Contoured Infant Carrier Shell With Waisted Side Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional infant carriers are uncomfortable for both the child and the caregiver due to their lack of support and adaptability, leading to discomfort over time, and are often expensive due to complex designs and safety requirements.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic infant carrier with a contoured shell featuring a non-planar base and side walls, a waisted design, and adjustable straps, along with removable and customizable liners and outer covers for improved support and comfort, allowing for better accommodation of both the child and the caregiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional boxed-sided container design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but comfort and support for the child deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat walls and base of traditional carriers with a contoured shell featuring curved surfaces that conform to the child's body. The shell includes a head portion, torso portion, and leg portion with various curves and contours that provide ergonomic support while maintaining a single-mold manufacturable structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional boxed-sided container design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but comfort and support for the caregiver deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured shell employs asymmetric design with a waisted portion that is narrower than the head and foot portions. This asymmetric contouring creates specific contact points and distribution patterns that accommodate the caregiver's body shape, providing comfort during carrying while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through single-mold construction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-functionality is incorporated, then versatility improves, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured shell is designed as a universal base structure that can accommodate multiple carrying configurations and caregiver body types. The standardized shell design with integrated carrying points enables various carrying positions without requiring additional complex mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality through design flexibility rather than mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an ergonomic infant carrier comprising a contoured shell having a non-planar base and a contiguous perimeter side wall upstanding from the base to surround an infant therein and prevent or limit excess side-to-side movement in use. The base has a bottom portion, a head portion extending from a first end of the bottom portion, and a foot portion extending from a second end of the bottom portion opposite the first end, the head and foot portions extending upwardly from the bottom portion to meet the side wall such that the base has an arcuate profile in at least a longitudinal direction. The bottom portion has a width which is less than that of the head and foot portions whereby the side wall defines a waisted portion partway along the longitudinal extent of the infant carrier to accommodate a side of a carer.