Child Carseat Tablet Mount With Extensible Articulating Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting devices for child carseats lack a selectively extensible articulating arm that can be mounted to the bottom of a child carseat, preventing secure and adjustable attachment of electronic devices like tablet computers for child viewing.
Innovation Solution
A housing mounted to the bottom of a child carseat with a slidably attached articulating arm and a hinged fastener that allows for the extensible positioning of a tablet computer or smartphone, ensuring the display is visible to the child and safely positioned during rapid deceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mounting device is attached to the bottom of a child carseat, then the electronic device can be securely mounted and positioned for child viewing, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into distinct functional segments: a base unit that attaches to the carseat bottom, an articulating arm with multiple joints for positioning, and a fastening mechanism for securing the device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable mounting while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating arm features nested segments that can telescope or fold into each other, allowing the arm to extend to various lengths and then compact back into a small space when not in use. This nesting principle enables the mounting device to provide extensive adjustment capability without permanently increasing the space it occupies on the carseat
2Ease of operation
If an articulating arm is made selectively extensible, then the electronic device can be positioned at optimal viewing distance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating arm incorporates dynamic elements including telescoping sections that can extend and retract, and joint mechanisms that allow bending at multiple angles. These dynamic features enable the arm to adapt its position and length to match the child's viewing requirements, providing ease of operation through smooth mechanical adjustment while using proven mechanical principles to control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating arm allows changes in multiple parameters simultaneously: length (through telescoping), angle (through joints), and position (through combined movement). By providing independent adjustment of these parameters, the system achieves high positioning flexibility without requiring an overly complex control mechanism, as each parameter can be adjusted through simple mechanical means
3Strength
If the housing is positioned between the carseat and vehicle seat, then the mounting is secure during vehicle movement, but the installation space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing appears to utilize a compact, space-efficient design that can be positioned in the limited gap between the carseat and vehicle seat. The structure likely employs thin-walled but reinforced housing materials that provide sufficient strength for secure mounting while occupying minimal space, allowing installation in the constrained environment without requiring excessive clearance
Data Source
AI summary
A child carseat attachable mounting device for mounting a tablet computer to a child carseat includes a housing, which defines an interior space and which is selectively mountable to a bottom of a child carseat. Thus mounted, the housing is removably attached to the child carseat and is positioned between the child carseat and a seat of a vehicle upon fastening of the child carseat to the seat. An articulating arm is slidably attached to the housing and is selectively extensible through a slot that is positioned in a forward facet of the housing. A terminus of the articulating arm is selectively positionable in front of a child who is harnessed to the child carseat. A fastener, which is hingedly attached to the terminus of the articulating arm, selectively attaches to an electronic device so that its display is positioned to be viewed by the child.