Open-Top Child Swing Frame With Low Battery Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infant swing frames pose barriers to access and visibility due to overhead support structures and placement of batteries, which can lead to injury risks and instability.
Innovation Solution
A frame with an open top and open side configuration, featuring curved rear legs and front legs connected via a quick disconnect mechanism, with batteries positioned below the seat to prevent injury and reduce the frame's height, allowing for compact storage and improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an overhead support structure is used to support the swing seat, then the frame provides structural stability, but it restricts access to and visibility of the child in the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the overhead support structure entirely, extracting the element that blocks access and visibility. The swing seat is supported by side legs instead, creating an open top configuration that eliminates the barrier while maintaining structural stability through the side support framework.
2Ease of operation
If the overhead support structure is removed to provide open access, then access and visibility improve, but the child can grasp the support legs and potentially become dislodged from the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes not only the overhead structure but also the transverse support legs that connected them, extracting all elements that could be grasped by the child. Support is provided instead by longitudinal side legs that extend from the base to above the seat level, positioned away from the child's reach zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The side legs act as intermediary support elements that provide structural stability without being accessible to the child. They are positioned laterally away from the seat, serving the structural function while eliminating the hazard of the child grasping them.
3Device complexity
If dry cell batteries are placed within the same housing as the electric motor, then wiring is simplified, but the center of gravity increases and the housing size increases, reducing visibility of the child
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery housing from the motor housing, separating the power source from the drive mechanism. The batteries are mounted in a separate compartment on the frame, away from the motor assembly, which lowers the center of gravity and reduces the size of the housing near the seat, improving visibility while simplifying wiring through dedicated cable routing.
4Shape
If the batteries are placed above the swing seat, then the motor housing can be compact, but the child is exposed to dropped batteries and potential acid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the batteries above the seat as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the battery compartment below and away from the seat area. This reversal eliminates the hazard of dropped batteries while the motor housing remains compact through efficient spatial arrangement of the separated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame apparatus for a child's swing includes a pair of curved rear legs extending upwardly and forwardly to terminate in a pair of transversely spaced hanger housings that are positioned in a cantilevered manner from a support provided by a corresponding pair of curved front legs that extend upwardly and rearwardly to connect to mounting housings supported at a mid-point on the rear legs. The frame apparatus provides an open top, open side frame configuration for unrestricted access to and viewing of the seat. The front legs and the seat hangers can be detached from the rear legs to provide a compact storage and transport configuration for the swing. One of the mounting housings contains the battery array for the electric motor powering the swinging motion of the seat to position the batteries below and remotely from the seat. The frame members are oval-shaped to increase operating strength.