WO2004011307A1 - Child restraint system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable child restraint system for securing a child in a vehicle seat, especially in an aircraft seat. Said system comprises an inflatable lower part and an inflatable upper part which can be hermetically connected to said lower part in a folding manner and comprises relief valves. The invention also relates to relief valves which open and shut at pressure intervals of 0.3 bar, preferably 0.15 bar.

Description

Child restraint system

The invention relates to a child restraint system for securing children in vehicle seats, preferably in aircraft seats, with an inflatable upper part and an inflatable lower part which is foldably and airtightly connected to the upper part. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pressure relief valve which is opened to the environment at a first pressure and is closed again when the pressure falls below a second pressure.

Children are secured in vehicles in accordance with the statutory provisions by means of separate systems tailored to the size of the children. Especially small children up to the age of 7 years cannot be secured with the conventional three-point safety devices in motor vehicles due to their size, since the seat belt cannot be passed over the body in the required manner. These toddlers use bucket seats with their own belt system or restraint systems in which the toddler is held within the restraint system and the vehicle's own three-point belt holds the restraint system.

However, especially when traveling, the problem arises that the child restraint systems of the type in question are very bulky and bulky. For example, it is generally not possible to take child restraint systems of this type with you on long-distance trips, especially air travel; the long-distance traveler is rather dependent on the fact that comparable child restraint systems are available at the destination, for example with rental car companies at the holiday location.

EP 0 950 584 therefore proposes an inflatable child protection for the seat of a motor vehicle, consisting of an inflatable lower part which has side chambers and a lower chamber and an inflatable upper part which is foldably connected to this lower part via an intermediate part. This application is hereby introduced as a reference and is therefore part of the disclosure. However, the child protection described in this application is inadequately secured against bursting, particularly when the air chambers are strongly compressed. In addition, at This system does not ensure that the system has sufficient elasticity even under extreme applications and conditions.

It was therefore the object of the invention to provide a child restraint system which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object of the invention is achieved by a child restraint system with the features of independent claim 1 and a pressure relief valve with the features of independent claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a child restraint system has thus been made available which ensures that the inflatable parts have sufficient elasticity at all times and that bursting is reliably avoided even when the individual air chamber or the plurality of air chambers of the upper part is strongly compressed. It is also ensured that in any case a residual pressure ensuring the stability and functionality of the child restraint system according to the invention remains in the inflatable upper part.

In aircraft there is a need to protect small children from the consequences of an accident using suitable restraint systems. In aircraft seats, two-point seat belts are usually provided in the seats, which are joined together by means of a snap fastener located at the front. There is also the problem for the airlines that the child restraint systems used must always be available in sufficient quantities on board. However, the number of traveling small children fluctuates seasonally. Especially during the holiday season, the proportion of small children traveling can make up 30% of the occupied seats on an aircraft, whereas outside the classic holiday periods, very few small children can be found on airplanes. There is therefore a need for airlines to use a child restraint system that is extremely light and can also be stowed away in a space-saving manner. However, an inflatable child protection device used in aviation must also be able to withstand a sudden pressure drop in the cabin compared to the systems used in land vehicles, as a result of which the relative overpressure in the inflatable chambers increases significantly without surviving tearing or bursting.

It was extremely surprising to the person skilled in the art that a child restraint system according to the invention can also be used in aircraft, since an internal pressure in the inflatable parts which is too high for the intended use or a bursting of the inflatable parts is reliably prevented even in the event of a pressure drop in the cabin. When using the pressure relief valves according to the invention, it is also ensured that a residual internal pressure sufficient for stability and intended use remains in the inflatable parts at all times.

It is essential for the child restraint system according to the invention that at least the inflatable upper part has a pressure relief valve. This ensures that at least the part of the child restraint system that the upper body and head of the child hit in the event of an accident is intact even when there is a complete drop in pressure in the cabin and also has sufficient internal pressure to absorb the impact energy.

The child restraint systems according to the invention are easy to fill, for example when using an air pump or with breathing air, and are just as easy to vent and stow away again. They therefore offer maximum flexibility and user friendliness for the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each inflatable part has a pressure relief valve. This ensures the stability of the child restraint system according to the invention and a positioning of the upper part in front of and below the child's head in any case.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, each pressure relief valve is attached to the sides of the child restraint system facing away from the child. So ensures that the children sitting in the child restraint system cannot intentionally or unintentionally damage or open the valves.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower part and the upper part are connected to one another via an intermediate part. This intermediate part lies against the child's hip area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this intermediate part consists of a dimensionally stable, preferably foamed plastic. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, this intermediate part also has a guide for the seat belt on its side facing away from the child. This guide is delimited at its lateral ends by the so-called “loop points” at which the seat belt enters or exits the guide. Such a configuration reliably prevents the belt that holds the child restraint system from slipping.

In an extremely preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate part also has a curve on its side facing the child, at least above the guide for the seat belt, through which the risk of injury is further reduced in the event of an accident and the body being turned over onto the upper part.

The upper part of the child restraint system according to the invention essentially consists of a cushion, the width of which is preferably smaller than the width of the lower part. Thus, the child sitting in the restraint system can comfortably lay his arms to the side of the top. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the inflatable upper part also has a wedge shape that tapers towards the child. Thus, on the one hand, the child's freedom of movement is not impaired more than necessary, on the other hand, the risk of injury is reduced by particularly simple means by reducing the angle that the child's upper body traverses in an accident by such a shape of the upper part.

In a further preferred embodiment, the upper part has a length of 260 to 310 mm. In an extremely preferred embodiment of the invention, the highest point of the upper part, seen from the seat surface, is at a distance from the Seat from 300 to 350 mm. This advantageous embodiment of the invention ensures that toddlers of all ages and sizes receive optimal impact protection in the child restraint system according to the invention and are exposed to the lowest possible risk of injury.

The inflatable parts can each have a single air chamber, but the configuration with a plurality of air-tightly separated chambers is also possible. Ridges can also be provided in the individual air chambers, by means of which the individual air chambers are divided into a plurality of subchambers which are in flow communication.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention also provides pressure indicators that are visible from the outside, at least on the inflatable upper part of the child restraint system. Thus, the operating personnel, for example a flight attendant, can easily estimate when the child restraint system is inflated whether there is sufficient internal pressure. These pressure displays can be provided in any form, for example digitally or in any other way. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure displays are attached to the inflatable parts in such a way that the operating personnel can also determine in passing whether there is sufficient internal pressure in the inflatable parts. The functionality of the child restraint systems according to the invention can thus be checked at any time and in a particularly simple manner.

The materials used in the manufacture of the child restraint system according to the invention are preferably pressure-resistant up to an excess pressure of more than 1.2 bar, particularly preferably more than 2 bar. In addition, the materials preferably have a low extensibility up to the above pressures. The shape retention of the child restraint system according to the invention is thus reliably ensured under the pressure conditions that occur.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the material of the inflatable parts of the child restraint system is high-frequency welded Microfiber fabric. In a very preferred embodiment of the invention, these parts consist of a polyurethane.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the materials used are also flame-retardant. In addition, at least the inflatable upper part of the child restraint system has an acid-resistant surface, which ensures that the safety of the child restraint system is not impaired even when it comes into contact with vomit. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the inflatable parts also consist of a scratch and puncture-resistant material, so that even if the children attempt to damage the air chambers, for example with the cutlery, there is no impairment of the required safety.

The invention further relates to a pressure relief valve which is opened and closed again in a narrowly limited pressure interval. The difference between the internal pressure in the inflatable parts and the ambient pressure is referred to as overpressure. The term pressure interval denotes the distance between the maximum pressure at which the pressure relief valve opens and the minimum pressure at which the pressure relief valve closes again. When using such a pressure relief valve, it is ensured that a system which is acted on by an internal pressure can have an internal pressure which is close to the permitted maximum pressure from which the pressure relief valve according to the invention is opened. At the same time, however, it is also ensured that the system closes when the pressure drops below a minimum, which is only slightly below the maximum pressure. Thus, when using the pressure relief valve according to the invention, the lowest possible pressure fluctuation of the system of 0.3 bar, preferably 0.15 bar, is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief valve is opened at an overpressure of 1.2 bar compared to the environment and closed again at an overpressure of 0.9 bar. In a very preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief valve is opened at 1.15 bar and closed again at 1.0 bar pressure. Due to this particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief valve according to the invention is suitable especially for use in an inflatable child restraint system of the type described above.

The pressure relief valve according to the invention consists of a valve flap on which an O-ring with a preferably round cross-sectional area rests. On this O-ring there is a plate, for example the upper plate of a guide pin, on which a valve spring acts. At its end facing away from the valve flap, the valve spring is preferably supported against the cover of the pressure relief valve. The use of such an O-ring and a valve spring which is matched to the intended use enables particularly precise valve control. The material of the valve spring must be selected so that the spring characteristic remains unchanged over time.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover of the pressure relief valve can be closed reversibly. In a very preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover can be screwed on, so that operating personnel can easily open the valve and close it again.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-3. However, these figures are merely exemplary representations of the devices according to the invention and in no way limit the general inventive concept.

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a child restraint system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the child restraint system according to the invention from FIG. 2,

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a pressure relief valve according to the invention. FIG. 1 shows the rear view of a child restraint system 1 according to the invention lying on the seat surface 21. The lower part 2 consists of two cylindrical side parts 22 and a connecting part 23 which extends over the entire width of the child restraint system 1, preferably 400 to 450 mm. The intermediate part 3 is connected to the lower part 2, which has a belt guide 13 and (shown with dash-dotted lines) Has circulation points 17. Furthermore, the upper part 4, whose width, preferably 180 to 220 mm, essentially corresponds to that of the intermediate piece 3, is shown.

FIG. 2 shows the side view of the child restraint system 1 described above. The child restraint system 1 rests on the seat surface 21, which is angled at an angle 20, preferably 75 °, from the backrest at point 19. The cylindrical side parts 22 of the lower part 2 extend over the entire length of the child restraint system and thus preferably laterally support the entire length of the child's thighs. The height of the side parts 22 corresponds essentially to the height of a child's thigh. The intermediate part 3 with the guide 13 for the seat belt (not shown) is arranged in front of the pelvis of the seated child (not shown). The position of the circulation points 17 is preferably 120 to 160 mm in front of the rear side 24 of the side parts 22 and 110 to 150 mm above the seat surface 21. A pressure relief valve 8 is attached to the front side 25 of the side part 22. A pressure relief valve 7 is also attached to the front of the upper part 4. The upper part 4 has a length of preferably 260 to 310 mm, the greatest distance between the seat 21 and the surface of the upper part 4 is preferably 300 to 350 mm. The upper part 4 also has a pressure indicator 12 which is attached so that it is easily readable from the outside. Upper part 4 and lower part 2 are reversibly connected to one another via a connecting strap 26.

FIG. 3 shows a representation of an overpressure valve 7, 8 that is partially sectioned parallel to the longitudinal axis. The pressure relief valve 7, 8 can be screwed on via the thread 28 and has a cover 15, in which air outlet openings 27 are let in. In the area of the valve flap 9, a bolt 16 rests on an O-ring 10. A valve spring 11 acts on the bolt 16, the end of which, remote from the valve flap 9, presses against a spacer 29 embedded in the cover 15. If the pressure is too high, the the valve 7, 8 pressed and the valve spring 11 compressed. The air escapes along the O-ring 10, the valve spring 11 and exits through the openings 27 provided in the cover 15.

List of reference numbers

1 child restraint system

2 lower part

3 intermediate part

4 top

7 pressure relief valve

8 pressure relief valve

9 valve flap

10 O-ring

11 valve spring

12 pressure display

13 Back of the intermediate part

14 Belt guide

16 valve plate, valve pin

17 circulation point

18 backrest

19 break point

20 angles

21 seat

22 side panel

23 connecting part

24 Back of the side part

25 Front of the side part

26 connecting strap

27 air outlet openings

28 threads

29 spacers

Claims

claims: 1. child restraint system (1) for securing a child in a vehicle seat, preferably an aircraft seat, with an inflatable lower part (2) and with the lower part (2) foldable and airtight connected inflatable upper part (4), characterized in that at least the upper part (4) has a pressure relief valve (7). 2. child restraint system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each inflatable part (2, 4) has a pressure relief valve (7, 8). 3. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief valves (7, 8) at an overpressure in the inflatable parts (2, 4) compared to the environment of more than 1, 15 bar, preferably 1.2 opened bar and closed at an internal pressure of 1.0 bar, preferably 0.9 bar. 4. Child restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief valves (7, 8) are attached to the sides of the lower part (2) and the upper part (4) facing away from the child. 5. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure relief valves (7, 8) are reversible, preferably by screwing open. 6. child restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (4) with the lower part (2) via an intermediate part (3) is hingedly connected. 7. child restraint system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the intermediate part (3) consists of a non-inflatable, preferably foamed plastic. 8. child restraint system (1) according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the intermediate part (3) on the side facing away from the child (13) has a guide (14) for the seat belt. 9. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of flame-retardant materials. 10. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the upper part (4) has an acid-resistant surface. 11. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflatable parts consist of a scratch and puncture-resistant material. 12. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflatable parts (2, 4) are pressure-resistant up to an overpressure to the environment of more than 1.2 bar, preferably more than 2 bar, and from one Material with low extensibility, preferably a high frequency welded microfiber fabric. 13. child restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflatable parts (2, 4) consist of polyurethane. 14. Child restraint system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the upper part (4) has a pressure indicator (12) visible from the outside. 15. Overpressure valve (7, 8) with an O-ring (10) resting on the valve flap (9) and a valve spring (11) acting on a plate or bolt (16) resting on the O-ring (10), characterized , that this Pressure relief valve (7, 8) opens and closes in a pressure interval of 0.3 bar, preferably 0.15 bar. 16. Pressure relief valve (7, 8) according to claim 15, characterized in that it opens at an overpressure relative to the environment of 1.15 bar, preferably 1.2 bar and at an overpressure of 1.0 bar, preferably 0.9 bar , is closed again. 17. Pressure relief valve (7, 8) according to one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that it has a reversibly closable, preferably screwable, cover (15). 18. Use of a pressure relief valve according to one of claims 15-17 in inflatable child restraint systems according to one of claims 1-14.