Child restraint system with automated installation

• US 8,840,184 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2011
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Szakelyhidi, Dave, Daley, Robert D., Thorne, Henry F., Hopke, Frederick Karl, Walker, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brindley, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US13/315,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20130088057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 297/256.13, 297/256.16, 297/256.1, 297/250, 297/217.3
• US Class Current: 297/256.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2821 having a seat and a base part
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2842 adapted to carry the child, when dismounted from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2875 inclinable, as a whole or partially
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2887 Fixation to a transversal anchorage bar, e.g. isofix
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/2815 with additional belt accessories, e.g. a belt tension detector
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/981 Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/02 Details

Abstract

Provided is a child restraint system (CRS) with automated installation that provides automated feedback and control of seat installation angle, belt latching and tightening, and confirmation of correct install. The CRS utilizes sensors to monitor CRS base angle relative to level, confirm correct latching of the CRS to its base and then to the vehicle seat, and confirm tightening of the belts to the required tension to be crashworthy. The stepwise operation and confirmation of the installation procedure may be operated via button(s) or other tactical input, and relayed to the user via electronic visual display and/or audible means. All operations will be overseen and processed by an integrated control system, affording minimal user decision or interface. An intelligent latching device which can be adapted for use with an existing CRS is also provided.

Claims

1. A child seat configured to be secured to a seat of a vehicle, comprising:

a seat base secured to the seat of the vehicle;

a child receiving portion supported by the seat base;

a belt tensioning system incorporated into the seat base for receiving a belt that couples the seat base to the seat of the vehicle;

a leveling system incorporated into the seat base for leveling the seat base relative to the seat of the vehicle; and

a controller operatively coupled to the belt tensioning system and the leveling system,

wherein the controller activates the belt tensioning system and the leveling system such that the belt tensioning system tensions the belt to a predetermined tension and the leveling system levels the seat base to a predetermined angle relative to the seat of the vehicle.

2. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the belt tensioning system and the leveling system iteratively.

3. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the belt tensioning system and the leveling system simultaneously.

4. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the controller activates the belt tensioning system and the leveling system sequentially.

5. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the belt received by the belt tensioning system is at least one of a seat belt of the vehicle or a belt of a LATCH system.

6. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the child seat is selected from the group comprising:

rear-facing infant carriers;

forward-facing and rear-facing convertible child seats; and

booster seats with harnesses.

7. The child seat of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one sensor for determining tension of the belt received by the belt tensioning system; and

at least one sensor for determining the angle of the seat base relative to the seat of the vehicle.

8. The child seat of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor for determining tension and the at least one sensor for determining the angle are operatively coupled to the controller.

9. The child seat of claim 8, wherein the controller activates the belt tensioning system and the leveling system such that the belt tensioning system tensions the belt to a predetermined tension and the leveling system levels the seat base to a predetermined angle relative to the seat of the vehicle based on feedback from the at least one sensor for determining tension and the at least one sensor for determining the angle.

10. The child seat of claim 1, further comprising a user interface positioned on at least one of the seat base or the child receiving portion to allow a user to initiate the belt tensioning system and the leveling system.

11. The child seat of claim 10, wherein the user interface provides feedback to the user of a status of the child seat.

12. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the leveling system is configured to raise and lower a foot connected to a bottom surface of the seat base.

13. A child car seat comprising:

a seat base secured to a seat of a vehicle;

an infant carrier removably connected to the seat base;

a belt tensioning system incorporated into the seat base for receiving a belt that couples the seat base to the seat of the vehicle;

a leveling system incorporated into the seat base for leveling the seat base relative to the seat of the vehicle; and

a controller operatively coupled to the belt tensioning system and the leveling system,

wherein the controller activates the belt tensioning system and the leveling system such that the belt tensioning system tensions the belt to a predetermined tension and the leveling system levels the seat base to a predetermined angle relative to the seat of the vehicle.