users to correct installation issues before alerts are triggered, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the prop assembly is made adjustable to suit different vehicles and geometries of vehicle seats and floors, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple sensors and state management
Solution Approach 1:
The prop assembly is designed with universal adaptability to fit different vehicle types and geometries. The leg assembly can be adjusted to accommodate various vehicle seat and floor configurations, while the sensor system universally monitors the deployment state regardless of the specific vehicle geometry, reducing the need for vehicle-specific customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The prop assembly incorporates dynamic adjustability through the leg assembly mechanism that can be positioned at different angles and lengths. The sensor system dynamically transitions through multiple warning states (standby, timing, and warning states) based on the detected position, allowing the system to adapt to different deployment scenarios without requiring fixed, complex mechanical structures for each vehicle type.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vehicle-mountable child safety seat assembly 10 is disclosed. The seat assembly includes a safety seat 30 and a prop assembly 100 mounted with respect to the safety seat. The prop assembly has a stowed position and a safely deployed position. The prop assembly includes: a leg assembly 110; a foot assembly 200 mounted to the leg assembly; and a first sensor 310, for example a tilt sensor, for sensing when the prop assembly is not in the stowed position. A second sensor 320 for sensing when the prop assembly is not in the safely deployed position is also provided. A warning system is also disclosed. The warning system changes from a timing state to the warning state if the second sensor senses that the prop assembly is not in its safely deployed position by a pre-determined time after the change from a standby state to a timing state.