Multifunctional Foldable Stool with Nested Cylinders for Versatile Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telescoping stools are limited in functionality and cannot meet the diverse use requirements of consumers, lacking versatility beyond their primary purpose as a stool.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional foldable stool design that includes a foldable stool body with nested cylinders and locking mechanisms, an upper cover that can be opened for use as a closestool or garbage bin, and a cavity for storage, equipped with springs, buckles, and a handle for easy carrying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the stool is designed with a simple structure for basic seating function, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but the versatility and adaptability for different uses are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stool is designed with a removable seat component that can be detached to reveal a storage cavity, enabling the same structure to function as a stool, storage unit, or both simultaneously. The upper cover can be opened to access the cavity, providing multiple usage modes without requiring separate furniture pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The stool structure is divided into separable components: a removable seat, an upper cover, and a base with locking mechanisms. This segmentation allows the seat to be detached for storage access while maintaining structural integrity, enabling versatile functionality from a single integrated design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stool includes additional functions such as storage cavity and removable seat, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage cavity is merged into the base structure of the stool, and the seat is designed as a removable component that integrates with the cavity. The upper cover merges the seating surface with the storage access mechanism, combining multiple functions into unified components rather than separate pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat serves dual purposes: as a seating surface when attached and as a removable cover for storage access. The upper cover provides both structural support for the seat and the opening mechanism for the cavity, making each component perform multiple functions to reduce overall complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stool uses nested cylinders with locking mechanisms for height adjustment, then the adaptability for different heights is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cylindrical legs are nested within each other, with each cylinder capable of extending or retracting to adjust the stool height. The nested structure allows compact storage when collapsed and extended configuration when needed, providing height adaptability without requiring separate leg components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanisms enable the nested cylinders to be dynamically adjusted between locked (fixed height) and unlocked (adjustable) states. This dynamic capability allows users to modify the stool height as needed while maintaining structural stability when locked, providing adaptability without permanent complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a multifunctional foldable stool including a foldable stool body (1). An upper end and a lower end of the foldable stool body (1) include an upper seat (11) and a lower seat (12) respectively, the foldable stool body (1) includes a cavity (13), and an upper cover (2) capable of opening and closing the cavity (13) is mounted on the upper seat (11). A rear end of the upper seat (11) is rotatably connected to a backup ring (3) located between the upper seat (11) and the upper cover (2). A rear end of the upper cover (2) is rotatably connected to the rear end of the upper seat (11). The multifunctional foldable stool designed this way can be utilized as a closestool or a garbage bin with the upper cover (2) opened in addition to being utilized as a stool. Further, the multifunctional foldable stool may also be utilized for storage. With these functions, the use requirements of more consumers can be satisfied.