GB2468648A

GB2468648A - Integrated child seat

Info

Publication number: GB2468648A
Application number: GB0904472A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Young; Peter Humphery; Christopher Day; Chris Cottingham; Shaun Watson
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2009-03-16
Filing date: 2009-03-16
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-16
Also published as: GB0904472D0; GB2468648B

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly (10, figure 2) is provided having an integrated child seat. At least part of the child seat being movable relative to the vehicle seat between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the seat comprises indicating means arranged to indicate to the user when the child seat is correctly stowed or deployed. The integrated child seat may comprise a seat back 24 and a seat base 22 whereby at least one of the seat back and the seat base is movable relative to the seat assembly, the indicating means arranged to indicate to the user when the at least one of the seat back and the seat base is correctly stowed or deployed. The seat back and the seat base may be independently movable relative to the seat assembly. The seat assembly may be arranged to communicate with a controller for activating indicators upon receipt of a signal confirming that the movable seat components are correctly engaged in either a stowed or deployed position. The indicating means may comprise an audible or visual indicator.

Description

Integrated Child Seat Monitor This invention relates to seats for passenger vehicles and in particular to a vehicle seat with a deployable integrated child seat. Aspects of the invention relate to a seat and to a vehicle.

Vehicle seats are designed to accommodate a wide range of size and shape of occupant. However, it is widely accepted that a standard adult seat equipped with a standard three point seatbelt, as provided in most passenger vehicles, is inadequate for safely restraining younger children.

Standard vehicle seats are designed for the adult frame and as a result are unsuitable for supporting the frame of smaller children. Furthermore, and of critical importance for the restraint of occupants in the event of a collision, standard seats do not position the child correctly with relation to the seatbelt. The dangers are well known and legislation is widely implemented in order to prevent young children being carried in standard car seats.

As a result, various types of child restraint system or CRS have been developed to provide for the safe transport of younger children in passenger vehicles. Broadly speaking those restraints fall into the following categories, in order of age of the child: rearward facing baby seat (Group 0 or 0+); forward facing child seat (Group 1); booster seats (Group 2), and booster cushions (Group 3).

Group 0+ rearward facing CRS is suitable for babies up to 13 kilograms, depending on the type of seat and are typically fixed to the standard vehicle seat using the vehicle seatbelt or via ISOFIX anchorage points.

Forward facing CRS are intended to be used for children within a particular weight range, depending on the category of CRS. Group I CRS are intended for children from 9 to 18 kg. Group 2 CRS are intended for children from 15 to 25 kg and Group 3 CRS are intended for children from 22 to 36 kg. Booster seats (Group 2) have a seat back and a seat base whereas booster cushions (Group 3) only have a seat base. Like rearward facing CRS, forward facing CRS as well as booster seats and cushions may be detachably secured to the vehicle seat using the vehicle seatbelt or ISOFIX attachment points.

The purpose of booster seats and cushions is twofold. Firstly, to align the child's shoulder, neck and pelvis correctly with respect to the diagonal and lap portions of the seatbelt. Secondly to provide a seat base that has a shorter length than the standard vehicle seat thereby ensuring that the length of the seat base is proportionate to the thigh length of the child.

Compliance with the regulations regarding children from birth up to four years old, that is to say in rearward facing (Group 0) to forward facing (Group 1) child seats (CRS), is generally improving in Europe. However ensuring compliance with the regulations covering children from four years old to approximately 11 years old is more often problematic, for a number of reasons, principally the reluctance of the older children to use what they consider to be a seat suitable only for young children.

A further problem with the use of booster seats is that the seats require stowing in, or removing from, the vehicle when an adult wishes to use the seat.

A yet further problem is that a parent must buy a number of booster seats to suit the various children who may use the car. Indeed over time as the child grows it is likely that multiple child seats (CRS) will need to be purchased only to later to become redundant when the child outgrows the seat.

It is known to provide integral booster cushions which are generally in the form of a section of the standard seat base that can be selectively raised to align the occupants shoulder correctly with respect to the anchor points of the seatbelt. These booster seats also have a seat base that has a shorter length than the standard rear seat thereby ensuring that the length of the seat base is appropriate to the thigh length of its occupants.

However, there are problems associated with this inbuilt or integrated type of booster seat. Firstly, the seats generally operate by lifting a cushion area upwards and sometimes additionally backwards from its storage position which is flush with the base area of the standard vehicle seat. It can therefore be difficult to determine whether the child seat has correctly engaged in either the stowed or the deployed position. This is particularly true when distracted by the effort of settling children in the seat.

It is an aim of the present invention to at least mitigate some of the above problems.

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms adult seat, standard seat and passenger seat refer to a vehicle seat configured in the vehicle for adult occupants. The terms child seat and child restraint system (CRS) refer to the seat or those parts of the vehicle seat provided or adapted for younger children.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat for a vehicle having an integrated child seat, at least part of the child seat being movable relative to the vehicle seat between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein an indication is made to the user to indicate the correct stowage or deployment of the child seat.

The indication to the user may indicate whether the child seat, or a part of the child seat, is in the stowed position and/or the deployed position. Alternatively, or in addition, the indication to the user may indicate whether the child seat, or a part of the child seat, is in a position between the stowed and deployed positions. In one embodiment, an indication is made when the child seat, or a part of the child seat, is moved between the stowed and deployed positions.

Advantageously, this feature of the current invention allows the parent to ensure that the child seat is safe to use without the need for making further mechanical checks on the seat. This significantly increases the safety of the child seat.

In an example, the child seat comprises a child seat back and a child seat base, each of which are independently moveable between a stowed and a deployed position, wherein an indication is made to the user to indicate the correct stowage or deployment of the child seat back and child seat base.

In an example, the passenger vehicle seat communicates with a controller which activates the indicators upon receipt of a signal confirming that the seat is safely engaged.

In an example, the child seat includes a switch which signals to the controller when the child seat back and child seat base are safely engaged in either its stowed or deployed position.

In an example, the child seat base is actuated by a child seat base mechanism which includes the switch.

In an example, the child seat back is actuated by a child seat back mechanism which includes the switch.

In an example, the indicator is a visual indicator.

In an example, the indicator is an audible indicator.

It will also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the preferred and/or optional features relating to the present invention may be used either alone or in appropriate combination.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the following figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known rear passenger vehicle seat with a standard child booster seat as known in the art; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a passenger vehicle rear seat assembly including the child seat of the present invention; Figure 3A is a sectioned side view of the child seat of Figure 2 showing the child seat back and the child seat base in the stowed position; Figure 3B is a perspective view of the child seat in its Figure 3A position; Figure 4A is a sectioned side view of the child seat of Figure 2 showing the child seat back in the deployed position and the child seat base in the stowed position; Figure 4B is a perspective view of the child seat in its Figure 4A position; Figure 5A is a sectioned side view of the child seat of Figure 2 showing the child seat back in the stowed position and the child seat base in the deployed position; Figure 5B is an isometric view of the child seat in its Figure 5A position; Figure 6A is a sectioned side view of the child seat of Figure 2 showing the child seat back in the deployed position and the child seat base in the deployed position; Figure 6B is a perspective view of the child seat in its Figure 6A position; Figure 7A is a sectioned view of the child seat in its Figure 4A position showing the child seat back mechanism; Figure 7B is a sectioned view of the mechanism of Figure 7A showing the child seat back mechanism in greater detail; Figure 8A is a sectioned view of the child seat in its Figure 6A position showing the child seat base mechanism; 0 Figure 8B is a sectioned view of the mechanism of Figure 8A showing the child seat base mechanism in greater detail; Figure 9 is a schematic layout of seat monitoring system for use with the child seat of Figure 1; and Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of the child seat of Figure 2 showing the child seat back and the child seat base in the stowed position and the lumbar support retracted to show the ISOFIX attachment points.

Referring to Figure 1, a known passenger vehicle seat assembly I is shown having a seat base 2 and a seat back 3. Positioned on the seat assembly I is a known child booster seat 4 which is affixed to the seat assembly I in a known manner such as by ISOFIX anchorages or secured to the seat 4 using the vehicle seatbelt (not shown for clarity). This arrangement has the clear disadvantage that the child booster seat 4 must be removed in order to allow an adult to use the passenger seat.

In Figure 2, a passenger vehicle seat assembly 10 of the current invention is shown having a seat base 12 and a seat back 14. The assembly 10 is provided with a child restraint system in the form of child seat indicated generally at 20. The child seat has a child seat base 22 and a child seat back 24.

Referring now to Figures 3A and 3B, the child seat 20 is shown in further detail. The child seat back 24 has a head restraint 30, an upper back support 28 and a lumbar support 26 pivotable relative to the upper back support 28, as will be discussed in further detail shortly. In Figure 3A and 3B the child seat base 22 and a child seat back 24 are both in their respective stowed positions in which they are flush with the outer face of the passenger vehicle seat assembly 10. With the child seat base 22 and a child seat back 24 in the stowed position 22A, 24A the seat assembly 10 may be used by an adult as if it were a standard vehicle seat.

In Figures 4A and 4B the child seat back 24 has been moved from its stowed position 24A to its deployed position 24B. The child seat back 24 has accordingly moved away from the seat back 14 in a substantially horizontal direction to bring the child seat back 24 closer to the front of the seat base 12. Thus the thigh length A of the child seat 20 is reduced to accommodate older children who have a sufficiently long torso to position their shoulder at the correct position for the seatbelt but who would otherwise find the position of the seat shown in Figures 3A and 3B uncomfortable. In other words the thigh length A and the hip to shoulder length B are matched to the child occupant. The lumbar support 26 is shown mounted on the upper back support 28 by a pivot 130. Accordingly the lumbar support 26 is able to rotate about the pivot relative to the back support 28.

The lumbar support 26 is resiliently biased by a spring (not shown for clarity) in a forwards direction so as to urge the lumbar support 26 into its position shown in Figure 3A and 3B. The purpose of this rotation will now be discussed in relation to Figures 5A and 5B.

In Figures 5A and 5B the child seat base 22 has been moved from its stowed position 22A to its deployed position 22B. In doing so, the rear of the child seat base 22 has engaged the lumbar support 26 causing it to rotate a about the pivot 130 in a rearward direction. This has the effect of further reducing the thigh length from A as shown in Figure 4A to A' whilst simultaneously reducing the hip to shoulder length from B as shown in Figure 4A to B'. Thus, the child seat 20 is now able to accommodate a smaller child.

The final configuration of the child seat 20 is shown in Figures 6A and 6B in which the child seat back 24 has been returned to its stowed position 24A. In this configuration a relatively long thigh length A" is provided with a reduced hip to shoulder length B" similar to that shown in the Figures 5A and 5B.

In use the child seat 20 is moveable between the four configuration described above in respect of Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. The mechanism by which this change in configuration is achieved will now be described with reference to Figures 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B.

Referring initially to Figure 7A, the child seat 20 is shown with the child seat back 24 in the deployed position indicated generally at 24B. Supporting the child seat back 24 in this position is a seat back mechanism indicated generally at 34. The seat back mechanism 34 has two opposing scissor arms 36 which are pivoted at their upper ends about the child seat back 24 and the seat back 14 respectively. A corresponding pair of arms is also provided on the opposite side of the seat but is not shown for clarity. The arms are rotatably connected at a fulcrum 38. The lower ends of the arms 36 each carry a pin 37 which is arranged in a slot 40 in the child seat back 24 and the seat back 14 respectively. With the child seat back 24 in its deployed position 24B the pins 37 are arranged at the top of the slots 40. Upon moving the child seat back 24 from its deployed position 24B to its stowed position 24A, the pins 37 move down the slots 40 to bring the arms 36 towards one another. In this way the child seat back 24 is movable in a substantially horizontal direction.

Referring now to Figure 7B which shows the slot 40 in the seat back 14 in greater detail, the slot carries a deployed switch 42 and a stowed switch 44 at opposite ends of the slot. When the child seat back 24 is in its deployed position 24B the pin 37 of the arm 36 contacts the switch 42 which trips the switch and sends a signal to a controller which is not shown for clarity. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a number of different types of switch could be used including for example, a mechanical switch, or hall sensor, without departure from the invention. The controller then illuminates an indicator 46 (see Figure 7A) arranged on the seat to inform the user that the seat is safe to use. It will be appreciated that other forms of indicator could be used, for example an audible alarm, without departure from the invention. The indicator has two parts which allow the engagement of the two arms to be monitored individually. Conversely the stowed sensor 44 allows the indicator 46 to signal that the child seat back 24 is safely stowed 24A. In addition, or in the alternative, to the deployed and stowed switches 44, 46, the slots also have a linear position sensor 48 which tracks the position of the pin 37 in the slot 40 and sends a corresponding position signal to the controller. This signal is then be used to indicate safe stowing or deployment of the child seat back 24. In addition, or in the alternative, to the deployed and stowed switches 44, 46, the slots comprise Hall-effect sensors to determine when the pins 37 have reached the positions corresponding to fully stowed 24A or fully deployed 24B positions.

In Figure 8A, the child seat base 22 is shown in its deployed position 22B. Supporting the child seat base 22 in this position is a seat base mechanism indicated generally at 148. The seat base mechanism 148 has two supporting arms 50 which are pivoted at their upper ends on the child seat base 22 and at their lower ends on the seat base 12.

A corresponding pair of arms 50 is also provided on the opposite side of the seat but is not shown for clarity. The arms 50 allow the child seat base 22 to be moved from its stowed position into the over-centre deployed position shown in Figure 8A. By taking the mechanism over-centre in deploying the child seat base 22, the seat is urged by the arms 50 to remain in the deployed position thereby increasing the safety of the child seat.

Referring to Figure 8B shows a lower end of the arm 50 in greater detail. The seat base mechanism is provided with a pair of switches of similar design to switches 44, 46, shown as deployed switch 52 and stowed switch 54. Deployed switch 52 and stowed switch 54 are shown mechanically grounded to the seat base 12 for signalling to the controller that the child seat base 22 is in the deployed position 22B. The corresponding stowed switch 54 is also provided to signal safe stowing of the child seat base 22 to a stowed position 22A. An indicator 56 is provided on the seat base 12 to indicate safe stowing 22A or deployment 22B to the user.

Turning now to Figure 9, a seat monitoring system 100 is shown having a child seat indicated schematically at 20. The child seat base is shown schematically at 22 and the child seat back is shown schematically at 24. The deployed switch 42 and stowed switch 44 in the child seat back 24 are arranged in parallel on a first wiring circuit 58 which is connected to controller 45. The second deployed switch 52 and second stowed switch 54 in the child seat base 22 are arranged in parallel on a second wiring circuit 60 which is also connected to the controller 45. The first and second indicators 46, 56 are also connected to the controller 45 as discussed above. An audible warning is provided by a speaker 62 which is also under the control of the controller 45 to provide an audible alarm in the event of incomplete or improper stowage or deployment of the seat 20. The controller also receives an engine ignition and vehicle speed signal 64 and provides a correct stowage/deployment signal 66 for an instrument panel mounted display shown schematically at 68.

In use the controller 45 monitors the position of the stowed and deployed switches 42, 44, 52, 54 to ensure that at least one of each pair is latched. The controller 45 signals the indicators 46, 56 to indicate the status of the switches 42, 44, 52, 54. Additionally or alternatively the controller sends the stowage/deployment signal 66 to the instrument panel mounted display 68 to indicate to the driver the status of the switches 42, 44, 52, 54. The controller 45 also monitors vehicle speed and engine ignition via vehicle speed signal 64 sO that in the event of a the failure of a seat mechanism with the vehicle in motion the controller 45 can signal to the driver that a fault has occurred via the instrument panel mounted display 68.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the indication of switch status may be provided to the user continuously when the vehicle is in use or, may be provided for a pre-determined amount of time after the controller 45 has received the engine ignition signal 64. If the switch status is only to be displayed to the user via the display 68 for a pre-determined period of time after key-on, then the controller is configured to constantly monitor the status of the switches. In this case, the controller 45 will only indicate when a change in switch status occurs from the initial condition as determined at ignition key-on. The controller 45 is configured to reset the display 68 when the user switches off the vehicle (key-off) and the process of determining the status of the switches and displaying that information to the user is repeated again at the next key-on. In this way, the child seat configuration status need not be displayed permanently, which could otherwise pose a potential distraction to the vehicle driver. Child seat configuration is acknowledged to the controller 45 as acceptable, by either not changing a latched seat configuration, or by latching an unlatched part of the child seat. An unlatched part of the child seat will cause the controller to activate a warning that will not cancel until acted upon appropriately. The user is informed of an unlatched condition of the child seat by a visual and audible warning so as to avoid the risk of the status going unnoticed by the driver.

Referring to Figure 10 the child seat 20 is shown with the child seat base 22 and child seat back 24 in the stowed position. The lumbar support 26 has been rotated with respect to the child seat back to provide easy access to the ISOFIX anchorage points 70. This presents the user of the present invention with a significant advantage as the fitting of ISOFIX seats can often be difficult due to the difficulty in locating the anchor points.

Claims

Claims 1. A seat for a vehicle having an integrated child seat, at least part of the child seat being movable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the seat comprises indicator means arranged to indicate to the user whether the part of the child seat is in at least one of the stowed position, the deployed position and a position between the stowed and deployed positions.
2. The seat of claim I wherein the child seat comprises a seat back and a seat base, at least one of the seat back and the seat base being moveable relative to the seat between a stowed and a deployed position, wherein the indicator means is arranged to indicate to the user when the at least one of the seat back and the seat base is correctly stowed or deployed.
3. The seat of claim 2, wherein the seat back and the seat base are independently movable relative to the seat.
4. The seat of any preceding claim wherein the seat is arranged to communicate with a controller for activating indicators upon receipt of a signal confirming that the seat back and/or the seat base are correctly engaged in either the stowed or the deployed position.
5. The seat of claim 4 wherein the seat comprises a switch for signalling to the controller when the seat back and/or the seat base are safely engaged in either the stowed or deployed position.
6. The seat of claim 5 when dependent on claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the seat base is actuated by a seat base mechanism which includes the switch.
7. The seat of claim 5 or claim 6 when dependent on claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the seat back is actuated by a seat back mechanism which includes the switch.
8. The seat of any preceding claim wherein the indicator means comprises a visual indicator.
9. The seat of any preceding claim wherein the indicator means comprises an audible indicator.
10. A vehicle comprising a seat according to any of the preceding claims.
11. A seat for a vehicle constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 2 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.