Child Restraint Headrest Locking Mechanism for Obstructed Recline Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional child restraint systems face challenges in adjusting the reclined angle of the base portion and the position of the headrest relative to the seat body, which are often obstructed and require complicated operations.

Innovation Solution

A child restraint carrier with a locking mechanism that includes a driving component, a first engaging module, and a second engaging module, allowing easy adjustment of the headrest relative to the seat body without disconnection of vehicle anchors or belts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the conventional child restraint system uses a base portion with recline actuator, then the reclined angle can be adjusted, but the access to the recline actuator is obstructed by the vehicle seat back requiring disconnection of lower anchor or vehicle belt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to recline actuatorVSAvoiddisconnection of lower anchor or vehicle belt

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recline actuator is extracted from the base portion and integrated into the carrier instead. This allows the actuator to be accessed directly through the vehicle seat back without requiring disconnection of safety anchors or belts, as the actuator is now positioned where it can be reached through existing openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the carrier itself becomes the medium for recline adjustment. The carrier's integrated actuator system mediates between the user and the base portion, enabling angle adjustment without direct access to the base's original actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conventional child restraint system uses a fixed headrest position, then the structure is simple, but the position cannot be adjusted to fit different children

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadrest position adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest is transformed from a fixed component to a dynamic, adjustable one. The headrest incorporates a driving component that enables it to move vertically along the seat body, allowing adaptation to different child sizes and positions while maintaining structural integrity through engagement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the conventional child restraint system requires disconnection of safety anchors for adjustment, then the recline angle can be changed, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the actuator within the carrier where it remains accessible throughout use. This eliminates the need for preliminary disconnection steps before adjustment, allowing users to make recline angle changes quickly without interrupting the safety connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250026250A1Child restraint carrier and locking mechanism thereof

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A child restraint carrier includes a seat body, a headrest and a locking mechanism. The headrest is movably installed on the seat body. The locking mechanism is for allowing or restraining a movement of the headrest relative to the seat body. A position of the headrest relative to the seat body can be adjusted easily by the locking mechanism to fit a child. Therefore, the present invention has an advantage of easy adjustment.