Wheeled Carriage Frame Assembly with Pivot Joint and Link Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheeled carriages for pets and children have cumbersome folding mechanisms, high seating positions that hinder access and stability, and limited entrance options, leading to instability during travel.

Innovation Solution

A frame assembly with a bottom frame and upper frame that pivotally couple, allowing for easy folding and side access, a low-floor design with wheels positioned below the axle line for improved stability, and a rear entrance without crossbars for enhanced accessibility and reduced center of gravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If crossbars are arranged between side frames at the unfolded position, then the carriage structure is stable, but the folding operation becomes cumbersome requiring removal of crossbars

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarriage structure stabilityVSAvoidfolding operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage frame is divided into modular components: side frames, crossbars, and support legs that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows the crossbars to remain attached to side frames while support legs are removed for folding, maintaining structural integrity during folding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support legs are designed with dynamic positioning capability - they can be locked in an extended position for stability during use, or retracted and removed for compact folding. This dynamic design separates the stability function (crossbars remaining fixed) from the folding function (support legs becoming movable).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the floor position is raised above the axles, then the carriage provides more headroom, but the centre of gravity rises reducing stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadroom volumeVSAvoidcarriage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage structure utilizes a multi-level spatial arrangement where the floor is positioned at an elevated level for headroom, while the support legs and crossbars extend downward below the axle line. This vertical dimensionality allows the center of gravity to be lowered by the lower structural elements while maintaining adequate headroom above the floor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The support legs are positioned asymmetrically relative to the floor level - they extend significantly below the axle line while the floor remains elevated. This asymmetric configuration creates a low center of gravity through the lower structural mass while preserving headroom through the elevated floor position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the entrance is only at the front, then the carriage structure is simplified, but pets must turn around inside requiring high vertical space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarriage structure complexityVSAvoidvertical space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The side frames are designed with universal functionality - they serve both as structural support elements and as frame members for the entrance opening. By making the side frames themselves form the entrance boundary, the carriage provides side access without requiring additional dedicated entrance structures, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling multi-directional access.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4442536A1Frame assembly for wheeled carriage, bike trailer, stroller, and multi-functional carriage
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 HTS HANS TORGERSEN & SOENN AS
  • EP4442536A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442536A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442536A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a frame assembly (1) for wheeled carriage. The frame assembly comprises: a bottom frame (2) having a first end and a second end; an upper frame (3) having a first end and a second end; a joint (4) pivotally coupling the second end of the upper frame (3) and the second end of the bottom frame (2) so that the upper frame (3) rotates around an axis of the joint and between a first position and a second position with respect to the bottom frame (2); a pillar (5) extending from the bottom frame (2) from a position between the first end and the second end of the bottom frame, toward the upper frame (3) between the first end and the second end of the upper frame (3), at least part of the pillar (5) being rotatable with respect to the bottom frame (2); a link (6) coupling the pillar (5) and the upper frame (3) so as to rotate the upper frame (3) around the axis of the joint (4) when the pillar (5) is rotated; and a locking means for releasably locking an orientation of the pillar (5), an orientation of the upper frame (2) and/or an orientation of the link (6) such that the upper frame (3) is maintained in the first position.