Segmented Picnic Table Design to Reduce Shipping Length and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor benches or tables, particularly heavy-duty picnic tables, incur high shipping costs due to their extended length, necessitating a solution that maintains strength while reducing overall length for transportation.
Innovation Solution
A segmented picnic table design comprising multiple table top and bench segments that can be assembled and disassembled, allowing for a packed configuration that reduces the overall length for shipping, while maintaining structural integrity through hinge connections and support rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If single piece table tops and benches are used, then strength and structural integrity are maintained, but shipping costs increase due to extended length
Solution Approach 1:
The picnic table is divided into multiple segments including table top segments, bench segments, and leg assemblies that can be disconnected. This segmentation allows the table to be disassembled into shorter components for shipping while maintaining full strength when assembled, directly resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and shipping length
2Length of moving object
If multiple segments are used to reduce shipping length, then shipping costs decrease, but structural strength may be compromised due to potential sagging
Solution Approach 1:
Support rods are pre-installed within the bench segments to provide internal reinforcement. These support rods are positioned to prevent sagging of the bench segments when the table is assembled, ensuring that the segmented design maintains adequate load-bearing capacity despite the reduced shipping length
3Productivity
If segments are temporarily secured together in packed configuration, then transportation efficiency improves, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system uses dynamic elements including hinges for table top segments and removable fasteners for bench segments that can be easily engaged and disengaged. This allows the table to transition between assembled and packed configurations while keeping the assembly process simple and intuitive, balancing transportation efficiency with assembly complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A picnic table comprises a table top comprising two or more table top segments and two benches, each bench comprising two or more bench segments. The picnic table can be disassembled to decrease the total length of the picnic bench for transportation or shipping.