WO2006021749A1 - Appareil adaptatif de retenue pour enfant dans un vehicule - Google Patents

Appareil adaptatif de retenue pour enfant dans un vehicule Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006021749A1
WO2006021749A1 PCT/GB2005/003166 GB2005003166W WO2006021749A1 WO 2006021749 A1 WO2006021749 A1 WO 2006021749A1 GB 2005003166 W GB2005003166 W GB 2005003166W WO 2006021749 A1 WO2006021749 A1 WO 2006021749A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
crs
sacrificial material
seat
contact member
vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/003166
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Davies
Original Assignee
Nissan Motor Manufacturing (Uk) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissan Motor Manufacturing (Uk) Limited filed Critical Nissan Motor Manufacturing (Uk) Limited
Priority to EP05772053A priority Critical patent/EP1784315A1/fr
Publication of WO2006021749A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006021749A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2803—Adaptations for seat belts
    • B60N2/2812—Adaptations for seat belts for securing the child to the child seat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2821—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle having a seat and a base part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2857—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child
    • B60N2/286—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child forward facing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2857—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child
    • B60N2/2863—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle characterised by the peculiar orientation of the child backward facing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2875—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle inclinable, as a whole or partially
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2884—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle with protection systems against abnormal g-forces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/26—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles for children
    • B60N2/28—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
    • B60N2/2887—Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a child restraint system (CRS) that is suitable for restraining infants and children in passenger vehicles.
  • CRS child restraint system
  • the invention concerns CRSs that are capable of absorbing at least some of the forces of deceleration experienced by a child passenger during a vehicle collision and thus reducing the risk of injury to the child.
  • a number of current CRS designs allow for secure mounting to the vehicle either by means of the vehicle's integral safety belts or by means of anchoring systems such as ISOFIX or LATCH systems.
  • a CRS is deemed correctly fitted when it is securely coupled to the vehicle so that the CRS may not move independently of the vehicle, especially in a crash.
  • the vehicle body structures have tended to become stiffer, the knock-on effect of this is to increase the mean acceleration levels of the passengers relative to the vehicle during a crash (i.e. the action of being thrown forward relative to the vehicle). This increase is managed for the adult passengers by use of safety belts and airbags to increase the time that the occupants are coupled to the vehicle and so decrease the peak acceleration experienced by the passengers.
  • a child's body is much more flexible than that of an adult, and this makes effective restraint more challenging.
  • a child passenger seated in a CRS should start to accelerate as early as possible in the crash, and continue to do so until just after the vehicle has stopped moving.
  • This preferred energy management profile provides the maximum possible time to decelerate from the original vehicle speed to rest, and so greatly reduces the potentially harmful peak acceleration levels. Increasing the duration of the acceleration/deceleration period sustained by a child in a crash will tend to decrease the peak acceleration level and so reduce the severity of the crash for the child.
  • a child safety seat system is described in US-A-5664830.
  • This system comprises a base having a pair of arcuate side rails and a seat having a pair of arcuate side rails that are engaged with the base arcuate side rails, and a collapsible energy absorber element positioned between the base and seat.
  • the seat rotates relative to the base and causes the energy absorber element to collapse, thereby absorbing some of the energy of the collision.
  • a fundamental drawback of this system is that the centre of gravity of the child passenger and seat combination must be below the centre point of the arcuate rails.
  • the seat is restricted to children of a certain age or size, since as the child grows the centre of gravity would tend to rise relative to the CRS.
  • the US-A-5664830 system relies on forward rotation of the seat in order to mitigate the collision forces, there must also be means provided for preventing the entire seat assembly from tipping forward.
  • US-A-5685603 describes a child seat located on slide rails.
  • the slide rails are fixed at both ends to the body of the vehicle.
  • the seat can slide along the rails during a collision and the force of the collision is separately absorbed by a variety of energy absorption means.
  • the problem persists that the level of energy absorption cannot be adjusted in accordance with the growth of the child, or for children of different sizes.
  • the invention provides a CRS suitable for use in a vehicle, comprising:
  • a body that comprises a base portion and a seat portion
  • the seat portion comprising adjustable restraining means for securing a child passenger in the seat portion, wherein the seat portion is connected to the base portion via seat mounting means, and is capable of movement relative to the base portion in a direction that is consistent with the direction of vehicle travel;
  • the base portion comprising anchor means for fixing the CRS to the interior of a vehicle, EA means for absorbing at least a part of the energy during a vehicle collision, and EA regulator means for controlling the amount of energy absorbed by the EA means during a vehicle collision;
  • adjustable restraining means is coupled to the EA regulator means, such that adjustment of the adjustable restraining means also results in adjustment of the amount of energy absorbed by the EA means during a vehicle collision.
  • the invention provides the significant advantage of enabling the amount of energy- absorbed to be adjusted. In this way, the kinetics of the CRS during a collision are adjusted to the needs of the child passenger. It will be appreciated that incorrect levels of energy absorption can be as dangerous or even more dangerous than a complete absence of such means. For example, if a child of age 5 years is placed in CRS comprising EA means calibrated for use with a young toddler, the amount of energy absorbed by the CRS during a collision will likely be inadequate for the increased mass possibly leading to whiplash or other recoil injuries. Likewise, placing a baby in a CRS with EA means calibrated for use with an older child, could result in situation where the EA means are not deployed due to insufficient passenger mass, resulting in a complete absence of energy absorption.
  • the CRS of the invention is suitably fitted in passenger-carrying automobiles and motor vehicles.
  • the CRS of the invention is detachably installed in cars, multi-passenger vehicles (MPVs), sports utility vehicles (SUVs), mini-vans, and any other passenger vehicle suitable for transporting a small child.
  • MPVs multi-passenger vehicles
  • SUVs sports utility vehicles
  • mini-vans mini-vans
  • any other passenger vehicle suitable for transporting a small child any other passenger vehicle suitable for transporting a small child.
  • the energy absorbing (EA) means can be a friction device; a hydraulic piston; a pneumatic piston; a shock absorber; a non- elastic compressible material; a deformable material; or a spring. It is preferable that the EA means is capable of a controlled non-elastic deformation, although this does not preclude the use of elastic materials as a component within the EA means as a whole. As mentioned previously, the intention of the EA means is to allow a more controlled deceleration of the child passenger by absorbing some of the energy of a sudden vehicle collision. Hence, any material and mechanism that meets the objective of facilitating greater energy absorption than that experienced by a passenger in conventional static mounted CRS, is suitable for use in the invention.
  • the seat portion of the present CRS is connected to the base portion via a seat mounting means.
  • the base portion can comprise at least one mounting rail onto which the seat mounting means is slidably located.
  • the base portion will comprise at least two mounting rails arranged in parallel and aligned in the direction of vehicle travel - i.e. pointing towards the front of the vehicle.
  • the mounting rail can further comprise the EA means.
  • the seat mounting means can further comprise the EA means.
  • the EA means can suitably comprise a material that is used to generate frictional resistance to a body (or contact member) passing through it, or across its surface.
  • the EA means can comprise a material that can be bent, cut, abraded, drawn or formed in such a way as to absorb at least a part of the energy of a vehicle collision.
  • a material is referred to as a sacrificial material.
  • the sacrificial material is typically made from a material that is softer than the contact member but hard enough not to allow a cut to be initiated during normal use of the CRS.
  • Suitable materials that can be used as a substrate in manufacture of the sacrificial material include, but are not limited to, aluminium; a suitable metal alloy; a polymer material (e.g. resin, rubber); a plastics material (e.g. polystyrene, polyethylene, kevlarTM, nylon); or a wood based material (e.g. plywood, hardwood or fibreboard such as MDF).
  • the EA means comprises a sacrificial material that is located on a mounting rail.
  • the slidably mounted seat mounting means also comprises at least one contact member that contacts the surface of the sacrificial material when the seat mounting means slides along the mounting rail.
  • the contact member can comprise one or more cutting edges that cut into the surface of the sacrificial material as the seat mounting means slides along the mounting rail. In this way the sacrificial material serves to absorb at least some of the energy of a vehicle collision.
  • the EA means comprises a sacrificial material and is located on the seat mounting means.
  • the contact member(s) is located on the mounting rail, such that the surface of the sacrificial material is abraded by the contact member(s) when the seat mounting means slides along the at least one mounting rail.
  • the contact member may suitably comprise one or more of a cutting tool; an armature; a pin; a rasp; a mandrel; a bending roller; a forming tool; a rotating cutter and a blade.
  • the contact member serves to interact with the sacrificial material in such a way as to cut, deform, bend or abrade it, thereby absorbing at least some of the energy of a vehicle collision.
  • the position of the contact member relative to the surface level of the sacrificial material can be adjustable, thereby, enabling the depth of a cut or the level of contact to be regulated.
  • the contact member comprises a plurality of cutting edges, the number of those cutting edges or the area of the cutting edges that are placed in contact with the surface of the sacrificial material can also be adjusted.
  • the position of the contact member relative to the surface level of the sacrificial material is varied according to the mass of the child passenger. This adjustment may be achieved via use of regulator means that governs the position of the contact member relative to the surface of the sacrificial material. Likewise the regulator means can be used to govern the number of cutting edges that engage the surface of the sacrificial material.
  • the adjustable restraining means can comprise one or more of a safety belt; a harness; a bar; a strap; a shield and a fastener.
  • any suitable form of adjustable restraint used in the art can be employed in the CRS of the present invention.
  • the adjustable restraining means comprises at least one safety belt connected to a safety belt adjuster means, further characterised in that the safety belt adjuster means is coupled to the regulator means. In this way adjustment of the adjustable restraining means results in adjustment of the regulator means, thereby governing the position of the contact member relative to the surface of the sacrificial material.
  • the CRS of the invention should be securely anchored to the body of the vehicle.
  • the CRS can be anchored via anchor means located on the mounting rail.
  • Suitable anchor means may include, without being limited to, a latch; a hook; a carabiner; a screw fixing; an ISOFIX mounting; a bayonet fixing; a hasp; and a pin fixing.
  • a latch may include, without being limited to, a latch; a hook; a carabiner; a screw fixing; an ISOFIX mounting; a bayonet fixing; a hasp; and a pin fixing.
  • the vehicle manufacturing industry recognises the ISOFIX mounting as an industry standard.
  • the equivalent LATCH mounting system is used.
  • the seat mounting means comprises an adjustable pivot means for enabling the pitch of the seat portion of the CRS to be displaced from an upright position to a reclined position and vice versa. This is of particular advantage because the reclined state can provide a more comfortable sleeping position for the child.
  • the CRS of the present invention includes configurations wherein the seat portion faces in the direction of vehicle travel as well as in the opposite direction to that of vehicle travel (i.e. where the back of the CRS faces in the direction of vehicle travel).
  • the present invention further provides a correction means for correcting the pitch of the seat portion from a reclined position to a substantially upright position during a vehicle collision.
  • the correction means can be comprised within the EA means.
  • the correction means comprises a substantially non-elastic flexible member that extends from the base of the seat portion to the region of the base portion proximate to the anchor means.
  • the anchor means will be located towards the rear of the base portion.
  • the invention provides a CRS suitable for use in a vehicle, comprising:
  • a body that comprises a base portion and a seat portion
  • the seat portion comprising adjustable restraining means for securing a child passenger in the seat portion, wherein the seat portion is connected to the base portion and is capable of movement relative to the base portion in a direction that is consistent with the direction of vehicle travel;
  • the base portion comprising anchor means for fixing the CRS to the interior of a vehicle, and energy absorbing (EA) means for absorbing at least a part of the energy during a vehicle collision;
  • EA energy absorbing
  • the amount of energy absorbed by the energy absorbing means can be adjusted according to the mass of the child passenger.
  • a third aspect of the invention provides for an energy absorption device for use with a CRS, comprising
  • At least one mounting rail onto which the seat mounting means is slidably located EA means for absorbing at least a part of the energy during a vehicle collision
  • an EA regulator means for controlling the amount of energy absorbed by the EA means during a vehicle collision.
  • the invention provides for EA device wherein the seat mounting means further comprises a pin that is capable of engagement with pin guiding means located on the at least one mounting rail.
  • the pin guiding means is located towards the end of the guiding rail furthest from the resting or normal position occupied by the seat mounting means.
  • the pin guiding means may comprise a slot that is marginally narrower in width than the diameter of the pin. In this way a steady and more controlled deceleration is effected when the seat mounting means approaches the end of the mounting rail.
  • the pin guiding means can comprise a slot that tapers from a first region that is marginally greater in width than the diameter of the pin, to a second region that is marginally narrower in width than the diameter of the pin.
  • Fig. 1 shows a child seat portion of the prior art with integral safety belts
  • Fig. 2 shows a CRS in forward facing mode with integral ISOFIX mounts which protrude out of the back of the child seat mount, and which can secure the CRS into the vehicle by latching around metal bars fitted within, behind or below the vehicle seats (not shown);
  • Fig. 3 shows the same CRS as shown in Figure 2, but set up in a rearward facing configuration, with the ISOFIX mounts exiting from the rear of the base portion, and connected to the vehicle's integral ISOFIX mounts;
  • Fig. 4 shows the movement of the seat portion of the CRS of the invention relative to the base portion during a frontal collision of the vehicle, (a) where the seat is facing rearwards, T0 shows the seat at a point in time before the collision, T end shows the position of the seat portion after the collision, (b) where the seat is in the forward facing configuration T0 and T end have the same meaning as in part (a).
  • Fig. 5 shows the mechanism of action of one of the energy absorption systems of the invention
  • Fig. 6 shows the CRS of the present invention mounted in the rear passenger seat of a vehicle
  • the top left figure shows the CRS in normal use
  • the top right figure shows one embodiment of the invention where the CRS, (seat portion and base prtion), slides on mounting rails fitted to the vehicle's ISOFIX mounts
  • the bottom left figure shows another embodiment where the seat portion slides on mounting rails fitted to base portion
  • the bottom right hand figure shows another embodiment of the invention with the additional feature of pitch attitude correction
  • Fig. 7 shows one embodiment of the adjustable EA mechanism of the invention
  • Fig. 8 shows the configuration of the pin guiding means in one embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 9 shows a rear view of a CRS according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows a magnified view of the region encircled and labelled X in Fig. 9;
  • Fig. 11 shows a close up view of the seat belt adjuster gate mechanism of one embodiment of the invention;
  • Fig. 12 shows a more detailed view of the interaction of the contact member with the sacrificial material
  • Fig. 13 shows a seat mounting means of one embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 A child seat of the type known in the art is shown in Fig. 1.
  • a CRS (10) of the present invention the child is seated in a CRS (10) that can be mounted within the vehicle via an energy absorbing base portion (20).
  • Figures 2 and 3 show CRS's that may be used in a forward facing or rearward facing configuration.
  • the energy absorbing child seat mount (or base portion (20)) provides the CRS (10) with an energy absorbing (EA) means (40) and is suitable for use in either configuration.
  • EA means (40) By incorporating the EA means (40) into the base portion (20), the invention allows for production of both a complete CRS (10) as well as a separate EA device base portion
  • the CRS (10) of the invention is located as close as possible to the seat back on which the CRS (10) is mounted.
  • a vehicle collision there is a sudden deceleration of the vehicle relative to the passenger.
  • the forward momentum of the passenger is such that there is a perceived acceleration of the passenger's body relative to the vehicle.
  • this 'acceleration' force rises beyond a pre-determined threshold the initiation load required to start the EA system is overcome.
  • the seat portion (30) will have slid forward at a controlled rate (see Figs. 4(a) and (b)), thereby enabling deceleration of the child passenger in a more controlled manner and lessening the risk of injury.
  • Figs. 5 and 12 show one embodiment of a suitable EA means (40).
  • a contact member (cutting tool) (41) in normal use, rests against a 'step' (42) located in an energy absorbing component located on a mounting rail (22).
  • the mounting rail comprises a sacrificial material (43) as the energy absorbing component.
  • the initiation force may be readily selected by a person of skill in the art. The initiation force should be set at a level that is sufficient to ensure that a cut cannot be initiated during normal use of the CRS (10).
  • the contact member (41) will be forced across the surface of the sacrificial material (43) until either the force drops below a cutting threshold or the pre-determined end-stop (44) is reached.
  • the CRS (10) of the present invention is not limited to rear seat use as long as the frontal passenger airbag has been de-activated when a CRS (10) is occupying the frontal passenger seat.
  • Fig. 6 the additional feature of pitch attitude correction is shown.
  • This feature allows the CRS (10) to move a reclined seat portion (30) into a more upright position during a collision so as to reduce the vertical loading on an infant passenger's neck.
  • the seat portion (30) is typically attached to the base portion (20) via a gimbal or pivot joint (not shown), which allows the parent to recline the seat (30) from an upright position to reclined position in order to allow a child to sleep more comfortably.
  • a mechanism can - as a result of the crash forces exceeding a predetermined threshold - rotate the child seat (30) to a more upright position.
  • the pitch attitude correction mechanism can be a part of the EA means system (40) or can be fitted as a completely independent component of the CRS (10) of the invention.
  • Figs. 7 and 9 set out one embodiment of the adjustable EA means (40) of the invention.
  • an EA regulator (50) (see Fig. 11 also) adjusts the level of available energy absorption depending on the child's size. This is achieved A n > / ' ⁇ u u- i u ⁇
  • An adjustable EA means (40) is suitably arranged as follows:
  • the EA regulator (50) is connected to a sliding seat belt adjuster gate (51). As the child grows, the parent adjusts the height of the shoulder belts (60) on the seat portion (30), the larger the child the higher the positioning of the shoulder belts (60). As the shoulder belts (60) are adjusted to a higher position the EA regulator (50) adjusts the contact member (41) to engage more of the sacrificial material (43) either by means of increased cutting depth or by engaging additional cutting edges (41a, 4Ib 5 41c) for each shoulder belt height increment.
  • An EA regulator-adjustment yolk (52) moves in response to the seat belt height adjuster gate (51) movement, moving parallel with the shoulder belt apertures (61a, 61b). This component ensures that in embodiments of the invention comprising two mounting rails (22), the left hand and right hand contact members (41) are equally positioned.
  • a contact member armature (411) connects to the adjuster yolk (52) at one end and has cutting edges (41a, 41b, 41c) at the opposite end.
  • a seat mounting means (21) serves three main functions, to guide the contact member (41) vertically along its adjustment, to guide the seat (30) on the mounting rails (22), preventing pitching or yawing of the child seat section (30) relative to the vehicle, and to connect the seat portion (30) to the mounting rail (22), and thus the base portion (20), via the contact member (41).
  • the seat portion (30) "pulls" the mounting means (21) , and therby the contact member (41) across the sacrificial material (43), and as material is cut the forward motion of the seat portion (30) is impeded and in the process energy is absorbed from the crash allowing a more controlled deceleration.
  • Mounting rails (22) - comprising the sacrificial material (43) - are connected to the ISOFIX mounts (23) at one end. They may be additionally supported at the other end where desired.
  • Tension means (25) serve three functions, they keep a constant force on the seat belt adjuster gate (51) to improve set up feel and lightly tension the belts (60), they keep a permanent load on the mechanism to reduce the possibility of vibration.
  • the tension means (25) can also act as a fail-safe, in the event that the device is not correctly installed and the belt adjustment gate (51) has been bypassed by incorrect belt routing, the system will revert to engaging the maximum number of cutting edges (41a, 41b, 41c) or greatest cutting depth so tending in performance to a standard, non-energy absorbing CRS.
  • the integral seat portion restraining means e.g. shoulder belts (60) are adjusted to their lowest to best fit.
  • the EA regulator (50) sets the contact member (41) to engage the sacrificial material (43) with a minimum depth of cut and/or a minimum number of cutting edges (41a, 41b, 41c). This is typically sufficient for managing the energy from the mass of a small infant. In the event of a frontal impact only one small section of sacrificial material (43) would be cut away.
  • the dimensions of the cutting edges (41a, 4Ib 5 41c) may be designed such that they are all alike or varied. In either case, the person of skill in the art will appreciate that care must be taken to account for the mass of the seat portion (30) which is likely to be greater than that of a baby infant but less than that of a toddler.
  • an additional "static" cutter (not shown) may also be employed, which is calibrated for the energy management requirements of the moving mass of the child seat section alone (30).
  • This static cutter would not be re-positioned during the re ⁇ adjustment of the child seat belts (60) like the other cutters.
  • This approach offers the designer the flexibility to fine-tune the adjustable cutter force to optimise child restraint performance.
  • a static cutter arrangement allows for a combinatorial approach to energy management, in which more than one type of EA mechanism is used.
  • the static cutter could be combined with a shock absorber mechanism.
  • the cutting edges (41a, 41b, 41c) are set for maximum cut to offer the maximum level of energy absorption.
  • the connection point between the seat mounting means (21) and the contact member is mounted in the same plain as the mounting rails (22) in order to minimise any twisting or displacement of the contact member (41) relative to the mounting rails (22).
  • Figure 8 shows one embodiment of the end-stop (44) design for an EA device of the invention. This figure shows one embodiment, in which at the end of the permitted travel of the seat mounting means (21) along the mounting rail (22) the child seat
  • the seat connection pin (24) on the seat mounting means (21) acts as an additional energy absorber, as it is guided to pass through a pin guiding means (45) that comprises a slot (46) which is too narrow for the pin (24).
  • a pin guiding means (45) that comprises a slot (46) which is too narrow for the pin (24).
  • the slot (46) will be only slightly narrower in width than the pin (24) diameter, for example between 5% and 35% smaller than the pin (24) diameter, more preferably between 10% and 20% smaller than the pin (24) diameter. This arrangement greatly increases the resistance to the movement of the seat portion (30), slowing it down more quickly before it reaches the end of the rail (22), rather than simply hitting a stop (44).
  • the pin guiding means (45) is only engaged by the seat mounting means (21) in the most severe of frontal vehicle impacts.
  • the kinetic profile of the stop (44) can be optimised to reduce trauma to the child passenger.
  • the pin guiding means (45) is typically combined with other EA means to provide maximum control of deceleration of the CRS (10) during a collision.
  • the pin guiding means (45) could also be used in isolation.
  • contact members (41) may be replaced by other friction devices, hydraulics, pneumatics, bending material, drawing material, deformable material or other methods of absorbing energy.
  • the cutting edges (41a, 41b, 41c) need not be linear, they may work by means of a rotating cutter or energy absorbing medium or both.
  • a key advantage of the present invention is the ability to mitigate the forces of deceleration on a child passenger by allowing some controlled relative movement of the seat portion of the CRS relative to the vehicle.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de retenue pour enfant (CRS) à installer dans un véhicule, qui comprend un corps (10) ayant une partie base (20) et une partie assise (30) comportant des moyens de retenue réglables (60) pour y retenir un passager enfant. La partie assise (30) est reliée à la partie base (20) par des moyens de support d'assise (21) et est capable de bouger par rapport à la partie base (20) dans une direction correspondant à la direction de déplacement du véhicule. La partie base (20) comprend des moyens d'ancrage (23) pour fixer le corps (10) à l'intérieur du véhicule, un équipement d'absorption d'énergie (40) pour absorber une partie de l'énergie produite pendant une collision du véhicule et un régulateur (50) couplé aux moyens de retenue réglables (60) de sorte que le réglage des moyens de retenue réglables (60) a aussi pour résultat un réglage de la quantité d'énergie absorbée par l'équipement d'absorption d'énergie (40) pendant une collision du véhicule.
PCT/GB2005/003166 2004-08-24 2005-08-11 Appareil adaptatif de retenue pour enfant dans un vehicule WO2006021749A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05772053A EP1784315A1 (fr) 2004-08-24 2005-08-11 Appareil adaptatif de retenue pour enfant dans un vehicule

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0418891.8 2004-08-24
GB0418891A GB2417416B (en) 2004-08-24 2004-08-24 Adaptive vehicle child restraint system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006021749A1 true WO2006021749A1 (fr) 2006-03-02

Family

ID=33104564

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/003166 WO2006021749A1 (fr) 2004-08-24 2005-08-11 Appareil adaptatif de retenue pour enfant dans un vehicule

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1784315A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2417416B (fr)
WO (1) WO2006021749A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8973987B2 (en) 2012-06-28 2015-03-10 Bp Children's Products Hk Co., Ltd. Child safety seat
JP2016097963A (ja) * 2014-11-20 2016-05-30 ブリタックス レーマー キンデルジッヒャーハイト ゲーエムベーハーＢＲＩＴＡＸ ＲＯＭＥＲ Ｋｉｎｄｅｒｓｉｃｈｅｒｈｅｉｔ ＧｍｂＨ 安全チャイルドシート
WO2019038455A1 (fr) * 2017-08-25 2019-02-28 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Base de siège de véhicule

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO329442B1 (no) 2008-09-08 2010-10-18 Hts Hans Torgersen & Sonn As Anordning ved et bilbarnesete
ITMO20090065A1 (it) * 2009-03-20 2010-09-21 Bellelli S R L Dispositivo di sicurezza isofix ammortizzato
ES1070773Y (es) * 2009-07-31 2010-01-21 Jane Sa Dispositivo para el retensado de los correajes utilizados en asientos infantiles
GB2504743B (en) * 2012-08-08 2016-02-24 Phillip Pain Multi-purpose seat and collision safety module apparatus

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5664830A (en) * 1996-11-19 1997-09-09 Birgit S. Garcia Child safety seat assembly
US5685603A (en) * 1996-03-05 1997-11-11 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Apparatus with a child seat and an energy absorption mechanism
DE19952771A1 (de) * 1998-11-05 2001-05-10 Orth Michael Aktiver Sicherheits-Autokindersitz

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5551751A (en) * 1994-07-12 1996-09-03 Century Products Company Reclining restraint (smart move)
SE9604529L (sv) * 1996-12-09 1998-06-10 Starflex Ab Bilbarnstol
DE19722008C1 (de) * 1997-05-27 1998-07-09 Faure Bertrand Sitztech Gmbh Kindersitz für einen Fahrzeugsitz, insbesondere Kraftfahrzeugsitz
DE19850961A1 (de) * 1998-11-05 1999-06-17 Michael Dipl Ing Orth Aktiver Sicherheits-Autokindersitz
US6454350B1 (en) * 1999-05-26 2002-09-24 Graco Children's Products Inc. Infant car seat/carrier assembly and method of controlling an infant carrier position

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5685603A (en) * 1996-03-05 1997-11-11 Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. Apparatus with a child seat and an energy absorption mechanism
US5664830A (en) * 1996-11-19 1997-09-09 Birgit S. Garcia Child safety seat assembly
DE19952771A1 (de) * 1998-11-05 2001-05-10 Orth Michael Aktiver Sicherheits-Autokindersitz

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8973987B2 (en) 2012-06-28 2015-03-10 Bp Children's Products Hk Co., Ltd. Child safety seat
JP2016097963A (ja) * 2014-11-20 2016-05-30 ブリタックス レーマー キンデルジッヒャーハイト ゲーエムベーハーＢＲＩＴＡＸ ＲＯＭＥＲ Ｋｉｎｄｅｒｓｉｃｈｅｒｈｅｉｔ ＧｍｂＨ 安全チャイルドシート
KR101770307B1 (ko) * 2014-11-20 2017-08-22 브리택스 뢰머 킨더지처하이트 게엠베하 아동용 안전 시트
WO2019038455A1 (fr) * 2017-08-25 2019-02-28 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Base de siège de véhicule
CN111032426A (zh) * 2017-08-25 2020-04-17 宝马股份公司 车辆座椅控制台
US11685297B2 (en) 2017-08-25 2023-06-27 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Vehicle seat console

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2417416B (en) 2007-10-24
GB0418891D0 (en) 2004-09-29
GB2417416A (en) 2006-03-01
EP1784315A1 (fr) 2007-05-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101332737B1 (ko) 에너지 흡수 장치를 구비한 아동 안전 좌석
US7467824B2 (en) Safety seat
US7699393B2 (en) Load limiting (energy management) child restraint seat
WO2006021749A1 (fr) Appareil adaptatif de retenue pour enfant dans un vehicule
US10000142B2 (en) Head and neck restraining system
CA2964124C (fr) Siege de securite inclinable tourne vers l'arriere
JPH05338483A (ja) 子供用セーフティシート及び子供用セーフティシート内に子供を拘束する方法
RU2687398C2 (ru) Устройство для применения в детском удерживающем кресле
AU7489798A (en) Impact pad for a safety seat
EP2907692B1 (fr) Siège enfant avec protection latérale de tête
CN112739573B (zh) 具有侧面冲击能量吸收的儿童安全座椅
EP2746096B1 (fr) Dispositif dynamique de retenue d'enfant
KR101317161B1 (ko) 충돌 또는 추돌시 편측 쏠림 방지에 따른 충격 저감형 차량용 시트
US9580032B1 (en) Impact absorption cushion
KR100551780B1 (ko) 자동차의 서브마린 방지용 승객 구속장치
AU2022209313A1 (en) Top tether dampener
NL7903166A (nl) Veiligheidsstoel voor een voertuig.
KR20230098295A (ko) 차량 시트에 장착하기 위한 충격 실드가 있는 어린이 시트
Burgos et al. Review of Whiplash Mitigating Automotive Head Restraint Systems
CZ21980U1 (cs) Zařízení pro zvýšení ochrany hlavy a krční páteře dětského pasažéra

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2005772053

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2005772053

Country of ref document: EP