Telescopic Folding Wagon Structure for Lower Folded Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible wagons have a small unfolded capacity and a large folded volume, making them inconvenient for storage in space-limited areas.
Innovation Solution
A wagon design with four telescopic standing posts and side folding mechanisms that allow the posts to retract and extend, reducing the height when folded and increasing capacity when unfolded, using linkage ends and fixed ends to drive the lifting rods vertically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional folding mechanisms are used, then the wagon can be folded for storage, but the height in folded state remains significantly greater than in unfolded state, resulting in large storage space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the standing posts telescopic rather than fixed. The posts can dynamically extend when the wagon is unfolded and retract when folded, allowing the height in folded state to be significantly reduced compared to traditional fixed-post folding mechanisms. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling compact folded storage without compromising the ease of unfolding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The standing posts are segmented into telescopic sections that can independently extend and retract. This segmentation allows the posts to be divided into multiple movable segments connected by telescopic mechanisms, enabling the posts to compress into a smaller volume when folded while maintaining full height when unfolded, thus reducing folded storage space occupation.
2Quantity of substance
If the capacity in unfolded state is increased, then more items can be stored, but the area occupied during storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic telescopic standing posts that can extend to provide large storage capacity when the wagon is in use, and retract to minimize the area occupied during storage. This dynamic transformation allows the wagon to transition between a large-capacity unfolded state and a compact folded state, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and storage area occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic standing posts utilize a nesting mechanism where inner segments are placed within outer segments when retracted. This nesting allows the posts to occupy minimal space during storage while providing full extension capacity when unfolded, enabling the wagon to maintain large storage capacity without requiring large storage area when folded.
3Volume of moving object
If telescopic standing posts are used to reduce folded height, then storage space is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic telescopic mechanisms in the standing posts that automatically extend and retract in coordination with the folding action. While this adds some complexity, the dynamic design allows for more efficient space utilization during storage compared to traditional fixed mechanisms, balancing the trade-off between folded volume reduction and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the folding mechanism with the telescopic extension mechanism, so that a single folding action simultaneously triggers both the folding of the wagon body and the retraction of the standing posts. This combined mechanism reduces the need for separate control systems and simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving reduced folded volume.
Data Source
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AI summary
The wagon with the height reduced after being folded includes four telescopic standing posts arranged in a rectangle pattern and at intervals, and at least two side folding mechanisms arranged opposite to each other. Two ends of the side folding mechanism are respectively hinged to two adjacent telescopic standing posts. When the wagon is folded, the side folding mechanisms drive the telescopic standing posts connected thereto to retract and shorten. When the wagon is unfolded, the side folding mechanisms drive the telescopic standing posts connected thereto to extend. The wagon has a height in a folded state smaller than a height thereof in an unfolded state. When the wagon is folded or unfolded, the folding mechanisms drive the telescopic standing posts to retract or extend. Therefore, after the wagon is unfolded, the space for a fabric bed provided on tops of the telescopic standing posts is increased. In addition, after the wagon is folded, the telescopic standing posts shorten, reducing the space occupied by the wagon, making it easy to carry and transport.