Modular Folding Table With Collapsible Truss and Utility Shelf
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding tables are either too light and unstable to support modern display equipment or too heavy and large for portability, and lack collapsible utility shelves for efficient space use in presentations.
Innovation Solution
A modular folding table with a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and utility shelf, featuring pivotally and slidably connected link members, telescoping legs, and hinged segments for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing vertical and horizontal expansion, and enabling connection with multiple tables for increased stability and space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional folding tables use individual legs or pairs of legs pivotally connected to a table top, then the tables are portable and easy to set up, but they lack the strength and stability to support modern video or computer displays
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into modular components including a truss framework with multiple legs, a table top, and utility shelves that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each leg connects to the truss framework through pivotable and slidable joints, allowing the structure to be segmented for portability while maintaining strength when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The table employs dynamic connection mechanisms including pivotable joints between legs and the truss framework, and slidable connections between link members. These dynamic joints allow the table to transition between collapsed and extended configurations while maintaining structural integrity during use.
2Strength
If conventional folding tables use a heavier work style design to support displays, then the tables have improved strength and stability, but they become large and heavy requiring a truck for transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy work table is segmented into multiple lightweight components including a truss framework with four legs, a table top, and utility shelves. Each component can be independently handled and transported, distributing the weight across multiple manageable pieces rather than one heavy monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The table components are designed to nest within each other when collapsed. The legs fold beneath the table top, and utility shelves collapse into the space between the table top and the base, creating a compact nested configuration that minimizes transportation space and weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tables provide utility shelves for efficient space use, then the tables offer improved functionality, but they are generally not collapsible and easily portable
Solution Approach 1:
The utility shelves are segmented into separate components that attach to the truss framework. Each shelf can be independently assembled and disassembled from the main table structure, allowing the shelves to be collapsed or removed when portability is needed while maintaining functionality when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility shelves employ dynamic connection mechanisms with the truss framework, allowing them to be easily attached and detached. The shelves can be collapsed into a compact configuration that fits within the space between the table top and the base when not in use.
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 modular design provides a strong, stable, and portable solution that can support heavy display equipment, offering flexible configuration options and efficient use of space, enhancing portability and usability in presentations.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second link members are pivotally connected together at a midpoint between the upper and lower ends, the first end of the first link member is pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, and the second end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs. The first and second link members are pivotally connected together in a scissors configuration so as to be extendable horizontally from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of slider members are slidably mounted to each of the plurality of vertically disposed legs, respectively, and the second ends of the link members are connected to corresponding slider members, respectively, for slidably connecting adjacent second link members of adjacent sides to corresponding vertically disposed legs, respectively.
Data Source
AI summary
The modular folding table includes a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, and includes legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable.