Infant Carrier Backrest Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional infant carrier apparatuses, such as strollers, are often too large due to their need for adjustable backrests to accommodate both forward and rearward seating configurations, which compromises their compactness and usability.

Innovation Solution

An infant carrier apparatus with a backrest assembly that includes a support frame and holder sockets, allowing the backrest to be adjusted along a longitudinal axis between two positions, enabling forward or rearward seating configurations without increasing the overall seat area, utilizing restraint elements for secure locking at different positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple locking holds are provided along a seat tube to enable adjustable backrest positions for forward and rearward seating, then the seating versatility is improved, but the device size increases making it less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating configuration versatilityVSAvoidstroller size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest frame is made movable relative to the seat tube through a sliding mechanism with multiple locking holds. The backrest can dynamically adjust between different positions (forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations) by engaging with locking holds at different locations along the seat tube, allowing versatile seating arrangements without requiring multiple separate seat structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The backrest adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete locking holds positioned at specific intervals along the seat tube. Each locking hold represents a discrete position that can be selected independently, allowing the backrest to be positioned at multiple predetermined locations without requiring continuous adjustment mechanisms or additional structural components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If front and rear seat portions are connected to provide both forward and rearward seating capabilities, then the seating versatility is improved, but the total seating surface area increases making the stroller larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating orientation capabilityVSAvoidseating surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single seat assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by allowing the backrest frame to assume different orientations. The same seat structure can accommodate both forward-facing and rearward-facing seating configurations through the adjustable backrest mechanism, eliminating the need for separate front and rear seat portions while maintaining full seating versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The backrest frame transitions between different angular positions relative to the seat tube, enabling the single seat to dynamically adapt its orientation. This dynamic adjustment allows the seat to function as both a forward-facing seat and a rearward-facing seat without requiring additional static structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2433846B8Infant carrier apparatus having an adjustable backrest
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS CO LTD

AI summary

An infant carrier apparatus (100) comprises a support frame (102) including a seat assembly (104) that has a longitudinal axis extending from a front end to a rear end thereof, and a backrest assembly (106) including a backrest frame (131) and at least a holder socket (133), the backrest frame (131) being mounted with the support frame (102) via the holder socket (133), and the holder socket (133) being adjustable along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. In other embodiments, a method of adjusting the backrest assembly (106) of the infant carrier apparatus (100) is also described.