Stroller Footrest Pivoting Mechanism for Car Seat Connection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional strollers lack an adjustable footrest that allows for different positions to accommodate a child's needs and connection with a car seat, while also failing to reduce width when folded.

Innovation Solution

A stroller with a frame, adjustable footrest, and locking devices featuring an angle-limiting mechanism and actuator, allowing the footrest to pivot among multiple positions for various uses and connection with a car seat, and folding to reduce width by pivoting side rod sections relative to the middle rod section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the footrest is fixed in a single position, then the structure is simple, but the stroller cannot accommodate different child positions or connect with car seats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefootrest position adaptabilityVSAvoidfootrest structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The footrest is designed as a dynamic component that can pivot between multiple angular positions (erected, horizontal, inclined) relative to the seat rods. This is achieved through the locking device with angle-limiting mechanism that allows the footrest to adapt to different configurations for car seat connection, bassinet mode, or sitting mode, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and adaptive versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The footrest structure is divided into two separate locking devices, each independently controlling the position of one footrest relative to its corresponding seat rod. This segmentation allows each side to be adjusted independently, providing versatility while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stroller is designed in full size for car seat connection, then car seat compatibility is achieved, but the width cannot be reduced for compact storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecar seat connection capabilityVSAvoidstroller width
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The stroller employs dynamic folding mechanisms where the footrest can pivot relative to the middle rod section, and the side rod sections can pivot relative to the middle rod section during folding. This allows the stroller to transition between full-size configuration for car seat connection and compact folded configuration for storage, resolving the contradiction between maintaining full size for compatibility and reducing width for storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the footrest is made adjustable among multiple positions, then different child uses are accommodated, but the locking mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefootrest angular position adjustmentVSAvoidlocking device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device incorporates a spring mechanism that automatically engages the positioning member with the engaging grooves to lock the footrest in place. The spring provides automatic locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, allowing the footrest to be adjusted among multiple angular positions while keeping the locking mechanism relatively simple through self-servicing automatic engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2332807B8Stroller connectable with a car seat
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A stroller (1) is adapted to be connected with a car seat (9), and includes a frame (10), a footrest (2), and at least one locking device (3). The frame (10) has two seat rods (5). The footrest (2) is disposed between the seat rods (5), and includes two side rod sections (21) and a middle rod section (22) having two ends connected respectively and pivotally to the side rod sections (21). The locking device (3) is disposed between one of the side rod sections (21) and a corresponding one of the seat rods (5), and includes an angle-limiting mechanism (30) and an actuator (35) operable to cooperate with the angle-limiting mechanism (30) so as to adjust the footrest (2) among a plurality of angular positions including an erected position whereat the stroller (1) is connectable with the car seat (9).