Hip Carrier with Rear Strap Connections for Secure Infant Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hip carriers lack sufficient security for infants and toddlers, particularly in situations where frequent getting on and off is required, such as at amusement parks, due to strap connections being on the front, which compromises passenger safety.
Innovation Solution
A hip carrier design featuring rear-mounted strap connections and an optional shoulder retainer with a modular seat insert and buckle system, allowing for secure seating and conversion to a cargo mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If strap connections are mounted on the front of the seat, then the hip carrier is easier to operate for frequent getting on and off, but the security and safety of the infant or toddler is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional front-mounted strap connection design by placing the strap connections on the rear of the seat. This inversion allows the straps to secure the passenger more effectively against the seat back, improving security while maintaining ease of operation through the same buckle mechanism.
2Reliability
If a shoulder retainer is added to the hip carrier, then the security and support for the infant or toddler is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder retainer is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides additional security for the passenger, distributes weight across the shoulders, and can be adjusted or removed based on usage needs. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular seat insert is used, then the adaptability and comfort for different passengers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into a main seat structure and a removable modular seat insert. The insert can be detached and replaced based on the size and needs of different passengers, providing adaptability while keeping the overall device relatively simple through modular design.
4Reliability
If a locking head channel with leaf spring is used for strap connections, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring in the locking head channel is pre-biased to provide continuous contact and engagement force with the protrusion head. This beforehand cushioning ensures reliable connection without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the spring compensates for minor variations in component dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A hip carrier has a belt strap supporting a seat. The seat holds a seat insert which can be made of foam. The seat can be further supported by a shoulder retainer. The seat is mounted to the belt strap. The seat has a right strap connection and a left strap connection. A seat insert fits into a seat pad compartment. The shoulder retainer includes a left shoulder strap and a right shoulder strap connected together at a shoulder strap junction. A shoulder strap junction is formed as a shoulder retainer front panel. The right shoulder strap extends to a left rear shoulder strap, and the left shoulder strap extends to a right rear shoulder strap. The right rear shoulder strap crosses the left rear shoulder strap.