Isofix

Isofix (also ISOFIX ) is a particularly secure and easy -to-use mounting system for child safety seats in automobiles, in which a rigid connection between the body and the child seat is made. The system is standardized according to ISO 13216, after which it got its name.

One distinguishes the Isofix system in " car-specific approval " and " universal approval ". In the vehicle-specific approval is necessary to examine whether the seat in question is authorized for that vehicle. Seat and vehicle manufacturers publish appropriate lists. A guidance also offer the " Isofix " lists the Insurers Accident Research ( UDV ), inform about which vehicle types on which seats are equipped with Isofix attachments, and what Isofix child seats available for this purpose.

History

The International Organization for Standardization defined the standard ISO 13216 ( Isofix bracket) for the first time in 1990 and gave the system for the three groups 0, 0 and 1 free. 1995 Ford announced that, henceforth equip its vehicles with Isofix mountings. The company ventured this initiative after the previous developer consortium stood still. In October 1995, the system received its authorization by the European Commission and the FIA. Since the turn of the millennium, the system was introduced almost all vehicle and child seat manufacturers.

The invention of the system is claimed effective advertising. Britax Römer suggests to be the inventor of the system together with Volkswagen and writes on his website: In 1997 we presented in cooperation with Volkswagen, the first Isofix child seat Group 1 at the IAA. Later this development was an international requirement for cars and car seats. A publication of Volkswagen is quoted as follows: "The company Volkswagen was instrumental in helping to develop the attachment for a child car seat that meets all safety requirements The company's internal experiences had a role model and were included in the development of the international standard ISO 13216-1. - today known as ISOfix system ".

Construction

The Isofix connection on the vehicle side of a pair of brackets with a thickness of 6 mm, which are located at a distance of 280 mm in the gap between the back rest and seat. The child seat is hooked into these fortifications.

In Europe, this exclusively rigid mounting bracket, so-called locking arms, allowed the child seat which engage a click function in the bracket. This rigid system (English: rigid system) differs significantly from the American Type Latch System ( Lower Anchors and Tether for Children ). Here, the child seat with the help of tensioned straps is connected to the mounting brackets. Because of the soft straps, this system is referred to as " soft" Isofix.

In addition to the fixing to the support brackets, a second fixing must in the " universal approval " take place in order to prevent undesired rotation of the seat about the support bracket. There are several systems:

Benefits

Isofix child seats are characterized by a particularly simple operation, thereby reducing the risk of a false attachment is minimized. Incorrect belt guide is one in conventional child seats among the most common causes of accident -related injuries, despite the child seat. Furthermore, it is minimized in an accident due to the rigid connection to the body, the risk of yielding of the strap and of an impact of the child. For these reasons, cut children's seats with Isofix mounting in crash tests generally perform better than otherwise identical seats with conventional strap holder. The system is therefore generally recommended by road safety experts and accident investigators.

In addition, the firm anchoring also beneficial if one seat empty - no child - carries. Depending on the manufacturer some Isofix child seats can also be conventionally mounted with the strap when not Isofixvorrichtung is present in one of the vehicles used.

Disadvantages

Isofix child seats can usually fix only on the outer seats; the center position but is otherwise preferable for safety reasons. Sometimes there is no installation-friendly openings for the Isofix mounting bracket are available. Then increases by deep retaining bracket on the vehicle and sharp locks on the child seat the risk of damage to the upholstery. In addition, child seats with Isofix are often slightly more expensive. Naturally, the seats can not be moved horizontally, so the mounting of three child seats on the rear bench seat is rarely possible.