Dynamic displacement energy management device

• US 8,496,095 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ruthinowski, Richard Edward, Hall, Ian Brewster, Weerappuli, Parakrama Valentine, Spahn, Brian Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Siconolfi, Robert A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HSIAO, JAMES K
• Application Number:
  US12/266,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20100109395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 267/70, 280804-806, 297/468, 297/472, 297/478, 297/216.11, 297/480, 188/297
• US Class Current: 188/297
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2809 with additional tether connected to the top of the child seat and passing above the top of the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2812 for securing the child to the child seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2884 with protection systems against abnormal g-forces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/286 using deformation of material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/105 for children adaptation of children's seats for seat belts B60N2/265, B60N2/2803
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/32 Belleville-type springs friction-clutch diaphragm springs F16D13/583
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/445 the spring material being contained in a generally closed space F16F1/393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2230/0041 Locking; Fixing in position
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2236/06 Tension
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/00 Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 ; belt tensioners F16H7/12
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/09 in dampers of the cylinder-and-piston type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/60 Biased catch or latch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/604 Radially sliding catch

Abstract

A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.

Claims

1. A dynamic displacement energy management device comprising:

a housing;

an anchor interfacing at least one connecting member and configured to receive an input load;

a load bearing movable member securable to said connecting member;

at least one deformable member disposed within said housing;

a return assist member biasing said load bearing moveable member against a direction of load applied to said anchor; and

an inertial interlock that controls movement of said anchor, said inertial interlock including a rotating member and a sliding member, said rotating member operable to;

engage said sliding member to restrict movement of said load bearing member under static load conditions applied to said anchor,

permit said sliding member to bypass said rotating member under dynamic load conditions applied to said anchor, such that said at least one deformable member absorbs at least a portion of energy from said dynamic load, and

re-engage said sliding member upon conclusion of said dynamic load conditions and return of said sliding member by said return assist member.

2. A dynamic displacement energy management device comprising:

a housing;

an anchor interfacing at least one connecting member;

a load bearing movable member interfacing said connecting member;

at least one deformable member disposed within said housing;

a return assist member biasing said load bearing moveable member against a direction of load applied to said anchor;

a sliding block retention member associated with said connecting member; and

a rotating offset blocking member having a surface for engaging said sliding block retention member under static load conditions applied to said anchor to restrict movement of said load bearing member, wherein said rotating offset blocking member is further operable to permit movement of said sliding block retention member past said rotating offset blocking member during dynamic load conditions applied to said anchor such that said at least one deformable member absorbs at least a portion of energy from said dynamic load, and to reengage said sliding block retention member upon conclusion of said dynamic load conditions and return of said sliding block retention member by said return assist member.

3. A dynamic displacement energy management device comprising:

a housing with an end wall having an opening;

an anchor interfacing at least one connecting member;

a load bearing member located at one end of said connecting member;

at least one deformable member located adjacent said load bearing member;

a return assist member biasing said load bearing moveable member against a direction of load applied to said anchor;

an offset rotating-first member that pivots upon a predetermined condition; and

a block second member that engages said first member under static load conditions applied to said anchor to restrict movement of said load bearing member, slides past said first member during dynamic load conditions applied to said anchor such that said at least one deformable member absorbs at least a portion of energy from said dynamic load, and upon conclusion of said dynamic load conditions is returned by said return assist member to reengage said first member.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first member has an offset weighted portion and a contact surface for engaging said second member.

5. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a connecting member interfaces said first member and said load bearing member, the position movement of said load bearing member is controllable by engagement between said first and said second members.

6. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and second members are operable to remain disengaged from one another to permit the movement of an anchor when said device is subjected to predetermined inertial loading conditions.

7. The device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a spring for biasing said first member.

8. The device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an indicator extendable from a stowed position to an exposed position for indicating when said anchor has been extracted.

9. A method of operating a dynamic displacement energy management device comprising the steps of:

providing a restraint device having a housing, a deformable material, a load bearing movable member, a sliding member, an offset rotating blocking member, an anchor and a return assist member biasing said load bearing moveable member against a direction of load applied to said anchor;

restricting the motion of said sliding member until said device is subjected to predetermined inertial loading conditions;

engaging said sliding member into said blocking member to restrict anchor movement;

maintaining at least a first position of said load bearing moveable member and an associated anchor;

under dynamic loading conditions applied to said anchor, rotating said blocking member to permit said retention member to bypass said blocking member, permitting displacement of moveable member and corresponding anchor;

distorting said deformable material when said retention member is permitted to bypass said blocking member;

moving said sliding member in a direction of anchor extraction; and

reengaging said sliding member with said block member upon return of said sliding member by a return assist member upon conclusion of said dynamic load conditions.