Child Carrier Hinge Structure Prevents Erroneous Seat Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child carrier apparatuses, such as strollers, often suffer from misuse where the seat is not adjusted correctly, leading to safety issues as the child may be placed on the wrong portion of the seat, compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
A child carrier apparatus with a hinge structure that blocks the rotation of the backrest frame when the second seat frame is deployed, preventing erroneous use by disabling access to the rear seat when the forward-facing configuration is selected, ensuring the child is always securely seated in the intended position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest is made adjustable to allow both forward-faced and rearward-faced seating configurations, then the child carrier apparatus provides greater versatility and comfort for the child, but it increases the risk of erroneous use where the child may be placed on the wrong portion of the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is designed to preemptively prevent erroneous seating by mechanically blocking access to the second seat frame when the apparatus is configured for forward-faced seating. This preliminary anti-action occurs before any potential misuse can happen, ensuring safety while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration states through the hinge structure, which enables the backrest to assume different positions (first and second inclined positions) corresponding to different seating configurations. The motion transmission unit dynamically transitions the system between these states while maintaining safety constraints.
2Reliability
If the hinge structure is designed to block rotation and disable access to prevent misuse, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it provides the articulation for backrest adjustment, implements the safety blocking function, and enables the motion transmission for configuration changes. This consolidation achieves safety without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the backrest and the seat assembly, mediating the relationship between the two components. It controls and regulates their relative movement, enabling safe operation while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If the second seat frame is fully disabled when in forward-facing configuration, then erroneous use is prevented, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional steps required to switch configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is pre-configured with the motion transmission unit and latch element in positions that enable automatic safety engagement. When the backrest is moved to a specific inclined position, the latch element automatically engages with the seat coupling element, preventing erroneous use without requiring additional user actions.
Data Source
AI summary
A child carrier apparatus comprises a support frame, a backrest assembly having a backrest frame, a seat assembly mounted with the support frame, wherein the seat assembly includes a first seat frame and a second seat frame, the second seat frame being operable to rotate about a pivot axle relative to the first seat frame, and a hinge structure connected between the backrest frame and the first seat frame. The hinge structure blocks rotation of the backrest frame when the second seat frame is deployed for use, and access to the second seat frame is disabled when the child carrier apparatus is in a configuration using the first seat frame for seating a child. In some embodiments, a method of operating the child carrier apparatus is also described.