Stowable Vehicle Seat Child Restraint With Auto-Tension Harness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current child safety seat systems are cumbersome and require manual adjustment, making it difficult to ensure proper tension and securement of belts, especially for children of varying ages and sizes, and individuals with special needs, and lack automated assistance for securing passengers who cannot communicate their needs.
Innovation Solution
A stowable child restraint system integrated into vehicle seats that automatically adjusts and secures the harness, providing alerts and communication devices to ensure proper belt tension and securement, and can be transformed between adult and child configurations to accommodate different passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of harness belts is used, then the system structure remains simple, but it is difficult to ensure proper tension and securement for children of varying ages and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect child size and harness tension status, then autonomously adjusts belt length and tension without requiring manual intervention. The microcontroller processes sensor data and controls motors to self-adjust the harness configuration based on detected parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of harness belts is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. Motors are used to mechanically adjust belt length, while sensors and microcontrollers provide automated detection and control, substituting human judgment and manual operation with electronic systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If excess belt length is provided for adjustability, then the system can accommodate different child sizes, but it becomes difficult to determine whether belts are properly tensioned
Solution Approach 1:
Tension sensors continuously monitor harness belt tension and provide feedback to the microcontroller. The system compares detected tension against optimal ranges and automatically adjusts belts to maintain proper tension, providing real-time feedback on securement status through visual indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual visual assessment of belt tension is replaced with electronic tension sensors that objectively measure and quantify harness tightness. The sensor system converts mechanical tension forces into electrical signals for automated processing and control.
3Reliability
If a separate child safety seat is used, then the restraint system can be optimized for children, but it requires manual installation and removal which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The child restraint system is merged with the vehicle seat structure, integrating harness mechanisms, sensors, and adjustment components directly into the seat. This eliminates the need for separate removable child seats while maintaining child-specific restraint functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system automatically detects when a child is present and configures appropriate restraint settings without requiring manual installation. The system self-adjusts harness tension and positioning based on detected child parameters, eliminating manual setup steps.
4Ease of operation
If the restraint system is integrated into the vehicle seat, then it can be conveniently stowed when an adult sits, but it requires complex transformation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system incorporates movable and reconfigurable components that can dynamically transform between child restraint mode and adult seat mode. Harnesses, headrests, and support structures are designed to be repositionable or retractable, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on occupancy type.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle seat is designed with multi-functional capabilities, incorporating restraint mechanisms that serve both child and adult occupancy needs. The same physical structure and components perform different functions depending on configuration, eliminating the need for entirely separate seat systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle safety system includes a vehicle seat and a child restraint system integrated with the vehicle seat. The child restraint system includes an illuminated status indicator system. The child restraint system includes an occupant detection system. The child restraint system includes one or more position sensors configured to determine seat bottom position. The child restraint includes a harness system. The harness system is stored behind a door panel in a seat back of the vehicle seat. The harness system includes one or more load sensors. The load sensors work in combination with a motor to automatically adjust harness fit. The child restraint system is configured to automatically deploy. The child restraint system is configured to automatically stow. The vehicle safety system includes an input/output (I/O) device configured to facilitate interactions with the child restraint system.