Bouncing Cradle Bottom Frame for Stable Three-Point Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Previous bouncing cradles face challenges in stability and durability due to load variations from child play, particularly in the fastening of the yoke to the support plate and the durability of the pivot mounting for the backrest.

Innovation Solution

A redesigned support plate with a triangular yoke and integrated friction material for stable support points, along with an adjustment fitting that allows for adjustable inclination and automatic locking in a transportation position, ensures centring and secure attachment of the backrest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the yoke is fastened to the support plate in previously known bouncing cradles, then the structure can support the child, but the fastening is delicate in respect of stability and strength due to load variations from child play

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidstability under load variations
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is divided into a top plate and a bottom plate that are separated from each other. The yoke branches are fastened between these two plates using fastening elements, creating a distributed fastening system that better handles load variations and improves both strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces elastic elements (springs) that provide a counteracting force to the loads applied during child play. These elastic elements absorb and compensate for dynamic load variations, maintaining stable fastening under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Ease of operation

If the pivot mounting for the backrest is established in previously known bouncing cradles, then the backrest can be positioned, but it is relatively difficult to establish a durable pivot mounting over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackrest positioningVSAvoiddurability of pivot mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates elastic elements and damping mechanisms in the pivot mounting that cushion and absorb shocks and wear before they can damage the mounting. This beforehand cushioning protects the pivot mounting from the harmful effects of repeated use and load variations, ensuring long-term durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the base frame has three support points against the underlay, then it can lie stably on an uneven floor, but the fastening of the yoke to the support plate becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability on uneven floorVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the fastening of multiple yoke branches to the support plate into a unified structure. The top and bottom plates work together as an integrated fastening system, and the adjustment fitting combines multiple functions (inclination adjustment, transportation locking) into a single mechanism, reducing overall complexity despite maintaining three support points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the adjustment fitting allows the backrest to be folded into a transportation position, then portability is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation capabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment fitting is designed as a multi-functional mechanism that performs both inclination adjustment during use and locking in transportation position. This universal mechanism handles multiple tasks (adjustment, locking, portability) through a single device, improving adaptability while minimizing the increase in complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment fitting incorporates automatic locking mechanisms that engage and disengage based on the position of the backrest. The spring-loaded design provides self-acting locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, enabling transportation capability while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enhances stability and durability by providing three support points on uneven floors, maintaining stability under load variations and facilitating easy conversion to a transportation position while ensuring secure attachment of the backrest.

Implementation Method 1

integrated friction material for stable support points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2037777B1Babysitter with bottom frame
Publication Date: 2013.08.28 BABYBJOERN
  • EP2037777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2037777B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2037777B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A bouncing cradle comprises a base frame (10) intended to rest on an underlay, a backrest (20), a pivot mounting (12) arranged for the backrest and carried by the base frame, an arm (22) fixedly connected to the backrest and situated under the backrest as well as at a distance from the pivot mounting, and an adjustment fitting (4 0) for setting different angles of inclination of the backrest in relation to the base frame, the base frame comprising an essentially plane support yoke (84), the branch ends of which are attached to a support plate (16). The support plate (16) consists of an injection-moulded piece of plastic having integrated tubular sleeves (85) that receive the mutually parallel ends of the yoke branches, and that the sleeves (85) are situated at a distance above the support surface of the support plate (16) facing the underlay.