Stroller Chassis Folding Mechanism with Automatic Footrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable strollers are cumbersome, difficult to handle and store, and have limited flexibility due to their design, making them inefficient in terms of space usage and application.

Innovation Solution

A stroller with a foldable chassis and detachable seat unit featuring an articulated joint and a stopping surface that allows for automatic folding of the footrest, enabling reversible seating and compact storage, along with a locking mechanism for easy connection and disconnection of the seat unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the stroller uses a traditional foldable chassis design, then it can be folded, but it is cumbersome and takes up a lot of space in the folded position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied in folded positionVSAvoidease of folding
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into separate bars (first bar, second bar, third bar) that can be independently folded and positioned. The seat unit is also segmented with detachable components including the foot rest that can be independently folded. This segmentation allows each component to be compactly stored in the folded position while simplifying the overall folding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foot rest is designed to be nested within or alongside other chassis components when folded. The stopping surface engages with the foot rest to force it into a compact position, effectively nesting it within the overall folded structure. This reduces the volume occupied by the folded stroller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stroller has a fixed seat unit design, then it provides stable seating, but it lacks flexibility in terms of passenger orientation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in passenger orientationVSAvoidcomplexity of seat unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat unit is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be rotated 180 degrees around a transverse axis to change passenger orientation between forward-facing and backward-facing positions. The foot rest can also be dynamically folded around an articulated joint. This dynamic design provides versatility while maintaining relatively simple structural components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the stroller uses a simple folding mechanism, then it is easy to fold, but it cannot accommodate detachable fittings like seat units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of foldingVSAvoidability to accommodate fittings
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is designed with universal attachment points and locking mechanisms that can accommodate various fittings including seat units, lie units, and baby car seats. The first bar includes locking means that work with different types of fittings while maintaining the simple folding operation. The detachable connection system allows the same chassis to serve multiple functions with different fittings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2096016B1Stroller having a foldable chassis
Publication Date: 2014.04.09 CARE BARNVAGNAR
  • EP2096016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2096016B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2096016B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stroller (10) comprising a foldable chassis (11) and a seat unit (12a) connected to the chassis (11), wherein the seat unit (12a) comprises a seat (13) and a foot rest (16) connected to the seat (13) through an articulated joint (15), and wherein the chassis (11) comprises a base (20) provided with wheels, a first bar (25) connected to the base (20) through a first pivot (23) and being provided with a handle (24), and a second bar (26) connecting the base (20) and the first bar (25), so that the first bar (25) is foldable when folding the stroller (10). The first bar (25) is connected to the seat unit (12a), wherein the first bar (25) is foldable forward in the direction of travel while bringing along the seat unit (12a) when folding the stroller (10). The chassis (10) is provided with a stopping surface (32) for engaging a portion of the foot rest (16) when folding the stroller (10), wherein the foot rest (16) engages the stopping surface (32) during folding of the stroller (10) and a free end of the foot rest (16) is forced around the articulated joint (15) while forming an automatic folding of the foot rest (16).