Wagon Pivot Wall for Child Seat Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional consumer-use wagons are uncomfortable for carrying children and not well-suited for smaller children or for carrying beach items, sports equipment, and toys, lacking versatility in multi-purpose use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible wagon design with a pivot wall that can fold down for child seating, incorporating a gang-operated latch system to secure the pivot wall with car seats, stroller seats, or adapters, allowing for versatile use with child seats and increased cargo capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional wagon design with fixed rectangular walls is used, then the wagon structure is simple and stable, but it is uncomfortable for carrying children and lacks versatility for different uses
Solution Approach 1:
The wagon incorporates pivot walls that can rotate between an upright position (for cargo carrying) and a folded position (for child seat installation). This dynamic structural change allows the same wagon to serve multiple purposes - carrying general cargo or transporting children comfortably, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The latch system is designed with universal adaptability to secure various types of child seats (car seats, stroller seats, or custom adapter seats) to the folded pivot wall. This multi-functional capability allows a single wagon design to accommodate different child seat types and different cargo configurations, enhancing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivot wall with latch system is added to the wagon, then child seating comfort and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it secures the pivot wall in the upright position, and simultaneously secures various types of child seats when the wall is folded. This combined functionality reduces the need for separate securing mechanisms for different modes of use, thereby improving child seating capability while limiting the increase in overall system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot wall is folded down for child seating, then comfort for smaller children is improved, but the cargo capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot wall dynamically transitions between upright (maximizing cargo volume) and folded (providing child seating) positions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the wagon to adapt its internal volume based on the immediate need - either for cargo or for child transport - thereby providing comfort for smaller children when needed while preserving full cargo capacity during cargo-carrying trips
Data Source
AI summary
A wagon includes a base and a peripheral wall that form a container for cargo. The peripheral wall includes at least one displaceable wall that for example pivots between an unfolded/upright position and a folded/displaced position. A latch system is typically provided for releasably securing the pivot wall to the two adjacent walls. The latch system includes a latch component on each respective adjacent wall that, when the pivot wall is folded down out of the way, are operable to releasably engage with a cooperating latch component of a car seat, a stroller seat, or an adapter for a car seat and/or a stroller seat. Such a seat adapter in turn typically includes latch components for releasably securing a car seat and/or a stroller seat. In this way, the pivot wall can be displaced from its upright use position and in its place can be provided seating for a child.