Removable Side Impact Element for Compact Child Safety Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Child safety seats face a contradiction between compact outer geometry and improved side impact performance, as they need to be secured away from intruding doors for safety but must fit within tight vehicle spaces, especially when installing multiple restraints in a row.
Innovation Solution
A child restraint with a side impact element that can be removably mounted in two configurations, extending different distances from the body to accommodate varying vehicle gaps, using a pocket and pin arrangement that allows for easy installation and adjustment without tools, enabling better side impact protection and space adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the child restraint is secured away from the intruding door to ensure safety, then side impact protection is improved, but the outer geometry becomes less compact and space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side impact protection is segmented into a fixed base structure and a removable extendable element. This allows the main body to remain compact while the protection element can be extended when needed and removed when not required, resolving the contradiction between compactness and protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The side impact protection transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable system. The extendable element can be positioned at different distances from the door (first distance when door is closed, second distance when door is open), allowing the system to adapt to different conditions and maintain both compactness and protection
2Reliability
If a fixed extendable side impact protection is used to improve side impact performance, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to stowing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable side impact protection is extracted as a separate removable element from the main restraint body. This eliminates the need for complex automatic stowing mechanisms while maintaining the ability to extend protection when needed. The element can be manually installed and removed based on door position
Solution Approach 2:
The extendable element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily attached and detached. Rather than investing in complex mechanical stowing systems, the solution uses a simple removable element that achieves the same protective function with minimal complexity and cost
3Reliability
If the side impact element extends further to improve protection when door is open, then side impact performance is improved, but the inner dimensions for accommodating occupants are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side impact element position is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be positioned at a first distance from the door when the door is closed (providing optimal protection) and at a second, further distance when the door is open (providing adequate space for occupants). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between protection and occupancy space
Data Source
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AI summary
A child restraint for a vehicle, the child restraint comprising a body for supporting an occupant and at least one side impact element configured to be removably mounted with respect to the body in two configurations.