One-Piece Side-Impact Block for Simpler Child Seat Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child safety seats with side impact protection mechanisms have complex structures, complicated installation, and high costs due to foldable components that may fail to provide adequate buffering during side impacts.

Innovation Solution

A side impact protection block is integrally formed with the child carrier's shell, featuring energy-absorbing steps and a buffering member, eliminating the need for secondary fixation and ensuring uniform material properties for effective energy distribution and absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a foldable side impact protection mechanism is used, then the side impact protection can be provided, but the structure becomes complex and installation becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside impact protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side impact protection block is merged with the seat shell to form a one-piece integral structure. This eliminates the need for separate foldable components and their associated joints, hinges, and fastening mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining side impact protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The side impact protection block incorporates energy-absorbing steps with varying wall thicknesses that allow controlled deformation during impact. The structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic energy-absorbing system that deforms in a predetermined manner to absorb impact energy while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a foldable side impact protection mechanism is used, then the side impact protection can be provided, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside impact protectionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The side impact protection block and seat shell are manufactured as a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate production and assembly processes for multiple parts. This reduces manufacturing steps, lowers production costs, and simplifies quality control while maintaining effective side impact protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall thickness of the side impact protection block is varied strategically (thinner at outer edges, thicker at inner regions) to optimize energy absorption while minimizing material usage. This parameter optimization reduces material costs and simplifies manufacturing compared to using uniform thick walls throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 integral design simplifies installation, reduces production costs, and enhances structural integrity and durability by evenly distributing energy during impacts, reducing the risk of stress concentration and failure at seams.

Implementation Method 1

the buffering member includes at least one of a reinforcing rib and an elastic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the elastic body is fixed to an inner side surface of the side impact protection block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4671040A1Child safety seat
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP4671040A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671040A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4671040A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A child safety seat (10) includes a seat shell (110) and a side impact protection block (300). The side impact protection block (300) is provided on the seat shell (110) and protrudes from a surface of the seat shell (110), and the side impact protection block (300) and the seat shell (110) are a one-piece part. According to the present disclosure, the side impact protection mechanism is integrally formed with the child carrier, thereby simplifying the structure and facilitating installation and fixation operations. Moreover, a secondary fixation operation for the side-impact protection mechanism is omitted to greatly simplify the installation and fixation process of the side impact protection block and improve production efficiency, and reduce production costs.