Stroller Hinge Structure With Concealed Latch to Prevent Pinching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infant stroller apparatuses pose a safety risk due to exposed hinge joints and latching mechanisms that can catch a child's finger or hand during folding or unfolding, and large shielding is often required to prevent pinching, compromising aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a hinge structure with a first and second coupling part and a latch, where the latch is pivotally connected to conceal the locking mechanism within the coupling parts, preventing interaction with the rear leg frame and providing a safe and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If large shielding parts are used to cover the hinge region, then safety against finger pinching is improved, but the outer appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger pinching riskVSAvoidouter appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is nested within the coupling parts, with the latch body housed inside the first coupling part and the latch head received by the second coupling part. This nesting arrangement conceals the potentially harmful latching mechanism within the structural components, eliminating the need for external shielding while maintaining safety and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If exposed hinge joints and latching mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the safety risk increases due to exposed parts that can catch a child's finger or hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge structure simplicityVSAvoidexposed hinge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If the latch engages below the distal end, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but the latch interacts with the rear leg frame creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatch mechanism simplicityVSAvoidrear leg frame interaction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement location is specifically positioned above the distal end of the second coupling part, creating a localized safe zone that prevents interaction with the rear leg frame. This specific positioning ensures that the latch engages only with the coupling parts, isolating the locking mechanism from potential harm sources while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8955868B2Infant stroller apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

An infant stroller apparatus includes a rear leg frame including a first side segment, a handle having a second side segment, and a hinge structure assembled with the first and second side segments. The hinge structure includes a first and a second coupling part, and a latch. The first coupling part is pivotally connected with the first side segment. The second coupling part is affixed with the second side segment and is pivotally connected with the first coupling part. The latch is operable to lock the first coupling part with the second coupling part to block rotation of the second coupling part relative to the first coupling part about the second pivot axis. When the stroller apparatus is in a deployed state, a distal end of the second coupling part faces a rear surface of the first side segment, and the latch engages with the first coupling part at a location above the distal end.