Foldable Infant Scale Pan Using Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional infant scales require significant storage space and are not well-suited for travel due to their size and design, making them impractical for both home use and mobility.

Innovation Solution

The infant scale features a scale pan divided into two foldable halves that convert from an unfolded weighing position to a compact storage position, utilizing load cells for weight measurement and an integrated display, with a design that includes locking mechanisms and padding for safety and protection, allowing for easy transport and minimal storage needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the scale pan is made large enough to accommodate an infant, then the infant can be properly weighed, but the storage space required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale pan areaVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The scale pan is divided into two separable halves that can be folded together for storage. This segmentation allows the pan to maintain its full size during use while reducing to a compact form factor for storage, effectively resolving the contradiction between operational area and storage volume requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If the scale pan is made large to fit an infant, then weighing capability is ensured, but portability and ease of transport are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale pan areaVSAvoidtransport dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the scale pan into two foldable halves, the invention enables the pan to maintain full operational size during use while collapsing to a compact configuration for transport, thereby improving portability without sacrificing weighing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The scale pan transitions from a static large structure to a dynamic foldable design, allowing it to change its physical configuration between operational and transport states, thus resolving the contradiction between size requirements for different usage scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the scale pan surface is exposed during storage, then access is easy, but the surface material may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The two scale pan halves are designed to nest together during storage, with one half containing or protecting the other. This nesting arrangement naturally protects the vulnerable inner surfaces from damage while maintaining easy access when unfolded for use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7893367B2Infant scale

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 SOEHNLE IND SOLUTIONS

AI summary

An infant scale includes a scale pan configured to hold an infant and including first and second pan halves foldable against each other from an unfolded weighing position to a folded-up storage position. A measuring device is configured to support the scale pan and to determine a weight of the infant. The measuring device includes a plurality of load cells. A display is configured to show the determined weight.