Folding Table Leg Repositioning for Side Board Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable tables with adjustable dimensions suffer from structural instability and reduced durability due to the configuration of supporting legs, which create a long lever arm leading to deformation risks and insufficient stabilization.

Innovation Solution

A multi-size folding table design featuring a table board with four table leg assemblies that slide along the length direction, allowing supporting legs to be positioned below side table boards when unfolded and below the middle table board when folded, enhancing structural stability and durability through cooperative locking mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If supporting legs are attached directly to side table boards, then the table can be folded, but the table becomes non-functional and unstable when folded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidstability when folded

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting legs are separated from the side table boards and repositioned to be connected to the middle table board only, while the side table boards are secured through stopper elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function and position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper element acts as an intermediary component that secures the side table boards in their unfolded position without requiring direct attachment of supporting legs to them. This mediator enables the folding mechanism to function properly while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If supporting legs are fixed to middle table board, then structure is simple, but side table boards become unstable with long lever arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidside table board stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper element serves as a mediator that provides additional support to the side table boards, reducing the effective lever arm length and preventing deformation without requiring complex structural modifications to the supporting legs or middle table board connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper element is positioned in advance to prevent potential deformation of the side table boards by providing support before forces are applied during use, thereby preventing instability issues before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If stopper element is used to secure side table boards, then unfolding position is fixed, but deformation risks increase due to long lever arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunfolding position securityVSAvoidresistance to deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper element works in conjunction with the repositioned supporting legs to create a distributed support system. The supporting legs provide primary structural support while the stopper element secures the side table boards, together reducing the lever arm effect and deformation risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250325098A1Multi-size folding table with stable structure

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 LENG LUHAO

AI summary

A multi-size folding table with a stable structure is provided. A table board includes a middle table board and two side table boards. Two ends of the middle table board are respectively pivotally connected to the two side table boards. The two side table boards are configured to be rotated to achieve unfolding and folding thereof. A bottom surface of the table board is correspondingly disposed with guiding members. The guiding members are respectively connected to four table leg assemblies. The four table leg assemblies are configured to reciprocate. Each of the four table leg assemblies includes a supporting leg for supporting the table board. When the two side table boards are in an unfolded position, the supporting legs are located below the two side table boards. When the two side table boards are in a folded position, the supporting legs are located below the middle table board.