Highchair Folding Mechanism With Toothed Wheel Self-Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding devices for highchairs require manual operation of an actuator to switch between expanded and folded states, making them less user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A folding device with a toothed wheel, spring, and actuator that allows the highchair legs to be easily converted between folded and expanded positions without needing to manually operate the actuator for folding, using primary and secondary teeth to lock and unlock the positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the highchair uses a folding device with protrusions and engaging notched portions for positioning, then the folding mechanism can maintain stable positions, but it requires manual operation of the actuator to switch between expanded and folded states, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The folding device enables self-service operation through the interaction between the cam mechanism and the positioning elements. When force is applied to move the second leg, the cam automatically engages or disengages from the protrusions on the first leg, causing the folding action without requiring manual actuator operation. The system serves itself by converting the applied force directly into the folding motion through the cam's geometric profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism introduces dynamic behavior to the folding system. The cam profile is designed to provide automatic engagement and disengagement of the positioning elements during the folding motion. As the second leg moves between folded and expanded positions, the cam rotates and its profile automatically controls the locking and unlocking sequence, making the system adaptable to the motion state rather than requiring static manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the folding device uses a cam mechanism with positioning grooves and contact portions, then the operation becomes easier without manual actuator intervention, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a locking element, a positioning element, and a motion control element. The same cam structure that enables easy operation also provides the positioning grooves for the teeth and the contact portions for force transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite the added operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the actuator function, the locking mechanism, and the positioning system into a single integrated cam structure. Instead of having separate actuators, locking lugs, and positioning elements, these functions are combined into the cam and its interaction with the positioning grooves and contact portions. This merging approach achieves ease of operation while controlling the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
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 easier operation by allowing the highchair legs to be folded and expanded without manual actuator operation, providing a more convenient user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (53) disposed between the wheel body (521) and the first folding member (51)
Data Source
AI summary
A folding device for connecting legs of a highchair includes first and second folding members, a toothed wheel, and an actuator. The first folding member is formed with a positioning groove, and the second folding member is formed with a position limiting unit. The toothed wheel includes a wheel body that is disposed between the first and second folding members and that has a periphery provided with a primary tooth engaging the positioning groove. The primary tooth engages the position limiting unit to lock the second folding member from movement relative to the first folding member when the second folding member is at an expanded position. The actuator is operated to release the second folding member from the locking action of the toothed wheel when moving the second folding member back to a folded position.