Collapsible buffet vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing collapsible buffet vehicle mechanisms have complex structures, leading to high material and processing costs, as well as increased difficulty and time for folding and unfolding.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible buffet vehicle design featuring a panel detachably mounted on support feet with a cross-bar and joint structure allowing motion bars to fold towards each other, eliminating the need for additional locking members and simplifying the folding mechanism, while incorporating a locking mechanism using a spring and roll ball for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a firm locking member and trigger part are added to prevent automatic folding, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support feet are designed to automatically lock in the extended position through their own gravitational force and structural geometry, without requiring external locking members or trigger mechanisms. The feet naturally maintain their position through self-stabilization, eliminating the need for complex locking systems while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the locking member and trigger part from the system entirely, extracting these components that caused complexity. The support feet achieve stability through their inherent design rather than through additional locking mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant members are added to ensure stable support, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates redundant members such as locking members, trigger parts, and other unnecessary components. By removing these extra parts, the manufacturing cost is reduced while the support stability is maintained through the optimized design of the essential support feet structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The support feet are designed with localized structural features that provide stability only where needed, rather than using redundant members throughout the entire structure. This targeted approach to stability reduces material usage and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable support where required.
3Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to prevent misoperation, then the reliability is improved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support feet automatically prevent misoperation through their own gravitational force and structural design. When extended, they naturally lock in place without requiring manual intervention from a locking mechanism. When folded, they automatically return to the storage position, eliminating the time-consuming operations of manual locking and unlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the locking mechanism and trigger part that caused operational delays. Without these components, the support feet can be quickly extended and folded without the time-consuming steps of engaging or disengaging locks, significantly reducing operation time while maintaining reliability through self-stabilization.
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
The design results in a simpler, cost-effective buffet vehicle that is easier to fold and unfold, occupying less space and allowing for efficient storage and transportation by eliminating redundant components and complex structures.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism comprising a spring and a roll ball; a spring hole for receiving the spring is arranged on the connector, and at least one of the first and second joint head has a roll ball slot corresponding to the spring hole so that the spring can press against the roll ball
Implementation Method 2
both of the hinge parts of the first and second joint head are hinged onto the said connector
Implementation Method 3
each of the first and second joint head has a pin hole, and each of the first and second joint head is hinged onto the connector by means of one pin shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to dining car technology field, it provides a collapsible buffet vehicle comprising a panel and a plurality of support feet, wherein the panel is detachably mounted on the plurality of support feet. A cross-bar is provided between at least a pair of opposite feet, both ends of the cross-bar being rotatably connected with the pair of opposite feet respectively, the cross-bar comprising at least two motion bars, a joint structure being provided between two neighboring motion bars to make these two motion bars foldable towards each other. The buffet vehicle of according to the present invention can be folded and unfolded by rotating the motion bars in the horizontal plane.