Collapsible table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible furniture, such as tables and chairs, often compromise between sturdiness and collapsibility, either being too lightweight or unable to fully collapse to a small volume.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible table design featuring a central strut with pivotally connected legs that can rotate through a significant angle, allowing the table top to be supported in an extended state and then fully retracted into a compact space, with the table top fitting within the bounds of the central strut and legs when collapsed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the furniture is made lightweight to enable easy folding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the strength and sturdiness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The table legs are designed with pivotal connections that allow dynamic movement between extended and retracted positions. The legs can pivot relative to the central strut, enabling the table to transition from a stable extended state for use to a compact retracted state for storage, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The table structure is divided into separable components: a central strut and multiple legs that can move independently. The legs are pivotally connected to allow individual movement, enabling the table to collapse while maintaining structural integrity during both extended and retracted states.
2Strength
If the furniture is made more substantial to improve sturdiness, then the strength is improved, but the ability to collapse to a small volume deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal connection mechanism allows the legs to dynamically reposition from an extended load-bearing configuration to a retracted compact configuration. This dynamic capability enables the table to maintain sturdiness when needed while achieving minimal collapsed volume for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
When collapsed, the legs are retracted along the central strut, with the table top fitting within the space defined by the retracted legs and central strut. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume occupied by the collapsed table while maintaining structural strength.
3Strength
If the legs are pivotally extended to support the table top, then the strength is improved, but the volume of the furniture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal connections enable the legs to extend outward to provide stable support for the table top during use, then retract parallel to the central strut for compact storage. This dynamic transformation allows the table to achieve both adequate support capability and minimal storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs transition from an extended radial configuration that provides stable base support to a retracted longitudinal configuration parallel to the central strut. This dimensional change allows the table to maintain strength when extended while achieving compact volume when retracted.
4Volume of moving object
If the legs are retracted parallel to the central strut to minimize volume, then the volume of moving object is reduced, but the ability to support the table top deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal connections allow the legs to switch between two distinct states: retracted parallel to the central strut for minimal storage volume, and extended perpendicular to provide stable support for the table top. The dynamic nature of the connection enables full transformation between these states.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation of the legs from the central strut through pivotal connections allows independent positioning. The legs can be retracted along the central strut for compact storage, then extended and positioned to provide adequate support for the table top when needed.
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 achieves a sturdy and compact form that occupies a significantly smaller volume than traditional collapsible furniture, maintaining sturdiness while minimizing storage space.
Implementation Method 1
Each pivotally connected leg may be connected to the central strut by a hinge. The hinge may be a barrel hinge.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible table (100) comprising: a central strut (106); at least three legs (112) in communication with the central strut (106); and a table top (104) supportable by the central strut (106) and legs (112); wherein a plurality of the legs (112) are pivotally connected to the central strut (106); the collapsible table (100) having a first state and a second state wherein, in the first state, each pivotally connected leg (112) is pivotally extended for supporting the table top (104) perpendicular to the legs (112) and in the second state the pivotally connected legs (112) are pivotally retracted such that each pivotally connected leg (112) is closer to parallel with the central strut (106), the table top (104) fitting within a space (124) defined on three sides by the central strut (106) and legs (112).