Hexagonal Scissoring Playyard Frame for Fast Setup and Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Playyards have a large number of parts, which complicates setup and teardown, leading to increased time and risk of incorrect construction, broken parts, and caregiver anxiety.
Innovation Solution
A foldable playyard design featuring an endless frame with a flexible sidewall and floor, scissoring frame members, and a quick connection system that allows for easy assembly and disassembly by locking and unlocking junctions, enabling the playyard to be compactly stored and quickly expanded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a playyard uses a large number of parts (hubs, frames, sleeves, cords, bags, male frame members, female frame members), then the playyard can be constructed with greater structural detail and functionality, but the setup and take down time increases and the complexity of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The playyard is divided into modular components including a foldable frame structure with interconnected junctions, flexible sidewalls, and a floor that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling rapid assembly through standardized connection points at the junctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure incorporates hinged connections at the junctions that allow the frame to dynamically transition between folded and unfolded configurations. This dynamic design enables the playyard to be quickly collapsed for storage or transport and rapidly deployed when needed, reducing both setup and take down time while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a playyard uses a large number of parts, then the playyard can be constructed with greater structural detail and functionality, but the risk of incorrect construction and broken parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple structural functions are merged into the junctions, which serve as centralized connection points for frame members, sidewalls, and floor components. This consolidation reduces the number of separate connection points and potential failure points, while the standardized design of the junctions ensures consistent and correct assembly throughout the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The junctions are designed as universal connection points that can accommodate multiple types of components (frame members, sidewalls, floor elements) through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality ensures that all connections follow the same assembly pattern, reducing the risk of incorrect construction while maintaining the ability to support various structural configurations.
3Ease of operation
If a playyard is designed to be foldable for compact storage, then the ease of operation and storage improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates hinged connections that enable dynamic folding and unfolding movements. These hinges are integrated into the junctions, allowing the frame to collapse into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural integrity during the transition. The dynamic design simplifies the folding operation while the integrated hinge design minimizes additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable frame structure is designed to collapse and unfold under its own weight and with minimal user intervention. The gravitational force assists the folding action, and the standardized junctions automatically align during the folding process, reducing the need for complex locking mechanisms or manual adjustment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present playyard includes an endless frame, an endless sidewall within the frame, and a floor within the sidewall. The sidewall and floor form the shape of a receptacle having an open top and a closed bottom defined by the floor. Each of the frame, sidewall and floor takes the shape of a hexagon. The frame is a scissoring frame. The frame includes upper and lower junctions. The upper junction engages the sidewall. A strap engages the lower junction to a periphery of the floor, an inner portion of the floor, and the sidewall.