Child Carrying Unit Canopy With Multi-Point Connecting Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child carrying unit canopy systems are complex and cumbersome to operate, lacking a simple and efficient mechanism for adjusting the shielding area.

Innovation Solution

A flexible canopy with a connecting arrangement that allows for releasable fixation of multiple connecting portions, enabling the canopy to transition between collapsed and extended configurations for enhanced shielding, using zipper or magnetic connections with sliders for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a flexible cover with collapsible cover portion is used, then the canopy can be easily stored and transported, but the mechanism becomes complex and cumbersome to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible cover portion is designed to nest within itself when collapsed, with the cover portion containing the functional layer and covering layer folded within the same structural envelope. This nesting mechanism allows the canopy to reduce to a compact form factor for storage and transport while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive expansion and contraction movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple connecting portions are used to enable extended configuration, then the shielding area can be increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding areaVSAvoidconnecting arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting arrangement uses universal connecting partners that can establish multiple different connections (first connection and second connection) between the same set of connecting portions. These connecting partners are designed to be interchangeable and multi-functional, allowing the canopy to achieve both collapsed and extended configurations using the same connecting mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining extended shielding capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4446198A1Canopy for a child carrying unit
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 THULE SWEDEN AB
  • EP4446198A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4446198A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4446198A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed is a canopy (10) for a child carrying unit (1). The canopy (10) comprises a flexible cover (11) for at least partially covering a child. The canopy (10) further comprises a connecting arrangement configured to releasably fix at least three different connecting portions of the flexible cover (11) to each other. The connecting arrangement is configured to establish a first connection (30) of the connecting portions and a different second connection (40) of the connecting portions by means of connecting partners (51, 52, 53) provided on the flexible cover (11). The first connection (30) and the second connection (40) share a common connecting partner (53).