Concealing Trim for Vehicle Child Safety Seat Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat CRS anchors are difficult to access for consumers, leading to incorrect installation and reduced compliance with safety standards, due to their recessed location under or behind seat foam, which complicates the installation and removal of child safety seats.
Innovation Solution
A system of removable, slidable, or rotatable concealing trim pieces that secure to the seat using hook-and-loop fasteners or other attachments, allowing easy access to CRS anchors while maintaining a clean aesthetic and not affecting comfort or styling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If CRS anchors are recessed under seat foam to minimize intrusion into vehicle interior aesthetics, then the visual appearance of the vehicle interior is improved, but the accessibility of the anchors for consumers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is divided into multiple sections with different foam densities. A lower density foam section is positioned at the rear to allow easier access to CRS anchors, while the rest of the seat maintains higher density foam for comfort and aesthetics. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by creating a localized access zone without compromising overall appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different foam properties to different locations within the seat cushion. Specifically, the rear portion has reduced foam density compared to the front and side areas. This local quality change provides an accessible zone for anchor installation while maintaining the desired aesthetic appearance in other visible areas.
2Shape
If CRS anchors are positioned in zone-driven locations optimized for comfort and styling, then the vehicle interior design is improved, but the ease of accessing anchors for installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is segmented into different functional zones with varying foam densities. The rear zone has lower density to facilitate anchor access, while other zones maintain optimized density for comfort and styling. This allows the design to achieve both aesthetic optimization and installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures the seat cushion with a specific foam density distribution during manufacturing, with the lower density access zone already positioned to provide easy anchor access. This preliminary action eliminates the need for consumers to perform forceful compression or displace foam during installation.
3Shape
If CRS anchors are recessed to improve aesthetics, then the visual appearance is improved, but the effort required for CRS installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the foam into different density zones, the patent creates a quick-access rear area that reduces the time and effort needed for CRS installation and removal, while maintaining aesthetic appearance in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The localized reduction in foam density at the rear creates an area of reduced resistance specifically for anchor access, allowing consumers to quickly install and remove CRS without having to exert significant effort on the entire seat cushion.
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 accessibility and reduces complexity in installing and removing child safety seats, improving compliance with safety standards by providing clear access to CRS anchors without altering the vehicle's interior design or increasing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The trim pieces may be secured to the seat by hook-and-loop fasteners in a pocket in the lower portion of the primary seatback or a rear portion of primary seat cushion
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for concealing the CRS anchor of a vehicle when not in use and exposing the anchor when CRS attachment is required. The inventive concept disclosed herein provides the use of concealing seat trim that can be removed, slid, or rotated to reveal the CRS anchor. The disclosed system provides accessibility and finger and hand clearance to the anchor. The anchor concealing trim piece of the disclosed inventive concept may be small and individual, one for each affected anchor, or may be a single insert that spans the distance between multiple anchors. The size of the anchor concealing trim piece can vary based on anchor location and styling as well as on how much additional accessibility is desired. The anchor concealing trim pieces may be held in their concealing position in a pocket formed in the seat by hook-and-loop fasteners or CRS web strap and clips fastened to a wire frame.