Extension table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extension tables face a risk of collision during the rotation of the extension top when extending to maximum length, necessitating safety devices to prevent rotation until maximum extension is achieved, which can be cumbersome and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

An anti-collision safety device that allows free rotation of the extension top only when the mobile frame has reached the maximum extraction travel, featuring a revolving disk and a preloaded spring mechanism to ensure the extension top can rotate freely at maximum length while preventing rotation at shorter lengths, thus avoiding collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If safety devices are added to prevent extension top rotation until maximum extension is achieved, then collision risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidsafety device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the table frame's own movement to control the extension top's rotation capability. The extension top is automatically enabled to rotate only when the frame reaches its fully extended position, eliminating the need for external safety devices or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex safety mechanisms to prevent rotation at wrong positions, the invention inverts the approach by designing the extension top to be freely rotatable only at the correct position (fully extended), simplifying the overall system while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If complex safety mechanisms are used to prevent rotation at incorrect positions, then collision prevention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidextension operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extension top automatically senses the frame's position through its mechanical connection and enables rotation only when properly extended, eliminating the need for users to operate complex safety mechanisms or follow complicated procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional safety devices are implemented to control extension top rotation, then collision risk is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary safety devices from the system, retaining only the essential functional elements. The extension top's rotation control is achieved through its inherent mechanical design rather than additional safety components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution provides a reliable and easy-to-manufacture anti-collision mechanism that ensures safe and efficient extension and rotation of the extension top, preventing collisions and simplifying the extension process by allowing rotation only at maximum length, thereby enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a revolving disk and a preloaded spring mechanism to ensure the extension top can rotate freely at maximum length while preventing rotation at shorter lengths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3858188B1Extension table
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 B 4 LIVING SPA
  • EP3858188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858188B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E.
  • EP3858188B1 patent drawingFigure 1D

AI summary

Extension table (100) comprising a fixed frame (10) and a mobile frame (20), and a safety device that comprises mechanisms that prevent the extension top (40) from rotating if the table is not previously extended to the maximum extension length; the safety device comprising a revolving disk (50) fixed under the extension top (40) and having a shaped slot (54) where a vertical pin is slidingly coupled, said vertical pin (55) protruding from a longitudinal rod (60) supported by the mobile frame (20).