DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a seat attachment structure. More specifically, relates to a child seat attachment structure for attaching child seats in vehicles such as passenger vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[002] The anatomical structure of children is different from that of adults, and can lead to an entirely different set of injuries to children at the time of accidents. ISOFIX (International Organization for Standardization FIX) is used to fix Child Restraint Systems (CRS) so that the maximum effectiveness of the CRS is realized in protecting the child from injuries during a crash event.
[003] Conventional method to protect children from getting inured during accidents includes placing a small seat on a regular vehicle seat and fastening the same by a cross belt or a seat belt. The aforementioned conventional method restricts movement of the child and hence may not be reliable. Further, improper fastening of small seat with seat belt may lead to untoward incidents if the seat belt slips from the small seat onto the child’s body.
[004] In another conventional “ISOFIX” system, a pair of connectors is fastened to the child seat, with snap fasteners attached to the supporting elements, which are attached to the floor of the vehicle. Implementation of the aforementioned system is often complex and involves difficulty in usage.
[005] A further conventional system consists of a bracket having an attachment area that is attached to a portion of the vehicle, and two anchors, which are coupled to the bracket with a predetermined distance between the anchors. The attachment area is attached to a seatbelt anchor mount of the vehicle so as to be fastened together. Since the aforementioned conventional anchorages are part of the seat structure and hence, the seat structure has to be redesigned and hence retro-fitment of a child seat proves to be challenging. Further, the conventional seat structures do not cater to all the three mountings of the child seat (lower anchorages and top tether).
[006] Therefore, there is a need for a child seat attachment structure for attaching child seats in vehicles, which caters to all mountings of the child seat in a single assembly. Further there is a need for a child seat attachment structure, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[007] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a vehicle including a seat and a child seat attachment structure for mounting a child-restraint system in relation to the seat.
[008] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a child seat attachment structure for mounting a child-restraint system in relation to a vehicle seat, including a base portion adapted to be secured in relation to the vehicle structure.
[009] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a child seat attachment structure adapted to be mounted at an accessible position thereby providing for an easy mounting and easy removal.
[0010] Still another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a safe and simple structure for Child Restraint System (CRS) in vehicles, which are easy to assemble service and replace.
[0011] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method of installing a child seat attachment structure adapted to install a child seat in a vehicle.
[0012] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates the perspective view of a child seat attachment structure for CRS, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the top view position of a child seat attachment structure for CRS assembled on the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the location of top tether anchorage with respect to a bolting axis, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows the location of ISOFIX anchorages with respect to a bolting axis, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a closed polygon formed by the bolting points of the attachment structure, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows the loading direction for SFAD (Static Force Application Device) for forward direction force test as per ECE R14, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0020] FIG. 7 shows the loading direction for SFAD for oblique direction force test as per ECE R14, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0022] The embodiments herein achieve a vehicle including a seat and a child seat attachment structure for mounting a child-restraint system in relation to the seat. Further, embodiments herein achieve a child seat attachment structure for mounting a child-restraint system in relation to a vehicle seat, including a base portion adapted to be secured in relation to the vehicle structure. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0023] In an embodiment, the child seat in vehicles such as passenger vehicles is provided in line with ECE regulations, by using a child seat attachment structure 100. In an embodiment, the child seat attachment structure is adapted to be secured to Body in white (BIW) or seat depending on feasibility. The unique nature of this child seat attachment structure avoids changes in existing seat structure (which is without ISOFIX & Top-tether provisions) and at the same time complies with regulatory requirements.
[0024] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, the child seat attachment structure 100 is illustrated according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a portion of a vehicle with the child seat attachment structure 100 installed to the vehicle. In an embodiment, the child seat attachment structure 100 is attached to a portion of a floor panel of a vehicle body. Referring further to FIG. 1, the child seat attachment structure 100 includes a base bracket 102 and at least two ISOFIX anchors 104 (also referred as ISOFIX anchorages 104) to connect to corresponding lower anchorages (not shown) on child seat and at least one top-tether anchor 106 (also referred as top-tether anchorage 106) to connect to upper anchorage (not shown) on child seat. In an embodiment, the ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106 are attached coupled to the base bracket 102. Further, the anchors 104 define a predetermined lateral distance there between. Additional support brackets 108 as shown in FIG. 1 are provided to reinforce the anchors 104. The base bracket 102 is made from a rigid, heavy gauge sheet metal. The ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106 are made from at least a bent metal including a metal bar or wires. Therefore, a high quality child seat attachment structure 100 can be manufactured at a low cost.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, the base bracket 102 supports the ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106. The base bracket 102 includes a plurality of bolting points to attach the base bracket 102 to a portion of the vehicle. The bolting points of the illustrated embodiment have bores for attaching the base bracket 102 to either a floor panel or a seat mount of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the base bracket 102 is coupled to a pair of seatbelt mounts via the bolting points.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, the ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106 are substantially U-shaped members each having an attachment portion formed by two arms that are substantially parallel to each other, and a connecting portion that connects the arms. The arms are coupled to the base bracket 102. The arms of the ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106, in an embodiment, are welded to the base bracket 102 at prescribed positions that correspond to positions of installation portions of child seat, such that child seat attachment structure 100 is formed as an integral unit. The child seat is attached to connecting portion of the ISOFIX anchor 104 in a conventional manner. Furthermore, arms are bent at a predetermined angle in an upward direction such that connecting portion is positioned at a higher vertical position than the base bracket 102.
[0027] In an embodiment, the arms are preferably coupled to the base bracket 102 by welding. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of coupling between the base bracket 102 and the ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the attaching as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the tether anchorage 106 and the IOSFIX anchorages 104 are provided in the base bracket 102. The position of the tether anchorage 106 and the ISOFIX anchorages 104 is such that the larger moment is transferred to a mounting side of the base bracket 102 which is stronger. The tether anchorage 106 is positioned in between a bolting axis 110 of the base bracket 102. In an embodiment, the top-tether anchorage 106 is placed at a predetermined position to have minimum moment generation.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, the bolting points provided in the base bracket 102 defines an attachment area, which is a polygon 114. The defined polygon 114 includes a greater area therefore distributes a force applied by the base bracket 102 uniformly to the vehicle floor or seat mount. This increasing stiffness of the base bracket 102. Providing a predetermined distance between the bolt axis 110 and a loading axis 112 (both horizontal and vertical distances), help in meeting the ECE R14 requirements.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a load of predetermined value for eg, X KN is applied to the child seat attachment structure 100 using a Static Force Application Device (SFAD) as per ECER-14. The force experienced by a child in a frontal crash is represented by the forward loading of the SFAD. Further, the force experienced by a child in a side impact or crash is represented by the oblique loading of the SFAD. The maximum displacement of the dummy needs to be small as it is the major source of injuries in the real world. Child head may contact door beltline, C pillar trims or the front seat. Thus the SFAD is tested for maximum displacement of upto 125 mm to take care of above eventualities.
[0031] The child seat attachment structure 100, according to the embodiments described herein, avoids changes in existing seat structure (which is without ISOFIX & Top-tether provision) and at the same time complies with regulatory requirements.
[0032] The technical advancements offered by the embodiments of the present invention include uniform force distribution thus ensuring safety, cost effective, easy implementation and involves less time for development and validation, and avoids change in existing seat structure. Further, the embodiments of the present invention avoid need for additional reinforcement in BIW with use of seat-belt mountings and can be easily replaced/serviced.
[0033] In an embodiment, a method 200 of installing a child seat attachment structure 100 adapted to install a child seat in a vehicle includes attaching a base bracket 102 to a portion of the vehicle (step 202). Further, the method includes coupling at least two ISOFIX anchors 104 to the base bracket 102 at predetermined positions (step 204). Furthermore, the method includes providing an additional support bracket 108 at each ISOFIX anchor 104 (step 206). In addition, the method includes coupling at least one top-tether anchor 106 to the base bracket 102 at a predetermined position (step 208).
[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Referral Numerals
A child seat attachment structure 100
Base bracket 102
ISOFIX anchorage 104
Top-tether anchorage 106
Additional support bracket 108
Bolt axis 110
Loading axis 112
polygon 114
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A child seat attachment structure 100 adapted to install a child seat in a vehicle, the child seat attachment structure 100 comprising:
a base bracket 102 configured to be attached to a portion of the vehicle;
at least two ISOFIX anchors 104 coupled to the base bracket 102 at predetermined positions; and
at least one top-tether anchor 106 coupled to the base bracket 102 at a predetermined position.

2. A child seat attachment structure 100 adapted to install a child seat in a vehicle, the child seat attachment structure 100 comprising:
a base bracket 102 configured to be attached to a portion of the vehicle;
at least two ISOFIX anchors 104 coupled to the base bracket 102 at predetermined positions;
an additional support bracket 108 provided at each ISOFIX anchor 104; and
at least one top-tether anchor 106 coupled to the base bracket 102 at a predetermined position.

3. The child seat attachment structure 100 according to claim 1, wherein each of the ISOFIX anchors 104 and the top-tether anchor 106 includes a connecting portion and an attachment portion, the attachment portion being coupled to the base bracket 102.

4. The child seat attachment structure 100 according to claim 1, each of the attachment portions has a pair of arms that are substantially parallel to each other and extend from opposite ends of the connecting portion which connects the arms, such that each of the anchors is substantially U-shaped.

5. The child seat attachment structure 100 according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portions are configured to be attached to a seatbelt mount of the vehicle.

6. The child seat attachment structure 100 according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portions of the anchors are substantially parallel and axially aligned to each other.

7. The child seat attachment structure 100 according to claim 1, wherein the base bracket 102 is made from a sheet metal material and the ISOFIX anchors 104 are bent metal wires.

8. The child seat attachment structure 100 according to claim 1, wherein said at least one top-tether anchor 106 is a bent metal wire which is coupled to the base bracket 102.

9. A method 200 of installing a child seat attachment structure 100 adapted to install a child seat in a vehicle, the method 200 comprising steps of:
attaching a base bracket 102 to a portion of the vehicle;
coupling at least two ISOFIX anchors 104 to the base bracket 102 at predetermined positions; and
coupling at least one top-tether anchor 106 to the base bracket 102 at a predetermined position.

10. A method 201 of installing a child seat attachment structure 100 adapted to install a child seat in a vehicle, the method comprising steps of:
attaching a base bracket 102 to a portion of the vehicle;
coupling at least two ISOFIX anchors 104 to the base bracket 102 at predetermined positions;
providing an additional support bracket 108 at each ISOFIX anchor 104; and
coupling at least one top-tether anchor 106 to the base bracket 102 at a predetermined position.