Supporting Leg Indicator Assembly for Visible Floor Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child safety seats lack a reliable mechanism to indicate whether the supporting leg device is properly engaged with the vehicle floor, compromising safety and stability.
Innovation Solution
An indicator assembly for a supporting leg device featuring a pivotable indicating member with different color areas, driven by elastic and mechanical components to visually signal engagement with the floor, along with a locking and unlocking mechanism for adjustable length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no indicator mechanism is provided, then the structure remains simple, but the user cannot visually confirm floor engagement status
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating member uses different color areas (first color and second color) to represent different engagement states. When the supporting leg device is engaged with the floor, one color is visible; when disengaged, the other color is visible. This provides clear visual feedback without complex electronics or mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensors, motors, or digital displays with a simple mechanical indicator system. The indicating member is mechanically linked to the supporting leg device through the pushing member and elastic member, translating mechanical engagement status into visual color changes that users can observe.
2Loss of information
If a mechanical indicator system is added, then visual confirmation of engagement is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a visual indicator (displaying engagement status through color changes) and a mechanical component (pivoting in response to pushing member movement). The indicator housing integrates the display function into the existing structural framework, avoiding the need for separate display components.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator system is self-actuating through the elastic member that automatically pushes the indicating member to display the correct color based on engagement status. No external power source, control system, or user intervention is needed—the mechanical and elastic components work together to automatically indicate the state.
3Ease of operation
If the indicating member is always in one position, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot provide dynamic engagement status feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating member is designed to pivot between different positions rather than remaining fixed. This dynamic capability allows it to respond to changes in engagement status by rotating to display different color areas. The pivoting motion is enabled by the pushing member's vertical movement and the elastic member's restoring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating member undergoes periodic pivoting movements corresponding to the engagement and disengagement cycles of the supporting leg device. Each time the device is adjusted or engaged/disengaged from the floor, the indicating member pivots to reflect the new state, providing continuous periodic visual feedback.
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
Ensures the safety seat is securely supported by providing visual confirmation of floor engagement, enhancing safety and reliability without manual verification.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member disposed in the indicator housing and driving the indicating member to pivot to a first position along a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator assembly of a supporting leg device for a safety seat and a safety seat are provided. The indicator assembly includes an indicator housing having an indicator window; an indicating member including a first area and a second area adjacent to each other; a first elastic member for pivoting the indicating member to a first position in a first direction; a pushing member, a top end of which pushing the indicating member to pivot to a second position in a second direction; a driving member including an upper end provided with an engaging hook and a lower end capable of touching a floor, in which the engaging hook can be engaged into the engaging hole of the pushing member. According to the indicator assembly of the present disclosure, a user can observe whether the supporting leg device touches the floor of a vehicle without leaning over.