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
• • 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
  • B60N2/2869—Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle rotatable about a vertical axis
• • 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
  • B60N2/2884—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
  • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
  • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of child car seats. of the invention
• Child car seats are known in the art, which are made of many components like a base with a leg, a main shell and an insert for accommodating a child.
• Car seats are already known having user indicators, such as visual indicators, to check if certain parts of the seat, like isofix connectors, are in good order for carrying the child.
• the visual indicators are usually designed as movable mechanical parts with figures or colors that appear and disappear based on the use conditions of the seat. of the invention
• this seat comprises a spin connector, having a first connection element mounted to the base and a second connection element mounted to the sitting assembly.
• the first and second connection elements are configured to remain electrically connected or coupled to each other during rotation of the sitting assembly relative to the base.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sitting insert of the child car seat of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base of the child car seat of FIG. 1, together with pivoting supports of a sitting assembly of the child car seat,
• FIG. 4 is an internal view of details of the base of FIG. 3, without the pivoting supports of the sitting assembly
• FIG. 5 is an internal view of details of the base of FIG. 3, with the pivoting supports of the sitting assembly
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spin connector of the child car seat of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a routing circuit of the child car seat of FIG. 1.
• the locking elements 215, 224 are formed as complementary hooks and bars. However, they can be configured as other kinds of complementary releasable locking elements like isofix connectors, buckles, or hook- and-loop arrangements. They are represented arranged on a rear side of the backrest 212 and on the back support 223. In other embodiments, they can be arranged on a lower side of the seat portion 211 and on the bottom support 222, or in both these positions and those mentioned above.
• a lock release handle 225 preferably arranged on the main shell 22, is connected with one or more locking elements 215, 224, and is configured to be manually actuated and to release mutual coupling of the locking elements 215 to remove the sitting insert 21 from the main shell 22.
• the car seat 1 preferably comprises securing elements 31 configured for securing the car seat 1 to a vehicle seat (not shown), such as isofix connectors.
• the securing elements 31 project behind the sitting assembly 2.
• the car seat 1 further comprises a foldable front leg 32, projecting below the sitting assembly 2 to bear against the vehicle floor (not shown).
• the securing elements 31 and/or front leg 32 could be mounted to the sitting assembly 2.
• the car seat 1 comprises a base 3, which comprises the securing elements 31, the front leg 32 and a base body 33.
• the securing elements 31 are arranged at a rear end 33b of the base body 33, and the front leg 32 is arranged at a front end 33a of the base body 33.
• the base 3 is configured to be secured on the vehicle seat, and the sitting assembly 2 is mounted on the base 3.
• the base 3, the main shell 22 and the sitting insert 21 comprise respective frames and cover parts.
• the cover parts are partially or totally omitted in order to better show internal details.
• the sitting assembly 2 is configured for locking to a vehicle seat at least in a front orientation and in a rear orientation. Additional intermediate orientations may be envisaged, for example where the sitting assembly 2 is oriented at 90° compared to the front and rear orientations.
• the sitting assembly 2 may comprise the described rear securing elements 31, for securing to the vehicle seat in the front orientation, and additional front securing elements (not shown), for securing to the vehicle seat in the rear orientation.
• the sitting assembly 2 is rotatably connected to the base 3.
• the sitting assembly 2 is rotatable about a rotation axis X-X to reach and be stably positioned in the front orientation, the rear orientation, and any intermediate orientation.
• the backrest 212 of the sitting assembly 2 is closer to the rear end 33b of the base body 33 and farther from the front end 33a of the base body 33.
• the backrest 212 of the sitting assembly 2 is closer to front end 33a the of the base body 33 and farther from the rear end 33b of the base body 33.
• the front orientation is more comfortable, in particular for the child leg positioning.
• the child seat 1 For the purpose of rotatable connection of the sitting assembly 2 on the base 3, the child seat 1 comprises pivoting supports 34, 226 arranged between the base 3 and the sitting assembly 2.
• the base 3 comprises first pivoting supports 34
• the first and second pivoting supports 34, 226 are rotatably coupled to each other for rotatable connection of the sitting assembly 2 on the base 3.
• Figures 3 and 5 show the second pivoting supports 226 on the base 3, without the sitting insert 21, in order to better understand how they are coupled to the first pivoting supports 34.
• the pivoting supports 34, 226 are arranged circumferentially around a rotation center.
• the first pivoting supports 34 comprise one or more arc guide pieces 341, centered in the rotation center, and one or more wheels 342 arranged along the guide pieces 341.
• the second pivoting supports 226 comprise a ring 2261 centered in the rotation center. The ring 2261 bears on the wheels 342 to rotate along the guide pieces 341.
• pivoting supports 34, 226 may be provided on the base only, for rotationally supporting the sitting assembly 2, or on the sitting assembly 2 only, for being rotationally supported by the base 3.
• Holding means (not shown), as known to the skilled person, can be provided, preferably in the sitting assembly 2, in order to releasably hold to the base 3 and prevent rotation of the sitting assembly 2, when it assumes the front orientation and when it assumes the rear orientation.
• a rotation release handle 227 preferably arranged on the sitting assembly 2, is connected to the holding means and is configured to be manually actuated and to release the holding means to allow rotation of the sitting assembly 2 relative to the base 3.
• the car seat 1 comprises at least one sensor 4, preferably a plurality of sensors 4.
• Each sensor 4 is configured to sense a predetermined use condition of the child car seat 1, and to generate a status signal, preferably an electric status signal, upon sensing the use condition.
• sensors 4 with specific functions will be numbered as 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48.
• sensors 4 will be described below, for sensing different use conditions, which generally include mechanical conditions such as relative positions of different parts of the car seat 1, and in particular locking and unlocking conditions of some detents.
• certain aspects of the invention are substantially independent on the use condition that is intended to be measured, and could be applied also to nonmechanical conditions.
• certain aspects of the invention, as described below mainly relate to the routing of the status signal, and could be applied in principle also to sensing conditions of the environment around the car seat 1, like temperature and sound volume.
• Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a known sensor 4 which can be used for the purpose of the invention.
• One or more of the sensors 4 of the car seat 1, preferably all the sensors 4, may have its features.
• the sensor of figure 7 comprises a switch, having a main body 401 and a mechanical actuator 402 movable relative to the main body 401, such as a lever, that is preferably biased toward an idle condition of the mechanical actuator.
• This sensor 4 also comprises a transducer (not shown, inside the main body 401) configured for generating the status signal upon actuation of the actuator 402, that is when the actuator is moved by an external force away from the idle condition.
• a transducer not shown, inside the main body 401 configured for generating the status signal upon actuation of the actuator 402, that is when the actuator is moved by an external force away from the idle condition.
• other kinds of known sensors 4, and in particular of switches could be employed.
• the car seat 1 comprises indicator means 5 that are configured to generate one or more predetermined user indications 9 to inform a user.
• indicator means 5 can be provided on different parts of the car seat 1.
• suitable user indications include acoustic indications or visual indications, like appearance of a mechanical part having a certain color or drawing thereon, turning on of a light source, or appearance of an image on a display.
• Examples of specific visual user indications 9 are shown in figure 10, where they are labelled as 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98.
• the indicator means 5 are in signal communication with the sensors 4 in order to receive the status signals generated thereby and generate respective, generally different user indications 9.
• the car seat 1 comprises one or more routing circuits 6.
• Each routing circuit 6 electrically connects one or more sensors 4 to one or more indicator means 5, for routing the status signals from the sensors 4 to the indicator means 5.
• the routing circuit 6 is also connected to a battery 65 to supply power to the sensors 4 and to the indicator means 5, and to a charging connector 66, like a USB port, to recharge the battery 65.
• the preferred routing circuit is schematically shown in figure 11. However, certain aspects of the invention are also feasible with other kinds of signal communication, like wireless communications.
• One aspect of the invention relates to routing the status signal in rotation conditions.
• the sitting assembly 2 is rotatable relative to the base 3 as described above.
• the indicator means 5 comprises first indicator means 51 arranged on the base 3.
• the first indicator means 51 comprises a display, that is preferably arranged at the front end 33a of the base body 33, that is above the front leg 32.
• the display may generate different visual indications 9, simultaneously or one at a time, upon receiving status signals from different sensors 4.
• Other exemplary additional or alternative suitable indicator means 5 include a led light and/or a siren.
• At least one sensor 4 is positioned on the sitting assembly 2, such as on the main shell 22 or on the sitting insert 21.
• the routing circuit 6 connects this sensor 4 to the first indicator means 51.
• the first indicator means 51 are configured to receive the electric status signal from the sensor 4 through the routing circuit 6, and to generate a predetermined user indication 9 upon receiving the status signal.
• the second connection element 632 is mounted to the sitting assembly 2 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis X-X, relative to the base 3 and to the first connection element 631, during rotation of the sitting assembly 2 relative to the base 3.
• the first connection element 631 can be fixed to the base 3
• the second connection element 632 can be fixed to the sitting assembly 2, in particular to the second pivoting supports 226.
• the second connection element 632 is mounted to a central flange 2262 of the second pivoting supports 226, which is fixed to the ring 2261.
• the second cable 62 comprises an upstream cable part 621 connecting the sensor 4 to electric contact 64 on the side of the sitting insert 21, and a downstream cable part 622 connecting the second connection element 632 of the spin connector 63 to the electric contact 64 on the side of the main shell 22.
• the sitting assembly 2 must be configured for locking to the vehicle seat in the front and rear orientations, as described above.
• the headrest 213 must be slidably connected to the backrest 212, so as to be movable between a minimum height and a maximum height.
• the guide 71 has a plurality of detents 73 spaced along the guide 71, for example in the form of recesses.
• the slider 72 is configured to engage the detents 73, one at a time, to keep the headrest 213 in a distinct stable position upon engaging each distinct detents 73.
• the detents 73 comprise two end detents 73, and optionally one or more intermediate detents 73. The minimum height and the maximum height of the headrest 213 are reached when the slider 72 engages the end detents 73. Instead, intermediate heights can be reached when the slider 72 engages any intermediate detent 73.
• a threshold height between the maximum height and the minimum height, can be identified for the purpose of this aspect of the invention.
• the headrest 212 should be placed above the threshold height for use by children above a certain age, or a certain body height. Below that age or height, the headrest 212 should be placed below the threshold height.
• first detents 73 are so arranged that the headrest 212 is below the threshold height when the slider 72 engages any first detent 73
• second detents 73 are so arranged that the headrest 212 is above the threshold height when the slider 72 engages any second detent 73.
• the first detents 73 comprise one end detent 73 and optionally one or more intermediate detents 73 adjacent thereto.
• the second detents 73 comprise the other end detent 73 and one or more intermediate detents 73 adjacent thereto.
• one height sensor 41 may be enough.
• this height sensor 41 may detect engagement of the slider 72 with one (end) detent 73, while engagement of the slider 72 with the other (end) detent 73 is not detected.
• a certain height status signal is generated upon the detected engagement, which will correspond to the headrest 212 being above or below the threshold height depending on the selected detent 73.
• the opposite status signal is generated upon disengagement, assuming that the slider 72 engages the opposite detent 73.
• the headrest sensor arrangement may comprise a height sensor 41 for each first detent 73 and/or for each second detent 73 of the height adjusting mechanism.
• the first height sensor 41 is configured to generate a low height status signal upon engagement of the slider 72 with the respective first detent 73.
• the second height sensor 41 is configured to generate a high height status signal upon engagement of the slider 72 with the respective second detent 73.
• plural threshold heights can be identified. Accordingly, the headrest 213 is movable in areas above all the threshold heights, below all the threshold heights, and between one ore more pairs of consecutive threshold heights. Plural detent groups, each including one or more detents 73, are provided for engagement with the slider 72 when the headrest 213 is in each distinct such area.
• the headrest sensor arrangement is configured to sense the headrest 213 being above, below or between the threshold heights.
• an orientation sensor arrangement 42 is configured to sense the sitting assembly 2 being in the front and rear orientations, as well as any intermediate orientation, and generate a corresponding orientation status signal.
• the orientation sensor arrangement 42 may additionally sense a rotational locking status of the holding means, in the front and/or rear orientation of the sitting assembly 2, in case the sitting assembly 2 is rotatable relative to the base 3.
• the orientation sensor arrangement 42 may include one or more orientation sensors 42, like the sensor 4 shown in figure 7 and described above.
• the orientation sensor 42 is mounted to the sitting assembly 2 and is configured to be actuated by an actuating portion of the base 3 upon the sitting assembly 2 assuming the front or rear orientation, or any intermediate orientation.
• the orientation sensor 42 can be mounted to the second pivoting supports 226, and the actuating portion can be one of the first pivoting supports 34.
• each orientation sensor 42 can be located at a respective securing element 31.
• the indicator means 5 are configured to receive the orientation status signal and the height status signal.
• the indicator means 5 receiving such signals is the first indicator means 51 as described above, which is arranged on the base 3.
• the routing circuit 6 includes the spin connector 63 as described above to route to the first indicator means 51 at least the height status signal, and optionally also the orientation status signal (depending if the orientation sensor arrangement 42 is arranged on the base or on the sitting assembly 2).
• the spin connector 63 is not necessary for this aspect of the invention.
• the status signals can be transmitted wirelessly.
• the indicator means 5, any height sensor 41 and any orientation sensor 42 can be all arranged on the sitting assembly 2.
• connection of the height sensors 41 to the spin connector 63 may involve upstream and downstream cable parts 621, 622 and the electric contacts 64.
• the indicator means 5 are configured to determine a combination status based on a predetermined logic combination of the orientation and height status signals, and to generate a user indication 9, namely an orientation instruction user indication 91 based on the combined status.
• additional user indications are also provided based on any of the orientation and height status signals, individually taken, as well as a user indication 9 for the rotational locking status signal, namely a rotation locking user indication 92.
• the combination status can be obtained as a combination signal by means of a logic electric circuit, configured to logically combine the orientation and height status signals. Otherwise, the combination status can be digitally obtained by a processor of the indicating means 5, in particular the first indicating means 51, after digitizing the orientation and height status signals.
• the orientation instruction user indication 91 includes in appropriate statuses a warning indication, such as an indication of unallowable headrest height or more preferably an indication of unallowable sitting assembly orientation. This can be given also in the form of an indication to change sitting assembly orientation. In the opposite statuses there will be no user indication, or a nonwarning indication such as an indication of allowable headrest height or an indication of allowable sitting assembly orientation.
• a warning indication such as an indication of unallowable headrest height or more preferably an indication of unallowable sitting assembly orientation.
• This can be given also in the form of an indication to change sitting assembly orientation.
• a nonwarning indication such as an indication of allowable headrest height or an indication of allowable sitting assembly orientation.
• the warning indication is generated when the combination status is considered negative, while no user indication or the non-warning indication are generated when the combination status is considered positive.
• the predetermined logic combination is configured to return a negative combination status when the headrest 213 is below the threshold height, and at the same time the sitting assembly 2 is in the front orientation.
• the headrest 213 being below the threshold height means that the child is relatively small, and so the rear orientation, that is safer, is considered mandatory.
• the predetermined logic combination is obviously configured to return a positive combination status when the headrest 213 is below the threshold height, and at the same time the sitting assembly 2 is in the rear orientation.
• the combined status may be positive only for one or more intermediate orientations, and negative otherwise.
• the intermediate orientations can be safe and allow easier care of a child by a parent or caregiver.
• the combined status may be positive for the front orientation and for one or more intermediate orientations, but negative for the front orientation.
• the combined status may be positive regardless of the orientation.
• a side protection element 8 is mounted to a respective side portion 221 of the sitting assembly 2.
• the seat 1 comprises a side protection element 8, or plural side protection elements 8, per each side portion 221 of the sitting assembly 2.
• the seat 1 comprises a side protection sensor 43, configured to be actuated upon switching the side protection element 8 between the active and the idle configurations, and configured to generate a side protection status signal upon actuation.
• the seat 1 preferably comprises locking sensors 44 configured to sense mutual coupling of the locking elements 215, 224, and to generate a corresponding locking status signal.
• the indicator means 5 are configured to receive the locking status signal and to generate a user indication 9, namely a sitting insert locking user indication 94, upon receiving the locking status signal.
• a unique insert locking user indication 94 can be generated, or individual insert locking user indications 94 can be generated for each pair of complementary locking elements 215, 224.
• the buckle sensor 45 is connected to the third indicator means 53 by means of cables that are not in contact with the spin connector 63 and the base 3, but extend only in the sitting assembly 2, in particular in the main shell 22 and in the sitting assembly 21.
• the buckle status signal is in any case routed to the first indicator means 51, and then from the first indicator means 51 to the third indicator means 53, via first and second cables 61, 62 the spin connector 63, and a fourth cable 68 connecting the second connection element 632 of the spin connector 63 to the third indicator means 52.
• connection of the buckle sensor 45 to the spin connector 63 may involve upstream and downstream cable parts 621, 622 and the electric contacts 64.
• the indicator means 5, preferably the first indicator means 51, are configured to receive the securing status signal and to generate a user indication 9, namely a base securing user indication 97, upon receiving the securing status signal.
• a unique base securing user indication 97 can be generated, or individual base securing user indications 97 can be generated for each securing element 31.
• the connection of the securing sensor 46 to the first indicator means 51 need not pass through the spin connector 63, but through a third cable 67.
• the seat 1 preferably comprises a leg contact sensor 47 configured to sense bearing of the front leg 32 on the floor of the vehicle seat, and to generate a corresponding leg contact status signal.
• the indicator means 5, preferably the first indicator means 51 are configured to receive the leg contact status signal and to generate a user indication 9, namely a leg contact user indication 98, upon receiving the leg contact status signal.
• the connection of the leg contact sensor 47 to the first indicator means 51 need not pass through the spin connector 63, but through a third cable 67.
• the seat 1 preferably comprises a leg folding sensor 48 configured to sense a folding angle of the front leg 32, and to generate a corresponding leg folding status signal.
• the indicator means 5, preferably the first indicator means 51, are configured to receive the leg folding status signal and to generate a predetermined user indication (not shown) upon receiving the leg folding status signal.
• the connection of the leg folding sensor 48 to the first indicator means 51 need not pass through the spin connector 63, but through a third cable 67.
• Each of the above described sensor 4 can be connected to one or more of the indicator means 5 with routing circuits 6, which may be independent for different sensors 4 or which may form a unique circuit.

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=82943381

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (4)

• 2022
  • 2022-06-22 IT IT102022000013195A patent/IT202200013195A1/it unknown
  • 2022-08-09 CN CN202210949811.0A patent/CN117301980A/zh active Pending
• 2023
  • 2023-06-20 WO PCT/EP2023/066658 patent/WO2023247551A1/en unknown

Patent Citations (4)

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