Self-Deployable Cot Frame With Stiffener Bars for Stable Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable cots and cribs are heavy, bulky, difficult to set up and fold, and lack stability, especially as children grow and attempt to climb out, necessitating a device that is easier to deploy and fold while providing adequate support.
Innovation Solution
A self-deployable children's area device featuring an arcuate structure with flexible walls and a stiffener bar, where one end is securely fixed to the structure, allowing the bar to remain connected during deployment and folding, facilitating setup and storage, and providing reinforcement against child climbing attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fold-up cots are used, then the sleeping area is defined by vertical flexible walls held by uprights, but the device becomes heavy to carry and bulky even when folded up
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into an arcuate element and separate stiffener bars that can be independently positioned and connected, allowing the components to be lighter while maintaining overall structural stability when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate structure enables dynamic deployment and folding without requiring heavy fixed supports, as the structure naturally transitions between folded and deployed states while maintaining stability through the stiffener bars
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fold-up cots are used, then the sleeping area is defined by vertical flexible walls, but the device is bulky even when folded up
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener bars are separated from the arcuate structure during folding, allowing the arcuate element to collapse into a compact configuration while the bars are removed or nested, significantly reducing the folded volume
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having fixed supports that maintain volume, the invention uses removable stiffener bars that can be detached during folding, inverting the traditional approach where supports are permanent and bulk-contributing
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fold-up cots with multiple uprights are used, then the structure provides support, but the device is complicated to use and fold up again
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener bars are extracted as separate removable components from the arcuate structure, allowing the main arcuate element to be deployed and folded independently without the complexity of coordinating multiple uprights and supports
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate structure is designed to deploy and fold automatically through its inherent mechanical properties, with the stiffener bars simply needing to be connected or removed, reducing the operational complexity for the user
4Ease of operation
If baby beds with arch structures are used, then the structure is simpler, but when the child grows and wishes to rest on the structure, it collapses and the child is able to climb out
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener bars are positioned locally at critical points on the arcuate structure to provide targeted reinforcement where children may bear weight or attempt to climb, maintaining overall structural simplicity while enhancing local strength
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of the flexible arcuate element with rigid stiffener bars creates a composite structure that maintains the ease of deployment of the flexible material while adding the load-bearing capacity of rigid components
Data Source
AI summary
A self-deployable device (1) for a child, comprising an arcuate structure (110, 120) capable of supporting in the deployed state at least one wall (20) made of flexible material defining a space for receiving a child, and at least one stiffener bar (200, 201) to withstand bearing against the arcuate structure. Just one (210, 211) of the two ends of the bar is secured to the arcuate structure by a fixed connection, such that said bar is able to remain connected to the arcuate structure when said structure passes from the folded-up state to the deployed state and/or vice versa.