Collapsible Child Seat with Single-Motion Locking Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible child seats for pushchairs are complex to collapse, requiring numerous hand movements, are not intuitive, and pose a risk of injury due to the complexity of the collapsing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible child seat design featuring a backrest and seat surface element connected via adapter elements, with a simple locking mechanism that allows for easy release with a single hand movement, reducing the risk of injury and enabling quick, space-saving collapse by rotating the backrest and seat surface element towards the adapter elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a collapsible child seat is designed to reduce storage space, then the child seat can be stowed away in a space-saving manner, but the collapsing mechanism becomes complicated and requires numerous hand movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking of the seat surface element and the retaining element into a single locking mechanism controlled by one hand movement. When the user performs the collapsing action, both elements are locked simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate hand movements and simplifying the overall collapsing mechanism while achieving space-saving storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a first locking element for the seat surface element and a second locking element for the retaining element. Each locking element is independently designed to engage with its respective component, allowing for simplified individual locking actions that collectively achieve secure collapsing without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a collapsible child seat uses a complex locking mechanism to secure components, then the components can be reliably locked, but the risk of injury increases due to the complexity of the collapsing process
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the collapsing motion itself. As the user collapses the child seat by moving the backrest, the relative movement between components automatically engages the locking elements with their respective locking surfaces. This eliminates the need for separate manual locking actions, reducing the number of hand movements required and thereby minimizing the risk of fingers or hands getting caught in the mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are positioned and dimensioned to engage with sufficient advance notice during the collapsing process. The first locking element engages the seat surface element before the second locking element engages the retaining element, creating a staged locking sequence that prevents sudden movements or pinching hazards while ensuring reliable locking of all components.
3Reliability
If multiple locking elements are used to secure different components, then each component can be independently locked, but the number of hand movements required for collapsing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple locking elements into a single operational input. One hand movement on the backrest simultaneously actuates both the first locking element for the seat surface element and the second locking element for the retaining element. This merging of control functions maintains reliable locking of all components while dramatically simplifying the user operation to a single intuitive motion.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable or linkage system acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits the force from the single hand movement on the backrest to both locking elements. This intermediary distributes the operational force efficiently, ensuring that both locking mechanisms are engaged reliably through one simple user action, thereby maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
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.