Foldable Stroller Control Mechanism for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strollers often occupy significant space and lack efficient mechanisms for reducing their footprint, especially when transitioning between usage and storage positions.
Innovation Solution
A stroller design featuring a body with upper and lower portions that can rotate relative to each other, utilizing a first articulation with a gear and a linkage mechanism controlled by a user interface to facilitate folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the stroller is designed to be foldable with rotating body portions, then the occupied space is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stroller body is divided into upper and lower portions that can rotate independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each portion to be positioned independently, enabling the folded configuration where the upper body portion rotates to align with the lower body portion, thereby reducing the overall occupied space while maintaining functional integrity
Solution Approach 2:
When folded, the upper body portion is positioned to nest within or alongside the lower body portion, creating a compact configuration. The articulation assembly allows one body portion to be contained within or adjacent to the other, significantly reducing the footprint similar to nested dolls
2Ease of operation
If the articulation assembly with linkage mechanism is added, then the control over folding is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the articulation joint. When the user operates the interface, the linkage mechanism translates this input into controlled movement of the articulation, providing precise control over the folding and unfolding actions while isolating the user from the mechanical complexity of the joint itself
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component within the articulation assembly provides automatic biasing force that assists the folding motion. Once the user initiates the folding action through the interface, the spring automatically propels the upper body portion into the folded position, reducing the effort required and providing self-assisting control without requiring complex actuation systems
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 the stroller to be easily folded and stored by allowing the upper and lower body portions to rotate and lock into place, significantly reducing the occupied space while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to bias the gear into a locked position within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a gear linkage coupled to the bar linkage and configured to exert an outward force on the first articulation
Data Source
AI summary
A stroller is provided comprising a body having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, at least one of the upper body portion and lower body portion configured to rotate with respect to the other body portion; a first articulation coupling the upper body portion and lower body portion, the first articulation configured to exert an inward force on a gear; and an assembly coupled to the first articulation and configured to control the first articulation.