Infant Carrier Impact Absorbing Elements for Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle child restraints do not adequately protect the fragile heads of young children from impact energies, including small and medium bumps and potential large impacts during motor vehicle accidents.
Innovation Solution
The infant carrier incorporates impact energy absorbing elements, such as hollow or gas-filled shells, positioned around the head supporting end to absorb and redirect impact forces, which can deform, crush, or burst to release fluids, thereby enhancing protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If impact energy absorbing elements are added to the infant carrier, then protection for the infant's head is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates impact energy absorbing elements (hollow shells, foam materials, gel substances) into the infant carrier structure before use. These elements are pre-positioned at strategic locations including the head support area, base, and carrier body to absorb and redirect impact forces during accidents or bumps, providing beforehand protection without requiring active intervention during the impact event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining rigid shells with energy-absorbing materials such as foams, gels, and hollow chambers. This composite approach creates a multi-layered protection system where the rigid outer shell provides structural integrity while the inner energy-absorbing materials dissipate impact forces, achieving enhanced protection through material composition rather than complex mechanical systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If impact absorbing elements are positioned around the head supporting end, then head protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the impact protection system into separate modular elements including the carrier shell, base, and independently positioned energy-absorbing components. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining comprehensive head protection through strategically positioned absorbing elements at the head support area and carrier perimeter.
3Ease of operation
If the carry handle is made moveable between carry and stowed positions, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a moveable carry handle that can transition between a carry position for transport and a stowed position that clears the infant's head and body during placement. This dynamic positioning capability is achieved through simple mechanical linkages or pivot mechanisms integrated into the carrier structure, allowing the handle to adapt its position based on operational needs without requiring complex control systems.
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
The solution provides improved protection for the infant's head by effectively absorbing and redirecting impact energies, both from incidental bumps and major accidents, by using impact absorbing elements strategically positioned around the infant carrier.
Implementation Method 1
adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming, cushioning, crushing, rupturing, deflating or bursting
Implementation Method 2
adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming
Implementation Method 3
adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming
Implementation Method 4
adapted to absorb impact by means of any one or more of plastically or elastically deforming, cushioning
Implementation Method 5
the shell bursts when subjected to an impact, said bursting permitting the release of fluids inside of the shell
Implementation Method 6
the or each impact absorbing element comprises any one or more of a hollow and/or gas, liquid, gel or other energy absorbing material filled shell of deformable or cellular material
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a child restraint for a vehicle comprising a base, and an infant carrier (1) securable to and separable from the base and the vehicle, and an impact energy absorbing element (30) depending from an externally directed portion of the infant carrier.