Single-Hand Stroller Actuator with Opposing Lever and Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-hand-operated actuating mechanisms for foldable strollers are difficult to operate due to the awkward directions of force application required, making it cumbersome for users to fold the stroller.
Innovation Solution
A single-hand-operated actuating mechanism featuring a mounting housing with a disk, control lever, safety latch, and resilient member, where the control lever and pushbutton are actuated in opposite directions, allowing easy operation with a single hand by utilizing a disk with a notch and a safety latch that is biased to engage and disengage, facilitating the folding of the stroller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conventional single-hand-operated actuating mechanism is used, then the stroller can be folded with one hand, but the operation is difficult and awkward due to the directions of force application required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety latch and control lever into a single integrated component. The safety latch serves dual functions: it locks the disk in place during normal operation and, when pushed, releases the lock to enable disk rotation. This merging eliminates the need for separate components and simplifies the user's interaction to a single pushing motion, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control lever is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a lock retention mechanism, a release trigger, and a rotation control. By making the control lever multi-functional, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed in the actuating mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the pressing member and lever are operated separately in different directions, then the mechanism can control cable movement, but the operation becomes difficult and awkward for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The safety latch is pre-positioned to engage with the disk's locking feature before operation begins. This preliminary engagement ensures that the disk is securely locked during normal stroller use. When the user needs to fold the stroller, they simply push the safety latch, which automatically disengages the lock and allows disk rotation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate locking and unlocking steps, reducing operation time and improving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member automatically returns the safety latch to its engaged position after being pushed by the user. This self-returning mechanism means the user only needs to perform a single pushing action to release the lock, and the system automatically resets itself. This reduces the time and effort required for operation, as the user does not need to manually reset any components after folding.
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 effortless folding of the stroller using a single hand by simplifying the force application directions, improving user convenience and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member disposed between the mounting housing and the safety latch for biasing the engagement member of the safety latch to engage the notch in the disk
Data Source
AI summary
An actuating mechanism for a foldable stroller includes a mounting housing disposed on a handle tube of the foldable stroller, and a disk disposed in the mounting housing and connected rotatably to the handle tube. The disk has a notch, and a control lever extending outwardly of the mounting housing. Two cables are fastened to the disk at two diametrically opposed positions, respectively. The control lever is pushable in a lever-driving direction to rotate relative to the mounting housing to thereby move the cables. A safety latch is disposed in the mounting housing, and has an integral engagement member biased to engage the notch in the disk, and an integral pushbutton pushable in a pushbutton-driving direction opposite to the lever-driving direction so as to remove the engagement member from the notch in the disk, thereby allowing for folding of the foldable stroller.