Infant Carrier Foldable Locking Mechanism for Stable Compact Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable mechanisms for infant carriers have complex internal designs, leading to increased folded size, poor stability, and high manufacturing costs, which hinder convenience and practicality.

Innovation Solution

A foldable mechanism featuring a first mount, second mount, and locking member, where the locking member is pivotally connected to the first mount and movably positioned between the mounts, allowing for rotation and axial movement to lock the infant carrier in either a folded or expanded state, simplifying the mechanical design and enhancing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking device is disposed between the front leg and the rear leg to lock the infant carrier in a folded state, then the infant carrier can be locked in the folded state, but the locking device has a complicated internal mechanical design and a large volume, making the folded size of the infant carrier much bigger and causing poor folding stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding stabilityVSAvoidlocking device design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into separate functional components: a locking member with positioning portions and mating portions are distributed on the front leg and rear leg respectively. This segmentation simplifies the internal mechanical design while maintaining reliable locking function through coordinated engagement of multiple simple elements rather than one complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking member is disposed inside the infant carrier frame structure, with positioning portions and mating portions integrated into the existing leg structures. This nesting approach reduces the overall volume of the locking mechanism while maintaining its locking function, thereby reducing the folded size of the infant carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a locking device is disposed between the front leg and the rear leg to lock the infant carrier in a folded state, then the infant carrier can be locked in the folded state, but the locking device has a large volume, making the folded size of the infant carrier much bigger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidfolded size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is merged with the existing leg structures by integrating positioning portions on the front leg and mating portions on the rear leg. This combination eliminates the need for a separate bulky locking device, reducing the folded volume while maintaining reliable locking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a locking device is disposed between the front leg and the rear leg to lock the infant carrier in a folded state, then the infant carrier can be locked in the folded state, but it causes a high manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is segmented into simple positioning portions and mating portions that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing compared to a single complex locking device, reducing production costs while maintaining reliable locking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex active locking mechanism that requires actuation and control systems, the design uses passive geometric engagement between positioning portions and mating portions. This inverted approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex mechanisms while maintaining reliable locking function through clever geometric design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 mechanism provides improved folding stability and compactness by allowing the infant carrier to be securely locked in both states through a simple mechanical design, reducing the risk of accidental expansion and lowering manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

Free rotation of the locking member about the rotating axis relative to the second mount can make the first mount rotatable relative to the second mount for adjusting a rotating position of the first mount relative to the second mount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree rotation:

Implementation Method 2

the locking member can move along the axial direction of the rotating axis to be engaged with the second mount for locking rotation of the locking member, so as to indirectly lock the first mount at the first rotating position or the second rotating position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial movement:

Implementation Method 3

the locking member has a positioning portion, the second mount has a first mating portion, the positioning portion is engaged with the first mating portion to lock the first mount at the first rotating position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 4

the locking portion is engaged with the second mating portion to lock the first mount at the second rotating position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11484129B2Foldable mechanism and infant carrier thereof

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

The present invention discloses a foldable mechanism and an infant carrier thereof. The foldable mechanism includes a first mount, a second mount and a locking member movably disposed between the first mount and the second mount. The first mount is pivotally connected to the second mount. The infant carrier is locked in the folded state when the first mount rotates to a first rotating position relative to the second mount. The infant carrier is locked in the expanded state when the first mount rotates to a second rotating position relative to the second mount. The first mount is locked at the first rotating position or the second rotating position via movement of the locking member, so as to make the foldable mechanism have a simple folding mechanical design and improve folding stability of the foldable mechanism.