Ergonomic infant carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional infant carriers are uncomfortable for both the child and the caregiver due to their lack of ergonomic design and adaptability, leading to discomfort over time, and are often expensive due to complex multi-functionality and safety standards.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic infant carrier featuring a contoured shell with a non-planar base and side walls that provide specific support for the child's body, combined with a conformable liner and removable outer cover, allowing for customizable padding and thermal insulation, and adjustable carrying straps for improved comfort and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional boxed-sided container design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but comfort and support for the child deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the traditional flat boxed-sided container with a contoured shell featuring a curved base and upwardly extending side walls. The base includes a recessed portion that conforms to the child's body shape, providing ergonomic support while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through molded construction.
2Ease of operation
If contoured shell with ergonomic design is implemented, then comfort and support for the child is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier into distinct functional components: a contoured shell providing structural support, a removable liner offering customizable comfort, and an outer cover providing protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying assembly and manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-functionality is incorporated, then versatility is improved, but cost and device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements through removable and adjustable components. The liner can be removed and repositioned to accommodate different carrying positions, and the outer cover can be detached for cleaning or storage. This dynamic design provides versatility without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ergonomic infant carrier (10) comprises a contoured shell (12) having a non-planar base (20) and contiguous perimeter side wall (22) upstanding from the base (20). At least one carrying strap (18) which is attached or attachable to the contoured shell (12) is also provided. The base (20) includes a bottom portion (24), a head portion (30) extending from a first end of the bottom portion (24), and a foot portion (38) extending from a second end of the bottom portion (24) opposite the first end. The head and foot portions (30, 38) extend upwardly from the bottom portion (24) to meet the side wall (22), and the bottom portion (24) has a width which is less than that of the head and foot portions (30, 38). The reduced width enables the side wall (22) to define a waisted portion (66) partway along the longitudinal extent of the infant carrier (10) for accommodating a side of a carer. A method of preparing an ergonomic infant carrier (10) is also provided.