Folding Table Transport Mechanism With Exposed Axle Wheels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables lack improved transportability, as existing designs do not efficiently expose transport members when in storage condition, hindering easy movement and potential damage to edges during transport.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design with pivotally connected tabletop halves and collapsible legs, featuring transport members on an axle that are exposed between the halves when in storage, allowing for engagement with the ground for easy movement, and a handle for user assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the tabletop halves are kept together in a closed position during transport, then the edges are protected from damage, but the transport members cannot be exposed for engagement with the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The tabletop is divided into two separable halves that can be pivoted relative to each other. This segmentation allows the halves to be positioned in different configurations: closed together to protect edges, or separated to expose transport members between them, thus resolving the contradiction between edge protection and transportability
Solution Approach 2:
The tabletop halves are designed with pivotal connections that allow dynamic repositioning between closed and open states. This dynamic capability enables the structure to adapt its configuration based on whether edge protection or transport member exposure is needed, eliminating the need for separate protective covers or complex mechanisms
2Volume of moving object
If the legs are collapsed to a stored condition adjacent to the tabletop underside, then the table size is reduced for transport, but the transport members remain hidden and cannot engage the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The transport members are positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the tabletop halves. When the halves are separated and pivoted, the transport members become accessible in the space between the inside edges, allowing ground engagement without requiring the legs to be in an extended position or adding external transport components
3Ease of operation
If the tabletop halves are separated to expose transport members, then transportability is improved, but the edges may become vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of tabletop halves serves a dual purpose: it exposes the transport members between the inside edges for ground engagement while simultaneously maintaining the structural integrity of the edges. Each half's edge remains protected by its own rigid structure, eliminating the need for additional protective measures during transport
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table includes two tabletop halves pivotally joined together at an axle, with one or more legs connected to each half. A transport member, such as a wheel is mounted on the axle. To transform the table from an “in-use” condition to a “transport” condition, the legs are collapsed to seat adjacent to the underside of the associated tabletop half. The tabletop halves are then pivoted toward each other until the undersides are in facing relationship to each other. So pivoting the tabletop halves exposes the transport member, which can be positioned against the ground to roll or slide the table to a different location.