Rotational Joint for Children's Products with Linked Folding Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing children's products such as strollers and cribs with foldable structures often have complex linkage mechanisms involving multiple rods, making them cumbersome and inconvenient to unfold and fold.

Innovation Solution

A rotational joint with a novel structure that connects at least three support rods, featuring a linkage member that moves linearly and guide slots/pillars allowing for relative rotation, reducing the complexity and number of rods, and incorporating a lock mechanism for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rods are used to form a linkage mechanism for foldable structure, then the product can realize linked unfolding and folding, but the frame becomes complicated and operation becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinked unfolding and folding capabilityVSAvoidframe complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple rod functions into a single rod structure. The first rod integrates the functions of multiple traditional linkage rods by incorporating guide slots for both the first and second connecting blocks, allowing one rod to control the motion of multiple connected components simultaneously, thereby simplifying the frame while maintaining linkage capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first rod serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support, a motion guide for the first connecting block via its first guide slot, and a motion guide for the second connecting block via its second guide slot. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the linkage mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rods with linkage mechanism are used, then folding function is achieved, but the number of components increases making operation inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding functionVSAvoidnumber of rods
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple rod components into a single integrated first rod that contains both guide slots. This consolidation reduces the total number of rods from multiple separate linkage rods to just one primary rod, simplifying the overall structure while preserving the folding function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first rod is segmented into functional zones with distinct guide slots for different connecting blocks. This segmentation allows the single rod to independently control the motion of multiple connecting blocks at different locations, achieving the function of multiple rods with a single component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3878713B1Rotational joint and product for children provided with same
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 GOODBABY CHILD PROD CO LTD
  • EP3878713B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3878713B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3878713B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed are a rotational joint and a product for children having the rotational joint. The rotational joint comprises a first connecting base (1), a second connecting base (2) and a base (3) rotationally connected about a same rotation center line, the rotational joint further comprises a linkage member (4), and the linkage member (4) is arranged in such a manner that the linkage member is capable of only linearly moving relative to the base (3); one of the linkage member (4) and the first connecting base (1) is provided with a first guide slot (41), and the other one is provided with a first guide pillar (11), and the first guide pillar (11) is capable of being relatively slidably inserted in the first guide slot (41); one of the linkage member (4) and the second connecting base (2) is provided with a second guide slot (42), and the other one is provided with a second guide pillar (21), and the second guide pillar (21) is capable of being relatively slidably inserted in the second guide slot (42). When one rod member is driven to rotate, the other rod members can be linked to rotate relatively. The rotational joint can be used for products for children, such as strollers and child sitting saddles, to realize linked unfolding and folding of the respective rod members.