Foldable Stroller Frame Overcenter Toggle Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stroller frames are prone to overturning when in a semi-folded state due to applied loads, such as an infant climbing on, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A foldable stroller frame design featuring a seat frame assembly, leg tube assembly, handle tube, link, and drive member with an overcenter toggle linkage mechanism that automatically converts the stroller into an unfolded state when a load is applied, ensuring stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stroller frame is designed to be foldable for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates when in semi-folded state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a system where the frame automatically transitions from a semi-folded unstable state to a fully folded or unfolded stable state. The overcenter toggle linkage mechanism enables the frame to dynamically respond to applied loads by converting harmful semi-folded positions into safe stable positions, thus resolving the contradiction between foldability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of applied loads on semi-folded frames (which cause overturning) into a beneficial automatic unfolding action. The overcenter toggle linkage is designed so that any load applied during semi-folded state triggers the mechanism to automatically transition to a stable unfolded state, transforming the harmful force into a safety feature.
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is simplified for one-hand operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates in preventing overturning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the overcenter toggle linkage mechanism that automatically detects and responds to applied loads without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by automatically transitioning from unstable semi-folded states to stable configurations, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while maintaining high reliability against overturning.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable stroller frame includes a seat frame assembly, and a leg tube assembly including a front leg tube, a rear leg tube, and a pivot joint connected between the front and rear leg tubes and connected pivotally to the seat frame assembly. A link is connected pivotally to a handle tube at one end thereof and to the pivot joint at the other end. Two supporting tubes are connected respectively to the seat frame assembly and the leg tube assembly. A drive member is connected among the rear leg tube, the handle tube, and the supporting tubes, in such a manner to allow for rotation of the handle tube relative to the drive member. When said handle tube is rotated relative to said drive member, said drive member is activated to result in rotation of said seat frame and leg tube assembly, and said stroller frame is converted between unfolded and fully folded states.