Modular Folding Table Truss Structure for Portable Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding tables are either too light and unstable to support modern display equipment or too large and heavy to be portable, 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 connected link members, slider members, and telescoping legs for stability and expandability, allowing vertical and horizontal connections with additional tables and shelves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional folding tables use individual legs or pairs of legs pivotally connected to a table top, then the table is portable and easy to set up, but the table is not strong or stable enough to support modern video or computer displays
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into modular components including a table top, a base unit with collapsible legs, and separate utility shelves. Each component can be independently assembled, disassembled, and transported, maintaining portability while allowing the base unit to provide robust support for display equipment through its truss framework and cross-bracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit combines multiple structural elements including legs, cross-bracing members, and a truss framework into a single integrated assembly. This merging of components creates a stable, rigid structure capable of supporting heavy display equipment while maintaining the ability to collapse for portability.
2Strength
If conventional folding tables are made heavier with stronger construction, then the table can support modern display equipment, but the table becomes too large and heavy to be practical for portable presentations
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit features collapsible legs that can transition between an extended stable configuration for supporting equipment and a collapsed compact configuration for transport. This dynamic structure allows the table to provide maximum strength when set up while minimizing weight and size during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation of the base unit from the table top and utility shelves allows each component to be optimized independently. The base unit can be constructed with heavy-duty materials and bracing for strength, while the table top and shelves can be lighter, and all components can be transported separately.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional tables include utility shelves for efficient space use, then the table provides better organization for display equipment, but conventional tables with shelves are not collapsible and easily portable
Solution Approach 1:
Utility shelves are designed as separate, removable components that can be independently assembled and disassembled from the base unit. Each shelf can be collapsed or removed individually, allowing the shelves to provide organized storage space when needed while being easily detached and compacted for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility shelves incorporate collapsible structures with movable supports and adjustable positioning mechanisms. When expanded, the shelves provide maximum storage capacity and organization; when collapsed, they minimize space and can be easily stored within or attached to the compact base unit.
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 for efficient use of space and easy transportation.
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 end of the second link member is similarly pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs, the second end of the first link member is slidably connected to an adjacent one of the legs, and 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.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
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.