Foldable stool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable stools are not convenient for carrying and storing due to their bulkiness and complex folding mechanisms, which hinder their portability and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A foldable stool with a stool surface made of flexible materials that can be folded into a storage compartment, featuring swingly connected support legs with elastic ropes for easy disassembly and reassembly, and a zipper or hasp for forming a compact storage bag, allowing the legs to be rotated and folded into the surface for reduced volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the stool surface is made of rigid materials with traditional folding mechanisms, then the structural stability is improved, but the weight and complexity increase, making it less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The stool surface is made from flexible materials such as canvas, chemical fiber, or other flexible substances instead of traditional rigid materials. This flexible surface can be folded and rolled up, significantly reducing the stool's weight while maintaining sufficient structural stability when assembled, thereby improving portability without completely sacrificing stability
2Strength
If the support legs are made as single solid pieces, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of folding and storage is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Each support leg is divided into multiple detachable sections (typically three sections: upper, middle, and lower parts). These segmented legs can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing the stool to be quickly folded and stored. The segmentation maintains sufficient strength when assembled while dramatically improving folding ease and storage convenience
3Volume of stationary object
If the stool surface is folded in half with crosswise legs, then the volume is reduced, but the folded length remains too long for convenient carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented support legs are designed to be inserted into and nested within the folded stool surface structure. When the stool is folded, the legs fit inside the hollow space created by the folded flexible surface, creating a compact nested configuration. This nesting arrangement significantly reduces both the volume and length of the folded stool, making it much more convenient for carrying and storage
4Reliability
If complex rotation gears and stop gears are used for folding mechanisms, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex rotation gears, stop gears, and other complicated mechanical components from the folding mechanism. Instead, it uses simple detachable connections between leg sections and the stool surface, along with elastic ropes for securing. This extraction of unnecessary components dramatically simplifies the device while maintaining sufficient folding reliability through the simplicity and robustness of the remaining connection 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
The design results in a lightweight, easy-to-fold, and space-efficient stool that is simple in structure, cost-effective, and convenient for carrying and storing, with a significant reduction in volume and improved portability.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic rope runs through inside of each support leg, when the elastic rope is extended, the upper, middle and lower sections of the support leg are separated with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable stool, comprising a stool surface (1), and two support legs (2); characterized in that, the stool surface (1) is made of flexible materials being capable of be folded up to form a storage compartment; two support legs (2) are swingly connected to each other, the top of two support legs are respectively connected to the left side and right side of a bottom surface of the stool surface (1); each support leg (2) is hollow inside with an upper section (21), a middle section (22) and a lower section (23) connected together; an elastic rope (3) runs through inside of each support leg (2), when the elastic rope is extended, the three sections (21, 22, 23) are separated with each other and rotatably folded into the storage compartment. In the present invention, the stool is simple and reasonable in structure, light and easy to use and low in cost, it is easy to carry and also is very beautiful.