Infant Chair Swing Assembly With Adjustable Spring Torque
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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 for adjustable swing motion to entertain the child.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a stable support structure is provided for the infant chair, then safety and stability are improved, but the ability to entertain the child deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static high chair into a dynamic system with swing motion. The seat is pivotally connected to the support frame, allowing it to swing back and forth. A swing drive assembly with a spring mechanism provides the driving force for oscillation, while a damping mechanism controls the motion. This dynamic capability entertains the child while the stable support frame maintains safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a swing mechanism is added to entertain the child, then entertainment capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the swing mechanism with the existing high chair structure. The swing drive assembly is integrated into the support frame, sharing common components like the pivot connection between seat and frame. The spring mechanism is positioned to work within the existing structural space, and the damping mechanism utilizes the same pivot point. This merging approach adds swing functionality while minimizing additional structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the swing amplitude is increased to entertain the child more, then entertainment capability is improved, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to control swing characteristics. The spring mechanism allows adjustment of swing amplitude and frequency by modifying spring pre-compression or spring constant. The damping mechanism adjusts damping coefficient to control oscillation decay rate. These parameter adjustments enable safe swing motion with optimized entertainment value, preventing excessive amplitude that could compromise safety.
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 seating option that can convert into a stationary high chair or a swinging chair, accommodating different child weights with adjustable swing amplitude, enhancing entertainment and comfort.
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
Data Source
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.