Foldable Picnic Table with Telescopic Supports and Nested Bench Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable picnic tables are inconvenient to fold and have a large folded size, which hinders their portability and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A foldable picnic table design featuring rotatable table and bench supports, telescopic mechanisms, and a locking system that allows the table to be lowered to the same height as the benches, enabling the supports to fold compactly and securely, with recesses on the table and benches to minimize size, and a locking mechanism to prevent the benches from falling when lifted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the picnic table uses a traditional foldable structure with support legs and expansion rods, then it can realize the folding function, but it is inconvenient to fold and the folded size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The picnic table is divided into independent modular units: table plate, multiple bench bodies, table supports, and bench supports. Each unit can be independently folded and positioned, allowing the entire structure to be compacted efficiently. The connecting pieces enable each module to fold separately while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structures are designed to nest within each other during folding. The table supports and bench supports fold inward and nest against the table plate and bench bodies respectively. The recesses on the table plate and bench bodies receive the folded support structures, creating a compact nested configuration that minimizes folded volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the table plate is lowered to the same height as the bench bodies, then the folded size is reduced, but the structure requires complex telescopic and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The table supports and bench supports incorporate telescopic mechanisms with movable and fixed portions that can dynamically adjust their length. The movable portions can slide within the fixed portions and be locked at various positions using locking mechanisms. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the supports to extend when needed for stability and retract when folding to minimize size.
Solution Approach 2:
The lengths of the table supports and bench supports are made variable through the telescopic mechanisms. By changing the extended/retracted state of the movable portions, the overall height and volume parameters of the picnic table can be adjusted. This parameter change enables the transition between a stable unfolded state and a compact folded state.
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 design enhances folding convenience and reduces the folded size significantly, making it easier to transport and store while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each upper support comprises a upper vertical tube, each lower support comprises a lower vertical tube and a lower transverse tube connected to the bottom of the lower vertical tube; the upper vertical tubes and the lower vertical tubes are telescopic with each other and is capable of moving up and down relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
a locking mechanism for locking the upper vertical tubes and the lower support in an extended state is disposed between one upper vertical tube and the corresponding lower vertical tube
Implementation Method 3
each lower transverse tube is rotatably connected to the corresponding horizontal rod through the connecting pieces
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable picnic table with sitting benches is a table having a table plate and a number of table supports, and a plurality of benches having a bench body and a plurality of bench supports; wherein, each table support has an upper support and a lower support; the bottoms of each lower support and adjacent bench support are connected through a connecting piece; the table plate is capable of being lowered to the same height as the bench bodies when the upper supports and the lower supports are retracted relative to each other, the lower supports and the bench supports are folded to each other and turn over the bench bodies to the back of the table plate. Therefore, it is very convenient to fold, the size after folding is very small, and it saves transportation costs.