Shifting and tilting device for tables in multipurpose vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for configuring furniture in multipurpose vehicles, such as motorhomes and caravans, require manual effort and support legs to transition between use and rest positions, leading to potential accidents and discomfort due to cumbersome mechanisms and limited space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sliding mechanism and gas spring-assisted levers allows for automatic stabilization and easy transition between raised and lowered positions without support legs, utilizing a book-like articulated table that reduces dimensions and integrates multifunctional configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual mechanisms with hinges, sliding parts, and levers are used to transform furniture configurations, then the furniture can transition between use and rest positions, but the device complexity increases and requires more manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture system is divided into independent modular elements (seats, tables, panels) that can be individually repositioned. Each element has its own simplified transformation mechanism, allowing independent adjustment without requiring complex coordinated mechanisms for the entire furniture system.
Solution Approach 2:
The furniture elements are designed with dynamic transformation capabilities, allowing smooth transitions between fixed and movable states. The use of gas springs and articulated connections enables continuous motion control during configuration changes, reducing the need for multiple discrete mechanical components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support legs and locking devices are added to stabilize the furniture in raised positions, then stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Gas springs are used as counterweight mechanisms to balance the weight of furniture elements in raised positions. The gas springs provide continuous upward force to counteract gravity, eliminating the need for mechanical support legs and complex locking devices while maintaining stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas spring mechanism automatically maintains furniture elements in raised positions without requiring active stabilization systems. The elastic memory of the gas spring provides self-regulating support, where the system stabilizes itself through the inherent elastic properties of the gas spring rather than requiring external locking mechanisms.
3Productivity
If heavy manual force is applied to lift and lower furniture elements, then the transformation can be achieved, but the ease of operation decreases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Gas springs provide counterweight assistance during furniture element transformation, significantly reducing the manual force required to lift and lower heavy elements. The gas springs absorb the weight of the furniture during movement and release stored energy to assist in the transformation process, making operation safe and effortless.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas springs act as intermediary elements between the furniture elements and the user's manual input. Rather than directly lifting heavy furniture, the user interacts with the gas spring-assisted mechanism, which mediates the force application and provides controlled, safe transformation without requiring direct manual handling of heavy loads.
4Device complexity
If simple hinge joints are used for furniture transformation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation and safety are worsened due to lack of stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
Gas springs are integrated with simple hinge joint mechanisms to provide stabilization during transformation. The gas springs work in conjunction with the basic hinges to control the motion and provide safety stabilization, maintaining mechanical simplicity while significantly improving operational safety and comfort through the added counterweight assistance.
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 enables effortless and safe conversion of furniture elements, reducing manual effort and the risk of accidents, while maintaining stability and compactness, allowing for additional configurations beyond traditional use and rest positions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gas spring is interposed between said first and second levers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device (1) for moving a supporting plane (2) between a raised position (H) and a lowered (L), and vice versa, comprises at least one vertical guide (3), in which is slidably engaged a slide (4) associated with the supporting plane (2). Between the vertical guide (3) and the slide (4) is interposed a cinematic lever (5), consisting of a first and a second lever (51, 52), compassed between two configurations, open (A) and closed (C), in correspondence of, respectively, said raised (H) and lowered (L) positions. The first and second levers (51, 52) are also interconnected by means of a gas spring (53), whose expansion push urges said levers (51, 52) to close further when the supporting plane (2) is in said lowered position (L), thus stabilizing it. By manually opening said levers (51, 52) beyond a dead point, the same push of the gas spring (53) tends to open them so as to automatically raise the supporting plane (2); the latter can also be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical one by means of hinges (6).