Collapsible Wagon Folding Structure for Large Capacity, Low Folded Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible wagons have a small unfolded capacity and a large folded volume, making them inconvenient to store in space-limited areas.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible wagon design featuring four standing posts, folding mechanisms, sliding sleeves, and flexible suspension rods, along with lifting tubes that reduce the folded height and increase the unfolded capacity without increasing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the wagon uses a traditional collapsible structure, then it can be folded for storage, but the folded volume remains large and cannot be stored in space-limited areas
Solution Approach 1:
The wagon structure is divided into multiple segments including standing posts, folding mechanisms, and crossing assemblies that can be collapsed independently. The folding mechanisms are segmented into first, second, third, and fourth folding mechanisms connected between adjacent standing posts, allowing progressive collapse to reduce volume efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanisms are designed to nest within each other during collapse. The crossing assemblies nest between the standing posts, and the folding mechanisms themselves nest within the wagon frame, creating a compact nested structure that minimizes folded volume while maintaining ease of operation
2Quantity of substance
If the wagon is designed with large capacity when unfolded, then it can store more items, but the folded size increases and becomes difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The wagon employs dynamic folding mechanisms that transition smoothly between unfolded and folded states. The crossing assemblies and folding mechanisms are designed with movable connections that allow the structure to adapt its configuration, providing large capacity when needed and compact size when stored
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanisms utilize multi-dimensional collapse where the wagon collapses not only vertically but also horizontally and depth-wise. The crossing assemblies fold in multiple directions simultaneously, reducing the wagon from a three-dimensional expanded structure to a compact nested configuration that minimizes volume
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 ensures a larger unfolded capacity while maintaining a compact folded size, enhancing user convenience in storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom folding mechanism hinged between the four standing posts, a first folding mechanism, a third folding mechanism, a second folding mechanism, and a fourth folding mechanism that are arranged in sequence and respectively connected between adjacent two standing posts
Implementation Method 2
first sliding sleeves respectively slidably provided on the standing posts
Implementation Method 3
the first suspension rod and the second suspension rod are flexible rods; and in a process of folding the collapsible wagon, the first suspension rod and the second suspension rod deform, and the two ends of the first suspension rod respectively approach the two ends of the second suspension rod
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible wagon includes four standing posts, a bottom folding mechanism, a first folding mechanism, a third folding mechanism, a second folding mechanism, a fourth folding mechanism, and first sliding sleeves, where the first sliding sleeves are respectively slidably provided on the standing posts, and are respectively hinged to short tubes. Each of the first and second folding mechanisms includes a first crossing assembly, at least one third crossing assembly, and a second crossing assembly that are hinged in sequence; each of the first and second crossing assemblies includes a first cross tube and a second cross tube; the first cross tube is hinged to an upper end of the corresponding standing post; the short tube is hinged to the first cross tube and provided with a second sliding sleeve; the second cross tube is hinged to the second sliding sleeve of the corresponding short tube.