Child restraint system with automated installation

• US 9,381,835 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
• Inventors: Szakelyhidi, David, Daley, Robert D., Thorne, Henry F., Hopke, Frederick Karl, Walker, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brindley, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US14/460,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20140354022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 297/265.13, 297/256.16, 297/256.1, 297/250, 297/217.3
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/269 detecting or alerting means responsive to the Isofix locking on the child seat or vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/272 Buckle lock sensors for child seat safety belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/273 with detection or alerting means responsive to crashes
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/274 characterised by the communication means between the child seat and another entity, e.g. vehicle or portable device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2816 with additional belt accessories, e.g. belt tension detectors
• 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: B60N 2210/30 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/42 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/10 using a database
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 : using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/10 : Wired data transmission
• 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 leveling system incorporated into the child seat for leveling the child receiving portion relative to the seat of the vehicle; and

a controller operatively coupled to the leveling system,

wherein the controller receives feedback from at least one sensor associated with the child seat of an angle of the child receiving portion relative to the seat of the vehicle, provides an indication to a user of the angle of the child receiving portion relative to the seat of the vehicle, and automatically activates the leveling system such that the leveling system levels the child receiving portion to a predetermined angle relative to the seat of the vehicle.

2. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the indication is a visual indication provided on a display connected to at least one of the seat base or the child receiving portion.

3. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the indication is at least one of a visual or audible indication that the child receiving portion is positioned relative to the seat of the vehicle at an acceptable angle.

4. The child seat of claim 3, wherein the acceptable angle is determined by the controller by comparing the angle of the child receiving portion relative to the seat of the vehicle determined by the at least one sensor with a predetermined angle.

5. The child seat of claim 4, wherein the predetermined angle is at least one of a factory set angle, an angle determined by calibrating the car seat relative to a surface on which the vehicle is resting, or an angle determined by calibrating the car seat relative to a surface of the vehicle.

6. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the leveling system is activated by the controller to level the child receiving portion based on feedback from the at least one sensor.

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

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

8. The child seat of claim 7, wherein the controller receives feedback from at least one sensor associated with the belt that couples the seat base to the seat of the vehicle and provides an indication to a user of the tension on the belt.

9. The child seat of claim 8, wherein the belt tensioning system is activated by the controller to tension the belt based on feedback from the at least one sensor.

10. The child seat of claim 7, 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.

11. The child seat of claim 7, wherein the belt tensioning system is manually activated to tension the belt to a predetermined tension.

12. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the child receiving portion is removably connected to the seat base.

13. The child seat of claim 1, wherein the leveling system levels the child receiving portion by adjusting the height of the seat base.

14. 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 leveling system incorporated into the child seat for leveling the child receiving portion relative to the seat of the vehicle;

a controller operatively connected to the leveling system; and

at least one sensor operatively connected to the controller,

wherein the controller receives feedback from the at least one sensor and automatically activates the leveling system such that the leveling system levels the child receiving portion to a predetermined angle relative to the seat of the vehicle.

15. The child seat of claim 14, wherein the leveling system levels the child receiving portion by adjusting the height of the seat base.

16. The child seat of claim 14 further comprising a belt tensioning system.

17. The child seat of claim 14, wherein the leveling system comprises an automated drive system that is actuated by the controller to level the child receiving portion relative to the seat of the vehicle.

18. The child seat of claim 17, wherein the leveling system further comprises a manual adjustment mechanism separate from the automated drive system, the manual adjustment mechanism being configured to allow a user to level the child receiving portion without actuating the automated drive system.

19. The child seat of claim 14, further comprising at least one interface device.

20. The child seat of claim 16, 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.