Low-Slung Movable Booth with Distributed Load Mobility Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal booths are heavy and have structural integrity issues due to uneven force distribution from wheels, limiting their mobility and lifespan, and solutions that increase robustness also make them harder to move.
Innovation Solution
A low-slung movable personal booth design with structural continuity members and a low friction mobility apparatus that distributes static and dynamic loads uniformly across the sidewalls and rear wall, using ball transfer units and a planar support element to facilitate movement without elevating the floor, thereby reducing weight and improving mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wheels are used to support the booth, then the booth can be moved, but the force is concentrated at small points causing uneven force distribution and structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility apparatus is divided into multiple individual mobility elements (such as ball transfer units or small wheels) distributed along the lower edge portions of the booth walls. This segmentation allows the total load to be distributed across many contact points rather than concentrated at a few wheel locations, preventing structural damage while maintaining mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobility elements are arranged in a linear distribution along the lower edge portions of the booth walls, transitioning from point-contact wheels to line-contact mobility elements. This dimensional change from discrete points to a continuous linear distribution along the perimeter walls enables uniform force distribution across the entire base perimeter.
2Strength
If the structure is made more robust to absorb greater forces, then structural integrity is improved, but the self-weight increases making it harder to move
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility system is segmented into numerous lightweight individual elements distributed along the base perimeter. This allows the use of lightweight materials for each element while collectively providing sufficient support capacity, reducing overall weight compared to a single robust wheel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Structural reinforcement is applied locally at the lower edge portions where the mobility elements contact the floor, rather than reinforcing the entire booth structure. This localized strengthening provides the necessary force distribution capability without adding significant overall weight to the booth.
3Ease of operation
If conventional wheels are used, then movement is enabled, but the concentrated forces limit the number of times the structure can be moved
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility function is segmented into multiple redundant mobility elements along the base perimeter. This segmentation distributes mechanical stresses across many elements, preventing any single point from failing and thereby extending the overall useful life of the movable structure through repeated relocation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed mobility elements act as a cushioning system that prevents concentrated impact forces during movement and positioning. This beforehand cushioning of forces protects the structural connections and walls from damage that would otherwise accumulate with repeated moving operations.
4Ease of operation
If a low-slung design is used to improve accessibility, then tripping hazards are reduced, but the booth may be less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility elements are distributed along the lower edge portions of all booth walls, creating a continuous linear support base at floor level. This linear distribution along the perimeter provides a stable low-profile base that prevents tipping while maintaining the low-slung design for accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobility apparatus is positioned locally at the lower edge portions of the booth walls, concentrating the support function at the base level rather than using elevated legs or supports. This local positioning at floor level provides both the low profile needed for accessibility and the stable base needed for structural stability.
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 design enhances the booth's mobility and structural integrity while maintaining privacy, reducing the risk of tripping hazards and improving user access, as it supports the booth at a negligible elevation, allowing for more frequent repositioning without compromising structural stability.
Implementation Method 1
a low friction mobility apparatus, mounted along the lower edge portion of each of the first and second sidewalls and of the rear wall, arranged to support the cubicle structure on the support surface and to facilitate movement thereof along the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A low-slung movable personal booth includes two opposing sidewalls and a rear wall. The opposing sidewalls are rigidly connected to the rear wall thereby to form a cubicle structure having a usable space therein. A structural continuity member extends between and connects the sidewalls so as to provide structural continuity within the cubicle structure. A low friction mobility apparatus is mounted along the lower edge portions of both sidewalls and of the rear wall, for supporting the cubicle structure on a support surface and so as to facilitate movement of cubicle structure along the support surface in response to a lateral force.