Development of a Rapid Assembly Mechanism for a Child Bike Seat

David Almeida; Raul D. S. G. Campilho; Francisco J. G. Silva; Naiara Sebbe; Teresa Pereira; José Carlos Sá; Rui P. Martinho

doi:10.53941/jmem.2026.100005

Abstract

With the evolution of cities towards a model characterised by multiple urban centres, where housing and services coexist near, the way people move and how transport is ensured shifts from long-distance commuting to the concept of micromobility. This transformation necessitates the development of new mobility solutions adapted to this context, such as the subject of this study: the development of a coupling system for a bicycle child seat. To meet the emerging needs of the population, the proposed system aimed to improve existing market solutions. In this regard, the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, which is well-suited for such development-oriented studies, was employed to guide the process. A set of initial design proposals were generated and evaluated based on their strengths and weaknesses. Subsequently, a selection matrix was applied to identify the two most promising concepts. Through an iterative design process, these two concepts were merged, refined, and enhanced, resulting in a product that features a mechanical clamping lever system, protected by an anti-theft locking mechanism and compliant with current safety regulations. Finally, the system’s structural performance was validated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which confirmed its resilience and mechanical integrity under the EN 14344:2004 standard’s proposed loading conditions, thus ensuring user safety and supporting the product’s position within the existing market.

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