Isofix
Isofix (also ISOFIX ) is a particularly safe and easy-to-use fastening system for child seats in automobiles , in which a rigid connection is established between the body and the child seat. The system is standardized according to the ISO 13216 standard, from which it got its name.
A distinction is made between the Isofix systems in "vehicle-specific approval" and "universal approval" . For vehicle-specific approval , it must be checked whether the seat in question is approved for the vehicle in question. Seat and vehicle manufacturers publish corresponding lists.
history
The International Organization for Standardization defined the ISO 13216 standard (Isofix bracket) for the first time in 1990 and approved the system for the three groups 0, 0+ and 1. In 1995 Ford announced that it would equip its vehicles with Isofix brackets from now on. The company dared to take this step after the previous developer consortium had come to a standstill. In October 1995 the system was approved by the European Commission and the FIA. Since the turn of the millennium, the system has been introduced to almost all vehicle and child seat manufacturers.
The invention of the system is claimed to be effective in advertising. Britax Römer suggests being the inventor of the system together with Volkswagen and writes on its website: In 1997, in cooperation with Volkswagen, we presented the first Group 1 ISOFIX child seat at the IAA. This development later became an international requirement for cars and child seats. A publication by Volkswagen is quoted as follows: “The Volkswagen company was instrumental in developing the attachment for a child car seat that meets all safety requirements. The company's internal experience served as a model and was incorporated into the development of the international standard ISO 13216-1 - today known as the ISOfix system. "
construction
On the vehicle side, the Isofix connection consists of two retaining brackets with a thickness of 6 mm, which are located at a distance of 280 mm in the gap between the backrest and seat. The child seat is hooked into these fastenings.
In Europe, only rigid mounting brackets, so-called locking arms, are permitted on the child seat, which grip into the retaining bracket via a click function. This rigid system is noticeably different from the US latch system (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children). The child seat is connected to the retaining brackets with the help of tensioned belt straps. Because of the soft straps, this system is also known as "Soft" Isofix.
In addition to being attached to the mounting brackets, the "universal approval" requires a second fixation to prevent undesired rotation of the seat around the mounting bracket. There are different systems for this:
- Top Tether ( upper tether )
- This is an additional strap that is guided over the seat back and attached to a bracket on the vehicle with a hook and then tensioned.
- Support leg ( supporting leg )
- which supports the child seat against the floor of the car. A support foot is only effective if it stands directly on the floor panel.
- Low tether ( lower tether )
- For backward-facing systems (reboarders) , belt straps are used here to secure the child seat to the floor.
advantages
Isofix child seats are particularly easy to use, which minimizes the risk of incorrect attachment. Incorrect belt guidance is one of the most common causes of accident injuries in conventional child seats despite child seats. Furthermore, the rigid connection to the body minimizes the risk of the belts giving way and the child being hit in the event of an accident. For these reasons, child seats with Isofix brackets generally perform better in crash tests than otherwise identical seats with conventional belt brackets. The system is therefore generally recommended by road safety experts and accident researchers.
In addition, the fixed anchoring is also an advantage if you take the seat with you empty - without a child. Depending on the manufacturer, some Isofix child seats can also be attached conventionally with a belt if there is no Isofix device in one of the vehicles used.
disadvantage
As of 2007, Isofix child seats could mostly only be attached to the outer seats; Otherwise the middle position is preferable for safety reasons. Sometimes there are no assembly-friendly openings for the Isofix retaining brackets. The risk of damage to the seat covers increases due to the low-lying retaining brackets on the vehicle and sharp-edged fasteners on the child seat. In addition, child seats with Isofix are often a bit more expensive. Naturally, the seats cannot be moved horizontally, so installing three child seats on the rear bench is rarely possible.
Isofix belt
Isofix belts are now also being sold. These belts are used to secure a child seat to the Isofix bracket instead of the car seat belts. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority recommends, however, not to use such belts. The office has determined that potential injuries could be more severe. Companies sell these belts on the Internet and usually have their headquarters in the Far East .
Web links
- Protecting children in the car - accident research by the insurer GDV
- Autokindersitz.at - What exactly is ISOFIX?
- Isofix - Jewish traffic school Mannheim
Individual evidence
- ↑ International Standard ISO 13216. Anchorages in vehicles and attachments to anchorages for child restraint systems. International Organization for Standardization , Geneva
- ↑ Product safety & liability reporter: Volume 23, Page 593 f. 1995
- ^ Design news: Volume 50, Issues 13-18, p. 169, 1995
- ^ Autocar: Volume 205, Haymarket Motoring Pub., P. 9 1995
- ↑ What is ISOFIX? . www.britax.com. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
- ↑ Gut in Norm Article in Volkswagen-Magazin 1/2000 pp. 82–85, quoted in: General economic benefit of standardization. Summary of results. Scientific final report with practical examples. Executive summary. - Part A: Economic benefits - Part B: Economic benefits
- ↑ Test of child car seats by Stiftung Warentest , June 17, 2005
- ↑ http://www.udv.de/fahrzeugsicherheit/pkw/kinder/
- ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from February 21, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ http://www.landesverkehrswacht.de/themen/nur-mit-kindersitz-der-sitzt/isofix-kindersitze.html
- ↑ That will be tight - practical test of child seats , Auto Bild 13/2007
- ↑ KBA warns of ISOFIX belts. Retrieved June 28, 2018 .
- ↑ Isofix belts. (pdf) Potentially occurring injuries to the child in an accident increased in severity. May 11, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2018 .
