Infant Chair Swing Assembly with Adjustable Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infant high chairs lack the ability to entertain children, providing only stable support without engaging them.

Innovation Solution

An infant chair apparatus with a support frame, pivotally connected seat, and a swing drive assembly that includes a spring and torque adjusting mechanism, allowing the seat to swing and adjust its amplitude based on the child's weight, enabling both stationary and swinging modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a swing drive assembly is added to provide swing motion, then the ability to entertain children is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to entertain childrenVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swing drive assembly uses a spring mechanism that automatically swings the seat without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The spring stores and releases energy to create swing motion, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the entertainment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The torque adjusting mechanism allows the swing characteristics to be adjusted by changing the torque parameter. This enables the same swing drive assembly to adapt to different child weights and preferences, providing entertainment versatility without requiring multiple different mechanisms, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a torque adjusting mechanism is added to accommodate different weights, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different weightsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque adjusting mechanism provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the torque parameter to be changed based on the child's weight. This dynamic adaptation enables a single swing drive assembly to serve multiple weight ranges effectively, improving versatility without requiring multiple fixed-torque mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism adjusts the torque parameter to match different child weights, allowing the swing drive assembly to be adapted to various users. By changing this single parameter, the system achieves high adaptability across different weight ranges while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spring force is increased to swing heavier children, then the adaptability is improved, but the swing amplitude control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswing capability for heavier childrenVSAvoidswing amplitude control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The torque adjusting mechanism changes the torque parameter to match the spring force with the child's weight. This parameter adjustment ensures that the swing amplitude remains appropriate and controllable across different weight ranges, preventing excessive swing amplitudes even when the spring force is increased for heavier children.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus provides a versatile and engaging experience for infants by allowing adjustable swing motion, accommodating different weights and ensuring a comfortable and entertaining experience, overcoming issues of excessive or insufficient swing amplitudes.

Implementation Method 1

a spring having a first end affixed with the support frame and a movable second end, wherein the spring is operable to apply a spring force that is converted into a driving torque applied on the coupling member to impart a swing motion to the seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2644056B1Infant chair apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 BP CHILDRENS PRODUCTS HK CO LTD
  • EP2644056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2644056B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2644056B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An infant chair apparatus includes a support frame, a seat pivotally connected with the support frame about a pivot axis and provided with a coupling member, and a swing drive assembly connected with the seat and the support frame. The swing drive assembly includes a spring having a first end affixed with the support frame and a movable second end, wherein the spring is operable to apply a spring force that is converted into a driving torque applied on the coupling member to impart a swing motion to the seat, and a torque adjusting mechanism respectively connected with the second end of the spring and the coupling member, the torque adjusting mechanism being operable to adjust a position of the coupling member relative to the seat.