Adjustable Child Rocker Tracks for Multiple Infant Motion Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated child swings provide limited motion options, which may not adequately comfort infants in various situations, as the swinging motion can be too stimulating for soothing when an infant is almost asleep or not sufficient for others.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable automated child swing/rocker that can transition between swing and rocker modes, featuring a base assembly with adjustable track platforms and a seat assembly that can be manually rocked or electronically controlled to provide different motion types, including rock, glide, swing, and cradle motions, through a system of stationary and adjustable tracks and a drive mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional automated child swings use a fixed swinging motion, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability to different infant needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the motion characteristics adjustable rather than fixed. The drive mechanism can dynamically change between multiple motion modes (swinging, rocking, gliding, cradling) by adjusting the movement of the seat assembly relative to the base assembly. This allows the system to adapt to different infant needs while using a fundamentally simple mechanical structure with movable tracks and adjustable linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single device that can perform multiple functions through different motion modes. The same base assembly and seat assembly can produce four distinct motion types (swinging, rocking, gliding, cradling) by adjusting the track configuration and drive mechanism parameters, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the swing provides strong swinging motion, then it can effectively divert an awake infant, but it may cause an almost-asleep infant to become fully awake
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic control of motion intensity by allowing adjustment between different motion modes. The drive mechanism can vary the amplitude, frequency, and type of motion (swinging vs. rocking vs. gliding) to match the infant's state, providing gentle motion for drowsy infants and more active motion for awake infants, all through a unified control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the motion parameters (amplitude, frequency, trajectory) through adjustable mechanical linkages and track configurations. The drive mechanism can change these parameters to transition between motion modes, allowing fine-tuned control over the intensity and character of the motion without complicating the user interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable mode child rocker can be adjusted to provide a number of different swinging/rocking motions to a child positioned within the rocker. The child rocker can include a seat assembly that can include a seat upon which a child can sit. The child rocker can also include a trolley assembly that is directly or indirectly attached to the seat assembly and can include multiple wheels near the bottom of the trolley assembly. The child rocker can also include at least one stationary track and at least one adjustable track for the wheels to move along to provide the different rocking/swinging motions to the seat assembly. The adjustable track(s) is adjustable from at least a first position to a second position to change the distance between the troughs of the respective stationary and adjustable tracks along a longitudinal axis of the child rocker and thereby changing the rocking/swinging motion.