Foldable Child Seat Locking for One-Motion Stroller Folding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible child seats in strollers are complex to fold, require multiple manipulations, and pose a risk of injury due to finger pinching during the folding process.
Innovation Solution
A stroller design with a collapsible child seat featuring a simple locking mechanism that can be folded using a single movement, reducing the angle between the backrest and seat element to compactly store the seat, and incorporating a second locking element for the restraining mechanism, allowing both to be released with a single intuitive motion, thus minimizing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to secure the seat element, then the reliability of the locking is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking of the seat element and backrest into a single integrated locking mechanism. When the release element is actuated, it simultaneously releases both the seat element and backrest from their locked positions, allowing them to fold together in one motion. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate locking mechanisms while maintaining secure locking during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock the seat element and backrest when they are in their extended positions during use. The mechanical design ensures that gravity and the natural positioning of components engage the locking elements without requiring manual intervention, providing self-service locking while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are used to secure different parts of the child seat, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple handles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple locking functions into a single release element. This single element controls both the locking of the seat element to the adapter and the locking of the backrest, allowing both components to be released simultaneously with one hand operation. This eliminates the need for multiple separate handles and manipulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two functional parts (seat element locking and backrest locking) that are both controlled by a single release element. This segmentation allows independent design optimization of each locking function while maintaining unified control, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
3Volume of moving object
If a complex folding mechanism is used to achieve compact folding, then the volume reduction is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the folding of the seat element and backrest into a single integrated motion. Both components are designed to fold along the same axis and are released simultaneously by the single release element, creating a compact folded configuration without requiring complex separate folding mechanisms for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing complex mechanisms to actively push components into a folded position, the patent inverts the approach by allowing gravity and the natural collapse of the released locking mechanism to passively drive the folding action. The components fold inward naturally when the locking constraint is removed, simplifying the mechanism while achieving compact folding.
4Ease of operation
If traditional folding mechanisms are used, then the folding capability is achieved, but the risk of injury from finger pinching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a release element as an intermediary between the user's hand and the locking mechanism. This release element acts as a mediator that transfers the user's pulling motion to the locking components without requiring direct finger insertion into pinching zones. The release element provides mechanical advantage and controls the release sequence, eliminating the pinching hazard while maintaining folding capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A collapsible child seat (1) is disclosed, comprising a backrest (10), a seat surface element (20) and an adapter element (30, 30') or a plurality of adapter elements (30, 30') via which the child seat (1) can be connected to a pushchair frame, and a first locking element (50) via which the seat surface element (20) can be locked in relation to the adapter element (30, 30') or adapter elements (30, 30'), wherein the first locking element (50) is configured in such a way that by reducing the angle between the backrest (10) and the seat surface element (20) the locking of the seat surface element (20) in relation to the adapter element (30, 30') or adapter elements (30, 30') can be released. Drawing_references_to_be_translated: