Foldable Child Enclosure Hub Assembly for One-Hand Folding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable play yards and cribs are cumbersome to open and fold, with complex and heavy structures that are difficult to handle, especially when attention is directed towards young children.
Innovation Solution
A child enclosure apparatus with a centrally located hub assembly that simultaneously moves all movable components, featuring a sliding cam-follower plate and latching connectors, allowing for easy opening and folding, and the option to be operated manually or with a motor, resulting in a robust and efficient structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a foldable play yard uses a traditional mechanism with diagonal braces and multiple latches, then the structure provides stability and support, but the device becomes complicated and heavy, making it cumbersome to open and fold
Solution Approach 1:
The play yard structure is divided into modular components: an upper assembly with arms and latches, a base assembly, and cable systems. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the upper assembly provides structural stability while the cable-operated base assembly enables simple folding motion, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Cables serve as intermediary elements connecting the base assembly to the upper arms and latches. These cables transmit force efficiently to coordinate the movement of multiple components simultaneously, enabling complex structural changes through a simple single-point operation, thus reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If a foldable play yard uses a traditional mechanism requiring multiple manual operations, then the structure can be controlled precisely, but the device becomes difficult to handle when attention is directed towards young children
Solution Approach 1:
The operation of multiple components (upper arms, latches, and base assembly) is merged into a single cable-operated system. Pulling or releasing the cable simultaneously controls all these elements, maintaining reliable operational control while dramatically improving ease of operation for users attending to children
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-operated mechanism is designed to automatically coordinate the movement and latching of multiple components. When the cable is pulled or released, the system self-regulates to open or fold the entire structure without requiring the user to manually operate each component separately, enhancing both ease of operation and reliability
3Strength
If the play yard structure includes diagonal braces and side members for stability, then the enclosure is robust, but the device becomes heavy and cumbersome to transport and store
Solution Approach 1:
The play yard transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The upper assembly can be folded against the base assembly, and the cable system enables smooth transitions between deployed and collapsed states. This dynamic capability maintains structural robustness when needed while minimizing weight impact during transport and storage
4Reliability
If the play yard uses a complex mechanism with multiple latches and braces, then the enclosure provides secure containment, but the device takes longer to open and fold
Solution Approach 1:
The cable-operated mechanism is pre-configured so that a single pulling or releasing action automatically initiates the coordinated movement of all components. The latches and arms are positioned and connected in advance to work together through the cable system, enabling rapid opening and folding without sequential manual operations, thus reducing time loss while maintaining secure containment
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
The apparatus enables quick and smooth operation, providing a stable and compact enclosure that is easy to use, even with one hand, and can be efficiently stored or transported.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding cam-follower plate that enables the correct geometric movement of various components of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
Latching connectors between upper arms in the enclosure upper assembly also contribute to superior operation of the inventive apparatus
Implementation Method 3
an apparatus that has a centrally located hub assembly connected to simultaneously move all of the movable components of the enclosure at the same time that the hub assembly moves
Data Source
AI summary
A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly.