Car seats for children Isofix

The list of security systems of any car begins with belts. They minimize the harm to the health of the driver and the passenger at the time of the collision. However, from the point of view of child safety, such a system is not just useless, but it can also aggravate the situation, causing even greater damage. At least, if it is a question of the young passengers who have not reached teenage age. To date, the most effective means of safety in such cases is the child car seat Isofix, 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, there are no worthy alternatives at the moment. The devices closest to it in terms of their qualities are only variations of the Isofix system.

The device of fixation system

The mechanism includes two U-shaped metal loops and a pair of matching locks. As a result of the fastening of these elements, a reliable fixation of the child seat is formed. In this case, the Isofix child restraint system secures the installation of loops on the power frame of the machine. In turn, the locks are located on the car seats.

Most modern cars are equipped with such devices already in the basic configuration. In many countries, the availability of fixtures has become a prerequisite for the model to enter the market. Another thing is that car owners must independently purchase children's chairs Isofix for the use of fasteners. By the way, not so long ago, the models of the domestic "AvtoVAZ" were equipped with fixatives of this design.

Benefits of the

It starts with the main advantage of the system - reliability. In the construction of the structure, steel is used, which virtually eliminates the risk of deformation of the mechanism under high physical load in the cabin. In addition, the very approach to fixing does not leave room for abrupt movement of the child's body and head at the time of the accident. Another important advantage that has a child seat car Isofix, it's easy to use. Despite the rigid fixation of the seat, it is sufficient to simply move it to remove it - push the structure along the guides. Further, the characteristic clicks will confirm the correctness of the installation.

By the way, in the installation method there is one more advantage of such systems. They minimize the risk of error during installation. Unlike cradles, which can be used in the same system with conventional seat belts, child seats Isofix can not be installed incorrectly - a thoughtful mechanism provides only one position of the elements of the device in a fixed state.

Isofix system with Top Tether belt

To improve the safety function, some manufacturers include the so-called anchor belt (Top Tether) in the design of the chair. With his help, the chair is held with frontal impacts from a sharp nod forward. Usually in such situations, the whip effect occurs. In turn, Isofix child seats with a Top Tether belt prevent the risk of injury from such impacts. However, it is important to note that not all cars can be equipped with an anchor belt. If it can be combined with almost any seat, then for cars are provided special devices, also related to the body. As a rule, these are European models, as in American machines Latch mechanisms are used.

For what age are children's chairs Isofix?

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. That is, the bottom bar is completely absent. 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. Select child seats in the machine Isofix and with additional features. For example, for younger categories there are models with sleep / wake modes, tables and various accessories. There are more serious constructional additions. In particular, it is possible to provide a special platform for installing the 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 car seats Isofix

Experts evaluate the car seat of this system by several criteria, among which can be identified: safety, care requirements, comfort and convenience of installation. With regard to safety, this criterion provides for the ability of the device to prevent lateral and frontal impacts. Here, the function of the head restraint and the stability of the model are evaluated. The care requirements usually depend on the materials from which the child seat with the Isofix mount is made, and also on the ease of cleaning. The level of comfort is determined by the material of the packing, the very shape of the seat, the presence of a cushion under the ribs and an allowable view for the child. Convenience of operating the chair assumes not only the ease of the 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 fastening system, it is not all motorists who 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 mounts 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 the car. In addition to the security function, these seats 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's armchairs go far beyond the security objectives.