Portable Workstation with Conductive Slats and Collection Tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of portable, multipurpose workstations for manually controlled arc and flame-based metal cutting processes, which poses safety hazards due to molten slag and sparks falling on users and equipment during cutting, as existing solutions are either not portable or not designed for manual operation.

Innovation Solution

A portable multipurpose workstation with a conductive, uneven surface and a tray to collect molten slag and sparks, featuring a grid structure with air gaps to maintain the cutting arc and protect users from hazardous materials, while also allowing for dual use in welding and food preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a portable workstation is designed for manual metal cutting processes, then metal cutting capability is provided, but safety hazards from molten slag and sparks falling on users increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal cutting capabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards from molten slag and sparks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful falling molten slag and sparks into a beneficial contained waste stream. The tray system captures these hazardous materials that would otherwise fall on users, transforming the safety hazard into a collectible waste product that can be safely removed and disposed of.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray acts as an intermediary element between the cutting surface and the user's feet/legs. It intercepts the molten slag and sparks before they can reach the user, providing a protective barrier that eliminates the safety hazard while maintaining the metal cutting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a portable workstation is designed for manual metal cutting processes, then metal cutting capability is provided, but hoses or cords on the ground may be cut or punctured by molten falling material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual metal cutting capabilityVSAvoidprotection of hoses and cords

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system converts the potentially damaging molten falling material into a contained waste stream. By capturing the slag and sparks, the system prevents them from reaching and damaging hoses or cords on the ground, while still enabling manual metal cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the cutting process and the ground-level equipment. It intercepts molten material before it can contact hoses or cords, protecting these vulnerable components while maintaining cutting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If existing workstations are made massive and immobile for automated CNC cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but portability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the workstation into a compact, portable design with separate functional components. Rather than a massive integrated structure, the workstation uses a modular tray system within a compact housing, achieving portability while maintaining sufficient precision for manual cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the workstation massive to achieve precision, the patent inverts the approach by using a compact design with precise manual positioning capabilities. The precision is achieved through careful manual operation and design rather than through massive automated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 workstation provides a safe and supportive environment for manual metal cutting processes, effectively capturing and containing molten slag and sparks, and can be used for both metal working and food preparation, addressing the safety concerns and versatility needs.

Implementation Method 1

The slats define a conductive, uneven surface having a plurality of differing heights and creating a plurality of openings sized and disposed to provide for an air gap within an opening or below the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir gap:

Implementation Method 2

A tray is preferably disposed below the conductive surface to collect molten slag and other material that passes through the openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10464175B1Portable, multi-purpose workstations

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 BOULAY SHANE

AI summary

Embodiments of multipurpose workstations are disclosed having a small, portable housing that defines an interior space, into which a conductive, uneven surface having a plurality of differing heights is disposed. The conductive surface can include a plurality of openings sized and disposed to provide for an air gap within an opening or below the surface. The workstations can further include an upper removable conductive flat metal surface, and a tray disposed below the uneven, conductive surface that collects material that passes through the openings.