Stroller Chassis Friction Hinge for Vibration Damping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stroller chassis with pivotable wheels face issues in maintaining stability on uneven terrain, leading to vibrations and wear, and require manual mechanical blocking which is tedious and error-prone, with existing anti-guidage systems being bulky and prone to malfunctions due to lubricant leaks.

Innovation Solution

A stroller chassis with a hinge assembly featuring two adjoining plates providing a planar sliding contact interface braked by friction, allowing controlled pivoting while inhibiting pendular vibrations and oscillations, using annular plates that distribute stress over a large contact interface and are compact in design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual mechanical blocking is used to neutralize wheel pivoting, then wheel orientation control is achieved, but operation becomes tedious and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel orientation control reliabilityVSAvoidwheel blocking operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly automatically neutralizes wheel pivoting when the stroller is stationary or on uneven terrain without requiring user intervention. The friction-based braking mechanism between the two plates self-activates based on motion conditions, eliminating the need for manual control members and reducing operational errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly dynamically adjusts between locked and pivoting states based on stroller motion. During movement, the friction between plates allows controlled pivoting for maneuverability, while during stationary periods, the same friction mechanism maintains a locked state to prevent unwanted movements, adapting automatically to operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If hinge mechanism is mechanically blocked to neutralize pivoting, then wheel orientation is fixed, but stresses cause binding and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel orientation stabilityVSAvoidhinge mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical blocking systems with a friction-based braking mechanism between two plates. This simplified approach distributes stresses across a larger contact interface, preventing binding and malfunction while maintaining reliable wheel orientation control without requiring additional control members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly is divided into two separate plates with a friction interface between them. This segmentation allows the braking action to be distributed across the contact surface between plates, reducing stress concentration and preventing the binding that occurs in monolithic mechanical blocking systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If free pivoting of wheels is allowed, then maneuverability is improved, but pendular stresses cause vibrations and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroller maneuverabilityVSAvoidvibrations and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The friction interface between the two plates acts as an intermediary element that mediates between free pivoting and complete locking. During maneuvering, this friction interface allows controlled pivoting motion while dampening pendular stresses and vibrations, reducing wear without completely restricting wheel orientation changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction coefficient between the two plates is optimized to allow controlled pivoting during normal operation while resisting excessive pendular movements. By adjusting friction parameters, the system enables maneuverability when needed while automatically damping vibrations and reducing wear during steady-state operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances safety and comfort by softening the pivoting of wheels, reducing wear, and eliminating the need for manual mechanical blocking, while maintaining maneuverability and preventing vibrations, thus improving the overall control and reliability of the stroller chassis.

Implementation Method 1

two adjoining plates providing a planar sliding contact interface braked by friction, allowing controlled pivoting while inhibiting pendular vibrations and oscillations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8678404B2Stroller chassis, in particular for transporting a child

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 BABYZEN

AI summary

A stroller chassis includes a frame and a wheel that are connected to each other by a hinge defining a pivoting axis extending perpendicularly to the wheel's axis. The chassis can also include a bearing for guiding the frame and the wheel in free rotation about the axis. The chassis can include two plates, each including an annular body substantially centered with respect to the pivoting axis and arranged externally around the bearing. The two annular bodies are connected rotatably about the pivoting axis to the frame and the wheel and define substantially planar surfaces on the plate surfaces, the planar surfaces being mutually adjoining along a plane that is transverse to the pivoting axis. The plates cooperate with one another through sliding and frictional contact. The Chassis can also include resilient member for pressing the annular bodies against each other to maintain contact between the planar surfaces.