Child Safety Seat Base with Auto-Disengaging Latch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child safety seat support bases face issues with inconvenient installation and potential erroneous attachment due to frictional contact between the support base and the vehicle seat, leading to unstable anchoring during collisions.

Innovation Solution

A support base design featuring a shell body with adjustable arms, safety locks, and a coupling mechanism that allows for secure attachment to a vehicle's anchorage fixture, preventing unintended displacement and facilitating easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the latch system is made extendable to facilitate installation, then ease of operation is improved, but the latch system may undesirably move or retract during installation due to frictional contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidstability of latch system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a preliminary locking position for the latch system before final installation. The latch can be pre-positioned and temporarily secured, allowing the support base to be moved into place without the latch inadvertently moving or retracting during the installation process. This preliminary positioning eliminates the harmful frictional contact effects that cause unwanted latch movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the support base is secured to the vehicle seat, then reliability is improved, but the installation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of installation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the attachment mechanism into distinct functional components: the latch system for securing, the adjustable arm for positioning, and the coupling portion for connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining reliable attachment. The latch system can be operated separately from the adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by providing an adjustable arm that can move between different positions during installation, then lock into a fixed position for secure attachment. The arm can be dynamically adjusted to accommodate different installation scenarios while the latch system provides static securing once positioned. This dynamic adjustment capability simplifies installation by allowing the installer to position the base optimally before final securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the shell body is fixed to the adjustable arm, then stability is improved, but the ability to adjust distance between fastener and rear of shell body is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of support baseVSAvoidadjustability of position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the shell body to be movable along the adjustable arm, allowing dynamic adjustment of the distance between the fastener and the rear of the shell body. The safety lock provides a mechanism to transition from a movable state (for adjustment) to a fixed state (for stability). This enables the support base to accommodate different installation scenarios and vehicle seat configurations while maintaining stability once positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service through the safety lock mechanism that allows the user to independently control the transition between adjustable and fixed states. The latch system can be engaged or disengaged by the user without requiring additional tools or assistance, enabling self-contained adjustment and securing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2664491B1Support base for a child safety seat
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP2664491B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2664491B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2664491B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support base for a child safety seat includes a shell body, an adjustable arm assembled with the shell body and having a rear end provided with a fastener operable to attach with an anchorage fixture of a vehicle, a safety lock, and a coupling portion assembled through an interior of the adjustable arm. The shell body is movable along the adjustable arm to adjust a distance between the fastener and a rear of the shell body. The safety lock is assembled with the shell body, and includes a latch operable to engage and disengage an opening of the adjustable arm. The latch is operable to lock the shell body with the adjustable arm, and a locking engagement of the fastener with the anchorage fixture causes a displacement of the coupling portion that pushes the latch to disengage from the opening for allowing displacement of the shell body toward the fastener.