Folded Woven Strap Tether Anchorage for Child Seats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tether anchorage systems for child seats in vehicles are either costly, time-consuming to install, or require unnecessary protrusions that can pose safety hazards when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A tether anchorage system featuring a folded woven strap with co-axial holes forming a loop, joined with seams or adhesives, and optionally reinforced with plastic washers for improved load distribution, allowing for easy installation and reduced visibility without sharp edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal anchor is used for tether anchorage, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the safety hazard to passengers increases due to sharp and hard edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidsafety hazard to passengers
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal anchors with a flexible woven strap that forms a loop. The strap is soft and flexible, eliminating sharp and hard edges that could harm passengers while maintaining anchoring strength through its woven construction and loop configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a woven strap made from composite or mixed materials that combine strength with flexibility. The woven structure provides tensile strength comparable to metal while the flexible nature eliminates safety hazards associated with rigid metal edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is provided over the metal anchor, then the safety hazard is reduced, but the device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety hazardVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cover component entirely by replacing the metal anchor with a flexible strap that is inherently safe. The strap can be directly integrated into the vehicle floor or seat structure without requiring additional protective covers, simplifying the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If an integrated anchor system is installed in the vehicle floor, then the design appearance is improved, but the installation time and preparation work increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign appearanceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the anchor system into modular segments - the woven strap can be separately manufactured and then easily installed by attaching its ends to the vehicle structure. This segmentation allows for simpler installation compared to integrated systems that require extensive floor preparation and mounting work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the strap width is reduced, then the compatibility with safety hooks is improved, but the load distribution capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with safety hooksVSAvoidload distribution capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a waist or narrowing in the strap at specific locations. The strap has varying width - narrower sections for hook compatibility and wider sections for improved load distribution and attachment. This localized variation optimizes both compatibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2666665B1A tether anchorage
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP2666665B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2666665B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A tether anchorage (1) for anchoring a child seat in a vehicle with a tether strap comprises a strap (2). The strap (2) comprises two holes at such a distance from each other that when the strap (2) is folded and when the parts of the strap with the holes meet, the strap (2) forms a loop (3) between the holes.