Collapsible and stackable outdoor structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable structures are often difficult to assemble and dismantle, require additional tools, and may not be durable enough for harsh outdoor environments, especially when made of fabric materials.
Innovation Solution
A portable structure composed of a main body with telescopic beams and stacking modules that can be easily transitioned between collapsed and uncollapsed positions without additional tools, using a system of sliding and locking mechanisms, and potentially made from lightweight materials like polypropylene plastic, allowing for easy transportation and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If portable structures are assembled and transported fully assembled, then structural integrity is maintained, but transportation efficiency and storage space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The portable structure is divided into multiple telescopic support posts that can be segmented and collapsed. Each support post consists of nested tubes that can be compressed into a compact form, allowing the structure to be broken down into manageable segments for efficient transportation and storage while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic support posts utilize a nested doll principle where multiple tubes are nested within each other in a collapsed state. The support posts consist of outer tubes and inner tubes that slide within them, allowing the structure to compress to a fraction of its assembled volume for transportation while expanding to full size when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If portable structures use fabric materials for easy assembly, then assembly ease is improved, but durability in harsh outdoor environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes panel members that can be made from lightweight materials including plastics such as polypropylene, which provide both ease of assembly and durability. These panel members serve as rigid or semi-rigid shells that maintain structural integrity while being lightweight and resistant to harsh outdoor conditions, replacing traditional fabric materials.
3Reliability
If portable structures require additional tools for assembly and disassembly, then connection reliability is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic support posts incorporate self-locking mechanisms that automatically engage and disengage without requiring external tools. The locking mechanisms include features such as cam locks, friction locks, or snap-fit connections that secure the telescopic tubes in place during assembly and disassembly through simple manual operations, eliminating the need for additional tools while maintaining reliable connections.
4Volume of moving object
If portable structures are designed for easy collapse and storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but structural stability during use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable structure employs dynamic telescopic support posts that can transition between extended and collapsed states. The telescopic mechanism allows the support posts to be extended to full length for structural stability during use, and collapsed to compact size for efficient storage. The dynamic design maintains structural integrity in both states through engineered locking and support features.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable structure has a main body and a plurality of telescopic beams. The main body includes a plurality of stacking modules. The plurality of stacking modules are configured to move between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position. Each of the plurality of stacking modules has an inner surface and an outer surface. The plurality of stacking modules include a bottom stacking module and a top stacking module. The bottom stacking module is selectively and slidably disposed within the top stacking module. The top stacking module has a plurality of holes formed therethrough. The bottom stacking module is nested within the top stacking module, where the plurality of stacking modules are in the collapsed position. The bottom stacking module is unnested from the top stacking module, where the plurality of stacking modules are in the uncollapsed position.