Rotating Child Seat Latch for Secure Base Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child restraints lack a convenient and secure mechanism for removably attaching and detaching a juvenile seat from a seat base, particularly for rotation between different travel orientations, which complicates installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A child restraint system featuring a juvenile-seat release system with an attachment post, retainer latch, and release actuator allows for secure mounting and easy separation of the juvenile seat from the seat base, while a juvenile-seat retainer system with interlocking retainers blocks removal in forward and rearward-facing orientations, enabling rotation about a vertical axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable juvenile seat is designed for rotation between orientations, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple retainers and a release system
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system is divided into multiple independent retainers (first retainer, second retainer, and retainer latch) that can be engaged or disengaged independently based on the desired orientation. This segmentation allows the juvenile seat to be secured in multiple orientations while maintaining a manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing the juvenile seat to transition between different orientations (forward-facing, rearward-facing, sideways) by engaging or disengaging specific retainers. The release actuator enables dynamic reconfiguration of the attachment state
2Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is implemented to prevent removal during travel, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removal when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The release actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the secure retention requirement and the ease of removal need. When activated, it provides controlled access to disengage the retainers, allowing easy removal when needed while maintaining secure attachment during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer system is designed with automatic engagement features where the retainers self-lock into position when the juvenile seat is properly installed, providing inherent security without requiring constant user intervention. The system serves itself by maintaining its own secure state
Data Source
AI summary
A child restraint includes a seat base adapted to rest on a vehicle seat and a juvenile seat coupled to the seat base. The child restraint further includes a juvenile-seat release system configured to mount the juvenile seat to the seat base and allow separation of the juvenile seat from the seat base.