Rotatable Child Seat Retainer Layout for Simple Swivel Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety seats with swivel functionality are limited by high product costs and complex designs, which restrict their market availability.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable child safety seat with a simplified latch configuration that allows for easy rotation, ensures reliable operation, and provides a robust connection between the occupant and the vehicle, using a base platform, a seat platform, and a swivel joint with retainer pairs for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a swivel mechanism is added to enable rotation between forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, then the adaptability of the child safety seat is improved, but the device complexity and product cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system is divided into multiple retainer pairs, each responsible for a specific rotational position. This segmentation allows the complex rotation function to be achieved through simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer pairs are designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the rotational position of the seat. The system self-regulates the locking mechanism through the rotation itself, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control systems.
2Reliability
If a swivel mechanism with multiple retainers is implemented to ensure reliable operation at different positions, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is segmented into multiple independent retainer pairs, each handling a specific position. This division allows each retainer to be simple in design while the collective system provides comprehensive reliability across all positions.
Solution Approach 2:
Each retainer pair is optimized for its specific rotational position, with the geometric configuration of retainers and complements tailored to ensure reliable engagement at that particular orientation. This local optimization ensures reliability without requiring a uniformly complex system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple retainer pairs are used to secure the seat at different rotational positions, then the stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stability function is achieved through multiple independent retainer pairs rather than a single complex locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using simple processes, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer pairs use standardized components and geometries that can be manufactured using the same processes for different positions. This universality simplifies manufacturing by reducing the variety of unique parts required, despite the multiple retainers needed for stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An example includes a device having a base platform, a seat platform, and a swivel joint. The base platform is configured for affixation to an occupant seat of a motor vehicle. The base platform has a first and second base retainer component. The seat platform has a seat portion and a back portion. The seat platform has a first and a second seat retainer complement. The swivel joint couples the base platform and the seat platform and permits relative motion of the base platform and the seat platform about a rotary axis and constrain motion on other axes. At a first position of the base platform relative to the seat platform, the first seat retainer complement aligns with the first base retainer component. At a second position of the base platform relative to the seat platform (second position different than the first position), the second seat retainer complement aligns with the second base retainer component.