Rotatable Infant Car Seat With Compressible Rotation Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infant car seat systems face challenges in providing adequate side impact protection and cornering comfort, particularly due to the use of deployable structures that are not compatible with regulatory testing and vary in effectiveness across different vehicle models.
Innovation Solution
The infant car seat system incorporates a docking module and an infant carrier module that is rotatable within the docking module about a rotation axis, with a compressible rotation stop to counteract cornering and side impact forces, thereby enhancing safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If deployable structures such as fold out wings are used to limit the distance between the child car seat and the vehicle interior, then side impact protection and cornering comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to deployment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective function from complex deployable structures and implements it through a simplified rotation stop mechanism that limits carrier module rotation. This removes the need for fold-out wings while maintaining side impact protection through controlled rotation restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using deployable structures that extend outward to provide protection, the patent inverts the approach by using a rotation stop that constrains rotational movement. The protection is achieved not by adding extendable elements but by limiting the range of motion of the carrier module.
2Ease of operation
If deployable structures are used to improve side impact protection, then cornering comfort is improved, but the reliability decreases because installers may forget to deploy or incorrectly deploy the device
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation stop mechanism is designed to be self-regulating, automatically limiting carrier module rotation without requiring external deployment actions. The system serves itself by inherently restricting rotation through the rotation stop, eliminating the need for installer intervention and ensuring consistent operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If significant amounts of engineering or high performance foams and other padding are used to improve safety, then side impact protection is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cushioning system (foams and padding) with a rotational constraint system. Instead of relying on energy-absorbing materials, the side impact protection is achieved through the rotation stop mechanism that limits carrier module rotation, substituting mechanical constraint for material cushioning.
4Ease of operation
If the infant carrier module is made rotatable within the docking module, then cornering comfort is improved, but the stability decreases during side impact collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the carrier module can rotate within defined limits during normal operation to improve cornering comfort, but the rotation stop provides automatic stabilization during side impact collisions by restricting rotation. The system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamically controlled range of motion.
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 system effectively reduces peak collision forces and improves cornering comfort by allowing controlled rotation of the infant carrier module, thus enhancing the safety and comfort of the infant during vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation stop selectively operable to restrict rotation of the infant carrier module relative to the docking module about the rotation axis; wherein the rotation stop is compressible in a direction of rotation about the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
In some countries, it is a legal requirement for babies, infants and children under a certain age and/or height to be provided with a supplemental car seat when travelling in a vehicle. It is desirable to improve the cornering comfort and vehicle collision, particularly side impact, characteristics of the child car seat. The present disclosure provides an infant car seat system comprising: a docking module configured to be securable to a vehicle seat; an infant carrier module configured to receive an infant therein, the infant car seat system configured such that the infant carrier module is rotatable within the docking module about a rotation axis; and a rotation stop selectively operable to restrict rotation of the infant carrier module relative to the docking module about the rotation axis; wherein the rotation stop is compressible in a direction of rotation about the rotation axis.