Infant Float Cradle Design for Reclined Support Above Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational flotation devices are not suitable for younger infants as they require sufficient muscular control to maintain an upright position and submerge more of the body into water than desired.
Innovation Solution
A flotation device with a cradle and wall portion configuration that supports infants partially above water, featuring a support member with varying heights and inflatable bladders to maintain the infant in a reclined position, preventing water entry and providing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If known recreational flotation devices are used for infants, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the infant cannot be supported above water and requires sufficient muscular control to maintain upright position
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation device is designed to automatically support the infant in a reclined position without requiring the infant to actively maintain posture. The cradle structure with backrest and side walls self-adjusts to keep the infant positioned correctly, eliminating the need for muscular control that would otherwise be required in traditional upright flotation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the operational parameters by transitioning from an upright sitting position to a reclined position. This parameter change in body orientation allows infants without sufficient muscular control to be safely supported above water, as the reclined position naturally maintains stability without requiring active posture maintenance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If known flotation devices submerge the lower body into water, then the device structure is simple, but more of the user's body is submerged than desirable for younger infants
Solution Approach 1:
The device extends in the vertical dimension by incorporating a backrest and elevated cradle structure that lifts the infant's lower body above the water surface. This dimensional extension prevents water submersion of the lower body while maintaining flotation functionality, addressing the harmful effect without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If a flotation device supports infants in a reclined position with support members, then infant safety is improved, but the device complexity increases with multiple support portions
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a backrest portion for upper body support, a cradle portion for lower body support, and side wall portions for lateral retention. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive infant safety and retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are configured to nest together forming an integrated cradle structure. The backrest, cradle, and side walls interconnect to create a unified retention system that provides reliable infant support while minimizing the overall structural footprint and simplifying manufacturing.
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 device effectively supports infants partially above water, maintaining their position and preventing water submersion, ensuring safety and comfort for younger users.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable first bladder and an inflatable second bladder
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to inflatable flotation devices that support an infant, and having first, second and third inflatable members. The first member has an outer and an inner perimeter and a first and second diameters at first and second end portions. The second member is at least partially within the inner perimeter of the first member. At least a portion of the upper surface of the second member is recessed with respect to an upper surface of the first member. The third member has an inner perimeter disposed about at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the first member. The third member has a maximum height, when inflated, that is less than the maximum height of the first member, at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the third member being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the first member.