Combination foldable and adjustable workstation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workstations are not easily relocatable or collapsible, making them difficult to transport, store, and adapt to changing workspace needs, and they often require significant space and effort to disassemble, while also neglecting the need for electrical power and communication supply during storage and transport.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible workstation design featuring a frame with vertical and horizontal rails, a height-adjustable work surface, and accessory components that can be folded for compact storage and transport, with integrated cable management systems to facilitate easy relocation and setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional workstations are designed with fixed structures and non-collapsible components, then structural stability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but relocatability and storage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrelocatability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The workstation is divided into modular components including collapsible frame sections, separable legs, and detachable accessories. Each vertical rail contains segmented telescoping sections that can be collapsed into one another, allowing the structure to be disassembled into compact units for easy relocation while maintaining stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The workstation incorporates dynamic elements such as telescoping vertical rails with adjustable lengths, rotatable connection joints, and height-adjustable components. These dynamic features enable the structure to transition between stable operational configurations and compact collapsed states, providing both structural integrity during use and ease of relocation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If conventional workstations use fixed-size components and non-foldable surfaces, then structural integrity is improved, but space requirements for storage and transport increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The workstation employs nested telescoping sections where smaller components fit within larger ones. The vertical rails contain nested tubular sections that slide into each other, and the work surface can be folded to nest within the frame structure, dramatically reducing storage volume while maintaining full structural integrity when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The workstation utilizes dimensional transformation by folding the work surface from a horizontal plane to a vertical or parallel position relative to the frame. This dimensional change allows the large surface area to be compacted into a small volume for storage while preserving the full working surface area when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional workstations require complete disassembly for relocation, then component protection is improved, but time and effort required for setup increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The workstation incorporates pre-assembled modular units with pre-attached components. The telescoping rails come pre-connected with locking mechanisms, and accessories are pre-mounted to vertical rails, eliminating the need for complex assembly during relocation. Users simply need to extend and lock the telescoping sections rather than assemble individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The workstation features self-locking telescoping mechanisms that automatically secure components when extended. The connection joints include self-aligning features and automatic locking mechanisms that engage when components are properly positioned, reducing the need for manual adjustment and ensuring component protection without requiring extensive assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If conventional workstations lack integrated cable management, then design simplicity is improved, but functionality for power and communication supply deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical rails serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable height adjustment, accommodate movable accessories, and integrate cable management channels. These same rail structures also guide and protect cables, allowing the workstation to supply power and communication to movable components without adding separate complex cable management systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20170224102A1Combination foldable and adjustable workstation

Publication Date: 2017.08.10 SYMBIOTE

AI summary

A workstation includes a frame supporting a work surface upon which a task can be completed and/or an item can be stored. The workstation can include a drive system for adjusting a height of the work surface above a surface supporting the workstation. The workstation can also be configured such that the work surface and other components of the workstation can be moved between an in use mode and a lower profile storage and/or transportation mode.