Child seat anchor assembly and methods of use
First Claim
1. A child seat anchor assembly comprising:
- a fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is secured to a motor vehicle structural member or a child seat structural member;
a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a child seat or a motor vehicle;
an energy absorbing mechanism disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism comprises an active material; and
a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A child seat anchor assembly includes a fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is secured to a motor vehicle structural member or a child seat structural member; a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a child seat or a motor vehicle; an energy absorbing mechanism disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism comprises an active material; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.
58 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A child seat anchor assembly comprising:
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a fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is secured to a motor vehicle structural member or a child seat structural member;
a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a child seat or a motor vehicle;
an energy absorbing mechanism disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism comprises an active material; and
a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A child seat anchor assembly comprising:
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a fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is secured to a motor vehicle structural member or a child seat structural member;
a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a child seat or a motor vehicle;
a damper disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion, wherein the damper comprises a rheology changing fluid; and
a controller in operative communication with the rheology changing fluid, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the rheology changing fluid and effect a change in a shear force of the rheology changing fluid, wherein the change in the shear force results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method, comprising:
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securing a child seat to a structural member, wherein the securing comprises engaging a restraint of the child seat with a latchable portion of a child seat anchor assembly having a fixed portion secured to the structural member;
producing an activation signal with a controller;
applying the activation signal to an active material of a force limiting energy absorbing mechanism disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion of the child seat anchor assembly, wherein the applying effects a change in an attribute of the active material; and
adjusting a force and/or deceleration to which the child seat is subjected with the energy absorbing mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification