Child seat anchor assembly and methods of use
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsAlan L. Browne, Chandra S. Namuduri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
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.
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;
- 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.
A method, comprising:
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.