Magnetic Infant Swing Seat for Compact Folding Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infant swings are cumbersome due to large standing frames and complicated folding mechanisms, making them difficult to transport.
Innovation Solution
A child motion apparatus with a base, pivotally supported seat, and a magnetic drive system that allows sideways swaying motion, featuring a magnetic force between offset magnetic members for maintaining the swaying motion, along with a collapsible design that includes a recline adjustment mechanism and ramp structures for easy folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional standing frames and swing arms are used, then the infant swing provides stable support and swinging motion, but the structure becomes complicated and difficult to fold or disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical swing arm mechanism with a magnetic drive system. The magnetic drive includes a motor assembly that generates rotational motion, which is then transferred through a transmission mechanism (belt and pulley system) to rotate the seat. This substitution of mechanical components with a more integrated magnetic drive system reduces structural complexity while maintaining the swinging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The infant swing is divided into separable components: a base assembly, a seat assembly, and a magnetic drive assembly. The magnetic drive assembly can be detached from the base, and the seat can be removed from the base as well. This segmentation allows each component to be folded or disassembled independently, simplifying the overall folding process and making transportation easier.
2Reliability
If large standing frames are used, then the infant swing provides stable support, but the apparatus becomes difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The swing is segmented into a base assembly and a removable seat assembly. The base assembly contains the magnetic drive system and can be folded compactly. The seat assembly can be detached and stored separately. This segmentation allows the main support structure to be reduced in size while maintaining stability during use, and enables easy transportation by folding the base and separating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The base assembly incorporates foldable support legs that can transition between an extended stable configuration during use and a retracted compact configuration for transportation. The magnetic drive system allows the swing to operate in a compact footprint compared to traditional large-frame swings, facilitating easier movement and storage.
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 convenient and space-efficient solution for soothing children while allowing easy transportation and storage, as it can be collapsed into a compact form and maintain a swaying motion without additional caregiver effort.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic force being generated between the first and second magnetic members for maintaining a swaying motion of the seat when the first and second magnetic members are in proximity of each other
Data Source
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AI summary
A child motion apparatus (100) includes a base (102), a seat (104) arranged above the base (102), an upright column (106) disposed below the seat (104) and pivotally supporting the seat (104) above the base (102), the seat (104) being thereby rotatable about a rotation axis (Z), and a magnetic drive system (180) operable to drive the seat (104) to sway sideways. The magnetic drive system (180) includes a first and a second magnetic member (182, 184) respectively affixed with the seat (104) and the base (102) at positions offset from the rotation axis (Z) of the seat (104), a magnetic force being generated between the first and second magnetic members (182, 184) for maintaining a swaying motion of the seat (104) when the first and second magnetic members (182, 184) are in proximity of each other.