Pivoting Stroller Seat with Sling Support for Standing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strollers fail to accommodate young children who are not yet walking or standing independently, as they lack the ability to transition easily between reclined, seated, and standing positions, leading to frustration and inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A stroller with a pivotally attached seat that adjusts between reclined and vertical positions, supported by a sling member, allowing children to sit or stand while being securely restrained, with a locking mechanism for easy position changes and a flexible sling for increased freedom of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stroller provides a fixed reclined or seated position, then the child is securely retained and comfortable, but the child cannot transition to standing position and becomes frustrated when unable to move freely
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing it to transition between multiple positions (reclined, seated, and standing) through a pivot mechanism. The seat bottom can be rotated relative to the backrest, enabling the child to move from a passive reclined position to an active standing position, thereby adapting to different child needs and activity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is divided into separable components: a backrest portion and a bottom portion that can rotate independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the bottom to pivot outward to enable standing while the backrest remains attached to the frame, providing positional versatility without requiring complete seat replacement.
2Ease of operation
If the stroller allows the child to stand freely, then the child can be physically active, but the child cannot be securely retained and may fall out
Solution Approach 1:
A five-point harness restraint system acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the child and the potential hazard of falling. The harness is integrated with the seat structure and works in conjunction with the pivot mechanism, allowing the child to stand freely while the harness maintains secure retention, thus mediating between independence and safety requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the stroller requires removing the child to adjust the seat position, then the seat can be repositioned, but the parent must physically handle the child and the adjustment process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The seat adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-servicing for the child. The pivot mechanism allows the bottom to rotate outward automatically when the child pulls it, enabling the child to transition from seated to standing position without parent intervention. This eliminates the need for parents to manually adjust the seat or handle the child during position changes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the stroller frame is made large to accommodate standing position, then the child can stand safely, but the stroller becomes difficult to push and maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The stroller employs dynamic configuration where the seat bottom can pivot from a horizontal seated position to a vertical standing position. When the child is standing, the bottom rotates outward, effectively reducing the footprint of the stroller while maintaining the ability to accommodate standing. This dynamic adjustment allows the stroller to maneuver easily in compact mode while providing standing capability when needed.
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
Enables young children to move freely between reclined, seated, and standing positions without being removed, promoting physical activity and reducing parental effort in adjusting the stroller, while maintaining safety and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The seat includes a bottom that is pivotally attached to a back
Implementation Method 2
A sling member is secured between the frame and back such that when the bottom is pivoted out of the way, the sling supports the child in the seated or standing position
Data Source
AI summary
A stroller for a young child comprising a frame mounted on a plurality of wheels and a seat mounted in the frame. The seat is adjustable between a first position where the child is retained in a reclined or semi-reclined orientation, and a second position where the child is retained in an orientation that permits them to sit and stand. The seat includes a bottom that is pivotally attached to a back. A sling member is secured between the frame and back such that when the bottom is pivoted out of the way, the sling supports the child in the seated or standing position.