Baby Crib Mattress Support With Continuous Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baby cribs require cumbersome assembly and disassembly to adjust the mattress support height, causing user discomfort and back pain, as they often have fixed height settings that do not accommodate the baby's growth or the caregiver's need for easy access.
Innovation Solution
A continuously height-adjustable mattress support system using a drive unit with a solely vertically displaceable driven component, stabilized by a stabilizing means, allowing the mattress support to be set at any desired height without the need for complex linkages or assembly, featuring actuators for easy operation and minimal volume occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual disassembly and reassembly of the main frame and brackets is used to adjust mattress support height, then the mattress support can be positioned at desired height levels, but user discomfort and time consumption increase due to awkward assembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-height mattress support into a dynamic, continuously adjustable system. The main frame is designed with movable components that allow the mattress support to be adjusted to any height within a range, rather than being fixed at predetermined levels. This dynamic design enables smooth height changes without disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the main frame into separable segments that can move relative to each other. The frame includes movable legs or support elements that can be independently adjusted, allowing the mattress support height to be changed by moving these segments rather than disassembling the entire structure.
2Device complexity
If the mattress support is positioned at a set height, then the crib structure remains simple, but the attendant experiences back pains due to intermittent bending motions when accessing the baby
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic height adjustment mechanism that allows the mattress support to be moved to an elevated position that is ergonomically suitable for the attendant. This eliminates the need for bending motions when accessing the baby, as the mattress can be raised to a convenient height while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the main frame is configured with means to set the mattress support at predetermined height levels, then the structure remains simple, but the attendant cannot set the mattress support at custom desired levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static system with discrete, predetermined height levels to a dynamic system that provides continuous height adjustability. The main frame incorporates movable components that enable the mattress support to be positioned at any height within a specified range, providing unlimited customization while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism is used for continuous height adjustment, then the mattress support can be adjusted to any height, but the apparatus becomes relatively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the continuous adjustment mechanism by dividing it into independent, modular segments. Rather than using a complex integrated system, the frame is segmented into movable parts that can be independently adjusted, reducing overall complexity while maintaining continuous height adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with simpler alternative mechanisms. The continuous height adjustment is achieved through straightforward movable support elements rather than intricate gear systems or multiple interconnected components, thereby reducing apparatus complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A continuously height adjustable mattress support and apparatus therefor is disclosed. The mattress support is vertically displaceable by means of at least one drive unit for applying a vertical force to a corresponding solely vertically displaceable driven component and is stabilized during vertical displacement by at least one stabilizing means connected thereto. The driven component is connected to, or is in supporting relation with, the mattress support, so that a height of the mattress support above a floor surface is settable and continuously adjustable by means of at least one actuator associated with the at least one drive unit. In one embodiment, a locking device for preventing displacement of the mattress support following inadvertent actuation of the at least one drive unit is employed.