Tiltable Juvenile Seat Locking Mechanism for Secure Recline Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child restraints do not provide a convenient and secure mechanism for caregivers to adjust the tilt position of a juvenile seat within a vehicle, limiting comfort and safety for children.
Innovation Solution
A tiltable juvenile seat with a spring-biased slidable seat-motion blocker that allows caregivers to pivot the seat shell between upright and tilted positions, using anchor-receiver channels to securely lock the seat in selected positions, facilitating easy adjustment and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed juvenile seat is used, then the seat structure is simple and stable, but the seat cannot be adjusted to different tilt positions, reducing comfort and adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The juvenile seat is designed with a pivot axis that enables the seat shell to rotate between an upright position and a tilted position. This dynamic capability allows the seat to adapt to different comfort requirements while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of a pivot mechanism rather than complex adjustment systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tiltable seat mechanism is added, then the seat becomes adjustable and versatile, but the mechanism becomes more complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat mechanism incorporates a spring-biased seat-motion blocker that automatically engages with anchors at specific tilt positions to hold the seat shell in place. The spring mechanism provides automatic positioning and locking without requiring complex controls or manual intervention, making the adjustment process simple and intuitive for caregivers.
3Ease of operation
If a spring-biased seat-motion blocker is used, then the seat can be easily positioned and locked, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate seat-motion blocker component that operates independently from the main seat structure. This blocker engages with discrete anchors positioned along the pivot path, providing simple positional locking without requiring integration into the overall seat mechanism, thereby minimizing added complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple anchor positions are provided, then the seat can be locked in multiple tilted positions, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple anchors serve multiple functions: they provide discrete locking positions for the seat shell, define the range of motion, and work collectively with a single seat-motion blocker component. This universal design allows one blocker to interact with multiple anchors, achieving multi-position capability without proportionally increasing the number of moving parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables caregivers to easily and securely adjust the tilt position of the juvenile seat, enhancing comfort and safety for children by providing multiple tilt options while ensuring the seat remains locked in place during vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
releases the seat-motion blocker to allow the blocker-biasing spring to expand and move the seat-motion blocker relative to the seat shell of the tiltable juvenile seat
Data Source
AI summary
A child restraint includes a seat base and a juvenile seat. The juvenile seat is tiltable relative to the seat base at the option of a caregiver.