Reconfigurable Project Support Surface for Painting and Heavy Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing project supports are not easily reconfigurable for various tasks and workpieces, often lacking versatility, durability, and portability, and are not well-suited for supporting heavier workpieces or preventing slipping.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function project support system with a reconfigurable support surface, featuring a movable member that can be extended or retracted through a mechanical assembly controlled by a dial, providing either a larger or smaller surface area for support, and incorporating pads with a high coefficient of friction to prevent slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a small contact area support (paint point) is used, then painting tasks are facilitated with minimal damage, but the support cannot hold heavier workpieces and workpieces are prone to sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates a movable member that can be extended or retracted, allowing the contact area to dynamically change between small (for painting) and large (for heavy workpieces). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing both small contact area benefits for painting and large contact area stability for heavy items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of contact surface area by extending or retracting the movable member. When retracted, it provides a small contact area suitable for painting; when extended, it provides a large contact area for supporting heavier workpieces, thus adapting to different task requirements.
2Strength
If a large contact area support surface is used, then heavier workpieces can be supported and slipping is prevented, but painting tasks are compromised due to excessive contact
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member allows the support surface to dynamically adjust its size. For painting tasks, the member is retracted to minimize contact area. For heavy workpiece support, the member is extended to maximize contact area and stability, thus resolving the contradiction between painting suitability and support stability.
3Strength
If project supports are permanently installed or bulky, then strength and durability are sufficient, but portability and ease of movement are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The project support system is divided into separable components including a base, movable member, and support surface that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the system to maintain structural durability when assembled while enabling easy portability and storage when disassembled, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a reconfigurable support system is implemented, then versatility for different tasks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic movable member that can be extended or retracted to reconfigure the support surface area. This single dynamic element provides versatility for different tasks (painting vs. heavy support) without requiring multiple separate supports, thus achieving high adaptability with relatively simple mechanical complexity.
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 system allows for quick and easy configuration for different tasks and workpieces, providing strong, durable, and safe support, preventing slipping and damage, while being compact and portable, thus improving the quality and efficiency of workpiece handling and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical assembly is configured and arranged to extend the movable member upward through the hollow interior to a fully extended position in response to the dial being rotated in a first direction relative to the base. The mechanical assembly is further configured and arranged to retract the movable member downward back through the hollow interior to a fully retracted position in response to the dial being rotated in a second direction relative the base.
Implementation Method 2
incorporating pads with a high coefficient of friction to prevent slipping
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, a project support system is provided having a base, a dial, a top cover, a moveable member, and a mechanical assembly. The dial is rotatably connected to the base. The top cover has an opening. The mechanical assembly is configured to extend the movable member upward through the opening to a fully extended position in response to the dial being rotated in a first direction relative to the base, thereby providing a smaller upper surface for support of a workpiece. The mechanical assembly is further configured to retract the movable member downward back through the opening to a fully retracted position in response to the dial being rotated in a second opposite direction relative the base, thereby providing a larger upper surface for support of the workpiece.