Stackable Wedge Feeding Unit for Adjustable Infant Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suboptimal infant positioning during feeding can lead to digestive difficulties, causing discomfort for both the infant and the caregiver, and strains the caregiver's arms and wrists during prolonged feeding sessions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable feeding unit comprising a stack of positioning elements that can be angularly adjusted to correct the infant's position, featuring a wedge-shaped design with removable elements and a flexible handle for support, allowing customization of the feeding angle and reducing caregiver strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a caregiver supports the infant with their arms and/or wrists to attain the optimal feeding angle, then the infant's positioning is improved, but the caregiver's arms and/or wrists experience strain during prolonged feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device as an intermediary between the caregiver and the infant. This device includes a base portion that rests on the caregiver's body and an elevated portion that supports the infant, thereby mediating the support function and eliminating direct strain on the caregiver's arms and wrists while maintaining proper infant positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the feeding unit is designed with adjustable positioning elements to customize the feeding angle, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is segmented into distinct components: a base portion and an elevated portion. This segmentation allows the elevated portion to be adjustable relative to the base, providing customization of the feeding angle while keeping each individual component simple in structure, thereby achieving adaptability without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable feeding unit for providing support during a feeding activity. The adjustable feeding unit includes a stack of a plurality of positioning elements mounted one over the other such that the positioning elements define a base surface and an angularly raised surface disposed at an angular offset with respect to the base surface. One or more positioning elements are removable from the stack to adjust the angular offset between the base surface and the angularly raised surface.