Pinwheel Table Layout Around Rectangular Pillar for Space Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional arrangements of tables and desks in limited spaces, such as libraries, suffer from low two-dimensional space efficiency due to chair placement, which occupies significant space and compromises user convenience and privacy.

Innovation Solution

A furniture system comprising multiple rectangular tables arranged in a pinwheel shape around a central rectangular pillar, allowing long sides of one table to contact short sides of adjacent tables, creating a central pillar region, and additional tables arranged similarly around a second pillar, optimizing space usage while maintaining user convenience and privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If tables and desks are arranged in line or facing each other in a limited space, then the arrangement is simple and conventional, but the two-dimensional space efficiency is low because chairs occupy the entire side of the tables or desks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement simplicityVSAvoidspace efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional linear or facing arrangements to a pinwheel configuration where tables are arranged around a central pillar in a rotational pattern. This dimensional reorganization allows chairs to be placed under tables rather than along sides, dramatically improving two-dimensional space efficiency while maintaining arrangement simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The arrangement divides the space into multiple table groups surrounding a central pillar region, with each table independently positioned. This segmentation allows optimized chair placement under each table while maintaining overall spatial efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If chairs are placed along the sides of tables to provide user convenience, then user accessibility is improved, but space efficiency deteriorates as chairs occupy the entire side of tables

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidspace efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing chairs along the sides of tables as in conventional arrangements, the patent inverts the approach by positioning chairs underneath the tables. This inversion maintains user convenience for accessing tables while dramatically reducing the space occupied by chairs, thereby improving overall space efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple tables are arranged to maximize space usage, then space efficiency is improved, but user privacy and convenience may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoiduser privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pinwheel arrangement segments the space into distinct table areas surrounding a central pillar, creating natural visual and physical boundaries. This segmentation allows multiple tables to be closely arranged for space efficiency while maintaining user privacy through the radial configuration that separates user zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9737142B2Furniture system and method for arranging the same

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 CHO

AI summary

The present invention relates to a furniture system and a method for arranging the same capable of improving a space efficiency using a rectangular pillar. In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of tables can be arranged efficiently in a limited space without sacrificing the convenience and privacy of the users of the tables.