Pet Carrier Restraint Using Vehicle LATCH Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pet carriers lack effective restraint systems during vehicle transportation, posing safety risks to pets and human occupants in case of sudden movements or accidents.
Innovation Solution
A pet carrier restraint device that secures pet carriers to automobile restraint systems using a base panel, front panel, side panels, anchor tethers, and adjustable straps, allowing for secure attachment to vehicle anchors and limiting movement during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pet carriers are used for transporting animals in vehicles, then pets have a familiar and comfortable environment, but pets and human occupants are at risk of injury during sudden movements or accidents due to lack of restraint
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into separate functional components: anchor tethers that attach to the vehicle's LATCH system, side-securing straps that attach to the pet carrier, and an adjustable positioning system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system uses the vehicle's existing LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system as an intermediary structure. By attaching to this pre-built restraint infrastructure rather than creating a completely new restraint mechanism, the system leverages proven safety structures while minimizing the complexity of the pet carrier-specific components.
2Reliability
If a restraint system is added to secure pet carriers, then safety during transportation is improved, but the device becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is designed to work with the universal LATCH system found in modern vehicles, allowing the same restraint device to be used across different vehicle types without modification. The side-securing straps can attach to various pet carrier configurations, making the system broadly applicable and simplifying operation across different use cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system incorporates adjustable components including variable strap lengths and movable attachment points that can be dynamically configured to fit different pet carrier sizes and vehicle configurations. This adjustability allows the system to adapt to various scenarios without requiring multiple specialized restraint devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the restraint system is designed to fit various pet carrier shapes and sizes, then adaptability is improved, but the precision of securing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system uses adjustable strap lengths, variable attachment point positions, and flexible securing mechanisms that can be modified to accommodate different pet carrier dimensions. By allowing users to change these parameters rather than designing fixed-geometry restraints, the system maintains secure attachment precision across various carrier configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable pet carrier restraint is configured to accept various sizes, shapes, and configurations of pet carriers. The pet carrier restraint is tethered to a vehicle's child seat restraint system anchors to secure the pet carrier at up to three points. The pet carrier restraint is collapsible and may be positioned against a seat back when no pet carrier is secured therein to allow human passengers to comfortably be seated in the same seat without removal of the pet carrier restraint.