Folding Roller Table With Articulated Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle training rollers are fixed and cumbersome, making them difficult to transport and store, occupying a large amount of space and being costly due to their size, which limits their accessibility to users without sufficient space.
Innovation Solution
A folding roller assembly with a one-piece construction made of plastic, featuring articulated joints allowing up to 270° rotation, enabling a compact and easy-to-assemble structure that can be folded into a rectangular shape for storage and expanded for use, with recesses for rollers and rubber pegs for stability, allowing for versatile use and adaptation to different bicycle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed roller assemblies are used, then structural stability is improved, but transportability and storage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly is divided into multiple articulated sections that can be folded relative to each other. The frame consists of at least two longitudinal sections and two transverse sections connected by articulated joints, allowing the structure to be segmented for compact folding while maintaining stability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller assembly transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The articulated joints enable the frame to change its configuration between an extended operational state and a compact folded state, providing both stability during use and ease of transport when folded.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed roller assemblies are used, then structural rigidity is improved, but space occupation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into multiple straight sections connected by articulated joints, allowing the structure to maintain rigidity when assembled into a rectangular configuration while occupying minimal space when folded into a compact block.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller assembly utilizes dimensional transformation by folding the frame from a two-dimensional rectangular configuration into a three-dimensional compact block, significantly reducing the space occupation while maintaining structural integrity through the articulated joint design.
3Strength
If complex assembly structures are used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into standardized straight sections that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The segmentation allows for simplified production of individual components while maintaining overall structural strength through the articulated joint connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated joints are designed to enable self-assembly without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. The joints allow sections to be connected through simple movements, making the assembly process intuitive and accessible to end users while ensuring structural integrity.
4Reliability
If non-foldable structures are used, then operational stability is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly incorporates dynamic foldable characteristics that allow it to maintain operational stability when assembled and folded into a compact configuration for storage. The articulated joints ensure stability during use while enabling compact storage when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is segmented into multiple sections that can be folded relative to each other, allowing the structure to maintain its rectangular configuration and operational stability during use, while enabling compact folding for efficient storage in minimal space.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding structure (2), is provided to which one or more rollers (3) are coupled, which is constituted by an articulated one-piece construction, formed of straight sections (2a, 2b) joined together with articulated joints that rotate around a vertical axis (4) and movement of the sections on the horizontal plane, and hinged joints that rotate around a horizontal axis (5) and movement of the sections on the vertical plane. In a use position, it has a rectangular frame shape, while in a folded position it forms an elongated and flat compact block. The upper part of the structure (2) has recesses (8) with protruding nipples (9), suitable for being inserted into holes (10) made on the ends (3a) of the roller (3) axis; while dampers (11) are disposed in the lower part. There is a joint that rotates around a vertical axis (4), and another hinged joint that rotates around a horizontal axis (5).