Stroller Canopy Rod Protective Cover for Cloth Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional child strollers cause wear and damage to the canopy cloth due to friction and shear forces when the frame is collapsed, as the canopy cloth is sandwiched between hard materials.
Innovation Solution
A child stroller design featuring a canopy rod with a protective cover that is sleeved on the canopy rod, positioned between the canopy rod and the lower handle portion when folded, to absorb friction and shear forces and protect the canopy cloth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the canopy cloth is directly sleeved on the canopy support made of hard material, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the canopy cloth is subjected to friction and shear force causing wear and damage when the stroller is folded
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the canopy cloth and the hard canopy support. The protective cover is made of soft material that reduces friction and shear force on the canopy cloth during folding operations, while the canopy support maintains its structural function. This mediator resolves the contradiction by protecting the canopy cloth from direct contact with the hard support surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is designed as a flexible soft layer that can conform to the shape of the hard canopy support. This flexible shell protects the canopy cloth from mechanical damage while allowing the rigid support to maintain its structural integrity and support function. The flexible material absorbs friction and shear forces during the folding motion.
2Volume of moving object
If the upper handle portion and lower handle portion are collapsed to reduce occupied space, then the portability is improved, but the canopy cloth is sandwiched between hard materials causing wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover serves as a mediator between the hard handle portions and the canopy cloth during the collapsing operation. When the upper and lower handle portions are brought together to reduce volume, the protective cover prevents direct contact between the hard surfaces and the canopy cloth, eliminating friction and shear force that would cause wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is pre-installed on the canopy support before the collapsing operation occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the handle portions are collapsed to reduce occupied space, the soft protective layer is already in place to absorb and distribute the mechanical stresses, preventing damage to the canopy cloth.
3Strength
If the canopy support is made of hard material for structural strength, then the support function is improved, but the friction and shear force on the canopy cloth increases causing wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The solution applies different material properties to different parts of the system: the canopy support maintains its hard material composition for structural strength and support function, while the protective cover made of soft material is applied only at the contact surface with the canopy cloth. This local differentiation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary layer between the hard canopy support and the canopy cloth. The hard support provides necessary structural strength, while the soft protective cover reduces friction and shear force on the canopy cloth, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier is provided in the present disclosure. The carrier includes a frame, and the frame includes a lower handle portion, an upper handle portion, a canopy rod, and a protective cover. The lower handle portion and the upper handle portion form parts of the frame, and a lower end of the upper handle portion is connected to an upper end of the lower handle portion, such that the upper handle portion is pivotable between an unfolded position relative to the lower handle portion and a collapsed position. The canopy rod is pivotally connected to the lower end of the upper handle portion, and is pivotable between an unfolded position and a folded position. The protective cover is sleeved on the canopy rod. When the canopy rod is in its folded position, the protective cover is located between the canopy rod and the lower handle portion.