Crib Support Frame With Stepless Height Adjustment and Stable Fulcrum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional crib supporting apparatuses have limitations in stepless height adjustment, leading to incomplete elimination of height differences between the crib and adult bed surfaces, posing safety risks and instability due to a central fulcrum support that topples under uneven weight distribution.

Innovation Solution

A supporting apparatus with two legs and a frame, featuring rotatable and movable adjustment members along racks, and a revised fulcrum location at the junction of a transverse and slanting portion, allowing continuous height adjustment and enhanced stability by redistributing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If preset stage-based height adjustment is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the height difference between crib and adult bed cannot be completely eliminated, posing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical stage-based adjustment system with a cable-driven continuous adjustment system. The cable passes through a guiding hole in the leg and connects to the frame, allowing continuous height adjustment by pulling the cable, thereby achieving precise height matching between crib and adult bed while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the adjustment parameter from discrete stages to continuous variable adjustment. The cable length and tension can be continuously modified to achieve any height within the adjustment range, enabling precise elimination of height differences between crib and adult bed surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the supporting fulcrum is located at the middle of the transverse rod, then the structure is simple, but the supporting apparatus is prone to topple when weight is diverged from the fulcrum

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupporting stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetric support structures with extended support legs that protrude beyond the original fulcrum point. This creates multiple support points distributed asymmetrically, expanding the support base and improving stability when weight is applied at various positions on the crib

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the adjustment members are rotatable and moveable along the racks, then stepless height adjustment is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment easeVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex rotatable adjustment members with racks with a simpler cable-pulling mechanism. The cable passes through a guiding hole and connects to the frame, allowing the leg to move vertically along guide rails when the cable is pulled, achieving stepless height adjustment with fewer moving parts and lower mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables safe and continuous adjustment of crib height to match adult bed surfaces, ensuring baby safety and preventing apparatus toppling by distributing weight effectively across the legs.

Implementation Method 1

The spring is mounted in the longitudinal rod. Two ends of the spring are connected to the button and the longitudinal rod respectively.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3042589B1Supporting apparatus for a crib
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 B & B BEST IND
  • EP3042589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3042589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3042589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A supporting apparatus for a crib has two legs (10) and a frame (20). Each leg has a rack (17). The frame is moveably mounted between the legs and has a body (21), two moving seats and two adjustment members (23). The moving seats are mounted on the body, and the legs are inserted into the moving seats respectively. The adjustment members are mounted on the moving seats respectively and engage with the racks of the legs respectively, and each adjustment member is rotatable and moveable upward and downward along a corresponding one of the racks of the legs. The supporting apparatus can be steplessly adjusted to adjust the height of a bed surface of the crib to improve safety.