Modular Folding Mechanism for Safer Collapsible Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible tables have unstable structures, exposed safety locking mechanisms that can injure users, complex and inconvenient assembly/disassembly processes, and an unappealing design, posing safety and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
A modularized folding mechanism with a central body, rotation lock assembly, and fastening assemblies that hide all rotating and locking components, allowing for easy assembly/disassembly, enhanced safety, and a sleek appearance, adaptable to various table leg shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If safety locking mechanisms are exposed to ensure postural stability, then stability is improved, but user safety deteriorates due to potential injury from exposed moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking mechanism from the visible exterior and relocates it to the interior of the leg assembly. The locking mechanism is completely enclosed within the leg structure, making it inaccessible to users while maintaining its stabilizing function. This resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful exposure of moving parts while preserving the stability function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If locking mechanisms are used to ensure stability, then postural stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking mechanism with the leg assembly structure itself. The locking components are integrated into the leg's internal structure rather than being separate attachments, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the stability function. The locking mechanism becomes part of the leg assembly rather than an add-on component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If folding mechanisms are assembled to table boards and legs respectively, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complicated assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the folding mechanism into a self-contained module that is pre-assembled and then attached as a single unit to the table board. This modular approach maintains adaptability to different table configurations while dramatically simplifying the assembly process, as the complex folding mechanism is pre-integrated rather than assembled on-site.
4Stability of the object's composition
If locking mechanisms are exposed to ensure stability, then postural stability is improved, but appearance deteriorates due to exposed driving structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking mechanism from the visible exterior and relocates it to the interior of the leg assembly. The locking mechanism is completely enclosed within the leg structure, making it invisible from the outside while maintaining its stabilizing function. This resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful exposure of moving parts while preserving the stability function.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible table includes a table board, at least one folding mechanism, and plural table legs. The folding mechanism further includes a central body, at least one rotation lock assembly, and a pair of fastening assemblies mounted on the table legs. The central body is settled between the two fastening assemblies. The rotation lock assembly is arranged between the central body and one of the fastening assemblies, wherein the central body, the rotation lock assembly, and the fastening assembly are mutually coupled and fixed. The rotation lock assembly contains a rotating piece that is rotatable to be positioned at predetermined positions. The rotating piece has one end fixed to a bottom surface of the table board. Thus, all components related to rotating and locking are modularized into and thereby hidden in the folding mechanism to facilitate assembly, disassembly, transportation, and storage of the collapsible table.