Child Carrier Folding Joint Lock for Safe One-Hand Collapse

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional infant stroller apparatuses have complex frame structures that require significant effort to collapse and pose a risk of hand clamping during folding, necessitating a more convenient and safe collapsing mechanism.

Innovation Solution

The child carrier apparatus features a frame structure with pivotally connected tube portions, a joint housing, and an impeding part that can be moved between locking and unlocking positions by a release actuator, allowing for self-folding and incorporating safety lock devices to prevent accidental unlocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional release mechanism is used to unlock the frame structure, then the stroller can be collapsed, but the frame structure becomes relatively complex and requires non-negligible effort to drive folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of foldingVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the impeding part from the rotation path of the second tube portion. The impeding part is separately positioned adjacent to the joint housing and can be moved independently to clear the rotation path, simplifying the overall frame structure while maintaining the folding function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The release actuator performs the preliminary action of moving the impeding part away from the rotation path before the actual folding motion occurs. This preliminary clearance of the path allows the second tube portion to rotate freely without obstruction, reducing the effort required for folding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a conventional release mechanism is used to unlock the frame structure, then the stroller can be collapsed, but there are risks that the caregiver's hand becomes clamped in the frame structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of foldingVSAvoidhand clamping risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impeding part serves as an intermediary element between the release actuator and the second tube portion. It mediates the folding process by being moved away from the rotation path first, creating a safe clearance zone that prevents direct contact and potential hand clamping between the caregiver's hand and the frame structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The release actuator performs the preliminary action of moving the impeding part away from the rotation path before the actual folding motion occurs. This preliminary clearance of the path allows the second tube portion to rotate freely without obstruction, reducing the effort required for folding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the impeding part obstructs rotation to maintain the unfolded position, then the apparatus remains stable, but significant effort is required to overcome the obstruction during folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability in unfolded stateVSAvoidfolding force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The release actuator acts as an intermediary that applies force to move the impeding part away from the rotation path. By concentrating the applied force on the small impeding part rather than directly overcoming the large rotational resistance of the entire frame, the required folding force is significantly reduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the impeding part from the rotation path of the second tube portion. The impeding part is separately positioned adjacent to the joint housing and can be moved independently to clear the rotation path, simplifying the overall frame structure while maintaining the folding function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easy and safe collapse of the stroller apparatus with reduced risk of hand injury and provides a secure locking mechanism to prevent accidental folding.

Implementation Method 1

The impeding part is movable between a first position where the impeding part obstructs rotation of the second tube portion relative to the joint housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8936267B2Collapsible child carrier apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A child carrier apparatus comprises first and second leg frames, a seat frame including first and second tube portions, a joint housing connected with the first and second tube portions, an impeding part assembled adjacent to the joint housing, and a release actuator. The first tube portion is pivotally connected with the first leg frame. The second tube portion is pivotally connected with the second leg frame and the joint housing, and is rotatable between unfolded and folded positions. The impeding part can move between a first position obstructing rotation of the second tube portion relative to the joint housing from the unfolded position, and a second position displaced away from a path of rotation of the second tube portion to allow folding of the second tube portion. The release actuator is operable to drive the impeding part to move from the first to second position.