High Chair Folding Mechanism for One-Foot Rear Leg Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high chairs require additional lateral supporting frames or pipes to fold, making the folding process cumbersome and inconvenient for caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A folding device that allows the rear leg frame of a high chair to pivot relative to the front leg frame, using an engaging part, a housing, an actuator, and a linking part to enable one-foot operation for folding, with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional lateral supporting frame or pipe is configured between front leg frame and rear leg frame to enable folding, then folding capability is provided, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the additional lateral supporting frame or pipe from the high chair structure. Instead, the folding function is achieved by making the rear leg frame itself pivotable relative to the front leg frame through a pivot connection, thereby achieving folding capability without adding extra structural elements that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear leg frame serves dual functions: it provides structural support when in the unfolded position and enables folding motion when pivoted relative to the front leg frame. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lateral supporting frames, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining folding capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional lateral supporting frame or pipe is configured between front leg frame and rear leg frame, then folding mechanism is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the additional lateral supporting frame and its associated folding mechanisms, the patent simplifies the user interaction required for folding. The direct pivot connection between front and rear leg frames allows for more intuitive and easier operation compared to complex mechanisms on lateral supporting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding folding mechanisms to lateral supporting frames (as in prior art), the patent inverts the approach by making the rear leg frame itself the pivotable element. This inversion simplifies the folding operation to a straightforward pivoting motion, greatly improving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If engaging part is slidably mounted on rear leg frame and capable of engaging with front leg frame, then folding stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging part is designed to automatically engage with the front leg frame when the rear leg frame is in the unfolded position, and automatically disengage when pivoted to the folded position. This self-actuating mechanism provides folding stability without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
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 easy and convenient folding of the high chair to a compact size using a single-foot operation, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first end of the rear leg frame (30) pivots to the front leg frame (20), and the rear leg frame (30) is capable of rotating relative to the front leg frame (20) between an unfolding position and a folding position
Data Source
AI summary
A folding device is configured at the bottom of rear leg frame and at the pivot between the rear leg frame and front leg frame of a high chair. The folding device allows a user to complete folding process by pressing a button at the bottom of the rear leg frame. When the button is pressed, a rotator in the housing of the folding device rotates correspondingly and drags connected steel wires to move horizontally inward. The other ends of the steel wires further connect to engaging parts at the pivots and engaging between the front leg frame and the rear leg frame and retract the engaging parts so that the rear leg frame disengages from and pivots about the front leg frame. The high chair may be folded with one-foot operation.