Foldable bassinet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable bassinets are inconvenient to fold due to the need for individual inward folding of supporting legs, which can form a triangle and resist folding actions.
Innovation Solution
A foldable bassinet design incorporating a top rail assembly, first and second hinge assemblies, and a latch assembly, where the leg assembly is connected to the second hinge assembly, allowing for collective folding relative to the top rail assembly, and the latch assembly restrains or allows rotation to facilitate easy folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the four supporting legs are configured to be folded individually inwardly toward a center of the bassinet, then the soft good is prevented from forming a triangle that resists folding actions, but the folding operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple supporting legs into a single foldable assembly where the legs are connected through hinge assemblies. This allows the legs to move together as one unit during folding, eliminating the need for individual inward folding while preventing triangular formation. The leg assemblies are coupled to the top rail assembly through first and second hinge assemblies that coordinate their movement, merging the folding action into a single convenient operation.
2Ease of operation
If the leg assembly is designed to fold collectively relative to the top rail assembly, then folding convenience is improved, but additional hinge assemblies and latch assemblies are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the supporting structure into multiple independent foldable leg assemblies, each connected to the top rail assembly through its own hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows each leg assembly to fold independently and collectively, providing folding convenience while distributing the mechanical complexity across modular units. The first hinge assembly connects the leg assembly to the top rail, while the second hinge assembly provides additional rotational freedom, creating a segmented but coordinated folding system.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly acts as an intermediary component that controls the folding action. It engages with the hinge assemblies to either lock or unlock the leg assembly, facilitating convenient folding operation without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms. The latch assembly mediates between the user's folding action and the mechanical resistance of the hinge assemblies, simplifying the overall operation.
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 convenient folding of the bassinet by allowing the leg components to be folded together, preventing the formation of a triangle that resists folding and simplifying the folding process for caregivers.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one latch assembly further includes a recovering component abutting between the at least one second hinge assembly and the engaging component to bias the engaging component to engage with the engaging protrusion. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the recovering component is a torsional spring.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable bassinet includes a top rail assembly, a first hinge assembly combined with the top rail assembly, a second hinge assembly rotatably combined with the first hinge assembly, a leg assembly connected to the second hinge assembly and a latch assembly movably disposed on the second hinge assembly. An engaging protrusion protrudes from the first hinge assembly. The leg assembly is foldable relative to the top rail assembly by rotation of the second hinge assembly relative to the first hinge assembly. The latch assembly includes an engaging component pivotally disposed on the second hinge assembly for engaging with the engaging protrusion. The engaging component engages with the engaging protrusion to restrain the rotation of the second hinge assembly relative to the first hinge assembly when the leg assembly is unfolded relative to the top rail assembly to an upright position.