Modular Tray Clamping Design for Universal Cantilevered Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food trays are often limited to specific structures and configurations, making them less versatile for use in various settings such as tables, chairs, and other furniture, restricting their adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A modular tray system comprising a junction member, tray member, cover member, cylinder member, and clamping unit, allowing for cantilevered mounting to different structures, including tables and chair armrests, with complementary features for secure attachment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tray is designed for dedicated attachment to a particular structure (e.g., table edge, chair arm), then the attachment stability is improved, but the adaptability to various structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed with a universal clamping mechanism that can attach to multiple different structures (table edges, chair arms, stadium seats) using the same basic attachment system. The clamping unit with adjustable brackets serves multiple functions across different settings, eliminating the need for structure-specific tray designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping unit incorporates adjustable and movable components that can adapt to different structure geometries. The brackets can be positioned at various angles and distances to accommodate different armrest shapes and table edge configurations, providing both stability and versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular tray system with multiple components (junction member, tray member, cover member, cylinder member, clamping unit) is used, then the adaptability to various structures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray system is divided into modular components (junction member, tray member, cover member, cylinder member, clamping unit) that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and configured. This segmentation allows flexibility in arrangement while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements are combined into integrated components. For example, the clamping unit integrates both the clamping mechanism and the mounting interface, while the junction member combines the connection points for both the tray and the clamping unit, reducing the total number of separate parts needed.
3Strength
If complementary features (boss and recess) are used for secure attachment, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complementary boss and recess features are designed with localized geometric characteristics that provide strong mechanical interlocking at specific connection points. The features are optimized locally to achieve high connection strength while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerances through careful geometric design.
Data Source
AI summary
Modular tray and methods of using the modular tray to support various items by securing the modular tray to a structure in a cantilevered-type arrangement. The modular tray may include one or more of a junction member, a tray member, a cover member, a cylinder member, and a clamping unit. The modular tray can be secured to a structure with the clamping unit or the cylinder member so that one or more of the junction member, tray member, and cylinder member are cantilevered from the structure.