High-Chair Tray Snap Coupling for Secure Rear-Leg Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-chairs face difficulties in easily coupling and separating a removable tray from the legs, particularly when the chair is moved, due to various coupling methods that are either prone to separation issues or cumbersome to use.
Innovation Solution
A high-chair design featuring a tray with coupling elements that include movable supports with spiral springs and a flexible handle, allowing the tray to be easily attached and detached from both the arm rests and rear legs, utilizing a guided translational movement mechanism for secure and effortless positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling method is used to attach the tray to the high-chair legs, then the tray can be maintained associated with the high-chair structure when not in use, but the coupling method presents problems related to possible separation when the high-chair is moved or difficulty of coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element automatically engages with the recess in the leg through a snap-fit mechanism when the tray is placed on the leg, eliminating the need for manual coupling operations. The spring-loaded design self-adjusts to maintain secure attachment during movement without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling element acts as an intermediary between the tray and the leg, providing a reliable mechanical connection. This intermediate component facilitates easy attachment and detachment while ensuring stable connection during use, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is separated from the high-chair structure, then the child can be brought close to a table, but the tray needs to be easily recoupled when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The self-engaging coupling mechanism allows the tray to be quickly recoupled to the leg by simply placing it in position, where it automatically snaps into place. This eliminates complex coupling operations and enables rapid transition between separated and attached states, supporting both adaptability and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a complex coupling mechanism is used to ensure secure attachment, then the tray remains reliably attached during movement, but the construction and use become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling function is extracted into a separate, simple coupling element that can be independently designed and manufactured. This modular approach simplifies the overall construction while maintaining secure attachment, as the coupling element's sole function is to provide reliable connection without adding unnecessary complexity to the tray or leg structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded coupling element automatically adjusts and maintains secure attachment through its self-regulating mechanism, eliminating the need for complex adjustment devices or multiple components. The simple design achieves reliable attachment through the inherent properties of the spring mechanism rather than through complex mechanical systems.
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 enables simple, efficient coupling and separation of the tray, reducing the complexity of use and product costs while ensuring secure attachment and detachment, enhancing user convenience and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
said coupling element (41) having a movable support (45) with a spiral spring (64)
Data Source
AI summary
A high-chair including a support structure for a seat adapted to contain a child, the structure having a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs, the seat having arm rests to which a tray is removably coupled, the tray being able to be associated, when not in use, with the rear legs of the structure. The tray includes movable coupling elements arranged to cooperate with counter-elements associated with the legs, the coupling elements being movable within respective seats provided in the tray against the action of a corresponding elastic thrust element, this enabling rapid snap-coupling of the elements and counter-elements when brought into a facing position.