Adjustable Child Carrier Strap Panels for Ergonomic Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Soft-structured child carriers often limit leg and arm movement, restrict the child to a single position, and fail to accommodate a range of child ages and sizes, leading to potential ergonomic issues and the need for separate infant inserts that can be cumbersome and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A soft-structured child carrier with adjustable shoulder strap attachment panels that reduce tension on the body panel, allowing for easy height and width adjustments, and the ability to configure the body panel to accommodate different child sizes through various folding and positioning options, providing ergonomic support and enhanced freedom of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If soft-structured carriers use stitching and fabrics to provide structure, then the wearer gains freedom of hand and arm movement, but the child's leg and arm movement is unduly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder straps are designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing the carrier to adapt dynamically to different carrying positions and child sizes. The straps can be repositioned to accommodate various configurations, providing both wearer comfort and child mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is divided into separate functional components including shoulder straps, waistband, and body panel. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the shoulder straps for wearer comfort and the body panel for child movement freedom.
2Device complexity
If soft-structured carriers are designed for a limited age and size range, then the carrier structure can be simplified, but the carrier cannot accommodate children as they grow
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier incorporates adjustable elements including shoulder straps with multiple attachment points and a body panel that can be folded or extended. This dynamic design allows the same carrier to accommodate infants through toddlers without requiring structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed as a universal solution that can serve multiple age groups and carrying styles. The adjustable shoulder straps and flexible body panel enable the carrier to adapt to different child sizes and developmental stages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate infant insert is used to accommodate smaller infants, then the carrier can support younger children, but the device complexity increases and the insert is cumbersome to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier integrates all necessary support features directly into the main structure. The body panel is designed with inherent flexibility and adjustability that eliminates the need for separate infant inserts, combining multiple functions into a single unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed as a universal solution that accommodates both infants and older children without requiring additional accessories. The adjustable shoulder straps and flexible body panel provide the necessary support for all age groups within a single device.
4Device complexity
If the carrier is designed to support a child in a non-ergonomic upright position, then the carrier structure is simplified, but the child's pelvic development is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The body panel is designed with specific local characteristics that provide ergonomic support at critical areas. The panel's shape and flexibility are optimized to support the child's pelvis and spine in healthy positions, distributing weight appropriately without requiring complex structural elements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A soft-structured child carrier that includes a body panel having a bottom end attached to a bottom portion of the waistband, a first shoulder strap, a second shoulder strap, a first shoulder strap attachment panel attached to the interior side of the body panel away from the side edges of the body panel and a second shoulder strap attachment panel attached to the interior side of the body panel and away from the side edges of the body panel. The first shoulder strap attachment panel provides a first flap that is movable away from the interior surface of the body panel and includes a first lower attachment point for the first shoulder strap. The second shoulder strap attachment panel provides a second flap that is movable away from the interior surface of the body panel and includes a second lower attachment point for the second shoulder strap.