Foldable Table Linkage for Parallel Surface Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable tables often lack sufficient surface area when deployed due to space constraints, necessitating a design that can provide additional table surface area without increasing stowage size.

Innovation Solution

A foldable table with a main table plate and an ancillary plate pivotally attached, where the ancillary plate folds out parallel to the main plate upon deployment, using a folding mechanism with pivot arms for additional support and features like cup holders or electrical connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the table is stowed in a compact cavity to save space, then the stowage size is reduced, but the table surface area when deployed is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestowage sizeVSAvoidtable surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The table is divided into a main table plate and an ancillary table plate that can be deployed independently. The ancillary plate is further divided into multiple segments connected by pivot arms, allowing it to extend outward from the main plate to increase total surface area while maintaining a compact stowage profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ancillary table plate is deployed in a direction substantially parallel to the main table plate, utilizing a second dimension of extension. This parallel deployment configuration allows the ancillary plate to extend the table surface area without increasing the vertical height or footprint of the stowed unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If an ancillary plate is added to increase surface area, then the table functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable surface areaVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding mechanism merges the deployment functions of the main table plate and ancillary table plate into a coordinated system. The pivot arms are configured so that when the main plate deploys, the ancillary plate automatically follows in parallel motion, combining two deployment actions into one unified mechanism operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivot arms serve multiple functions: they connect the ancillary plate to the main plate, provide structural support, enable parallel deployment motion, and allow the ancillary plate to assume different positions (extended, retracted, angled) to accommodate various usage scenarios and stowage configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4711277A1Foldable table

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 BE AEROSPACE INC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C

AI summary

A foldable table comprising: a main table plate (1); an ancillary table plate (2); a folding mechanism (10, 11, 12, 13) pivotally connecting the main table plate and the ancillary table plate together, the folding mechanism comprising a pair of side mountings (10), one on each side of the table, and an arrangement of pivot arms (11, 12, 13) configured such that movement of the main table plate in an opening direction (D) relative to the side mountings causes a corresponding and substantially parallel opening of the ancillary table plate (2).