Gear-Driven Folding Mechanism for Compact Stroller Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional all-terrain baby strollers face challenges with compactness and ease of use due to complex and costly folding mechanisms, which compromise reliability and usability.

Innovation Solution

A folding mechanism featuring rotatable members with gears that coordinate to allow for efficient folding and unfolding of the stroller frame, utilizing a pivot member and gears with different pitches to facilitate the rotation of frame components, enabling a more compact and user-friendly folding process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional folding mechanisms are used in all-terrain strollers, then the stroller can be folded, but the mechanism becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding mechanism is divided into separate rotatable members (first and second rotatable members) that can independently rotate frame members. Each member has gears formed in edge portions that engage with pinion gears, allowing the folding function to be segmented into discrete, manageable components rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex centralized folding mechanism, the patent distributes the folding function across multiple rotatable members with integrated gears. The gears are formed directly in the edge portions of the rotatable members, inverting the traditional approach where separate folding components would be attached to frame members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional folding mechanisms are used in all-terrain strollers, then the stroller can be folded, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidfolding mechanism reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gears are merged with the rotatable members by forming them directly in the edge portions of the rotatable members. This integration eliminates separate folding components and their associated connection points, reducing potential failure points and improving overall reliability of the folding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional folding mechanisms are used in all-terrain strollers, then the stroller can be folded, but ease of use is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidfolding ease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable members are configured to automatically rotate frame members into folded or unfolded positions through gear engagement. When one frame member is rotated, the engaged gears cause other frame members to rotate in coordinated fashion, allowing the folding mechanism to service itself rather than requiring manual manipulation of multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional folding mechanisms are used in all-terrain strollers, then the stroller can be folded, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances the compactness and ease of use of all-terrain baby strollers by allowing for a greater range of rotation angles, improving the stroller's ability to fold into a smaller form while maintaining structural integrity and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The first rotatable member has a first gear and the second rotatable member has a second gear. The folding assembly further has a third gear and a fourth gear configured to rotate together as a unit. The third gear is positioned in driving engagement with the first gear and the fourth gear is positioned in driving engagement with the second gear so that the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member rotate relative to each other in geared coordination.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentUS7632035B2Folding baby stroller

Publication Date: 2009.12.15 BABY JOGGER II LLC

AI summary

A baby stroller for transporting a child is disclosed. This baby stroller has a folding mechanism to facilitate folding for easier stowing and transporting. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs.