Interlocking Stroller Hinge Geometry to Prevent Finger Traps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges in infant support apparatuses, such as strollers and high chairs, pose a risk of finger trapping due to the lever action during collapse and unfolding, and struggle to allow pivotal movement beyond 90 degrees without creating a pinch point or resulting in a bulky design.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring first and second hinge members with profile portions that overlap and interlock, allowing pivotal movement between non-aligned and aligned conditions, with a pivot axis offset to prevent finger trapping and maintain a compact size, using a laminated structure of metallic and plastic materials for strength and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hinge members are designed with circular parts to prevent finger trapping, then safety is improved, but the hinge size increases and becomes bulbous
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge members are segmented into multiple profile portions (first profile portions and second profile portions) that interlock with each other. This segmentation allows the hinge to maintain a compact size while preventing finger trapping through the interlocking profiles, eliminating the need for large circular parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile portions of one hinge member are nested within the profile portions of the other hinge member during pivotal movement. This nesting arrangement allows the hinge members to overlap and interlock compactly, preventing finger trapping without requiring excessive hinge size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot axis is off-set to allow 180-degree pivotal movement, then the range of motion is improved, but the hinge becomes larger and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge employs dynamic profile portions that change their relative positions during pivotal movement. The first and second profile portions are arranged to overlap and interlock in a dynamic manner that enables 180-degree motion while maintaining a compact, simple hinge structure without requiring an off-set pivot axis.
3Reliability
If the hinge members are designed to overlap and interlock to prevent finger trapping, then safety is improved, but the hinge may become bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge members feature localized profile portions at specific regions that are designed to overlap and interlock. This local quality approach concentrates the finger-trapping prevention function in specific profile portions rather than requiring the entire hinge to be bulky, maintaining overall hinge compactness while ensuring safety at critical locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a hinge for a buggy, stroller, etc. for infants. The hinge includes a first hinge member and a second hinge member. Hinge member includes a first hinge end and a connecting end to connect to a first structural member of an infant support apparatus along a first axis. The second hinge member includes a hinge end and a connecting end to connect to structural member of the infant support apparatus along a second axis. The hinge members are pivotal about an axis between a bent condition wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are non-aligned and a straight condition wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are generally aligned. The hinge ends are configured such that the amount of the profiles which overlap prevent the formation of a finger trap.