Playpen Accessory Mount Assembly Using Multi-Functional Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infant playpen accessories, such as bassinets and changing stations, face difficulties in attachment due to the playpen's fabric-covered frame, leading to complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A mount assembly featuring a playpen frame with upper side rail assemblies, connectors, and bar segments that allow for easy attachment and detachment of accessories like bassinets and utility trays, reducing the number of required connectors and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional attachment features are used on the playpen frame, then accessories can be attached, but the construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped connector serves multiple functions: it attaches to the playpen frame via the fixed wall, supports the bassinet through the support frame, and provides attachment points for utility accessories via sockets. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms for different accessories, reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame acts as an intermediary component between the playpen frame and the bassinet/utility accessories. It translates the fixed attachment points on the playpen frame into flexible support structures that can accommodate different accessory configurations, simplifying the overall attachment system
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the playpen frame is covered with fabric material, then the playpen is comfortable and safe, but accessory attachment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is extracted from the fabric surface and relocated to the rigid frame structure underneath. The U-shaped connector attaches to the fixed wall on the frame, bypassing the fabric material entirely, thus maintaining the fabric's comfort properties while enabling reliable accessory attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed wall on the playpen frame provides a localized rigid attachment surface amidst the otherwise fabric-covered structure. This localized structural feature enables mechanical attachment while the surrounding fabric maintains comfort and safety functions
Data Source
AI summary
A mount assembly includes a playpen frame, a support frame that can provide support for a bassinet in the playpen frame, and multiple bar segments to provide support for a utility accessory positioned side-by-side relative to the bassinet. The playpen frame includes two first upper side rail assemblies each having a fixed wall, and a second upper side rail assembly connected with the two first upper side rail assemblies. The support frame includes two connectors operable to respectively attach to and detach from the fixed walls. Each connector is formed to include a socket. The two connectors can attach to the fixed walls respectively near a middle of the two first upper side rail assemblies. The bar segments are mountable to the playpen frame, one of the bar segments once mounted to the playpen frame having an end portion resting in contact with the socket of one connector.