Curved Modular Table Tops for Gap-Free Workstation Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table furniture designs with convex and concave curvatures often struggle to be assembled into attractive and practical arrangements with other pieces of furniture due to mismatched radii of curvature and edge lengths, making it difficult to create versatile workstations.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising table furniture with table tops and frames featuring edges with equal radii of curvature, allowing for seamless assembly and arrangement of pieces with convex and concave curvatures, enabling the creation of various workstations by matching the radii of curvature for easy connection without gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If table furniture with convex and concave curvatures is designed to be assembled into arrangements, then the aesthetic appeal and practicality of the arrangement is improved, but gaps and free spaces appear between pieces when radii of curvature do not match
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by standardizing the radius of curvature parameter across all table top edges. Each edge (convex or concave) is designed with a predetermined radius of curvature that matches corresponding edges on other table furniture pieces, ensuring seamless assembly without gaps. This standardization of the curvature parameter resolves the contradiction between aesthetic arrangement and manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If table furniture is designed with asymmetrical table tops featuring convex and concave edges, then versatility in creating different workstation arrangements is improved, but the complexity of design and assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing table tops with non-uniform edge configurations where adjacent edges have different curvatures (convex vs. concave). This asymmetric design allows table pieces to be arranged in multiple configurations while maintaining aesthetic consistency through the standardized radius of curvature parameter, thus achieving versatility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by creating table furniture pieces that can function in multiple arrangement configurations. The standardized curvature parameters and asymmetric edge designs allow the same table piece to be used in various workstation arrangements (individual, paired, grouped), providing multi-functionality that enhances versatility while controlling design complexity through systematic parameter standardization.
3Stability of the object's composition
If table furniture pieces are assembled with matching radii of curvature, then a closed work surface is achieved without gaps, but the requirements for manufacturing precision increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing predetermined standard values for the radius of curvature parameter. By defining specific standard radii that all table top edges must conform to, the patent ensures that assembly achieves a closed work surface without gaps while maintaining manageable manufacturing precision requirements through standardization rather than requiring high precision for each individual piece.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An item of table furniture has a table top and a table frame supporting the table top. The table top, in plan view, is formed with first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of opposite edges. One edge of the first pair of edges is convex and the other edge of the first pair of edges is concave. The convex curvature and the concave curvature of the first pair of edges has a predetermined first radius of curvature of substantially equal size. One edge of the second pair of edges is longer than the other edge of the second pair of edges. Such a table can be arranged together with items of table furniture of the same kind and also with other items of furniture to an array in many ways.