Child Swing Carriage Control for Adjustable Motion Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional child swing apparatuses have a fixed swinging frequency and limited range of motion paths, making it difficult to adjust the frequency and movement paths, particularly when a slower frequency is needed, due to the gravitational force acting on the pendulum motion.
Innovation Solution
A child motion apparatus with multiple drive systems, including an upright column, a carriage for vertical and rotational movements, and two motor drive units connected through actuating mechanisms and drive transmissions, allowing for adjustable swinging frequency and a variety of motion paths by transferring power to swing arms and seat supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional pendulum swing apparatus is used with a fixed pivot point, then the structure is simple, but the swinging frequency and motion paths cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the pivot point movable rather than fixed. The carriage can move vertically along the upright column, dynamically changing the pivot position. This allows the swing apparatus to adjust its swinging frequency and motion paths by varying the pivot point location, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to different operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system is segmented into two independent motor drive units: a first motor drive unit for controlling swing motion and a second motor drive unit for controlling vertical movement of the carriage. This segmentation allows each motor to perform a specific function independently, providing flexible control over both swinging frequency and motion paths while maintaining manageable system complexity
2Speed
If the swing arm length is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the swinging frequency cannot be adjusted when gravitational force needs to be overcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the effective swing arm length adjustable by allowing the carriage to move vertically along the upright column. By changing the pivot point position, the effective length of the swing arm is dynamically adjusted, which directly controls the swinging frequency. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables frequency control without requiring a complex variable-length arm structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the swing arm length by adjusting the pivot point position along the upright column. This parameter change allows the swinging frequency to be controlled according to the relationship between pendulum length and frequency, enabling the system to overcome gravitational force at different frequencies by simply changing the pivot position rather than redesigning the entire drive system
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
Enables adjustable swinging frequency and a broader range of motion paths, including vertical, horizontal, and complex patterns, enhancing the versatility and usability of the child motion apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first motor drive unit assembled with the carriage and having an output shaft, a drive transmission respectively connected with the output shaft and the swing shaft portion
Implementation Method 2
a second motor drive unit assembled with the upright column, and an actuating mechanism respectively connected with the second motor drive unit and the carriage
Implementation Method 3
A child swing apparatus typically travels at a natural frequency in a pendulum motion
Implementation Method 4
the system can store the potential energy from one half cycle to another, requiring only a soft push or pull to maintain or increase the amplitude
Data Source
AI summary
A child motion apparatus includes an upright column defining a vertical axis, a carriage assembled with the upright column and including a swing shaft portion operable to rotate about a pivot axis, a swing arm affixed with the swing shaft portion, a first motor drive unit assembled with the carriage and having an output shaft, a drive transmission respectively connected with the output shaft and the swing shaft portion, a second motor drive unit assembled with the upright column, and an actuating mechanism respectively connected with the second motor drive unit and the carriage. The drive transmission can transfer an output drive provided by the first motor drive unit at the output shaft to the swing shaft portion to impart rotation to the driven swing arm. The actuating mechanism is drivable by the second motor drive unit to vertically move the carriage relative to the upright column.