Capacitive Hand Detection for Stroller Brake Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for strollers often require simultaneous operation of both rear wheels for safe braking, but current mechanisms can cause instability and risk of the baby falling due to the need for separate pedals, which can lead to accidents and damage to shoes or footwear during operation.
Innovation Solution
A hand-detecting brake system equipped with a handle holder, a capacitive sensor, an electric motor, and a battery that allows for simultaneous braking and un-braking of both rear wheels by detecting hand presence or absence, eliminating the need for separate pedals and reducing the risk of injury or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate pedals are installed on both sides of the stroller for braking, then each wheel can be braked independently, but the stroller loses balance and causes instability when brakes are applied suddenly at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake control functions for both rear wheels into a single integrated brake mechanism. When the user applies the brake, both rear wheels are braked simultaneously through a unified control system, preventing the instability caused by separate pedal operations on high-speed movement.
2Ease of operation
If a pedal with slanted surfaces is used for braking, then the pedal can be pushed axially along the slanted surface during braking, but the user may hurt or smudge their foot skin or shoes surface when un-braking by hooking up the pedal upward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pedal system with an electric motor-driven brake mechanism controlled by a hand-detecting device. This eliminates the need for direct foot contact with slanted surfaces, preventing foot injury and shoe damage while maintaining ease of operation through hand detection.
3Productivity
If a control plate is used to brake or release the wheels simultaneously, then the user can step down on the control plate to brake and hook up with shoe tip to release, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical control plate system with an electric motor and hand-detecting device combination. The hand-detecting device automatically triggers the electric motor to brake or un-brake the wheels, eliminating the need for precise manual control and reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining high braking efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If separate pedals are used for braking, then the brake mechanism can be operated independently on each side, but it requires simultaneous operation of both rear wheels which is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the brake control systems into a single integrated unit that controls both rear wheels simultaneously. This unified control mechanism ensures reliable simultaneous braking of both wheels, meeting safety standards while simplifying the operation required from the user.
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
The system ensures safe and simultaneous braking of both rear wheels, enhancing stability and safety while preventing damage to shoes or footwear during operation, aligning with safety standards by allowing control through a single handle or pedal.
Implementation Method 1
a handle holder with a capacitive sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-detecting brake system for baby stroller is equipped on a stroller frame, including a handle holder, a brake mechanism, an electric motor, and a battery. The handle holder is connected to one end of the stroller frame equipped with a hand-detecting device for creating a signal when user's hand being held or touched on the handle holder. The brake mechanism is operatively mounted on one side of a first wheel of the stroller frame for braking and un-braking the first wheel. The electric motor is capable of driving the brake mechanism to brake the first wheel when being received the signal from the hand-detecting device, and un-brake the first wheel when the signal from the hand-detecting device being disappeared. The battery electrically connected to the hand-detecting device and the electric motor for supplying needed power thereto.