Foldable Load Carrier Gas Spring Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable load carriers are difficult to assemble and disassemble due to their high weight and stability requirements, making the process ergonomically challenging for users.
Innovation Solution
A foldable load carrier design featuring two upright groups and a roof assembly, supported by first and second gas springs, which assist in folding and unfolding by neutralizing the weight of the upright and roof groups, allowing for easier handling and reduced effort during the folding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the load carrier is designed with high weight and stability requirements, then the stability and strength are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult folding and unfolding processes
Solution Approach 1:
Gas springs are integrated into the load carrier structure to counterbalance the weight of upright assemblies and roof assembly. The gas springs provide upward force that compensates for gravity, enabling easy folding and unfolding of the heavy load carrier without requiring significant manual effort, thus resolving the contradiction between stability (achieved through heavy construction) and ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the load carrier is made relatively heavy for stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficult assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The gas springs are pre-installed on the base assembly before the upright assemblies and roof assembly are attached. During assembly, the gas springs provide counterbalancing force that reduces the effective weight of components being maneuvered, making the manufacturing and assembly process easier while maintaining the final stable structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the load carrier is designed to fold into a compact form, then the volume is reduced for transport, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased folding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Gas springs are positioned to assist the folding movement of upright assemblies and roof assembly toward the compact folded position. By counterbalancing the weight during the folding process, the gas springs reduce the effort required to manipulate the complex folding mechanism, enabling easy transition to the compact transport configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The load carrier is designed with movable connections including pivot axes and rotation axes that enable dynamic transformation between unfolded and folded states. The gas springs provide dynamic assistance throughout the folding range of motion, making the complex multi-axis folding mechanism easy to operate while achieving compact volume reduction.
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 use of gas springs significantly reduces the effort required for folding and unfolding, enhancing ergonomics and safety by allowing the load carrier to be set up and folded with less physical strain, thereby improving user experience and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
To support a first folding movement of the first and/or second upright assemblies around their respective pivot axis, the load carrier includes a first gas spring. To support a second folding movement of the roof assembly along its axis of rotation, the load carrier includes a second gas spring.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a foldable load carrier (1) comprising a base assembly (2), at least one first upright assembly (3) and a second upright assembly (4), each movably connected to the base assembly (2) by means of a pivot axis (6, 7), and a roof assembly (5) movably connected to one of the two upright assemblies (3, 4) by means of a rotation axis (18). According to the invention, the load carrier (1) comprises a first gas spring (11) for supporting a first folding movement (13) of the first and/or second upright assembly (3, 4) along their respective pivot axis (6, 7) and a second gas spring (22) for supporting a second folding movement (21) of the roof assembly (5) along its rotation axis (18). The invention further relates to a method for providing a foldable load carrier (1).