Hygienic Pacifier Annular Shield Folding Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pacifiers are prone to contamination as the nipple can come into contact with dirt and other contaminants when dropped, as it is often uncovered, leading to hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A hygienic pacifier design featuring an annular folding structure on a substantially spherical shield that moves between a recoiled storage position and an extended use position, biasing the shield to remain in the extended position during use and automatically recoil upon impact, such as when dropped, to prevent contact with the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nipple is uncovered for use, then ease of operation is improved, but hygiene deteriorates as the nipple can contact ground and pick up contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed to be movable between extended and recoiled positions, allowing the nipple to be accessible during use but automatically retracted when not in use or upon impact, thus dynamically adapting to usage conditions to maintain hygiene while ensuring ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is positioned to preemptively cover the nipple before contact with contaminants can occur, and the automatic recoil mechanism upon impact provides preliminary protection by retracting the nipple into the shield enclosure before ground contact happens
2Ease of operation
If the shield is biased to remain in extended use position, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates as the nipple may remain exposed during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The impact-activated recoil mechanism provides preliminary protective action by automatically retracting the nipple into the shield enclosure upon detection of impact forces, preventing ground contact before contamination can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The shield's positional state changes in response to impact parameter changes, transitioning from an extended use position to a recoiled protective position when impact forces are detected, thus adapting the protection level based on external conditions
3Ease of operation
If the annular folding structure provides bias to maintain extended position, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield incorporates an annular folding structure with crease lines that allow the shield to flex and recoil smoothly, using the flexibility of the thin shield material to enable the biasing mechanism without adding complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is designed with a substantially spherical shape and rounded crease lines in the annular folding structure, allowing the shield to flex and recoil in a smooth curved motion, simplifying the mechanical complexity while maintaining the biasing function
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 design ensures the nipple remains protected from contamination by maintaining exposure during use and automatically retracting upon impact, enhancing hygiene and preventing dirt accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
the annular folding structure is configured to bias the shield to maintain the shield in the extended use position
Implementation Method 2
the annular folding structure may be used to bias the shield to remain in the extended use position when the shield is placed in the extended use position
Implementation Method 3
the annular folding structure may be configured to provide a bias that may be overcome by a moderate impact to the pacifier such as an impact associated with dropping the pacifier
Implementation Method 4
the shield is configured to overcome the bias of the annular folding structure in the presence of an external impact force
Implementation Method 5
the nipple access opening of the faceguard is sized and configured to frictionally engage the base of the nipple to further restrict return of the nipple to the recoiled storage position
Data Source
AI summary
A hygienic pacifier includes an annular folding structure formed on a substantially spherical shield that joins a nipple to a faceplate and that is movable between a recoiled storage position in which the shield substantially surrounds the nipple and an extended use position in which at least a portion of the nipple projects through the nipple access opening and is exposed for use. The annular folding structure may be used to bias the shield to remain in the extended use position when the shield is placed in the extended use position. Further, in some instances, the annular folding structure may be configured to provide a bias that may be overcome by a moderate impact to the pacifier such as an impact associated with dropping the pacifier.