Child restraint system

Abstract

A child restraint system is disclosed. The child restraint system can include a control circuit in communication with an accident sensor system. The child restraint system can also include an actuator. The control circuit is configured to control the actuator based on input from the accident sensor system. The actuator can actuate a safety feature of the child restraint system within a reaction time window of the accident sensor system. The actuator can include a pyrotechnic initiator. The actuator can be a leveling actuator or a tensioning actuator, for example. The actuator can be an inflatable airbag or a deployable piston, for example.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A child restraint system for use on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, the child restraint system comprising:
 a child seat;   a control circuit in communication with an accident sensor system, wherein the control circuit comprises a programmable processor; and   an actuator in communication with the control circuit, wherein the actuator comprises an initiator, and wherein the control circuit is configured to actuate the actuator when the accident sensor system detects a potentially imminent accident involving the motor vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , wherein the initiator comprises a pyrotechnic initiator in communication with the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit is configured to initiate the pyrotechnic initiator to actuate the actuator when the accident sensor system detects a potentially imminent accident involving the motor vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a leveling actuator for adjusting a level of the seat. 
     
     
         4 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a tensioning actuator for adjusting a tension of at least one strap of the seat. 
     
     
         5 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for detecting a condition of the child restraint system, wherein the sensor is in communication with the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit is configured to initiate the actuator when the condition has been detected by the sensor and the accident sensor system detects the potentially imminent accident. 
     
     
         6 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an inflatable airbag. 
     
     
         7 . The child restraint system of  claim 6 , wherein the seat comprises a restraint harness, and wherein the restraint harness comprises the inflatable airbag. 
     
     
         8 . The child restraint system of  claim 6 , wherein the inflatable airbag is deployable outward away from the seat. 
     
     
         9 . The child restraint system of  claim 8 , wherein the inflatable airbag is housed in a pocket in the child restraint system, and wherein the inflatable airbag is deployable from the pocket into abutting engagement with an adjacent surface. 
     
     
         10 . The child restraint system of  claim 6 , wherein the inflatable airbag is deployable inward toward a child positioned in the seat. 
     
     
         11 . The child restraint system of  claim 6 , further comprising a strap, wherein the inflatable airbag is directed toward the strap. 
     
     
         12 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a movable piston. 
     
     
         13 . The child restraint system of  claim 1 , wherein the child restraint system comprises the accident sensor system. 
     
     
         14 . A child restraint system for use on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, the child restraint system comprising:
 a seat dimensioned to receive a child;   a control circuit in communication with an accident sensor system, wherein the control circuit comprises a programmable processor; and   reaction means for implementing a safety measure based on input to the control circuit from the accident sensor system when the accident sensor system detects an anticipated accident involving the vehicle, and wherein the reaction means is in communication with the control circuit.   
     
     
         15 . The child restraint system of  claim 14 , wherein the reaction means comprises pyrotechnic means for initiating an actuator in the child restraint system. 
     
     
         16 . The child restraint system of  claim 14 , wherein the accident sensor system is configured to detect a condition of the anticipated accident, and wherein the reaction means comprises means for determining whether to implement the safety feature based on the condition of the anticipated accident. 
     
     
         17 . The child restraint system of  claim 14 , further comprising a base, wherein the seat is releasably attachable to the base. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 an accident sensor system for detecting an anticipated collision involving a motor vehicle; and   a child restraint system to be placed on a vehicle seat of the motor vehicle, wherein the child restraint system comprises:
 a seat dimensioned to receive a child; 
 an actuator; and 
 a control circuit that comprises a programmable processor that is programmed to control the actuator based on input from the accident sensor system. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator is configured to implement a safety feature in a reaction time window of the accident sensor system. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator comprises an airbag.