Retractable Table with Magnetic Support for Space and Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted tables require high rigidity for safety but occupy excessive space and weight when not in use, posing challenges for weight reduction and space minimization.
Innovation Solution
A retractable table design with a housing containing a retraction mechanism and a support mechanism using magnetic pieces to maintain rigidity when deployed, allowing the table to be folded and accommodated within the armrest, minimizing space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a material having high rigidity is employed for the table, then the table can secure safe attitude and balance while driving, but the table occupies a large space and weighs a lot when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The table is designed to be retractable, transitioning from a stationary extended state to a retracted state within the armrest. The table body can be drawn out when needed and retracted when not in use, changing its spatial configuration dynamically to reduce occupied space and weight impact on the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The table is nested within the armrest housing when retracted. The table body fits inside the housing space, with the retraction mechanism allowing the table to be stored compactly within the existing armrest structure, minimizing additional space occupation
2Strength
If a material having high rigidity is employed for the table, then the table can secure safe attitude and balance while driving, but the table occupies a large space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The table transitions between extended and retracted states, changing its spatial footprint from a large horizontal area when extended to a compact vertical arrangement when retracted within the armrest housing
Solution Approach 2:
The table is nested within the armrest housing when retracted, utilizing the existing housing space to store the table body, thereby minimizing the additional space occupied in the vehicle interior
3Weight of stationary object
If the table is made lightweight for weight reduction, then vehicle weight is reduced, but the table may compromise safety attitude and balance while driving
Solution Approach 1:
The table employs a composite structure combining lightweight materials with magnetic support pieces. The table body uses lightweight material while magnetic bodies are strategically placed to provide rigidity and stability when the table is extended, achieving both weight reduction and structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The table is divided into segments including the table body and multiple magnetic support pieces. This segmentation allows the use of lightweight materials for the main body while adding minimal-weight magnetic components at critical locations to provide necessary rigidity
4Area of stationary object
If the table is designed to be retractable to minimize space occupation, then space efficiency is improved, but the structure and mechanism become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The table is nested within the armrest housing, utilizing the existing housing structure as the retraction mechanism's framework. This approach minimizes additional structural complexity by leveraging the available space and existing components of the armrest assembly
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 solution provides a lightweight, space-efficient table that maintains rigidity when in use and minimizes space occupation when not in use, enhancing vehicle interior space and weight reduction.
Implementation Method 1
including magnetic bodies provided on the pieces to provide rigidity such that, when the table body is deployed, the pieces are connected to each other through the magnetic bodies to maintain the deployed state of the table body
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable table may include a table body wound around the retraction mechanism in the housing when accommodated and drawn out and unfolded to the outside of the housing through the accommodation hole when drawn out, and a support mechanism provided at a side end portion of the table body, including a plurality of pieces, each of which is folded to overlap the table body or unfolded from the table body, and including magnetic bodies provided on the pieces to provide rigidity such that, when the table body is deployed, the pieces are connected to each other through the magnetic bodies to maintain the deployed state of the table body.