Locking Table Hinge With Pawl Pin Auto-Release for Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tables are inflexible and occupy more space due to their fixed structure, making them inconvenient for storage, packaging, and transportation, as they cannot be folded when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible table design featuring a locking hinge assembly that automatically disengages when the collapsible leg assemblies are moved from an extended to a stowed position, allowing the table to fold and unfold easily, utilizing a pawl pin mechanism and spring-loaded cable to control the hinge engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed structure is used for the table, then the table provides stable support when in use, but the table occupies more space during storage, packaging, and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into multiple segments including tabletop halves and collapsible leg assemblies that can be separated and reconfigured. The hinge assembly divides the table into foldable sections connected by pivot points, allowing the table to be segmented for compact storage while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The table structure is made dynamic through the hinge assembly and collapsible leg mechanisms that allow transformation between extended and stowed positions. The pawl pin and spring member create a dynamic locking system that maintains stability when deployed and enables compact folding when not in use.
2Volume of moving object
If a collapsible structure is used to reduce storage space, then the table can be folded for compact storage, but the table may lack rigid support and stable operation when expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member is pre-loaded to automatically engage the pawl pin with the notch when the table is expanded, providing automatic locking before the user needs to use the table. This preliminary engagement ensures rigid support is established immediately when the table is deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl pin acts as an intermediary locking element between the hinge members and the cable system. It mediates between the collapsible leg movement and the hinge locking mechanism, ensuring that the table achieves rigid support when expanded while maintaining the ability to fold compactly.
3Reliability
If a manual locking mechanism is used for the hinge, then the table can be securely locked, but the table requires manual operation and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member and pawl pin create a self-servicing locking system that automatically engages and disengages based on the position of the collapsible legs. When the legs are extended, the spring automatically locks the hinge; when the legs are collapsed, the lock automatically releases, eliminating the need for manual locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable connected to the collapsible leg assembly provides feedback about the leg position to the pawl pin mechanism. The cable tension changes with leg position, automatically triggering the pawl pin to engage or disengage the notch, creating a feedback-driven automatic locking system.
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
Enables the table to be stably expanded and efficiently folded, saving space during storage, packaging, and transportation, while ensuring secure operation with the hinged connection between tabletop halves.
Implementation Method 1
A spring member having spring arms engages the pawl pin and biases it toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
Pivoting the at least one collapsible leg assembly from an extended position to a stowed position causes the pawl pin to be automatically moved from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 3
a locking hinge assembly for pivotally connecting together the first and second table top halves
Data Source
AI summary
A table has first and second tabletop halves. A leg assembly is mounted to each half and collapses independently of the other and is movable between an extended position and a stowed position. A locking hinge pivotally connects the halves and automatically disengages a locking feature of the hinge when one of the leg assemblies is pivoted. The hinge includes first and second hinge members. The second hinge member includes a pawl pin slot and a pawl pin, which slides in the slot between a first position and a second position. Rotation of the first hinge member with respect to the second hinge member is prevented in the first position and is permitted in the second position. A cable is mounted between the leg assembly and the pawl pin. Pivoting the leg assembly causes the pawl pin to be automatically moved from the first position to the second position.