Convertible Pram Wheel Spacing Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing convertible prams require tools and specific skills for conversion between pram, balance bicycle, and tricycle modes, making them difficult to convert quickly and easily under street conditions.

Innovation Solution

The device features curved slider bodies and slidable wheel holder members that allow for adjustable wheel spacing, enabling conversion between pram, balance bicycle, and tricycle modes without tools or additional components, using a synchronizing unit for coordinated movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional convertible pram designs are used, then multi-functionality is achieved, but conversion requires tools and specific skills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidconversion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the wheel holder members movable along curved guide tracks instead of fixed. This allows the wheel spacing to be dynamically adjusted between different positions (pram mode with wider spacing, balance bicycle mode with narrower spacing) through simple manual operation, eliminating the need for tools and complex conversion procedures while maintaining multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses curved guide tracks (circular arcs) to define the movement path of the wheel holder members. This curvature enables smooth transition between different wheel spacing configurations while maintaining safe steering geometry. The curved path ensures that wheels remain properly positioned relative to the carrier body during conversion, solving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional convertible pram designs are used, then mode conversion is possible, but conversion process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode conversion capabilityVSAvoidconversion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic movable wheel holder members allow instant adjustment of wheel spacing by simply moving along the curved guide tracks. This eliminates time-consuming disassembly and reassembly operations required by conventional designs, enabling rapid conversion between pram, balance bicycle, and tricycle modes while maintaining full adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The curved guide tracks are pre-configured in the carrier body structure, with wheel holder members that can be easily positioned at predetermined locations. This preliminary arrangement of conversion paths allows users to quickly switch between modes without needing to plan or prepare complex conversion sequences, significantly reducing conversion time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added for conversion, then functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion functionalityVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable wheel holder members serve multiple functions: they hold the wheels, enable conversion between modes, and maintain proper steering geometry through their curved path movement. This universal design eliminates the need for separate conversion components, reducing device complexity while enhancing conversion functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the wheel holding function with the conversion mechanism by integrating the wheel holder members directly into the curved guide track system. This combination eliminates the need for separate conversion devices or additional components, achieving mode conversion capability while keeping the component count low and device complexity reduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If wheel spacing is adjusted for different modes, then adaptability is improved, but steering safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel spacing adjustmentVSAvoidsteering safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The curved guide tracks are specifically designed to maintain safe steering geometry throughout the range of motion. As wheel holder members move along the circular arc paths, the curvature ensures that wheels remain properly positioned relative to the carrier body and each other, preserving stable steering characteristics in all modes (pram, balance bicycle, tricycle) while allowing wheel spacing adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12208852B2Convertible device to be used as sports equipment for children or as a pram

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 LAKOS DANIEL

AI summary

An adjustment device usable on equipment such as sports equipment for children or as a pram, pushchair, stroller or similar device to adjust the spacing between wheels of such equipment. The adjustment device includes at least one slider body comprising a curved guide track disposed on the body of the equipment mirror-symmetrically to the longitudinal principal plane of the at each side of said longitudinal principal plane, the slider body comprises a sliding member that is configured to correspond in size and shape to the curved guide track of the slider body, and can be displaced along the curved guide track of the slider body, with the curved movement paths of the sliding members and the centrelines of the guide tracks of the slider body constituting mutually corresponding circular arcs.