Collapsible Child Seat with Single-Handle Locking for Safe Folding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collapsible child seats are complex to fold and pose a risk of injury due to multiple handles and intricate mechanisms, making them difficult to use and requiring significant space for storage.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible child seat design featuring a backrest and seating area with a single locking mechanism that can be easily folded using a single handle, reducing the risk of injury and requiring minimal space for storage, with rotatable components to distribute forces and simplify the folding process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a child seat is made collapsible for space-saving storage, then storage space is reduced, but the folding mechanism becomes complex and increases injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single locking element. The first locking element simultaneously locks the seat element to the adapter element and the backrest to the seat element, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms for each component. This merging reduces the overall complexity of the folding mechanism while maintaining the collapsible functionality for space-saving storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the locking mechanism into distinct elements with specific functions. The first locking element handles the seat element-adapter element connection, while the second locking element handles the restraint element-seat element connection. This segmentation allows each locking element to be simple and intuitive, reducing the overall complexity compared to a single complex multi-function lock.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple locking mechanisms are used to secure different components, then reliability of locking is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple handles and complex steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidfolding ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the locking of the seat element to the adapter element and the backrest to the seat element into a single first locking element. This single locking element can be operated with one hand to simultaneously secure both connections, maintaining reliability while dramatically improving ease of operation compared to multiple separate locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If a complex folding mechanism is used to achieve collapsibility, then storage space is reduced, but the risk of injury from trapped fingers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single locking element that operates with a simple one-handed motion. This eliminates the need for users to insert fingers into complex multi-component locking mechanisms, significantly reducing the risk of trapped fingers and injuries while maintaining the collapsible design for space-saving storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple locking elements are used to secure various components, then reliability of folding is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding reliabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the folding mechanism into two simple locking elements: the first locking element for the seat element-adapter element connection, and the second locking element for the restraint element-seat element connection. Each locking element has a single, intuitive function that can be operated independently, reducing overall complexity compared to a single complex multi-function locking mechanism while maintaining folding reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4098514B1Baby carriage with a collapsible child seat
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 CYBEX GMBH
  • EP4098514B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098514B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4098514B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A collapsible child seat (1) is shown, comprising a backrest (10), a seat element (20), and an adapter element (30, 30') or several adapter elements (30, 30') by means of which the child seat (1) can be connected to a stroller frame, a first locking element (50) by means of which the seat element (20) can be locked in relation to the adapter element (30, 30') or the adapter elements (30, 30'), wherein the first locking element (50) is designed such that by reducing the angle between the backrest (10) and the seat element (20) the locking of the seat element (20) in relation to the adapter element (30, 30') or the adapter elements (30, 30') can be released.