Retractable Child Restraint Belt for Folding Strollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing restraint belts for children on prams, child carriers, and shopping carts are not ergonomically designed, can be damaged by loose straps, and pose a risk of the child freeing themselves, while also interfering with stroller folding and space-saving nesting.
Innovation Solution
A restraint device with a flat, deformable housing that draws the belt and buckle into a recess by spring force when not in use, ensuring the belt is always tight and cannot be loosened, and features a mechanism that prevents the belt from being pulled out once engaged, allowing for adjustable length without bulkiness or interference with folding strollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the belt is held only by spring force without a fixing mechanism, then the belt can be easily adjusted, but the child can free itself by pulling on the belt
Solution Approach 1:
The belt buckle is designed with a preliminary action mechanism that automatically engages and locks the belt in place once the desired length is achieved. The buckle features a pre-set engagement point that secures the belt, preventing the child from pulling it loose while still allowing easy adjustment by the user before use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the belt is wound on a roll and pulled out against spring resistance, then loose belts are reduced, but the roller and housing have annoying volume that hinders shopping cart nesting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the belt from the bulky roller housing and integrates it directly into the seat structure. The belt is anchored at both ends to the seat frame, eliminating the need for a large housing while still preventing loose belt hazards through proper tensioning and routing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt routing is redesigned to utilize the three-dimensional space within the seat structure more efficiently. Instead of a linear pull-out mechanism requiring horizontal space, the belt is routed through vertical and diagonal paths within the seat frame, reducing the horizontal footprint and allowing compact shopping cart nesting.
3Reliability
If the restraint belt is integrated into a rigid panel, then the belt is securely fixed, but it cannot be used with collapsible strollers
Solution Approach 1:
The belt fixation system is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to both rigid and collapsible structures. The belt anchors are mounted on reinforced sections of the seat frame that maintain structural integrity during collapse, and the belt routing includes flexible segments that can accommodate frame movement while maintaining secure fixation.
4Reliability
If the belt is guided around the child's upper body, then restraint is provided, but the belt and buckles hang loosely when not in use and can get caught in parts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful loose belt into a beneficial feature by designing the belt to automatically retract and store itself in a designated channel or groove within the seat structure when not in use. This retraction mechanism, similar to a garage door, ensures the belt is never truly loose and cannot get caught, while still providing full restraint functionality 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
Ensures secure fastening of the child, prevents belt damage, and allows for space-efficient storage and folding without the risk of the child releasing the belt, providing an ergonomic and comfortable solution.
Implementation Method 1
the belt and the belt buckle attached to the free end of the belt are drawn into a flat housing by spring force when at rest
Implementation Method 2
the belt is held against the spring force can be pulled out of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The belt can be pulled out of the housing against a spring force, and the length of the belt is fixed by inserting the belt buckle into the holder.