Hexagonal Scissoring-Frame Playyard to Reduce Setup Complexity
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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 or torn 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 strap system that allows for easy assembly and disassembly by locking and unlocking junctions, enabling quick conversion between open and compact configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional playyard design with multiple separate parts is used, then the playyard can be constructed with various components, but the setup and teardown time increases and the complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (sidewalls, floors, frames) into an integrated endless flexible structure that forms a continuous loop around the frame. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate parts while maintaining the playyard's structural integrity and functionality, directly reducing setup/teardown time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The endless flexible sidewall structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, defines the playyard boundaries, and integrates with the frame system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing the number of parts and setup complexity.
2Device complexity
If traditional playyard design with multiple separate parts is used, then the playyard can be constructed with various components, but the risk of incorrect construction and broken parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple separate components into a single endless flexible structure, the patent eliminates numerous connection points where incorrect assembly or damage could occur. The integrated design reduces construction errors and improves reliability by minimizing the number of assembly steps.
3Volume of moving object
If the playyard is designed to be foldable into compact configuration, then the storage space is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic folding mechanisms that allow the endless flexible sidewall to collapse and expand along with the frame. The scissoring action of the frame members naturally drives the flexible structure to fold compactly without requiring complex additional mechanisms, achieving compact storage while maintaining simplicity.
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.