Hanging Portable Changing Table for Safe Surface-Free Diapering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Parents face difficulties in changing their children's diapers in public due to the lack of safe, sturdy, and sanitary surfaces, as many public restrooms do not have suitable changing tables and those available may be dirty or unsafe.

Innovation Solution

A portable changing table with a flexible hanging support, a chamber for holding the child, and adjustable straps, which can be easily deployed and stowed, providing a secure and elevated platform that can be suspended from any suitable point, such as a door, and includes storage pockets for accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a portable changing table is designed to be lightweight and compact for easy portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but structural strength and stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of changing tableVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The changing table utilizes a flexible yet strong fabric material that can be folded and compressed into a compact form for portability, while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support a child during diaper changes. The fabric construction allows the table to be lightweight yet strong enough for its intended use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the changing table is designed to be self-supporting and not require laying on a surface, then ease of use in various locations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability in various locationsVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The changing table employs a dynamic hanging design where the fabric construction naturally drapes and forms a stable surface when suspended from a hook. This dynamic configuration allows the table to be set up in various locations without requiring a flat surface, while the simple hanging mechanism keeps the overall device complexity low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the changing table uses foldable walls and flexible materials for compact storage, then ease of stowing is improved, but structural rigidity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of stowingVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9907410B2Portable changing table

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 4DCM LLC

AI summary

A portable changing table comprises a flexible hanging support having upper and lower ends, a chamber adapted to receive and hold a child during diapering, and left and right support straps. The upper end of the hanging support has at least one hook for hanging the changing table during use. The hanging support is adapted to hang substantially vertically during use. The chamber is attached to the lower end of the hanging support such that the chamber hangs from the hanging support during use. The chamber comprises a floor, a rear wall having a bottom edge foldably attached to a rear edge of the floor, a front wall having a bottom edge foldably attached to a front edge of the floor, a flexible left side wall, and a flexible right side wall.