RiveMove

A CRS occupies part of the cabin space where adults would normally sit In the event of an accident, the risk to the person occupying the middle seat of suffering whiplash or impact injuries is close to 100%. When a frontal crash at any speed takes place, an adult’s body moves forward, until it is restrained by the seat belt. During the backward movement, adjacent CRS will invade the adult’s space causing the body to slow down prematurely as it collides with the CRS and not with the backrest of the vehicle. The head and neck are still moving backwards without support from the headrest making them prone to suffering severe injuries or even whiplash. With RiveMove we make possible that the adult travelling next to the CRS has the space needed to adopt an optimal position allowing the seat belt and the headrest to work properly in case of an accident.

It prevents undesired yaw rotation, which is a movement around the yaw axis of a rigid body that changes the direction it is pointing, to the left or right of its direction of motion. When involved in side or a front side-impact, children sitting in CRS may suffer the consequences of the impact. When a side-impact accident occurs, the CRS tends to roll towards the door, separating the child from its optimal position, within the head protection zone, where the level of protection is at its maximum. This allows the child’s head to potentially hit the car panels or window, potential causing severe brain injuries. When the CRS is displaced using the RiveMove, the gap that exists between the door panel and the CRS is eliminated. The CRS and Car door panel come into contact sooner with the child closer to the optimal position with the greater level of protection, both the CRS and the RiveMove are pushed away from the impact together.

In the event of an accident, the engineering geometries that the RiveMove incorporates, allow a controlled and progressive deformation which absorbs part of the energy in play when the impact occurs, deflecting it from the child. The combination of RiveMove and the CRS is capable of absorbing a greater amount of energy during the impact than only using the CRS, as it has been proved in the crash tests performed in Italy by the CSI S.p.A. During those tests, the maximum deceleration peak measured in the dummies’ heads is lower and wider, therefore, in case of accident, the child would receive less force distributed over time.

To verify that safety is enhanced, crash tests are carried out in two different steps: 1- A CRS is tested in its nominal position and shape (using the ISOFIX anchorages or the ISOFIX anchorages and the seat belt as in groups 2/3) to obtain the biomechanical reference values of the child. 2- After the baseline test, additional tests are performed with the RiveMove device installed and shifted 70 mm (RM70) where the CRS is fixed with both the ISOFIX and the seat belt in a position displaced from the nominal one towards the door. Fulfilling the regulatory requirements in R129 is not enough. Aside from the fact that it meets the regulatory requirements, the main goal is to improve the biomechanical values of the reference test. So far, we’ve carried out more than 65 dynamic tests with dummies sizes Q10, Q6, and Q3 in CRS for groups 2/3 and 0/1.

RiveMove is an independent ISOFIX safety accessory certified under ECE/R129 (i-Size) regulation. RiveMove was invented with the purpose of enhancing vehicle’s passive safety for children. The purpose of the technology used is not only with the intention of increasing space, but also enhancing CRS safety. There are no specific Regulations to test products such as the RiveMove to, it is therefore not possible for it to be homologated (the granting of approval by an official authority). All children’s car seats sold in the UK and Ireland are homologated this is indicated by an orange label attached to the product. Most children’s car seats for children with special needs are NOT homologated. This does not mean they are not tested they are, but may only achieve a Certification. European safety regulation ECE/R129 commonly known as i-Size, establishes those values that Europe considers to be safe and must be obeyed by CRS manufacturers. Thus, it determines those elements that could get an approval number and it literally states: “This Regulation applies (in its Phase 1) to Integral Universal ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems (i-Size) and Integral "Specific vehicle ISOFIX" Child Restraint Systems for child occupants of power driven vehicles.” Consequently, and according to this regulation, only CRS are eligible to obtain an approval number under this regulation. Apart from Special Need Child Car Seats, all the other accessories we are aware of, like head protectors, head support bands used within the CRS, child harnesses or maternity seat belts, to mention a few, rely on the manufacturer’s choice to be certified under that same regulation (or an equivalent) submitting the accessories in combination with the CRS to the same requirements posed by the regulation. This is the case of RiveMove which has successfully complied with the i-Size regulation dynamic tests.

It is also very important to differentiate some of the aspects of this new regulation. For instance, the new regulation divides CRS by occupant’s weight and height intervals. Furthermore, it establishes maximum dimensions for CRS and minimum ones for vehicles’ seats where they are installed. Also, the new regulation indicates that the anchoring systems of CRS manufactured under this regulation could only be anchored to the vehicle by using ISOFIX connectors. Research on child safety As the manufacturer, Rivekids, our goal is to contribute to reducing injury and death car accidents. The RiveMove undergone thorough development and testing phases to achieve the appropriate results. Too many children die every day in car accidents and it is a matter of the utmost urgency to innovate in order to reduce that number. Our investment in research and development could change this situation. At Rivekids, we are committed to investing in ground breaking research to achieve this goal. RiveMove is an ISOFIX attachment device completely independent from any CRS manufacturer. For further information please contact us.