Fastening device of children's car seat Isofix. Isofix, is it always needed? Myths and reality. Read more about ISOFIX

ISOFIX fastening is primarily a standard that was developed by the International Standardization Organization and is successfully applied in all developed countries of the world. It is designed to provide maximum safety during the trip.

Important! ISOFIX fastening allows you to quickly and without any difficulties to install a children's chair in the car.

With the help of fastening ISOFIX, parents get a comfortable, simple and reliable chair, which will serve for many years. The main difference of this product from a variety of others is that the vehicle belts are not used for fixation.

The overall mounting scheme of the ISOFIX armchair is as follows: There are several built-in locks with retractable stones. The whole design is fixed with metal loops, which are also called anchors.

Attention! Anchors are part of the car. They are directly attached to the body. Accordingly, their reliability does not cause any doubts.

On the video, you can find out what isofix is:

History of creating and implementing the system

ISOFIX fastenings appeared not immediately in the machines. The first presentation of technology was held in 1990. It was then that the International Organization for Standardization, this standard was introduced.

The result of long-term operation was the fact that in 1995 the fastenings of the ISOFIX type are made in ECE R - 44. This is a set of rules for drivers and automotive companies. Despite all the works of human rights defenders only in 2006, the law comes out, which obliges each European car whose concept is being developed at the moment, to have a similar system.

Attention! 2011 was a turning point in implementing the ISOFIX fasteners. She became mandatory for each car made in Europe.

ISOFIX properties

Proper installation

The main feature of the ISOFIX fastening lies in the fact that the chair is impossible to correctly install. Designers of this product have done everything possible so that the installation is as comfortable as possible and simple.

The fact is that fixation by belt has many drawbacks, including:

• the ability to stretch the train not through that groove;
• probability of accidental shlek shlek;
• weak tension.

All this greatly reduces protective functions. As a result, the risk of injury increases. In turn, the ISOFIX fastening does not have all these flaws and provides reliable landing.

Attention! If you believe European statistics, then about 80% of parents are incorrectly used three-point straps when installing children's chairs.

ISOFIX fastening is good because thanks to him you can fix the chair either correctly or in any way. Now hurrying in the morning to work, you will not worry about whether the car seat was secured.

Safety

Thanks to the ISOFIX system, the reliability of fasteners increased many times. All due to the fact that the design is attached directly to the car body. The main element of the attachment is the loops that are welded to the metal frame.

Among the parents still there is an opinion that the ISOFIX fastening is not entirely safe for the child. It's all about the excessive rigidity that the structures are attributed.

In turn, chairs recorded with belts are attributed to less injury. It is believed that this is the merit of the free move, which takes place, while the belts will not stretch to the limit.

Nevertheless, if you take the experience of international standardization centers and laboratories, this theory does not withstand any criticism. As an example, it is best to take the latest crash tests with mannequins Hybrid III. They clearly demonstrated that the use of ISOFIX fastening seats in the design allows you to largely reduce the pressure on the neck during the collision.

Moreover, you can remember the rule that has long been invented in the environment of automotive engineers. In addition, they still enjoy the leading experts of all well-known companies: the effectiveness of ISOFIX holding systems depends on the stability of the seat.

Attention! Simply put when a collision is happening, hard fixation guarantees better defense Passengers.

It should also be borne in mind that the belts of the children's car seat are designed taking into account the power of inertia. Thanks to this calculation, the inertia appears as a result of the movement of the body of the baby is absorbed due to the elasticity of the belts.

Location

Many drivers before buying a chair with ISOFIX fasteners, are wondering where exactly this system Is there in the car? It is very important before purchasing a car seat, explore the car for the presence of the fixators you need.

ISOFIX fastenings are inside the passenger chairs themselves. To find them, it is sufficient to carefully examine the facial part of the seat. You need to look into the gap, which is located where the pillow and the back.

Tip! To check the car for the presence of the desired mounting elements, just shove your hand in the gap.

In almost all fastening cars for ISOFIX are in the same place. The main differences are to decorative elements that mask them. Very often fixing points are closed with a variety of caps and even locks.

Sometimes decorative plugs are used in designs. Nevertheless, all decorative elements, according to the standards existing in the automotive, are designated by special marks. For example, it can be an icon on which a child is drawn sitting in a car chair.

What disadvantages have an ISOFIX system

Despite the outstanding advantages of the safety of ISOFIX fastening are not devoid of their flaws. It is worth starting with the fact that the child cannot be attached to this chair, whose weight exceeds 18 kilograms.

A similar drawback is associated with a clear design calculation. Each element of the car seat can withstand only a certain load. If the weight of the child is more than 18 kilograms, then the attachments can break.

Because of this restriction, ISOFIX fasteners are provided by the seats from the one and zero category. For seats from other groups, the clamps are simply ineffective.

Another significant disadvantage is that according to the international ISO certification system, the weight of the chair itself should not exceed 15 kilograms. Of course, this very much limits the designers when developing new models. Nevertheless, for parents, especially for moms, it is rather plus.

Most weighing flaw ISOFIX fasteners is that there is no single automobile standard for the chairs to which systems are installed. Due to the fact that the angle of inclination of pillows and their height can differ significantly, the passage of standardization is significantly complicated.

Additional fixation

In order to achieve better fixation of children's chairs with fasteners of ISOFIX can be equipped with additional devices. Most often, automotive designers use the following protection measures:

• telescopic emphasis,
• anchor mount.

Telescopic emphasis is also called "stubborn leg". It provides more hard fixation. The device is mounted directly to the children's seat platform. The device for its design resembles two tubes that are attached to the base.

Attention! The length of the tubes is set by the parent itself. It is necessary to make the design rests on the floor.

Telescopic emphasis in connection with ISOFIX fasteners provides much more hard fixation of the entire structure, which positively affects the safety of the child.

Anchor mount is a seat belt, whose bracket is adjacent to the floor, ceiling and back of the back. As a result, it turns out a kind of triangle, which provides much more reliable fixation.

Each of these two elements, which goes as an addition to the ISOFIX system, is used to reduce the load on the attachment of the car seat. As a result, the possibility of the "nod" chairs is excluded. These two devices will largely stabilize the design, ensuring greater safety in the collision.

Video How to install a car seat with ISOFIX mounts:

RESULTS

Of course, the ISOFIX fastening system is tested throughout the world and is recommended for applying the most respected international standardization organizations. These fasteners ensure reliable fixation of the chair in the vehicle space.

Many car enthusiasts facing the term ISOFIX do not know what it is and why it is necessary. In this article we will try to close this gap in knowledge. Here you will learn what isofix is \u200b\u200bin the car, why it is necessary, as well as what is its advantages and disadvantages. If you are planning to buy a car, this information will allow you to do right choice, ensure security and avoid traffic violations.

According to the rules' requirements road, Transportation of children in the passenger vehicle before it is used only with the use of special chairs. At the same time, the chairs should ensure the safety of a minor passenger at any emergency situations.

What does ISOFIX fasteners look like

Many manufacturers are engaged in the release of such devices, but the diversity of models and fastening methods has become more negative factor. The fact is that application different modifications The car seat led to frequent errors during their installations. As a result, the children suffered even with minor accidents.

This was the reason for the emergence of a single international standard of rigid fastenings of children's car seats directly to the machine housing. This standard was introduced by the ISO International Institute and was called ISOFIX or ISO Fix.

In addition to ISOFIX, there are alternative standards for fastening a car seat. For example, in the US, the standard is quite popular Latch., and in Canada - UAS..

How to install an armchair with an ISOFIX fastening

Due to the simple design of the fasteners, it was possible to minimize the number of errors when installing a car seat for children. In essence, Isofix is \u200b\u200btwo brackets that are attached directly to the car body. The standard place of their installation is the space between the back and the seat of the passenger rear armchairs.

Installing a chair with ISOFIX fastening

To install the car seat, it is necessary to simply direct it from the brackets to the brackets and snap into the list of clamps. It is almost impossible to make a mistake in such operations, and the reliability of fixation is quite high.

There are also modifications of children's car seats with additional attachment points. Manufacturers argue that such models provide more high degree Child protection.

• Modifications with retractable (telescopic) stubborn leg. Such an emphasis allows you to ensure the impossibility of moving the chair forward in front blows, however, it creates some inconvenience during operation.
• Models with anchor mountwhich have an additional point of fixation using a special belt with a carbine. The bracket for fastening the belt may be behind the headrest of the seat or on the floor luggage compartment. Such a modification is considered more convenient and no less reliable. Almost all new cars are completed with the ISOFIX system specifically.

It should be noted that most of the children's car seats with the ISOFIX fastening system can also be fixed using conventional car belts. This is useful if the chair needs to be used in a car that is not equipped with an appropriate fastening.

What are the car seats with the fastening of Isofix

Isofix fastening is used for attaching car seats designed for the weight of the child up to 18 kg. These are the so-called group 0+ and group 1.

Car seat with ISOFIX mounting of the group 0+ (left) and 1 (right)

Car seats of group 0+ used for newborns and children weighing up to 13 kg. This design is a set of two main elements - directly carrying seats (crackers) and a base having an isofix type mount. The main advantage of such modifications is the ability to conveniently endure even a sleeping child. Just put a chair on the base, pressed and the safety of the trip was provided. The minuses of such a system traditionally include increased cost, and the base, and the carrying itself have a fairly high price.

Car seats Group 1 are used for weight 9-18 kg. In essence, this is a traditional chair with a standard fastening embedded in its lower part. There are no special design differences, but simplicity allows us to provide reliable fixation and safety.

Also on sale appeared and combined car seats Groups 0 + / 1which can be used for any child weighing up to 18 kg. Such modifications can be installed both during the movement and against it. In this case, the fastening of isofix is \u200b\u200bused mainly exclusively for group 0+. Separate models have a corporate bowl system (up to 180 degrees), allowing to simplify the placement of the child or disembarking it.

Video about isofix in the car

Some minuses fastening isofix

The main disadvantage, as already noted, is a weight limit. If the mass of the child is more than 18 kg, it is technically impossible to ensure reliable fastening of the chair during emergency shock loads due to a certain strength of the structural elements.

Some difficulties cause and differences in the design of the passenger seats of the car. Different form of the back, head restraints, differences in size and other factors complicate the use of standard isofix fasteners.

Child safety issues in a moving car, it seems to be enough attention, in particular, the obligatory element of the child's trip should be a special car seat. To date, their choice is quite extensive, but making it, it is worth paying attention to the method of fastening. One of possible options Is an ISOFIX fastening system, the use of which is possible in some cars.

ISOFIX system, in which its advantages and advantages

Fastening the children's seat in the cabin of the car can be performed in two ways:

• using seat belts;
• using the ISOFIX system.

Before considering how the installation of children's seats in the car is carried out, it should be noted that only correctly fixed baby car seat Provide the necessary conditions for this. If they are implemented using seat belts, random errors are possible - the belt may turn out to be twisted, weakly stretched, missed not in that groove, etc.

This installation of children's seats significantly reduces the protective capabilities that car seats have. Statistics say unequivocally - seventy percent of Europeans are incorrectly fixed. Avoid this allows ISOFIX system that is shown on video

Her main dignity is to mount the car seat needed to special brackets available on the car body. As they look, shown in the photo:

They are located under the backs of the seat, make sure that there are such fasteners in your car, quite simple - the seats have the appropriate labeling (ISOFIX) and badges. If they are not visible, then you need to check their hands between the back and pillow, these places are shown in the photo.

Installing an ISOFIX chair

The use of mentioned brackets allows you to securely install children's seat, thereby ensuring the safety of the child. The installation of the chair does not take much time, and the mount is made on their own, thanks to the special brackets that are shown in the photo

A similar fastening system is simple and reliable, the child's car seat is attached directly to the body, and most importantly - a minimum is minimized when an error is installed. Additional information about ISOFIX mounting can be obtained when watching video

Remove the car seat is also very simple - it is enough to unlock the latches.

It should be noted that for reliability, the ISOFIX system is additionally equipped with the so-called "Anchor belt" fastening. It is located at the top of the chair and is attached to a separate bracket existing on the car, for example, as shown in the photo:

An additional fastening at the top of the chair is achieved a decrease in the likelihood of the "nod" seat with a frontal impact. In principle, additional emphasis in the floor, which is in some models, performs the same role. With all its external bulky, the undoubted advantage of the stop will be versatility, not all cars have the opportunity to fix the "Anchor belt".

ISOFIX car seat, disadvantages, features and limitations

The main limitation for the operation of the armchair with the ISOFIX fastening is weight, its value should not exceed eighteen kilograms. Otherwise, loops and latches may not withstand large loads that occur when hit, and will not cope with the child's retention function.

The disadvantages of ISOFIX include the absence of uniform standards extending to rear armchairs car. Therefore, ISOFIX chairs must be certified for each specific model.

It should be noted another feature. Usually, the car seat is located in the course of the movement, but if the age of a child is less than two years, then in some cases the chair must be placed against the movement in the front seat.
The ISOFIX system assumes that the installation of the car seat will be done with their own hands. How to implement it is shown on video

conclusions

ISOFIX is a special fastening system to the case of a children's car seating machine. It allows you to secure it with your own hands quickly, and avoid possible errors when used for these purposes available safety belts. This species Fastening is not only in the back seat, but also on the front too. Due to the high efficiency, ISOFIX such a system is equipped with many cars. The restriction inherent in it - use for children weighing no more than eighteen kilograms.

Cars in which there is a system of fixtures children's chair ISOFIX:

In this article we will look at the system of the system, its advantages and disadvantages.

Isofix.INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANISATION FIX - Fastening system developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The purpose of this standard is to make the installation of children's car seats fast, simple and reliable. This is done to ensure full security Kids and lack of opportunity to install car seat incorrectly.

Almost all new cars since 2006 are equipped with upper fastening points on the seat belt and the ISOFIX system (Isofix), as there are international quality standards.

SERVICE SERVICE Availability of isofix fastening in a car

What are the advantages of the isofix system?

1. Risk wrong use Practically absent. According to the statistical data of experts, with the ISOFIX system, children's car seats are established by parents correctly in 95% of cases, while when attaching conventional safety belts, this percentage is only 30%.
2. The ISOFIX system reduces car seats to the side and forward, and also limits its rotation.
3. Installing a car seat becomes simpler and more convenient, does not take much time. Seasoning is also easy.
4. Provides additional safety Child due to an additional point of attachment to the car body.
5. Reliable fastening of the chair when there is no child in it.

What is the fastening of Isofix?

A few years ago it was difficult to assume that there would be separate chairs for small passengers, which are equipped with an Isofix system.

The heofex system itself was developed by engineers more than 10 years ago. It is two staples made of steel bar, which are welded to the car body. Fastening itself hidden in the car between pillows rear seat, sometimes it is closed with plugs. The distance between the brackets is the same in all cars, and is 27 cm.

Disadvantages of the ISOFIX system?

1. Fastening isofix is \u200b\u200buniversally for all cars, but for the rear row of car seats there are no uniform standards. Different manufacturers and different models can feature angle of inclination of pillows, height from the floor and other parameters.
2. Isofix braces, as a rule, are put in two rear places, but there are cars on which isofixes are standing on each passenger chair. In cases where there is no Isofix connectors in the car, then the chair can be consolidated by a regular three-point seat belt.
3. Mounting with a three-point vehicle seat belt necessarily in car seats for children from 3 to 12 years (EC 2/3). One isofix is \u200b\u200bnot able to withstand the load in case of an accident, whereas full belt And its attachments are withstanding peak loads up to 2000 kg.
4. As a rule, car seats with a system of isofix are designed for children weighing less than 18 kilograms. In cases where the child weighs more than 18 kilograms, the ISOFIX system performs only the function of fixing - the chair does not need to be additionally fixed when there is no child in it.

How to fix children's car seats with isofix system?

The appearance of the attachment is two brackets that are located under the back of the rear seat of the car. If the Izofix guides can be extended from the car seat - first need to be removed, and then fix it. With the help of fasteners with latches, the car seat is fixed on brackets. Next, the car seat is moved close to the automotive seat.

Remove the car seat with Isofix is \u200b\u200balso simple enough. Move the children's car seat from the backrest of a car seat, remove the latch remove the chair.

Is there a comfortable stay in car seats with Isofix system?

In Car Crescents of Group 1, when the car seat is additionally installed on the source base, almost everyone has seats have a comfortable stay mode.

We often ask a question if you can tilt the children's car seat of groups 2-3, or 1-2-3 with built-in fastening of Isofix so that the child can sleep. Our answer is no. Why? Firstly, it is unsafe, since if the chair is tilted and an emergency situation occurs, a child can jump out from under the belts. Secondly, if there is a built-in ISOFIX system, it cannot be constructively translated into the tilt position. If the chair can be redone into the booster (only lower pillow), then the vertical back has a free move and can have a small slope.

As a result, it is possible to conclude that the car seat with the ISOFIX system is safer, convenient, but has a small disadvantage in the form of a missing mode of comfortable holiday near the chair of the group 2-3 and 1-2-3.

What better isofix or belt, what attachment to give preference? One of the most common issues that potential buyers pay our consultants from once in time. We really hope that this article will somewhat clarify the situation to you and answer all the questions you are interested in.

So, let's start in order, namely with car seat bands 0+ For the smallest, newborn kids.

Immediately it should be noted that the chairs of this group practically never have a built-in ISOFIX mounting system. This is due to the fact that the car seat for newborns is very often used as carrying. That is, the child is usually not removed from the chair at the end of the trip, and the chair is unfastened and together with the baby who lies in the chair as in the basket, leaves the car's salon. Considering this feature, all manufacturers seek to make a group of 0+ groups in the easiest, because a child in 6 months on average weighs about 7 kilograms and the heavier chair, the more hot it becomes.

Isofix. These are metal strips with embedded locks-captures at the end, and the metal cannot but drain the chair.

It is for this reason that the ISOFIX mounting to the chairs of the group 0+ performs a separate element built into the database, or as it also is called the platform for fastening the chair. As a result, it turns out that there is such a base in the car on the ISOFIX loop, and the children's car seat is installed on it. This is definitely more convenient compared to belt fastening, as the chair is snapped on the platform without any effort and just just disgusting from it.

When attaching a car seat on car belt In most cases, it becomes necessary to remove the child from the chair, in order to skip the belts through the guides, and this, you see, not very convenient, especially if the baby is already treated by this time.

And, of course, security, because it is precisely the top priority of a car seat.

Car seats in the group 0+ installed on the ISOFIX platform show higher results in crash tests than the same models fixed by a car belt, and in some cases even significantly improve this indicator.

So if you are allowed tools, we We strongly recommend using the ISOFIX database to install the chairs of the group 0+.

Next Category Car Seat This chair group I.. These chairs are designed for children who have reached 9 months of age, as the kids by this time spend less time on their hands at mom, then the chairs for them do not perform an additional function of carrying, and stationaryly installed in the car. Chairs for children of this age category are sufficiently voluminous and founded. Usually they are installed in the car once and are not taken out of it until the child's growth will reach 1 meter.

ISOFIX for the Armchairs of Group I, as a rule, is built-in option, inseparable from the chair, as the weight of the chair no longer has so much. Since the need to often install and remove the chair is no longer there, the advantage of the simplicity of ISOFIX fastening is somewhat losing its appeal, especially since the process of installing the chair of the group I both on the belt and the ISOFIX approximately the same time consuming. If we consider safety indicators, they differ little in the chairs with an ISOFIX fastening compared to similar models that do not have such a type of fastening.

For example, compare indicators aDAC crash test For 2008, where two models were tested in essence of the same armchair Romer King Plus installed on the belt and the Romer SafeFix Plus having an ISOFIX fastening. As you can see, the indicators are completely identical. And one more aspect - the trend of production of a car session of the group I with iSOFIX system More and more goes to the fact that such chairs have the ability to be installed only on ISOFIX. It certainly does not matter if in your car is provided this type Fastenings and you will never go with a child in another car, in which there is no fastening. If you have two cars in your family and in one of them there is no ISOFIX fastening or you do not exclude the possibility of a trip with a child, for example, on a taxi where not all cars are equipped with an ISOFIX fastening system, then better consider the acquisition of a car seat with a belt mounting system, Either try to find chairs that have the ability to be installed both on ISOFIX and on a regular car seat belt, but every year there are less and less such models.

Another feature of the chairs I am the age category with ISOFIX - they are sure must have an additional point of fastening or support. It is necessary to in order emergency situation The chair did not overturned forward.

There are two methods to avoid tipping - fasten the chair in addition to ISOFIX anchor strap or use reference rack. In the first case, the chair has a relatively low weight, takes less space in the car's cabin, because Does not have discover parts, but is not installed in all cars having an ISOFIX fastening. So besides ISOFIX car It must be equipped with an anchor belt mount (for example, in Peugeot 307 such a chair will not be established). A foot-overhead is a bit more volume, has a greater weight and is not very adapted for transportation outside the car (train, aircraft, etc.), but it will be more versatile and well in any car having an ISOFIX fastening.

Summing up, our specialists can summarize the following: the ISOFIX mount for the first age category car seat does not have such a large value as in the group 0+.

Car seats installed on the standard belt are practically not inferior to safety seats with ISOFIX. True, with a little, but important clarification - they must have straps descending systemOnly the presence of this option provides a strong and reliable installation of the chair in the car. Chairs of groups I, equipped with an ISOFIX fastening, are more prestigious and quite expensive. If you have to significantly suffer yourself to the acquisition of car seats with this type of fastening, then it is probably not worth doing this. But it is impossible to say that the ISOFIX fastening in car seats is useless too. It is almost impossible to make mistakes and incorrectly to install a car seat on ISOFIX, and this is a huge advantage.

With a group II-III, intended for older children, everything is much more. A distinctive feature of the automotive seats of this age category is Lack of own built-in belts for attaching a child. For this reason, the main fastening is a car belt, with which the child and chair are also fastened. If you do not have an ISOFIX fastening in the car or if the child rises more often on the front passenger seatwhere Isofix loops usually does not happen, then this is a completely sufficient and full type of fastening. However, if there is an opportunity to install car seats of group II-III using ISOFIX, it is better to use this particular fastening.

What are the advantages, you ask? Everything is very simple, let's see the behavior of the chairs on the crash tests. Chairs that do not have an ISOFIX attachment during the strike start moving forward along with a mannequin until the inertial car belts work. Since the chair has its own, albeit not very high weight, then the load on the mannequin at the points of contact with the belt increases. If the car seat is fixed on ISOFIX, then during the strike it remains motionless to stand on the seat, and automotive belts in this case are caught only the mannequin. Once the weight of the mannequin is not added weight of the chair, then the load at the points of contact with the belt is significantly less. Think, because car seats, designed for adults, do not have the ability to move around the cabin, they are firmly welded and fastened to the car body, and in the case of a sharp braking, the car belt holds only the passenger. It is the principle of fastening and able to provide ISOFIX.

Another question that will ask us buyers who choose car seats of group II-III with ISOFIX is that the ISOFIX fastening cannot withstand the weight of the child exceeding 18 kg. All right weights on which ISOFIX loops are calculatedIn the case of an excessive load there is a risk that the loops may raise. But this is not possible in a situation with the fastening on the ISOFIX car seat of group II-III due to the fact that the weight of the child does not carry any load on ISOFIX, because ISOFIX holds only the chair, the child is holding regular car belts.

Summing up all the above factors, our experts with confidence can say the following: if you have the opportunity to establish a car seat of group II-III on ISOFIX, then, of course, it is better to choose a car seat with this type of fastening.

And finally, a little about the universal chairs of the I-II-III group. Since these chairs combines two types of armchairs - group I and group II-III, the importance of ISOFIX for them is approximately such: during the use of car seat instead of the I age group, the role of ISOFIX has no importance. When the child grows and the car seat begins to be used as a group II-III, the role of Isofix immediately increases at times. After all, all universal chairs, in fact, and there are Armchairs of Group II-III, which is slightly upgraded by adding built-in belts or safety table for the possibility of fastening in the chair of children who have not achieved 1m.