Scissors-Fold Infant Bather Frame for Compact Storage Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infant bather designs lack flexibility and safety features, such as a compact storage configuration and a secure folding mechanism, which can lead to instability and increased water usage during bathing.
Innovation Solution
A flexible infant bather with a scissors fold frame that folds into a compact configuration, featuring elongate support members with pivot housings and a seat mechanism to prevent unintended closure, ensuring stability and minimizing water usage through a unique shape that keeps the infant's head out of the water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the infant bather uses a conventional rigid structure, then structural stability is maintained, but storage space efficiency deteriorates due to inability to fold into compact configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple support members that can pivot relative to each other, allowing the structure to be segmented into different configurations (open for use, closed for storage) while maintaining stability in each state
Solution Approach 2:
The frame transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic folding structure with pivot joints, enabling it to adapt between open and closed configurations while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement
2Device complexity
If the infant bather uses a simple folding mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but safety deteriorates due to potential unintended closure and pinch points
Solution Approach 1:
The seat mechanism is designed to engage support members in a predetermined sequence during folding, preventing unintended closure by ensuring proper engagement before allowing the frame to close, thereby eliminating pinch points
Solution Approach 2:
The seat provides tactile feedback through ridge engagement, notifying the user when support members are properly engaged in the open configuration, preventing accidental closure while maintaining simple operation
3Quantity of substance
If the water bath has a standard shape, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but water usage efficiency deteriorates due to inability to minimize water requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The water bath is designed with varying depth and shape at different locations (deeper at head end, shallower at foot end), optimizing water usage by providing necessary depth only where required while reducing overall water capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The water bath features an asymmetric design with the back section being greater in length than the leg section and the leg section inclined at a greater angle, creating an ergonomic shape that minimizes water usage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through mold design
4Adaptability or versatility
If the support members are fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to fold between open and closed configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed with pivot joints that allow controlled movement between fixed positions (open and closed configurations), providing adaptability while maintaining structural stability through defined engagement points and seat mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An infant bather having a flexible water bath supported by a frame. The frame has a scissors fold such that the flexible water bath folds one way to an open configuration for bathing an infant and folds the other way to a closed configuration for storage.