Adjustable Child Carrier Width Using Foldable Widening Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child carriers often compromise on the width of the carrying section, making them unsuitable for both small infants and larger children, and existing solutions either add bulk or fail to provide adequate support for growing children.
Innovation Solution
A width adjustment mechanism for child carriers that includes removable or foldable widening sections, which can be attached to the carrier's lower support elements, allowing the width to be increased as the child grows, and can be stored in pockets when not needed, enabling the carrier to accommodate children of different sizes and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the carrying section is made wider to accommodate larger children, then the carrier becomes unsuitable for small babies, but if it is made narrower for small babies, then it becomes unsuitable for larger children
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into a base carrying section and removable widening sections. The widening sections can be attached to expand the carrier width for larger children or removed for smaller babies, allowing the same base carrier to adapt to different child sizes without requiring multiple carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier width is made dynamically adjustable through removable widening sections that can be attached or detached as needed. This allows the carrier to transition between different width configurations depending on the child's size, making it adaptable throughout the child's growth from infancy to pre-school years.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate inner part is added for smaller babies, then the carrier can accommodate infants, but the fabric layers increase making it undesirable in hot weather
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding permanent fabric layers, the solution uses removable widening sections that can be attached only when needed for smaller babies. When removed, the carrier returns to its original lightweight configuration suitable for hot weather, maintaining temperature comfort while providing size adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The widening sections provide localized width expansion only in the areas where additional support is needed for smaller babies, rather than adding fabric layers throughout the entire carrier. This maintains breathability and comfort in hot weather while providing necessary width adjustment locally.
3Device complexity
If the carrier width is fixed for a specific age group, then the carrier design is simple, but the carrier cannot be used for children of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier system is segmented into a simple base model and separate widening sections. The base carrier maintains simple design for manufacturing, while the modular widening sections provide the additional size range capability, allowing the carrier to serve children from infancy through pre-school years.
Solution Approach 2:
The base carrier is designed as a universal platform that can function with or without the widening sections attached. This allows a single carrier design to serve multiple size ranges and age groups, increasing versatility without complicating the core carrier structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting the width of a carrier (1), which carrier (1) includes at least a carrying section (2) intended for carrying a child, upper support elements (65) attached to the carrying section and placed over the wearer's shoulders, and lower support elements (66) to be placed around the wearer's body. The carrying section (2) is equipped with widening sections (3, 4), which are attached at least to the lower support elements (66).