Elastic Locking Rod Joint for Easy Baby Changing Station Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baby changing stations face difficulties in folding and unfolding due to increased locking force required for central hinge connections, making it hard to fold the support rods smoothly.
Innovation Solution
A joint component with a first joint, a second joint rotatably disposed on the first joint, and a first elastic locking rod, where the elastic locking rod facilitates easy unfolding and folding by inserting a locking end into a locking hole, allowing for simple and labor-saving operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If central hinge connection is used to connect adjacent support rods, then connection stability is improved, but folding difficulty increases due to increased locking force
Solution Approach 1:
The support rod connection is segmented into two independent parts: a hinge connection for stability and an elastic locking rod for easy locking/unlocking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic locking rod acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hinge connection and the support rod folding action. It provides a separate, low-force pathway for locking and unlocking that does not require overcoming the hinge's locking force, thus enabling easy folding while maintaining connection stability.
2Ease of operation
If elastic locking rod mechanism is added, then folding ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic locking rod is merged with the existing hinge connection structure, sharing the same mounting space and integration points on the support rods. This merging approach adds the unlocking function without requiring completely separate components or complex assembly procedures, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic locking rod serves multiple functions: it provides easy locking/unlocking, maintains connection stability, and can be integrated into the existing hinge structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
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 joint component enables easy and labor-saving unfolding and folding of the baby changing station, maintaining stability after unfolding and reducing the volume when folded, thus improving usability and storage convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the two ends of the first spring are respectively pressed against the side wall of first mounting space and the first locking rod
Implementation Method 2
the first elastic locking rod includes a first moving block, a first spring, and a first locking rod
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a joint component and a baby changing station including the joint component, and the joint component includes a first joint, a second joint that is rotatably disposed on the first joint, and a first elastic locking rod, and the two ends of the first elastic locking rod are respectively provided with a first moving end and a first locking end, the first joint is provided with a first mounting space, and the first elastic locking rod is movably disposed on the first mounting space, and the first moving end and the first locking end extend outside the first mounting space, the joint component controls the relative rotation and locking of the second joint through the first elastic locking rod, making the unfolding and folding operation of the second joint simple and labor-saving, and the second joint stable after unfolding.