Foldable Bed Frame with Pivoting Segments for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steel bed frames are cumbersome for packaging, shipping, and assembly, making them difficult to move and reassemble.
Innovation Solution
A foldable bed frame design with pivotally attached segments that can be easily folded and unfolded, allowing for compact storage and transportation, featuring elongated rails and extending segments that detachably couple to form a bed frame assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional steel bed frame is used, then structural strength and stability are adequate, but the frame becomes cumbersome for packaging, shipping, and assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The bed frame is divided into multiple modular components including side rails with extending segments, a center support with extending segments, and detachable coupling mechanisms. Each component can be independently handled, folded, and assembled, transforming a single cumbersome structure into manageable modules that simplify packaging, shipping, and assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The bed frame incorporates pivotally attached extending segments that can dynamically change configuration between extended (operational) and retracted (storage) positions. This dynamic capability allows the frame to adapt its form factor for different operational states, enabling easy transformation between assembled and compact states without permanent structural changes
2Ease of operation
If the bed frame is made foldable with pivotally attached segments, then ease of assembly and storage is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame uses rigid modular segments connected by pivotal joints, where each segment maintains structural integrity independently. The segmentation allows the frame to fold while preserving strength within each module, and the detachable coupling mechanisms provide robust connections that maintain overall structural strength when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotal attachments enable controlled dynamic movement between fixed angular positions, allowing the frame to transition between configurations while maintaining structural rigidity in each position. The extending segments can be positioned and locked to provide stable support when extended, yet fold neatly when retracted, balancing flexibility with structural strength
3Volume of moving object
If the bed frame is folded to less than half its operational length, then storage space requirements are reduced, but the complexity of the folding mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side rails and center support are divided into main sections and extending segments that can be independently folded. This segmentation allows each component to be compacted separately, achieving significant volume reduction when folded while keeping each folding unit relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
The extending segments are designed to nest within or alongside the main sections when folded, with segments fitting into designated spaces to maximize compactness. This nesting arrangement achieves less than half operational length when folded while using straightforward geometric relationships rather than complex mechanisms
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
Enables quick assembly and disassembly, reducing storage space requirements and facilitating easy relocation, as the frame can be folded to less than half its operational length, fitting into small boxes or vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an extending segment pivotally attached to the elongated left side rail and capable of being pivoted from substantially parallel the left side rail to substantially perpendicular to the left side rail
Data Source
AI summary
A bed frame has: a left side component that includes an elongated left side rail and an extending segment at each end; and a right side component that includes an elongated right side rail and an extending segment at each end. Each such extending segment is pivotally attached to the corresponding elongated right side rail and is capable of being pivoted from substantially parallel it to substantially perpendicular it. Each of the elongated left side rail and the elongated right side rail includes two main sections that are pivotally attached to a shorter center member. At each end, the extending segments of the left side component and the right side component detachably couple to each other, forming lateral components of a bed frame assembly.