Three-Leg Folding Table With Rotatable Leg Joint Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-legged bar tables with a foldable top are aesthetically unpleasing due to the need for a central column and thick joint, which compromises stability and design simplicity.

Innovation Solution

The table design features a third leg with a rotatable upper part relative to its lower part, allowing the table top to fold down while maintaining stability through sliding friction, enabling easy assembly and disassembly with other tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a central column and thick joint are used to ensure stability, then stability is improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and design simplicity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddesign simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the central column and thick joint from the table structure, extracting the problematic elements that compromised aesthetics and design simplicity while maintaining stability through an alternative three-legged configuration where the third leg can rotate to provide support during folding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The third leg is designed with rotational capability around its longitudinal axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This dynamic feature enables the leg to rotate into a supportive position during folding while maintaining a simple, elegant appearance when the table is in normal use, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and design simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a central column with a large pressure distribution plate is used, then stability is improved, but aesthetic appeal and design simplicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the central column and large pressure distribution plate from the design, eliminating the bulky components that degraded aesthetic appeal while maintaining structural integrity through a refined three-legged configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a large pressure distribution plate, the invention applies local quality by concentrating support functions at specific points where the legs contact the ground and table top, achieving necessary stability with minimal, aesthetically pleasing components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If three legs of the same shape are used, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but the ability to realize the folding mechanism deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidfolding mechanism capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The third leg incorporates rotational capability around its longitudinal axis, allowing it to dynamically change its orientation. This enables the leg to rotate into a position that facilitates folding while maintaining the same elegant shape and aesthetic appearance as the other two legs when the table is in normal use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

While all three legs share the same basic shape for aesthetic consistency, the third leg introduces asymmetry through its rotational degree of freedom, allowing it to adapt its configuration for folding operations while the other two legs remain fixed, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appeal and folding capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution enhances aesthetic appeal, maintains stability, and simplifies the folding mechanism, allowing for efficient space-saving when tables are combined.

Implementation Method 1

the upper part of the third leg is fixed against twisting under its own weight by sliding friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1915922B1Folding table
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 SEDUS STOLL
  • EP1915922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1915922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1915922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the case of a table with three legs (10, 20, 30) and a foldable tabletop (40), which table still stands on its three legs even when the tabletop is folded down and the legs converge towards the tabletop in a lower region (i), it is provided according to the invention that the legs in an upper area (ii) diverge obliquely towards the tabletop, that two of the three legs (10, 20) are connected to the tabletop via tilting joints and that the third leg (30) consists of a lower (31st ) and an upper part (32), wherein the upper part comprises the upper area of ​​the third leg, is detachably connected to the table top and can be rotated relative to the lower part.