Pivoting Car Seat Mount for Ergonomic Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for loading and unloading a child from a car seat in a vehicle are uncomfortable and physically challenging, often requiring awkward bending, twisting, and lifting, which can lead to back injuries due to the confined nature of vehicle rear seats and the need to manage the child's weight away from the body.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting mounting platform for child car seats that securely attaches to the vehicle's rear seat, allowing the seat to pivot up to 90 degrees towards the exterior, facilitating easy loading and unloading by aligning with either the left or right rear seat and accommodating various car seat designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the car seat is securely mounted to the vehicle seat, then the mounting stability is improved, but the accessibility for loading and unloading the child deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting platform incorporates a pivot mechanism that transforms the static car seat mounting into a dynamic system. The platform can rotate between a secured position (aligned with the vehicle seat) and an accessible position (rotated outward), allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by providing both secure mounting and easy accessibility at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the mounting function from the accessibility function through spatial segmentation. The mounting base remains fixed to the vehicle seat while the platform portion that holds the car seat can be rotated independently. This segmentation allows the mounting structure to remain stable while the platform provides accessible entry/exit points when rotated.
2Ease of operation
If the adult leans forward to access the car seat, then the loading/unloading can be performed, but the physical strain on the lower back increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform rotates to bring the car seat into a more favorable position that reduces the need for extreme leaning. By rotating the platform outward, the car seat becomes more accessible at a position that is ergonomically better for the adult, reducing back strain while still enabling loading and unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating platform acts as an intermediary mechanism between the adult and the car seat. Instead of the adult directly reaching into the confined vehicle space, the platform mediates by bringing the car seat closer to the adult in a rotated position, reducing the physical effort and back strain required.
3Ease of operation
If the car seat is held away from the body during lifting, then the loading/unloading can be performed, but the risk of back injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform rotates the car seat into position before the actual lifting operation begins. This preliminary positioning action brings the car seat closer to the adult's body, so that when lifting is required, the child can be held closer to the adult's center of gravity, reducing back injury risk.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a device for facilitating the loading and unloading of a child's car seat, itself installed in either a left seat or a right seat of an automobile. The device comprises a rigid stationary base configured for engaging the seat of the automobile, and a pivotable support configured for selectively receiving and securing the child's car seat thereon. A bottom side of the pivotable support is configured for pivotable sliding on a top side of the stationary base. At least one device locking mechanism is fixed with a rear side of the stationary base for securing to the seat of the automobile. A pair of pivot locking mechanisms detach a latch assembly from the stationary base when an actuator lever is actuated, allowing the pivotable support and car seat to pivot on the stationary base.