Motor Vehicle Seat Side Support for Child Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle seats with configurable booster functions lack adequate side restraint during side impacts, relying solely on vehicle safety belts which are insufficient in preventing child displacement towards the impact point.
Innovation Solution
The motor vehicle seat features a movable element with a side support that transitions between a rest and operating configuration, providing additional lateral support when raised to form a child seat, utilizing ISOFIX anchoring and a flexible support element made of high-strength material to prevent sideways movement during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a configurable seat with removable central portion is used to form a booster seat, then the seat size is reduced and aesthetics are improved, but side restraint protection for children is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into a fixed side cushion portion and a removable central portion. The side cushion portion remains attached to the vehicle seat and provides structural support and side restraint, while the central portion can be removed to reduce size and improve aesthetics when not in use. This segmentation allows the seat to maintain protective functions while reducing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The side cushion portion is pre-configured with anchoring elements and structural features that provide side restraint protection before the child is seated. The central portion is pre-attached to the side cushions, ensuring that the protective structure is already in place and does not require assembly during emergency situations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the movable part is raised to form a booster seat, then child seating is enabled, but adult passengers cannot use the space comfortably
Solution Approach 1:
The central portion is designed to be movable between a raised position for child seating and a removed position that allows adult passengers to use the space. This dynamic configuration enables the seat to adapt to different user needs - when the central portion is raised, it forms a booster seat for children; when removed, adults can sit comfortably in the space without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The configurable seat system serves multiple functions: it can be configured as a child booster seat when the central portion is attached and raised, and it can be configured as available passenger space when the central portion is removed. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to serve different purposes based on configuration.
3Device complexity
If safety belts alone are used for child restraint, then device complexity is reduced, but child safety during side impacts is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the structural support function with the side restraint function in the side cushion portion. The side cushions are integrated with anchoring elements and are positioned to provide both seating support and lateral protection during side impacts. This merging of functions provides enhanced safety without requiring a completely separate restraint system.
Solution Approach 2:
The side cushion portion is specifically designed with enhanced structural properties and anchoring features at the locations where side restraint is most needed. The side cushions have increased rigidity and are firmly attached to the vehicle seat structure, providing localized protection against side impacts while the rest of the seat maintains flexibility for comfort.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motor vehicle seat (3) is provided with a backrest (8) and a seat portion(10) having a fixed element (12) and at least one body (18) which can be moved between a lowered configuration, in which it forms with the backrest (8) a place for an adult passenger, and a raised configuration, in which it forms a booster seat suitable for supporting a child; the body (18) is releasably fixed in the raised configuration by means of a fastening device (40) and carries a side support element (50), which is arranged next to the body and is movable between an operating configuration, in which it protrudes upwards with respect to an upper surface (34) of the body (18), and a rest configuration, in which it is arranged lower or flush with respect to said upper surface (34).