Pivoting Arm Locking Mechanism for Quick-Fold Baby Crib Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foldable baby cribs have complex and time-consuming disassembly and folding processes, failing to meet the need for easy assembly, disassembly, and storage as children grow.

Innovation Solution

A support connecting structure with a pivoting base, pivoting arms, and a locking member that allows for easy switching between locked and unlocked positions, facilitating simple and efficient folding and unfolding of the crib.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional foldable baby crib design is used, then the crib can be folded and stored, but the disassembly and folding process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddisassembly and folding operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is designed to be automatically locked when the support arm is in the extended position, and automatically unlocked when the support arm is folded. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for manual locking operations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining folding capability and simplifying disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking member is pre-positioned to engage with the support arm at specific locations along its movement path. This preliminary positioning ensures that the locking action occurs automatically at the correct moment during folding or extension, eliminating the need for separate locking steps and simplifying the overall operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional foldable baby crib design is used, then the crib can be folded and stored, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The self-locking mechanism automatically engages the locking member with the support arm during the folding motion, eliminating the need for separate locking steps. This reduces the time required for assembly and disassembly while maintaining the folding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm is divided into multiple segments with locking members positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the arm to be locked at various positions along its movement path, enabling quick adjustment and folding without complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the locking member is positioned to lock the pivoting arm, then the pivoting arm rotation is constrained, but the locking member may interfere with the pivoting arm rotation when not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting arm position stabilityVSAvoidpivoting arm rotation freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is designed to dynamically engage and disengage from the pivoting arm based on the arm's position. When the arm is in the extended position, the locking member automatically engages to provide stability. When the arm is folded or in motion, the locking member automatically disengages to allow free rotation, resolving the contradiction between stability and operational freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A guide structure serves as an intermediary between the locking member and the pivoting arm. This guide structure ensures that the locking member only engages with the arm at the correct position and does not interfere with the arm's rotation when folding or adjusting, maintaining both stability and operational freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12569073B2Support connecting structure, support, baby crib, and crib body of baby crib

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A support connecting structure includes: a pivoting base; a pivoting arm, wherein a first end of the pivoting arm is connected to the pivoting base by a first pin shaft, and the first end of the pivoting arm comprises a first anti-rotation surface; and a locking member mounted to the pivoting base, the locking member being capable of moving in a direction parallel to an axis of the first pin shaft from a locked position to an unlocked position, and the locking member comprising a second anti-rotation surface; wherein when the locking member is at the locked position, the first anti-rotation surface abuts against the second anti-rotation surface, and when the locking member is at the unlocked position, the first anti-rotation surface is separated from the second anti-rotation surface.