Folding table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables with existing structures cannot fix the table top at angles other than 0° or 90° relative to the table legs, limiting their usability, and the legs and grounded parts are fixed, making them inconvenient for transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design that includes a first hinged lock allowing the table top and leg to be locked at any angle between 0° to 90°, enabling adjustable positioning and allowing the legs and grounded parts to fold independently for improved portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the table top and table legs are fixedly connected, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability is worsened because the table top cannot be fixed at various angles
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between table top and table legs is changed from fixed to dynamic through the introduction of a folding mechanism with a locking device. The table top can be adjusted to various angles (0-90 degrees) and locked at the desired position, providing both stability when locked and adaptability when adjusted.
Solution Approach 2:
The included angle between table top and table legs is changed from fixed values (only 0 or 90 degrees) to a variable parameter that can be set anywhere between 0-90 degrees. The locking device enables the table top to be fixed at any angle within this range, transforming a discrete parameter into a continuous adjustable one.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the table legs and grounded part are fixedly connected, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened because the folding table occupies space during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between table legs and grounded part is segmented into movable components rather than a fixed rigid connection. This allows the table legs to be folded relative to the grounded part, enabling compact storage while maintaining structural stability when assembled and locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between table legs and grounded part is changed from static fixed to dynamic movable. The folding mechanism with locking device allows the table to transition between extended (stable) and folded (compact) states, improving portability without compromising structural integrity when in use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the table top is rotated relative to the table legs, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability is worsened because the table top cannot be fixed at the rotated position
Solution Approach 1:
A locking device is introduced as an intermediary between the table top and table legs. This locking mechanism enables the table top to be rotated to various angles and then fixed at the desired position, providing both adaptability for angle adjustment and stability for position maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation angle of the table top relative to table legs is transformed from a non-fixable continuous variable to a fixable parameter. The locking device allows the angle to be adjusted freely and then locked at any position within the 0-90 degree range, providing both adjustability and positional stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table, including a table top, a table leg and a first hanged lock for locking the table leg and the table top after the table leg and the table top rotate relative to each other, wherein one end of the first hanged lock is connected with the table top, and the other end of the first hanged lock is connected with the table leg; and the table leg or the table top rotates relative to each other in an unlocked state, the first hinged lock locks the table leg and the table top after an included angle formed between the table leg and the table top is one of 0-90°.