Patent Description:
Child restraints (including infant carriers) are configured to be installed within a vehicle and may be held in place by a vehicle seat belt, or alternate connecting means, such as ISOFIX. Child restraints are sometimes configured to be securable to and separable from a base that remains secured in a vehicle via seat belt or alternative connecting means. Many of these infant carriers are also configured to be securable to and separable from strollers, either directly or through the use of adapters that enable cooperative engagement of infant carriers and strollers made by different manufacturers.

Securement of infant carriers to bases and strollers can be fiddly and cumbersome, and particularly daunting and stressful for first time parents or users of the equipment, where correct alignment of latches and adapters with their respective sockets / receivers is required. This task is made even more difficult in low light environments, or in instances where it is undesirable to illuminate the vehicle so as not to disturb or wake a sleeping child.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

<CIT> discloses systems for soothing and prolonging sleep maintaining an experience of riding in a vehicle in a car seat, even as a pattern of driving changes, when vehicle motion ceases or when the car seat is removed from the vehicle. Sensors detect one or more of motion, light and sound in an environment of the car seat. As motion, light and / or sound associated with the ride decrease, change or stop, a controller automatically controls actuators to apply compensatory motion, light and / or sound in the environment of the car seat, in order to provide continuity of the riding experience and decrease likelihood of an infant awakening or fussing. This allows the driver of the vehicle to concentrate on driving safely, rather than breaking concentration on the road in order to soothe the infant.

The problems underlying the invention are solved with the features of the independent patent claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent patent claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a child restraint configured to be securable to and separable from a base installed in a vehicle, the child restraint comprising an illumination means positioned on an external portion of the child restraint, configured to operate in a first mode, illuminating a first region external to the child restraint, wherein, in the event that the child restraint is not secured to the base, and the child restraint is moved, the illumination means will be activated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the base, and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to the base, the first mode will be deactivated.

The child restraint further comprises a movement sensor for detecting movement of the child restraint.

In one form, the movement sensor is a tilt sensor.

The child restraint further comprises a sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the base.

In one form, the sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the base, is in the form of a switch, which is actuated when the child restraint is secured to the base.

In one form, the child restraint is further configured to be securable to and separable from a stroller, wherein in the event that the child restraint is not secured to the stroller, and the child restraint is moved, the illumination means will be activated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the stroller, and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to the stroller, the first mode will be deactivated.

In one form, the child restraint further comprises a sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the stroller.

In one form, the sensor for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the stroller is in the form of a switch, which is actuated when the child restraint is secured to the stroller.

In one form, the illumination means is further configured to operate in a second mode, illuminating a second region external to the child restraint, and wherein, in the event that the child restraint is secured to the stroller, and the child restraint is moved, the illumination means will be activated in its second mode.

In one form, the second region external to the child restraint is a region fore and aft of the child restraint.

In one form, the first region external to the child restraint is a region below the child restraint.

In one form, the child restraint further comprises a sensor for detecting ambient light levels, wherein, in the event that the ambient light levels exceed a predetermined amount, the illumination means will be deactivated.

In one form, the child restraint is an infant carrier.

Examples of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:.

Referring now to <FIG>, where there is shown a child restraint in the form of an infant carrier <NUM> configured to be securable to and separable from a base <NUM> installed in a vehicle. The infant carrier <NUM> comprises at least one illumination means <NUM> positioned on an external portion of the infant carrier <NUM>, configured to operate in a first mode (or installation mode), illuminating a first region external to the infant carrier <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>). The infant carrier <NUM> also comprises a movement sensor <NUM> for detecting movement of the infant carrier <NUM> and a sensor <NUM> for detecting whether or not the infant carrier <NUM> has been secured to the base <NUM>. In the event that the infant carrier <NUM> has not been secured to the base <NUM> and the infant carrier <NUM> is moved, the child restraint is configured to activate the illumination means <NUM> in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the infant carrier <NUM> for the purpose of aiding securement to the base <NUM>. In the event that the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to the base <NUM>, the first mode will be deactivated.

While in the embodiment shown, the first region external to the child restraint is a region below the child restraint, it will however be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the size and directionality of the first region may differ, but still fall within the scope of this invention, if not departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, the first region may include a region directly below as well as a region fore and aft, and/or left and right of the infant carrier.

The movement sensor <NUM> for detecting movement of the infant carrier <NUM> is in the form of a tilt sensor <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, different types of movement sensors could be employed, such as accelerometers, infra-red sensors or occupant presence sensors.

The sensor <NUM> for detecting whether or not the infant carrier <NUM> has been secured to the base <NUM> is in the form of a first switch <NUM> which is actuated when the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to the base <NUM>. The switch <NUM> may be positioned on or near the underside of the infant carrier <NUM>, such that a portion of the base <NUM> will bear against and activate the switch <NUM> during securement.

The infant carrier <NUM> also comprises at least one sensor <NUM> for detecting ambient light levels in the form of an ambient light sensor <NUM>, wherein in the event that ambient light levels exceed a pre-determined amount, the illumination means will be deactivated.

The infant carrier <NUM> is also configured to be securable to and separable from a stroller <NUM>, and also comprises a sensor <NUM> for detecting whether or not the infant carrier <NUM> has been secured to the stroller <NUM>. In the event that the infant carrier <NUM> has not been secured to the stroller <NUM> and the infant carrier <NUM> is moved, the illumination means <NUM> will also activate the first mode, illuminating the region below the infant carrier <NUM> for the purpose of aiding securement to the stroller <NUM>. In the event that the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to the stroller <NUM>, the first mode will also be deactivated.

The illumination means <NUM> is further configured to operate in a second mode (or safety mode), illuminating a second region external to the infant carrier <NUM>, and wherein, in the event that the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to the stroller <NUM>, the child restraint is configured to activate the illumination means <NUM> in its second mode in order to improve the visibility of the stroller <NUM> and infant carrier <NUM>.

While in the embodiment shown, the second region external to the child restraint is a region fore and aft of the child restraint, it will however be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the size and directionality of the second region may differ, but still fall within the scope of this invention if not departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the second region may include a region fore and aft, and/or left and right of the infant carrier.

The sensor <NUM> for detecting whether or not the infant carrier <NUM> has been secured to the stroller <NUM> is in the form of a second switch <NUM> which is actuated when the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to the stroller. The second switch <NUM> may be positioned within or near where the stroller <NUM> connects with the infant carrier <NUM>, such that a portion of the stroller <NUM> will bear against and activate the switch <NUM> during securement.

While in the embodiments described, the sensors used for detecting whether or not the infant carrier is secured to the base or the stroller are in the form of a switch, it will be appreciated that alternate sensing arrangements could be employed, and are intended to fall within the scope of this invention if not departing from the scope of the claims.

With reference to <FIG>, it can be seen that the infant carrier <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> providing a support surface for an occupant. The illumination means <NUM> takes the form of an external light assembly <NUM> provided on either side of the body. As shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, the external light assembly <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>, four light emitting diodes (LEDs) 124a, 124b, a lens <NUM>, and associated circuitry. In the embodiment shown, the housing <NUM> forms part of a structure secured to the sides <NUM> of the body <NUM>, providing a mounting location for a carry handle <NUM> for the infant carrier <NUM>, as well as a receiving socket <NUM> for securing the infant carrier <NUM> to the stroller <NUM> directly or via an adapter.

The LEDs 124a, 124b are arranged in a row such that when operating in the installation mode, the two inner LEDs (the installation lights) 124a are activated, and when operating in the safety mode, the two outer LEDs (the safety lights) 124b are activated. It will be appreciated that the installation lights 124a are oriented downward, and the safety lights 124b are oriented fore and aft respectively, in order to achieve the desired lighting outcome.

Referring now to <FIG>, it can be seen that the infant carrier <NUM> also comprises a pair of internal light assemblies <NUM> provided on either side of the body <NUM>. As shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, each internal light assembly <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>, four LEDs <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, two user inputs in the form of upper and lower buttons <NUM>, <NUM> and associated circuitry.

The internal LEDs (the internal lights) <NUM> are arranged in a row and oriented such that when activated, they are intended to illuminate the occupant of the infant carrier <NUM>. The internal lights <NUM> are able to be operated by virtue of the upper button <NUM>, and the installation and safety lights 124a, 124b are able to be operated by virtue of the lower button <NUM>, their operation will be described in further detail below.

It will be appreciated that the type, number, position and orientation of the internal, installation and safety lights <NUM>, 124a, 124b may vary from what is described, while still achieving the desired lighting outcome.

There are a number of different ways that the internal and external light assemblies and associated switches and sensors can be configured, as evidenced by the two alternate schematics presented in <FIG> and <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, it can be seen that the light arrangement may comprise the two internal light assemblies <NUM>, the two external light assemblies <NUM> and a battery assembly <NUM>, wherein the battery assembly <NUM> comprises a rechargeable battery <NUM> and battery management system <NUM> provided within a housing <NUM>. In addition to the internal lights <NUM>, the internal light assemblies <NUM> may also comprise charging ports <NUM>, on board microcontrollers <NUM> and battery status indicators <NUM>. The internal light assemblies <NUM> are then connected in parallel to the battery assembly <NUM>. It can also be seen that in this arrangement, a first external light assembly <NUM> is connected to the battery assembly <NUM>, and in addition to the safety and installation lights 124a, 124b, also comprises the tilt sensor <NUM>, light sensor <NUM>, second switch <NUM> and a microcontroller <NUM>. It can be seen that the second external light assembly <NUM> is then connected to the first light assembly <NUM>. The first switch <NUM> is directly connected to the battery assembly <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, it can be seen that the light arrangement may comprise the two internal light assemblies <NUM>, the two external light assemblies <NUM> and an electronic control unit (ECU) <NUM> electronically connected to the two internal and two external light assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>. The ECU <NUM> is provided within a housing <NUM> which may be positioned on the underside of the infant carrier <NUM>, and comprises a rechargeable battery <NUM> and battery management system <NUM>, tilt sensor <NUM>, speaker <NUM>, microcontroller <NUM> and associated circuitry for receiving and/or sending signals to the internal and external light assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> as well as the first and second switches <NUM>, <NUM>. In addition to the internal lights <NUM>, the internal light assemblies <NUM> may also comprise charging ports <NUM> and ambient light sensors <NUM>. The internal and external light assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> and first and second switches <NUM>, <NUM> are then individually connected to the ECU <NUM>. While in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a visual battery status indicator is provided, <FIG> provides a speaker <NUM> which can provide an acoustic signal.

It will be appreciated that these two arrangements offer one option where the internal and external lights are centrally controlled by the ECU <NUM> (as per <FIG>) or self-controlled as stand-alone modules that are simply powered by the battery housing <NUM> (as per <FIG>). It will however be appreciated that further configurations are also possible, for instance, in an alternate embodiment, a child restraint may be provided with only interior or exterior lights, or in a further embodiment, the number of interior and exterior light assemblies may vary.

While in the embodiments shown, communication between the various components occurs via a cable link, it will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, communication may occur via fibre optics, infra-red, or various wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

An example of how the internal lights <NUM> may be operated will now be described. The internal lights <NUM> are operated manually with either of the upper buttons <NUM>. A short press of either upper button <NUM> will switch on both sets of internal lights <NUM>, with further short presses within a predetermined time period of <NUM> seconds, increasing the intensity of the lights. If a short press is performed after the predetermined time period, the internal lights will switch off.

The internal lights <NUM> also feature an auto-off function, where at any intensity, a long press on either upper button <NUM> will active the auto-off timer function. Once activated a countdown will start and the internal lights will switch off automatically after <NUM> minutes. It will be appreciated that this function gives an operator enough time to ensure that the child has been buckled in to the carrier, to walk to the drivers seat, sit in the car, start driving and have the lights switch off automatically.

An example of how the external lights 124a, 124b may be operated will now be described. The default mode of operation is an automatic mode, where the system will detect darkness/brightness, movement/non-movement and usage on base or stroller and activate/deactivate the lights accordingly.

A short press on either of the lower buttons <NUM> will set the system to automatic mode. In a bright environment, both the installation and safety lights 124a, 124b remain off (or will be switched off when moving from a dark environment to a bright environment). When the infant carrier is being moved and it is dark, the installation lights 124a will turn on and the safety lights 124b will remain off. If after a predetermined period of time of no movement, the installation lights 124a will switch off again (time-out). When the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to a stroller <NUM> in the dark, the installation lights 124a will switch off and the safety lights 124b will switch on. If after a predetermined period of time of no movement, the safety lights 124b will turn off (time out). When the infant carrier <NUM> is separated from the stroller <NUM>, the safety lights 124b will switch off and the installation lights will turn on 124a. When the infant carrier <NUM> is secured to the base <NUM> in the vehicle in the dark, the installation lights 124a will switch off.

It is also possible to switch to a manual mode of operation, where, when in automatic mode, a first short press on the lower button <NUM> will activate the manual mode and both the safety and installation lights 124a, 124b will turn on (regardless of bright or dark environment). A second short press within a predetermined time period of <NUM> seconds on the lower button <NUM> will lead to safety lights 124b on, installation light 124a off. A third short press within a predetermined time period of <NUM> seconds on the lower button <NUM> will lead to safety light 124b off, installation light 124a on. A fourth short press within a predetermined time period of <NUM> seconds on the lower button <NUM> will lead back to auto mode. If in manual mode and the infant carrier <NUM> is released from the stroller <NUM> or base <NUM>, it will revert to automatic mode. If in manual mode, after the predetermined time period of <NUM> seconds, a short press on the lower button <NUM> will revert back to automatic mode.

It is also possible to turn off the exterior lights 124a, 124b entirely, which is recommended for long periods of non-use. This is achieved by a long press on the lower button.

In the embodiments shown and described, the interior and exterior lights were operated using buttons located on the interior light assemblies, it will be appreciated that numerous other arrangements and modes of operation may be applied, for example the location or number of buttons may vary. Alternatively, the lights may be operated by means of an "on-board" user interface such as a touch screen, further still the lights may be operated by an "external" user interface such as an app on a connected smart device, a remote control, voice control device, or integrated as part of the vehicle entertainment and control system.

In the embodiments shown and described, the infant carrier <NUM> features an integrated lighting arrangement, however it will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the various components making up the lighting arrangement could be retrofitted to an existing seat or infant carrier. It will also be appreciated that the above invention does not have to be limited to an infant carrier if not departing from the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
A child restraint configured to be securable to and separable from a base (<NUM>) installed in a vehicle, the child restraint comprising:
an illumination means (<NUM>) positioned on an external portion of the child restraint, configured to operate in a first mode, illuminating a first region external to the child restraint;
a movement sensor (<NUM>) for detecting movement of the child restraint; and
a sensor (<NUM>) for detecting whether or not the child restraint has been secured to the base (<NUM>);
wherein, in the event that the child restraint is not secured to the base (<NUM>), and the child restraint is moved, the illumination means (<NUM>) will be activated in its first mode, illuminating the first region external to the child restraint for the purpose of aiding securement to the base (<NUM>), and wherein in the event that the child restraint is secured to the base (<NUM>), the first mode will be deactivated.