Folding Stroller Hinge with Nested Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding strollers face challenges in efficiently folding and storing due to inadequate hinge mechanisms, which often result in space inefficiency and potential user safety hazards from pinch points.
Innovation Solution
A hinge mechanism with a slide member that engages protrusions to lock and unlock positions, allowing the stroller to fold easily while maintaining operational stability, featuring a secondary locking mechanism and a lever to maintain the unlocked position during folding, and a biasing member to ensure secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms are used in folding strollers, then the stroller can be folded, but pinch points are created posing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the first pivoting hinge member inside the second pivoting hinge member, creating a telescoping hinge structure. This nested configuration allows the hinge to fold the stroller frame while eliminating exposed moving parts that would create pinch points, as the inner hinge member is enclosed within the outer hinge member during the folding motion.
2Volume of moving object
If the stroller is designed to fold efficiently, then storage space is reduced, but the hinge mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple hinge functions into a single integrated assembly. The first and second pivoting hinge members are combined in a nested configuration, sharing common mounting points and working together to achieve the folding motion. This consolidation reduces the overall number of separate components needed, simplifying the mechanism while enabling efficient folding that minimizes storage space.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge allows smooth folding motion, then ease of use is improved, but locking reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slide member as an intermediary component between the two pivoting hinge members. This slide member features a cam surface that interacts with a cam follower, creating a controlled transition mechanism. The cam surface guides the sliding motion smoothly while the cam follower ensures positive engagement, thereby maintaining both smooth folding motion and reliable locking without compromising either function.
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
Enables the stroller to efficiently fold and store while minimizing pinch points, enhancing user safety and ease of use by allowing smooth transition between operational and folded positions.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments of the hinge may include a biasing member that may be disposed within the housing and that may be configured to apply a biasing force to the slide member
Data Source
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AI summary
A stroller (1) which may be folded or collapsed for storage purposes and a hinge (9) for facilitating the stroller (1) folding. The hinge (9) includes a housing (21), a first pivoting hinge member (23) that is pivotally connected to the housing (21), and a second pivoting hinge member (25) that is pivotally connected to the housing (21). The first pivoting hinge member (23) may be connected to the second pivoting hinge member (25), such as by a linking member (39), so that the pivoting hinge members (23,25) rotate in opposite directions. The hinge (9) may also include a slide member (49) having a pin (51) that may move between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the slide member (49) engages protrusions on one or both of the pivoting hinge members (23,25) in order to hold the hinge in an operational position.