Foldable buffet station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buffet stations are large, making them difficult to transport and store, requiring a solution to reduce their size for easier mobility and storage.
Innovation Solution
A foldable buffet station design featuring rotationally connected supporting panels and a detachable cooking module, allowing the station to be compacted by folding the rear beam and side beams inward, reducing its volume and facilitating transportation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a buffet station is designed with a large size to accommodate cooking modules and provide adequate working space, then the functionality and working comfort are improved, but the difficulty of transportation and storage space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffet station is divided into multiple supporting panels (front supporting panel, rear supporting panel, back side supporting panel) that can be separated and folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the station to be disassembled into smaller components for transportation while maintaining the complete structure during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting panels are designed with rotational connections that enable dynamic transformation between an extended configuration during operation and a folded configuration during transportation. The rotationally connected panels can change their relative positions and angles, allowing the station to adapt its size based on operational needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a buffet station is designed with a large size to accommodate cooking modules and provide adequate working space, then the functionality and working comfort are improved, but the storage space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting panels are designed to nest within each other when folded. The rear supporting panel can be rotated to nest against the front supporting panel, and the back side supporting panel can be folded to nest within the overall structure, significantly reducing the storage volume while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotational connections allow the buffet station to transform from a compact folded state for storage to a fully extended functional state for operation. This dynamic capability enables the station to provide adequate working space and accommodate cooking modules only when needed, while occupying minimal storage space when folded.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting panels are made rigid and fixed to maintain structural stability, then the stability and strength are improved, but the ability to fold and reduce volume deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is segmented into multiple panels connected by rotational joints, allowing each panel to maintain its rigidity and structural integrity while enabling relative movement between panels. The segmentation preserves the strength of individual panels while facilitating the folding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational connections provide dynamic stability - the panels remain rigid and stable during operation when extended, but can be rotated and folded when needed for transportation or storage. The dynamic nature of the connections allows the structure to transition between stable operational states and compact folded states without compromising the inherent strength of the panels themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a foldable buffet station comprising supporting legs and a countertop frame mounted on upper ends of the supporting legs. The supporting legs comprise two sets of supporting panels on left and right sides. Each set of the supporting panels comprises a front supporting panel and a rear supporting panel which are rotationally connected. The countertop frame comprises a front beam, a rear beam, and two left and right side beams which form a rectangular frame. The two left and right side beams are respectively fixed at upper ends of the two rear supporting panels on left and right sides. The rear beam is detachably fixed at upper ends of the two back side supporting panels. The front beam is fixed at upper ends of the two front side supporting panels. When it is necessary to fold the buffet cart, the cooking module on the countertop frame is removed first, and then the rear beam is removed; since the front supporting panels and the rear supporting panels are rotationally connected, pushing the two rear supporting panels at this time results in rotation and folding, and the side beams follow the corresponding supporting panels to rotate. As a result, the occupying space of the entire buffet cart can be greatly reduced, which is convenient for transportation and storage.