The list of safety systems of any car begins with belts. They help minimize the harm to the health of the driver and passenger at the time of the collision. However, from the point of view of child safety, such a system is not only useless, but can also aggravate the situation, causing even greater damage. At least when it comes to young passengers who have not reached adolescence. To date, the most effective safety feature in such cases is the Isofix child car seat , which is installed using a special mechanism. It would be wrong to say that this is the only system designed to protect children in the car. But in terms of reliability, worthy alternatives to him at the moment simply do not exist. Closest to its quality devices are just variations of the Isofix system.
Locking system device
The mechanism includes two U-shaped metal loops and a pair of locks corresponding to them in size in the design. As a result of the bonding of these elements, a reliable fixation of the child seat is formed. At the same time, the Isofix child seat mounting system provides for the installation of hinges on the power frame of the machine. In turn, the locks are located on car seats.
Most modern cars are equipped with such devices as standard. In many countries, the presence of fasteners has become a prerequisite for the model to enter the market. Another thing is that car owners must independently purchase Isofix child seats for using fasteners. By the way, not so long ago, the domestic AvtoVAZ models began to be equipped with latches of this design.
Mechanism benefits
You should start with the main advantage of the system - reliability. Steel is used in the manufacture of the structure, which virtually eliminates the risk of the mechanism becoming deformed under high physical stress in the cabin. In addition, the fixation approach itself leaves no room for a sharp movement of the child’s body and head at the time of the accident. Another important advantage that the Isofix child car seat has is ease of use. Despite the rigid fixation of the seat, for its dismantling it is enough to perform a simple movement - push the structure along the guides. Further characteristic clicks will confirm the correctness of the installation.
By the way, the installation method is another advantage of such systems. They minimize the risk of installation errors. Unlike the cradles, which can be used in the same system as conventional seat belts, Isofix child seats cannot be installed incorrectly - a well-thought-out mechanism provides only one position of the device elements in a fixed state.
Isofix Top Tether System
To increase the safety function, some manufacturers include the so-called anchor belt (Top Tether) in the design of the chair. With it, the chair is held in frontal impacts from a sharp nod forward. Usually in such situations, a whip effect occurs. In turn, Isofix child seats with a Top Tether belt prevent the risk of injury from such bumps. However, it is important to consider that not all cars can be equipped with an anchor belt. If it can be combined with almost any chair, then special devices are also provided for cars, also associated with the body. As a rule, these are European models, since American cars use Latch mechanisms.
For what age are Isofix child seats suitable?
Fixing systems of this type can be used to ensure the safety of children under 18 years of age. But, as a rule, they are still used for young passengers under 12 years old. That is, the lower bar is completely absent. The classification of models of chairs is determined by the mass of the child. So, there are versions designed for weight up to 10, 13, 18 and 36 kg. Selected child seats in the Isofix car and taking into account additional features. For example, for the younger categories, models with sleep / wake modes, tables and various accessories are provided. There are more serious structural additions. In particular, it is possible to provide a special platform for installing a chair through the Isofix system. Such designs increase the reliability and stability of the seat. If you plan to integrate the locking mechanism into the machine design as an option, then this choice will be optimal.
Criteria for assessing the quality of Isofix car seats
Experts evaluate the car seats of this system according to several criteria, among which are: safety, care requirements, comfort and ease of installation. With regard to safety, this criterion provides for the ability of the device to prevent side and frontal impacts. The headrest function and model stability are also evaluated here. Care requirements usually depend on the materials from which the child seat with Isofix mount is made, as well as on the ease of cleaning. The level of comfort is determined by the material of the padding, the very shape of the seat, the presence of a pillow under the ribs and an acceptable view for the child. The ease of use of the chair implies not only the ease of installation, but also the possibility of transforming the design of the model and the technique of fastening the passenger.
Conclusion
Despite all the advantages of this mounting system, not all motorists decide to use it. This is explained, rather, not by negligence, but by the high cost of such devices. Even in the middle segment, a child seat with Isofix mount costs at least 5 thousand rubles. If you turn to cheap models, then the result will be appropriate, and experts do not recommend saving on safety in a car. In addition to the safety function, such chairs can also save time on the device of the child in the cabin and better organize procedures for his care on the road. That is, the benefits of Isofix seats go far beyond security.