Foldaway Table Segmented Arms for Vehicle Cabin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cabin furnishings for industrial and commercial vehicles face challenges in being both robust and compact, as they need to be functional, handy, and occupy minimal space while being easy to store and use.
Innovation Solution
A foldaway table design featuring a bearing plate with two sides, support arms, and a constraint system that allows the arms to move between proximal and distal positions, enabling the plate to fold over itself when stored, and stabilize when in use, with the arms engaging with the vehicle dashboard for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the table is designed to be robust and stable when in use, then the stability and strength are improved, but the device occupies more space and becomes harder to store
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) that can be reciprocally folded relative to each other. The support arms are also segmented and can move independently between proximal and distal positions. This segmentation allows the table to maintain structural integrity when needed while compacting into a small storage configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The table incorporates dynamic support arms that can change position between proximal and distal states, and portions that can reciprocally fold. The constraint system enables controlled movement and positioning, allowing the structure to adapt between stable usage configuration and compact storage configuration, resolving the contradiction between stability and storage space.
2Ease of manufacture
If the table structure is simplified with fewer components, then the ease of manufacture and operation are improved, but the stability and robustness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint system merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism that simultaneously controls the movement of support arms and the reciprocal folding of plate portions. This merging reduces the total number of separate components and constraint mechanisms needed, while maintaining stability through the coordinated action of the integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint system is designed to automatically enable or disable reciprocal movement between arms and bearing plate, and between plate portions, based on the position and state of the components. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the need for additional control components while maintaining structural stability through automatic engagement and disengagement of movement constraints.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Foldaway table (1) especially for an industrial or commercial vehicle, comprising - a bearing plate (11), defining a lying plane (P), having two opposite sides (11c, 11d), an upper bearing surface and a corresponding lower surface (11e), and having at least two portions (11a, 11b) reciprocally arranged between each other in relation to a approaching edge (X), - two support arms (12, 13) hinged to the lower surface, each one in the proximity of one of said opposite sides (11c, 11d) in order to close in the same way as the side-arms of a pair of glasses. The two portions (11a, 11b) may fold one over the other only when the arms are in proximal position.