Convertible Hammock Stroller with Rotating Backrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strollers are either bulky and cumbersome when transporting infants under six to nine months or less compact and suitable only for older children, lacking versatility and ease of folding.

Innovation Solution

A stroller with a convertible hammock featuring a movable support element that can adjust between 'forward facing' and 'mother facing' positions, allowing it to accommodate both lying and seated children, and can be easily folded and transported.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stroller is designed to transport infants in a lying or near-reclined position, then it is suitable for children under six to nine months, but it becomes quite bulky and cumbersome when folded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for infantsVSAvoidbulk when folded
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is made movable relative to the seat element, allowing it to rotate between a first position (perpendicular to seat) and a second position (parallel to seat). This dynamic configuration enables the stroller to adapt between transporting infants in a reclined position and toddlers in a seated position, while maintaining a compact folded form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stroller is designed with a universal hammock structure that can accommodate both infants and toddlers through the movable support element. The same stroller chassis and hammock can serve multiple age groups and transportation needs, eliminating the requirement for separate infant and toddler strollers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a stroller is designed with a fixed backrest structure, then it provides stable support, but it cannot easily convert between different child positions (forward-facing and mother-facing)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackrest stabilityVSAvoidposition conversion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate between different positions. This dynamic design enables easy conversion between forward-facing and mother-facing positions while maintaining stable support in each configuration through appropriate locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The backrest is segmented into a movable support element that can be independently positioned relative to the seat element. This segmentation allows the support element to be adjusted to different angles and positions, providing both stability in each configuration and adaptability for position conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a stroller uses a rigid bassinet or infant car seat, then it provides secure support for infants, but the entire stroller becomes bulky and cannot be folded compactly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfant support securityVSAvoidfolded stroller size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stroller uses a flexible hammock structure with a movable support element instead of a rigid bassinet or car seat. The hammock is covered with a covering material that provides comfort and support, while the flexible nature of the hammock allows the entire stroller to be folded compactly without the bulk associated with rigid infant carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Weight of moving object

If a stroller is designed to be lightweight and simple chassis, then it is easier to fold and transport, but it may lack the robustness for versatile age-range use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroller weightVSAvoidage-range adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lightweight stroller achieves versatility through the dynamic movable support element that can be positioned in multiple configurations. This single mechanical feature enables the stroller to adapt from infant to toddler use, providing robust multi-age functionality without requiring heavy additional components or complex multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2178735B1Convertible hammock stroller and corresponding hammock
Publication Date: 2011.01.05 DOREL FRANCE SA
  • EP2178735B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~3A
  • EP2178735B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a child's stroller that comprises a frame on which a hammock is mounted, having a seating member (21) and a bearing member (22) defining a back, including a frame covered with a lining. The bearing member (22) is mobile relative to at least one fixed member of the frame or the hammock between: at least one first so-called road-facing position in which the mobile bearing member (22) extends substantially perpendicularly to said seating member (21) so that a first face (221) of said mobile bearing member (22) defines a back for a child sitting on said seating member (21); and at least one second so-called mother-facing position in which said mobile bearing member (22) extends substantially parallel to said seating member (21) so that a second face (222) of said mobile bearing member (22) is capable of receiving a child in a substantially lying position, said lining being adapted for receiving the back of a child on each of both faces (221, 222) of said mobile bearing member (22) respectively in the first position(s) and in the second position(s).