Stroller Folding Frame with Parallel Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stroller folding mechanisms fail to achieve optimal compactness, ease of use, and safety, with issues such as large size in the folded position, complex folding processes, and potential for accidental folding when children are present.
Innovation Solution
A stroller frame with a central beam and rear wheel supports connected by parallel arms, allowing for controlled movement via a transmission mechanism that brings rear wheel supports closer to the central beam and front wheel, maintaining parallelism and stability, and incorporating a folding assistance element like a spring for ergonomic folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional folding mechanisms are used, then the folding process is simple, but the stroller size in folded position is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic parallel arms that can change their configuration during folding. The arms transition from a parallel extended state in the unfolded position to a parallel collapsed state in the folded position, allowing the stroller to achieve compact dimensions while maintaining structural integrity through controlled dynamic movement of the arm components.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism is divided into multiple independent parallel arms that can move relative to each other. Each arm is a separate component that articulates independently, allowing the rear wheel supports to be brought closer to the central beam through coordinated movement of segmented arm structures, thereby reducing the overall folded volume.
2Ease of operation
If compact folding is achieved, then storage and transport are facilitated, but the folding manipulations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel arms are designed with self-locking articulations that automatically engage during the folding process. As the arms move from the unfolded to folded position, the articulations naturally lock into place without requiring additional user intervention, making the compact folding achievable through simple user actions while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates pre-positioned articulation points and guide structures that prepare the parallel arms for smooth transition during folding. These pre-configured elements ensure that the arms follow the correct folding path and engage properly, reducing the complexity of user manipulations while achieving compact folded dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If the rear wheels are kept at equal distance during folding, then the structure is simple, but the compactness in folded position is not optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic parallel arms that can adjust their relative positions during folding. The arms transition from maintaining equal wheel distance in the unfolded position to allowing variable wheel spacing in the folded position, enabling the rear wheels to be brought closer together and achieving optimal compactness while the arms return to a parallel configuration in the final folded state.
4Reliability
If folding control is enhanced to prevent accidental folding, then child safety is improved, but the folding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel arm mechanism incorporates self-locking articulations that automatically engage when the stroller is in the unfolded position, preventing accidental folding without requiring active user intervention. The locking action is triggered automatically by the position of the arms, providing reliable safety control while maintaining relatively simple folding mechanism complexity.
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 solution enables efficient, safe, and compact folding, reducing the stroller's size in the folded position, facilitating easy storage and transport while ensuring the safety of the child by simplifying the folding process and preventing accidental folding.
Implementation Method 1
The frame (1) also incorporates a folding assistance element (72), in this case a spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The invention relates to a folding frame of a child stroller, including an upper portion having means (9) for receiving a seat portion and means (205) for guiding said stroller and a lower portion having a central beam (601) supporting two rear wheel supports (63, 64), which are each connected to said central beam (601) by a set of two parallel arms (632, 633; 642, 643), hingedly connected to said central beam. Said upper portion has at least one element (5) rotatably movable about a fixed rotation axis relative to said central beam (601), acting on at least one of said arms (632, 633; 642, 643) of each set, via a transmission mechanism (7), so as to move said wheel supports towards said central beam (601), in order to adopt a folded position and/or to separate said wheel supports from said central beam, in order to adopt an extended position.