Infant Carrier Backrest Latch for Easy Seating Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional infant carrier strollers lack convenient adjustment mechanisms for changing the seating direction, making it difficult for parents to interact with children and adjust the backrest assembly effectively.
Innovation Solution
An infant carrier apparatus with an adjustable backrest assembly held by a backrest holding mechanism at a top transverse region, allowing easy one-handed operation to lock and unlock the backrest for various seating configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest assembly is made adjustable to enable multiple seating configurations for parent-child interaction, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for adjustment and lock mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest assembly is divided into multiple segments (first backrest frame and second backrest frame) that can rotate independently relative to each other and to the seat assembly. This segmentation allows the backrest to achieve multiple configurations (facing forward, rearward, and intermediate positions) through simple rotational movements of discrete segments, rather than requiring a complex continuous adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch element is designed to automatically engage with the transverse segment at specific locked positions during rotation, and can be easily released by the user. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for complex locking systems, as the mechanism serves itself by automatically securing the backrest at desired angles without requiring additional locking components or complex operations.
2Ease of operation
If the adjustment mechanism is placed adjacent to the seat for structural compactness, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to poor accessibility for adults
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest holding mechanism is repositioned from a horizontal placement adjacent to the seat to a vertical placement at the top transverse region of the backrest assembly. This dimensional change in mechanism placement makes the latch element easily accessible to adults from above, improving ease of operation while maintaining structural compactness through the vertical integration of the mechanism into the backrest frame.
3Ease of operation
If the backrest holding mechanism is placed at the top transverse region for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse segment of the backrest frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the backrest assembly, acts as a mounting structure for the latch element, and serves as the locking interface itself through its engagement features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural components, reducing overall device complexity while enabling the holding mechanism to be positioned at the accessible top transverse region.
Data Source
AI summary
An infant carrier apparatus comprises a seat assembly, a backrest assembly including a first and second backrest frame, and a backrest holding mechanism. The first backrest frame includes first side and transverse segments, the second backrest frame includes second side and transverse segments, the first side segment being coupled with the seat assembly via a first pivot point. The backrest holding mechanism can be movably assembled between the first and second transverse segment, and include a latch element movable between a first and second position. The first position of the latch element causes the backrest holding mechanism to be in locking engagement with the first transverse segment to prevent rotation of the backrest assembly relative to the seat assembly, and the second position of the latch element removes the locking engagement of the backrest holding mechanism to permit rotation of the backrest assembly relative to the seat assembly.