Locking Hinge Assembly for Foldable Benches Without Manual Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional furniture, such as tables and benches, have fixed structures that cannot be folded for storage or transportation, leading to space inefficiencies and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible furniture design featuring a locking hinge assembly that automatically disengages when one of the legs is moved from an extended to a stowed position, utilizing a pawl pin and cable system to pivotally connect the support surface halves and allow for easy folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking hinge assembly is used to prevent accidental collapse, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hinge assembly automatically locks and unlocks based on the leg position. When the leg is in the extended position, the pawl pin engages with the ratchet teeth to lock the hinge. When the leg is collapsed, the spring automatically moves the pawl pin to disengage, unlocking the hinge. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual locking/unlocking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex multi-component locking mechanisms with a simplified spring-loaded pawl and ratchet system. The spring provides the necessary force to engage and disengage the locking mechanism automatically, substituting for more complex mechanical systems that would require manual intervention or additional actuators.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed structure is used for furniture, then stability is improved, but adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The furniture structure transitions from a fixed state to a dynamic state through the collapsible leg mechanism. The legs can be collapsed to reduce the furniture's footprint for storage or transportation, then extended to restore the stable, usable configuration. The locking hinge assembly ensures structural stability is maintained during both extended and collapsed states.
Solution Approach 2:
The furniture is divided into separable components - the tabletop, legs, and locking mechanism - that can independently move relative to each other. The legs can be collapsed independently, and the locking mechanism engages specific segments (hinge connections) to maintain structural integrity during both extended and collapsed configurations.
3Ease of operation
If manual disengagement of locking mechanism is required, then ease of operation worsens, but device complexity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically disengages when the leg is collapsed. The spring-loaded pawl pin is positioned such that collapse of the leg causes it to move out of engagement with the ratchet teeth, automatically unlocking the hinge without requiring manual intervention. This self-service feature greatly simplifies the folding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to provide the necessary force for automatic disengagement. Before the folding operation begins, the spring is already in a state that will automatically push the pawl pin out of engagement when the leg reaches the collapsed position, eliminating the need for manual unlocking actions during the folding process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bench (105) has first and second benchtop halves (101). A leg assembly (104) is mounted to each half (101) and collapses independently of the other and is movable between an extended position and a stowed position. A locking hinge (112) pivotally connects the halves and automatically disengages a locking feature of the hinge (112) when one of the leg assemblies (104) is pivoted. The hinge includes first and second hinge members (150, 152). The second hinge member (152) includes a pawl pin slot (152b) and a pawl pin (158), which slides in the slot (152b) between a first position and a second position. Rotation of the first hinge member (150) with respect to the second hinge member (152) is prevented in the first position and is permitted in the second position. A cable (186) is mounted between the leg assembly (104) and the pawl pin (158). Pivoting the leg assembly (104) causes the pawl pin (158) to be automatically moved from the first position to the second position.