Stroller Joint Device Actuating Mechanism for Single-Hand Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional strollers are cumbersome and occupy large spaces, making them inconvenient for storage and transport, especially in smaller living areas, and lack a simple mechanism for folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A joint device with two connection parts, a first latch, and an actuating mechanism that allows for selective locking and unlocking, enabling easy folding and unfolding of the stroller with a single hand, preventing accidental folding and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional strollers are designed with a fixed frame structure, then structural stability is improved, but folding capability and storage convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stroller frame incorporates pivotal connections that allow the frame to dynamically transition between unfolded and folded states. The connection parts include pivot axes enabling relative rotation, transforming the static frame into a dynamic structure that adapts to different storage and transport needs while maintaining stability when deployed
2Adaptability or versatility
If a locking mechanism is added to enable folding, then folding capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes the stroller's own weight and the natural movement of its components to automatically engage and disengage locks. When the frame is folded or unfolded, the connection parts automatically trigger the locking or unlocking action through their relative movement, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parts serve as intermediary elements between the frame sections and the locking mechanism. These connection parts include triggering structures that mediate the interaction between frame movement and lock engagement, simplifying the control interface while ensuring reliable locking during folding operations
3Ease of operation
If the latch is positioned away from the pivotal connection, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of accidental folding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism incorporates feedback through the connection parts that are operatively connected to both the latch and the pivotal connection. When the frame approaches the folded position, the connection parts automatically trigger the latch to engage, providing tactile and mechanical feedback to the user that the folding action is completing, while preventing accidental unfolding through the locked state
4Ease of operation
If a single-hand operation mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating mechanism merges the functions of locking, unlocking, and frame folding/unfolding into a single integrated operation. The connection parts are designed so that one manual action simultaneously controls the latch and coordinates with the pivotal connection movement, combining multiple functions into a unified mechanism that reduces operational steps without requiring excessively complex components
Data Source
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AI summary
A joint device (100) includes a first latch (13), an actuating mechanism (14), and two connection parts (30,40) pivotally connected to each other. The first latch (13) is selectively moved to a first locking position for locking the two connection parts (30,40) or a first unlocking position for unlocking the two connection parts (30,40). The actuating mechanism (14) is disposed adjacent to where the two connection parts (30,40) are pivotally connected. The actuating mechanism (14) is connected to the first latch (13) to be operable to selectively move the first latch (13) to the first locking position or the first unlocking position, so that the structure of the joint device (100) of the invention is simple and practical, and it facilitates operation of unfolding and folding a stroller equipped with the joint device (100).