Citation

Bendjellal F. Vis. Zero Int. 2015; 2015(June): 54-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, UKIP Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Ensuring that a child is secure in their seat is an important part of improving a child's safety in a car crash. However, a study conducted in 2006 found that child restraint systems (CRS) were fitted incorrectly between 60 to 80% of the time, and a further study in 2011 found that slack in vehicle seatbelts when securing CRS to the vehicle and improper occupant restraint to the CRS were two of the top five examples of misuse. A technology combining mechanical and electronic features that would help caregivers to install CRS properly, as well as enabling the tension of the harness to remain constant during travel, has been developed. The system comprises a harness, harness straps, an adjuster, a buckle, energy-absorbing chest pads, and the Automatic Tensioning System (ATS). The ATS has four key elements, as follows: (1) a bezel acting as a communication interface with the caregiver, (2) an integrated retractor system, (3) a sensor, and (4) software and electronic components.