Playpen Hub Assembly With One-Move Locking and Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hub assemblies for playpens often require complex mechanisms and two-move operations for safety, which can lead to safety issues and cumbersome folding processes.
Innovation Solution
A hub assembly with a base seat, bottom pipes, a linking device, and a locking mechanism that allows for easy one-move operation by using a pivoting linking device and a locking device with a strap and elastic component to secure the bottom pipes in unfolding and folding positions, ensuring stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is applied on the base seat to prevent unintentional folding by directly putting engagement on the bottom pipes, then safety is improved, but the mechanism becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a linking device as an intermediary component between the bottom pipes and the locking device. The linking device includes a linking plate connected to multiple bottom pipes, which then connects to the locking device. This intermediary structure simplifies the locking mechanism by consolidating the engagement point, allowing the locking device to secure multiple bottom pipes simultaneously through a single engagement action rather than requiring separate engagement mechanisms for each pipe.
2Reliability
If a two-move releasing mechanism is used for safety concern, then safety is improved, but the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety functions into a single integrated locking device. The locking device simultaneously performs multiple operations: it locks the playpen in the unfolded position, controls the folding process, and provides a single release mechanism. By merging these functions into one device with one move operation, the patent maintains safety requirements while eliminating the need for cumbersome two-move operations that would require separate actions for different safety checks or locking stages.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, one-move operation for folding and unfolding the playpen while maintaining safety through a secure locking mechanism, addressing the complexity and safety concerns of prior art designs.
Implementation Method 1
a pivoting component (72) and an elastic component (3). The rivet (82) also passes through the elastic component (3) so that the elastic component (3) may be disposed between the base seat (5) and the locking device (2)
Implementation Method 2
The locking device (2) is pivotally connected to the base seat (5)
Data Source
AI summary
A linking device is configured at the bottom of a playpen. Two of the bottom pipes at opposite side pivot to a base seat and further pivot to the linking device, which is engaged by a locking device so that the bottom pipes and the linking device are secured at an unfolding position. To fold the hub assembly, using a strap or by pushing the locking device directly pivots the locking device to disengage from the linking device and the bottom pipes may rotate to a folding position. To restore the hub assembly to the unfolding position, the linking device can be pressed to push an inclined surface of the locking device to impart a force to the locking device to pivot the locking device until the linking device snaps to engage the locking device, so the hub assembly is secured at the unfolding position again.