Foldable Table Positioning Mechanism to Reduce Manual Folding Effort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable tables are inconvenient to fold due to the need to manually pivot levers and push legs, and hinge mechanisms tend to rust, making the folding process difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A foldable table design featuring a leg unit and positioning unit with a support link, slide module, and drive module, where the slide module moves upward on the support link to pivot it toward the table board, facilitating easy and quick folding by allowing the leg unit to be moved from an expanded to a folded position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hinge mechanisms are used to connect legs and table board, then the table can be folded, but the hinge mechanisms are easily rusted and the levers are not pivoted easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hinge mechanism with a mechanical system consisting of a support link, slide module, and drive module. The support link rotates about a pivot point, and the slide module with sliding sleeve moves along the support link to drive the leg unit. This substitution eliminates the hinge mechanism's vulnerability to rust while maintaining the folding function through a more reliable mechanical linkage system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinge mechanisms are used, then the table can be folded, but the user has to push the pivot of the two levers and each leg, causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the user only needs to release a locking mechanism (such as a button or latch) to initiate the folding process. The drive module automatically converts the small motion of releasing the lock into the coordinated movement of the support link and sliding sleeve, which then drives the leg unit to fold. This eliminates the need for the user to manually push multiple levers and legs, significantly improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If manual pushing of legs is required for folding, then the table can be collapsed, but it causes inconvenience and reduces folding speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical system between the user's action and the leg folding process. The drive module acts as an intermediary that amplifies the user's small input motion (releasing the lock) into the coordinated movement of multiple components. The sliding sleeve moving along the support link serves as an intermediary mechanism that converts linear motion into rotational motion of the leg unit, enabling fast and convenient folding without manual pushing.
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
Enables the foldable table to be collapsed easily and quickly, reducing user effort and preventing rust issues with the hinge mechanisms, thus enhancing convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The slide module includes a sliding sleeve slidably mounted on the support link
Implementation Method 2
The leg unit is pivotally connected with the table board mechanism and extends downward
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable table includes a table board mechanism, and at least one supporting mechanism. The at least one supporting mechanism includes a leg unit pivotally connected with the table board mechanism, and a positioning unit mounted between and connected with the table board mechanism and the leg unit. The positioning unit includes a support link pivotally mounted on the table board mechanism, a slide module movably mounted on the support link, and a drive module mounted between and pivotally connected with the slide module and the leg unit. The slide module includes a sliding sleeve slidably mounted on the support link and pivotally connected with the drive module. When the leg unit is pivoted, the sliding sleeve is driven by the leg unit, and the support link is driven and pivoted upward to approach the table board mechanism.