Play yard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional play yards require multiple steps for folding and unfolding, making them inconvenient for parents or caregivers to reduce space during shipment or storage.
Innovation Solution
A play yard design featuring pivotally connected rail members, upper and lower support frames, and a latch mechanism that allows for minimal steps to transition between unfolded and folded positions, utilizing spring-loaded engaging members to securely lock the structure in the folded state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional play yards use multiple steps for folding and unfolding, then the structure can be securely locked in position, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming for parents or caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The play yard structure is divided into modular components (brackets, rail members, support frames, engaging members) that can independently fold and lock. Each rail member is segmented with engaging members at specific positions, allowing stepless folding while maintaining structural stability through individual component locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The play yard transitions from a static locked structure to a dynamic folding structure. The rail members are designed to rotate relative to brackets and support frames, enabling continuous motion during folding. The engaging members dynamically engage and disengage during the folding process, providing automatic locking at any position without requiring multiple discrete steps.
2Volume of moving object
If the play yard is designed to be foldable for space reduction, then storage and shipment space is reduced, but the folding process becomes complex with multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The play yard components are designed to nest within each other when folded. The rail members fold inward toward the center of the play yard, with engaging members nesting into brackets and support frames. This nesting arrangement achieves compact storage volume while the spring-loaded engaging members automatically lock components in place, eliminating complex multi-step folding procedures.
3Productivity
If the play yard uses a simple folding mechanism, then the operation is fast and easy, but the structure may not be securely retained in the folded position
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging members are spring-loaded to automatically engage with brackets and support frames during the folding process. The springs provide self-service locking without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms. This self-service feature enables fast folding operation while ensuring reliable retention in the folded position through automatic spring-driven engagement.
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 rapid and easy folding and unfolding of the play yard, reducing the operational complexity and time required for users to configure the device for storage or transport.
Implementation Method 1
the rail members, the upper support members, and the lower support members are folded with respect to one another
Implementation Method 2
the invention utilizes the engaging members to lock the rail members and at least one bracket in such a way that when the play yard is configured to the folded position, the rail members will be securely retained in the folded position
Data Source
AI summary
A play yard can be locked in an unfolded position via a latch mechanism or unlocked by the latch mechanism to fold to a folded position, by means of lifting a central member and bringing the rail members, the upper support members, the lower support members, and the connecting members to rotate toward the center of the play yard. A spring-loaded engaging member disposed on the rail member can have engagement with the bracket so that the play yard can be stably retained in the folded position. When the engaging member is operated to disengage from the bracket, the rail members, the upper support members, the lower support members, and the connecting members rotate away from the center of the play yard all the way to the unfolded position until the connecting members can be locked by the latch mechanism, which retains the play yard in the unfolded position.