Collapsible Highchair Locking Armrest for Stable Compact Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible highchairs have bulky designs due to their structure and unstable locking mechanisms, making them difficult to operate and maintain in a collapsed state, which results in a large volume when folded.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible highchair design featuring a locking device with an actuating portion and armrest configuration that allows easy engagement and disengagement, stabilizing the chair in both stretched and collapsed states, with a tray and rib structure that reduces bulk and facilitates parallel alignment of frames for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is used to maintain the highchair in a stretched state, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the locking device is difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device incorporates a resilient arm that can be dynamically deflected to engage or disengage from the armrest. This dynamic mechanism allows easy operation by simply pressing the armrest forward, while maintaining stable locking when engaged, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to be automatically engaged or disengaged by the natural forward movement of the armrest during folding. The resilient arm self-activates based on the armrest's position, eliminating the need for separate locking actions and improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
2Volume of stationary object
If the highchair is designed to be collapsible, then the volume in collapsed state is reduced, but the stability in stretched state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The highchair is divided into separable components including the armrest that can be independently positioned. The armrest can be folded forward to trigger the locking mechanism, enabling stable locking in stretched state while allowing compact folding to reduce volume, resolving the contradiction between stability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is pre-positioned on the resilient arm such that when the armrest is folded forward during collapse, it automatically engages the locking device. This preliminary positioning ensures stable locking is achieved before final collapse, maintaining reliability while enabling volume reduction.
3Reliability
If the locking device is made robust to maintain stability, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is merged with the armrest structure, where the resilient arm serves both as a structural support and a locking mechanism. This integration reduces device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single component while maintaining stability through the resilient locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the armrest, acts as a locking mechanism when engaged with the armrest, and enables easy operation through its deflection capability. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining 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
The design enhances operational ease, stability, and compactness by allowing smooth transition between states, reducing noise and volume when collapsed, while maintaining stability in the stretched position.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device (6) secured to the second frame (2); wherein when the locking device (6) is engaged with the armrest (5), the highchair is in a stretched state
Implementation Method 2
The locking device includes a resilient arm which can be deflected to engage or disengage from the armrest
Implementation Method 3
a first frame (1); a second frame (2) pivotally connected to the first frame (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A collapsible highchair (400) with a locking device includes a first frame (1), a second frame (2) which is pivotally connected to the first frame in "X" shape, a seat portion (3) pivotally connected to upper sections of the frames, a backrest (4) connected to the upper section of the first frame, a locking device (6) secured to top end of upper section of the second frame, and an armrest one end of which is pivotally connected to the first frame and another end is engaged with the locking device, the locking device including a first case (61) and a second case (62), both of which cover the second frame, the first case being integrally formed with an elastic actuating portion (612), wherein the actuating portion is engaged with an opening (55) on the armrest (5), when the highchair is in a stretched state, and wherein when the actuating portion (612) is pressed to disengage from the opening, the highchair is in a collapsible state.