Foldable Child Enclosure Hub Assembly for Easy Opening and Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable child enclosures, such as play yards and cribs, are cumbersome to open and fold due to complex mechanisms and heavy structures, making them difficult to handle efficiently, especially when attending to young children.
Innovation Solution
A child enclosure design featuring a centrally located hub assembly that simultaneously moves all movable components, incorporating a sliding cam-follower plate and latching connectors, allowing for easy opening and folding, either manually or with a motor, and a lower corner structure that pivots to prevent swinging, resulting in a lightweight and robust structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a complex mechanism with multiple latches and diagonal braces is used, then the enclosure provides structural stability, but it becomes cumbersome to open and fold
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into modular sections with individual latches at each corner, allowing each section to be independently secured or released. This segmentation enables simplified operation where each latch can be quickly engaged or disengaged without affecting the entire structure, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure employs dynamic latching mechanisms that automatically engage when corners are pushed together and can be quickly released by pulling a release cord. This dynamic system transitions the structure from static stability to dynamic ease of operation, allowing the enclosure to be securely stable during use but easily deployable when needed.
2Strength
If a heavy robust structure is used, then the enclosure provides durability and stability, but it becomes difficult to handle and maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy enclosure is divided into lighter modular sections that can be individually handled and assembled. Each section maintains sufficient strength for its function but weighs less than a monolithic structure, improving overall handleability while preserving necessary durability through strategic material placement in load-bearing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the enclosure use different material qualities - heavy-duty materials are concentrated in load-bearing corners and latching mechanisms where strength is critical, while non-structural panels and connectors use lighter materials. This local differentiation maintains durability where needed while reducing overall weight for easier handling.
3Reliability
If multiple latches and complex mechanisms are used, then the enclosure remains securely closed, but it requires more time and effort to open
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latches are segmented into independent corner units, each with its own release mechanism. This allows sequential or parallel opening of different sections, reducing the total time required to open the entire enclosure compared to a single complex centralized locking mechanism that would require sequential operation of all locks.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching system incorporates self-latching features where corners automatically engage when pushed together, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. The release mechanism uses a simple cord-pull system that automatically triggers the unlatching sequence, reducing both time and effort required to open while maintaining secure closure during use.
4Strength
If diagonal braces and additional side members are added, then the enclosure structure is strengthened, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Structural reinforcement is applied locally only where needed - diagonal bracing is concentrated in corner assemblies and load-bearing frames rather than being distributed throughout the entire structure. This selective reinforcement maintains structural strength while minimizing the addition of unnecessary weight from redundant members.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-essential structural members such as diagonal braces and additional side members are removed from the design, retaining only the minimum necessary framework to achieve required strength. The enclosure uses optimized corner assemblies and latching mechanisms to provide structural integrity without the weight penalty of excessive bracing.
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 design enables smooth and efficient operation of the enclosure, providing a stable and compact form for storage and transport while being easy to deploy and fold, suitable for both manual and motorized operation, addressing the challenges of existing cumbersome mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding cam-follower plate that enables the correct geometric movement of various components of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
Latching connectors between upper arms in the enclosure upper assembly also contribute to superior operation of the inventive apparatus
Implementation Method 3
a lower corner structure that pivots slightly from a position when the enclosure apparatus is opened to another position when the enclosure is folded so that a tendency for the enclosure to swing partially open on it own is avoided
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable enclosure apparatus for a child includes: an upper assembly forming an upper portion of the enclosure; a base assembly connected to the upper assembly forming a lower portion of the enclosure and including a plurality of base legs provided in an X-shaped configuration; and at least four lower corner assemblies such that each of the plurality of base legs is connected to at least one of the four lower corner assemblies; and a hub assembly connected to the base assembly and centrally located with respect to the four corner assemblies. At least one of the at least four lower corner assemblies includes a wheel and the wheel is set at an angle such that an axis of rotation of the wheel is generally perpendicular to a plane of at least one of the plurality of base legs.