Child Safety Seat Rotation Control Using Door Opening Threshold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotatable child safety seats require manual activation, which can be inconvenient for parents holding children or carrying objects.

Innovation Solution

An automatic rotation function for the seat that activates when the automotive door is opened to a certain distance, allowing the seat to rotate to a preset position without manual intervention, with optional modes for user control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual button activation is used for seat rotation, then the rotation function can be implemented, but it becomes inconvenient for parents holding children or carrying objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of seat rotation operationVSAvoidcomplexity of rotation control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat rotation system automatically detects door opening state and triggers rotation without requiring manual button activation. The system serves itself by using the door opening event as the trigger signal, eliminating the need for parents to manually operate the rotation button while holding children or objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical button operation with an automatic sensor-based detection system. The distance sensor detects the door opening state and automatically triggers the rotation mechanism, substituting the mechanical manual activation with an automated sensing and control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the seat rotates automatically when the door opens, then user convenience is improved, but the seat may rotate incorrectly when the door is only slightly opened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of seat rotationVSAvoidaccuracy of door opening detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a distance threshold parameter to differentiate between valid door opening (when parent is placing or removing child) and invalid door opening (when door is only slightly opened). By setting an appropriate distance threshold, the system accurately determines the true door opening state and triggers rotation only when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The distance sensor continuously monitors the door opening state and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to accurately determine whether the door opening is significant enough to warrant rotation, preventing incorrect activation when the door is only slightly opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If distance threshold comparison is used to determine door opening, then rotation accuracy is improved, but the system requires additional sensing and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of door opening detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distance sensor serves multiple functions: it detects door opening state, determines rotation trigger conditions, and provides feedback for accurate control. By using a single sensor for multiple purposes, the system achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4494935B1Control method for automotive seat
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 NINGBO WELLDON INFANT & CHILD SAFETY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4494935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4494935B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4494935B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control method for an automotive seat is applied to a child safety seat. The method includes: acquiring a distance between an automotive door and the seat after the automotive door is opened; determining that the distance is greater than or equal to a preset threshold; and controlling the seat to rotate to a preset position. The control method for the automotive seat acquires the distance between the automotive door and the seat to determine whether the automotive door is open, and compares the acquired distance with the preset threshold to determine whether the automotive door is open to a certain angle. In this way, the control method determines whether a user intends to use the child seat. When the acquired distance between the automotive door and the seat is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, it indicates that the user intends to use the seat. At this point, the control method controls the seat to rotate automatically to an execution position. The control method determines whether the seat needs to rotate automatically based on the opening degree of the automotive door, avoiding the error of rotating when the automotive door is slightly opened, and improving the accuracy of automatic rotation of the seat. Therefore, the control method brings great convenience to the user.