Folding Support Linkage Mechanism for Table Machine Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile table machine stands are unsafe due to tilting during folding, difficulty in aligning locking mechanisms, and potential damage from shearing forces, leading to accidents and inefficiency in transitioning between extended and received positions.
Innovation Solution
A folding support system with a rack, first and second legs, links, and a lock mechanism that allows controlled folding and extension, using a parallel four-bar linkage and an adjustable lock to ensure safety and ease of use by utilizing the weight of the table machine to facilitate folding and prevent sudden movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile table machine stand uses a conventional folding mechanism with T-shaped lock members, then the structure can be locked in extended and received positions, but it is difficult to align the through holes and the lock members require manual pulling or pushing, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The folding support structure utilizes the weight of the table machine itself to automatically drive the folding mechanism from extended to received position, eliminating the need for manual pulling or pushing of lock members. The system serves itself by using its own weight as the driving force for folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock members are designed to move dynamically between locked and unlocked states based on the folding motion. The through holes are positioned and sized to automatically engage and disengage the lock members during the folding process, eliminating alignment difficulties.
2Volume of moving object
If the table machine stand is folded into received position with center of gravity offset from pivot points, then the structure is compact, but the unbalanced weight causes rapid movement of second legs toward first legs, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The lock members are positioned and sized to engage with the through holes before the folding process completes, preliminarily securing the structure in the received position. This prevents rapid uncontrolled movement of the legs even when the center of gravity is offset.
Solution Approach 2:
The link members act as intermediaries between the first and second legs, controlling the folding motion and preventing rapid uncontrolled movement. The links transmit and regulate the forces during folding to maintain safety.
3Ease of operation
If the table machine stand uses springs to provide elastic force during folding, then the folding mechanism can move, but the elastic force accelerates rapid movement of legs, increasing accident potential
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful elastic force from springs is removed from the folding mechanism. Instead of using springs to provide folding force, the design relies on the weight of the table machine itself, eliminating the safety hazard of accelerated rapid movement while maintaining folding capability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the T-shaped lock members are used to prevent movement between legs, then the structure is stable when locked, but shearing forces from accidental impact can damage the lock members
Solution Approach 1:
The lock members are positioned to engage with the through holes before impact occurs, preliminarily securing the structure. The through holes are sized and positioned to distribute impact forces, reducing the risk of shearing damage to the lock members.
Solution Approach 2:
The link members and the folding mechanism design provide cushioning against impact forces before they reach the lock members. The structure is designed to absorb and distribute impact energy, protecting the lock members from shearing forces.
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 system ensures safe operation by controlling the folding process, preventing accidents and damage, and simplifying the alignment and operation of locking mechanisms, allowing for smooth transitions between positions while utilizing the table machine's weight to assist in folding.
Implementation Method 1
allows utilization of the weight of the table machine to share the force necessary for folding the folding support into the received status
Implementation Method 2
The rack has a first pivot point, a second pivot point and a third pivot point orderly arranged at each of left and right sides thereof. A pair of first legs each have a first end pivoted to one of the first pivot points of the rack
Data Source
AI summary
A folding support settable between an extended position and a received position is disclosed to include a rack for holding thereon a table machine, a pair of first legs and a pair of second legs respectively pivoted to the rack for supporting the rack above the floor, two first links respectively pivoted to the rack, and two second links respectively pivoted to the second legs and the first links. The first links and the second links are moved with the second legs toward the first legs when receiving the folding support, and at the same time the first links are stopped against the first legs, assuring safety of the receiving action.