Foldable Support Frame Link Layout for Smooth Compact Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable supporting frames are bulky, heavy, and have a large plate with pivotal holes that increase size and weight, making them difficult to fold and unfold smoothly, and are not compact when folded, which complicates packaging, shipping, and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A foldable supporting frame design featuring two frame units connected by a plurality of links, including upper and lower links and supports, which are pivotally connected to facilitate smoother folding and unfolding, reducing weight and allowing for a more compact form by separating pivotal connections and using supports to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large plate with pivotal holes is used to connect frame units, then the frame units can be pivotally connected, but the overall size and weight of the foldable supporting frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large plate connection into multiple smaller connection components (first pivotal connection and second pivotal connection) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the frame to achieve stable connection through distributed pivot points without requiring a single large, heavy plate, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining connection reliability.
2Ease of operation
If pivotal holes are positioned at different distances for upper and lower frames, then folding and unfolding can be facilitated, but the plate size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the pivotal connections into distinct first and second pivotal connections positioned at different vertical distances from the lower frame. This segmentation enables the upper frame to fold and unfold smoothly through a two-stage rotation mechanism without requiring a single large plate, thereby achieving operational ease while minimizing plate area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical dimension differentiation by positioning the first pivotal connection closer to the lower frame and the second pivotal connection farther away. This dimensional arrangement allows the frame to achieve smooth folding motion through sequential rotation about two different pivot points, eliminating the need for a large horizontal plate area.
3Reliability
If upper and lower frames rotate around pivotal holes on a plate, then the frame units can be connected, but folding and unfolding is not smooth and the folded frame is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection system into multiple independent pivotal connections (first and second pivotal connections) rather than a single rotation point. This segmentation allows the upper frame to rotate smoothly in two stages, improving folding smoothness while maintaining reliable frame connection through the distributed pivot points.
4Device complexity
If a single plate connects frame units, then the structure is simple, but the folded frame is not compact for packaging and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection structure into multiple small pivotal connections distributed at different positions rather than a single large plate. This segmentation enables the frame to fold into a more compact configuration while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of standardized connection components, thus reducing folded volume without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable supporting frame includes first and second frame units, each with an upper frame, a lower frame, and supports pivotally connected to the upper and lower frames and supporting the upper frame when the foldable supporting frame is unfolded. The foldable supporting frame also includes upper links for pivotally connecting the upper frames of the first and second units and lower links for pivotally connecting the lower frames of the first and second units. Upper and lower links are separated from each other, reducing the overall weight and facilitating smooth folding and unfolding of the supporting frame.