Pivoting Stroller Grip Latch for Compact Frame Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child stroller frames that allow multiple seating configurations often fail to fold compactly, making them cumbersome to store and transport, which discourages parents from purchasing them.

Innovation Solution

A child stroller apparatus with a rear leg frame, front leg frame, and handle frame that includes a latching mechanism and linking parts, allowing the handle frame to rotate relative to the leg frames for easy folding and unfolding, and a grip portion that can pivot between unfolded and folded positions, enabling the stroller to be compactly stored.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the stroller frame is designed to allow multiple seating configurations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases and it becomes difficult to fold compactly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating configuration flexibilityVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle frame is divided into two separate segments: the handle frame proper and the grip portion. These segments are connected via a pivot connection, allowing them to rotate relative to each other. This segmentation enables the grip portion to be folded independently, simplifying the overall folding mechanism while maintaining multiple seating configuration capabilities through the adjustable handle frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grip portion is extracted as a separate, independently foldable component from the main handle frame structure. By taking out the grip portion and connecting it via a pivot connection with a latch mechanism, the design allows this component to be folded separately, reducing the complexity of the main folding mechanism while preserving the versatility of the handle frame for multiple seating arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stroller frame is designed to allow multiple seating configurations, then the adaptability is improved, but the stroller becomes cumbersome to store and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating configuration flexibilityVSAvoidfolded size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle frame is segmented into the handle frame and grip portion, connected by a pivot connection. This allows the grip portion to be folded independently, significantly reducing the overall volume of the stroller when folded, while the handle frame retains its adjustability for multiple seating configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grip portion is designed with dynamic folding capability through the pivot connection and latch mechanism. This allows the grip portion to rotate between unfolded and folded positions, enabling compact storage when not in use, while the handle frame maintains its static adjustability features for versatile seating arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a latch mechanism is added to lock the grip portion, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the grip portion. When the grip portion is rotated to the folded position, the latch mechanism automatically locks it in place without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach improves reliability by ensuring the grip portion remains securely locked while minimizing the complexity of the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4065449B1Child stroller apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP4065449B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4065449B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4065449B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A child stroller apparatus (100) includes a rear (102) and a front leg frame (104) respectively having a first (112) and a second side segment (114), a handle frame (106) having a grip portion (118) and a third side segment (116) respectively connected fixedly with a first (162) and a second joining part (164) that are pivotally connected with each other, a latching mechanism (141) for locking the rear and front leg frames and the handle frame in an unfolded state, and a latch (170) carried with the third side segment. The latch can engage and disengage the first joining part to lock and unlock the grip portion relative to the third side segment. Moreover, a linking part (176) couples the latch (170) to the rear leg frame (102) or the front leg frame(104) so that a folding rotation of the handle frame (106) relative to the rear leg frame causes the latch (170) to disengage from the first joining part.