Telescopic Tube Support Frame for Foldable Outdoor Furniture Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable outdoor recreational equipment and furniture support frames are unstable due to limited elastic force in thermoplastic elastomer ropes, making them prone to failure under strong winds and are complicated to assemble and disassemble.
Innovation Solution
A support frame design featuring inner lining tubes connected by flexible ropes with outer sleeve tubes and an elastic member that allows for axial movement, enabling the frame to be locked for stability and unlocked for folding, simplifying assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sleeve rods are sequentially nested end to end with TPE rope to achieve folding, then the support frame can be folded to reduce storage space, but the stability is weak and the sleeve rods may be broken apart due to limited elastic force under strong wind
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame uses multiple telescopic tubes nested within each other, where each tube can slide in and out of the adjacent tube. This nesting structure enables the frame to be folded into a compact form for storage while maintaining the ability to extend to full length for use, resolving the contradiction between foldability and stability through the mechanical nesting mechanism rather than relying solely on elastic rope force.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including telescopic tubes that can extend and retract, and an adjustable headrest with multiple position settings. This dynamic design allows the frame to adapt between compact folded state and stable extended state, providing reliability when needed while maintaining folding capability.
2Ease of operation
If the support frame is disassembled or assembled after separating from the installation hole, then the supported part needs to be removed frequently, but the disassembly and assembly operation is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is divided into modular segments including the frame body, headrest, and footrest sections that can be independently adjusted or removed. This segmentation allows the supported parts to remain in place while only the necessary components are disassembled or adjusted, reducing the time and complexity of assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame uses quick-release mechanisms and telescopic joints that enable rapid assembly and disassembly without requiring complete separation from installation holes. The dynamic locking and unlocking systems allow users to quickly adjust or remove supported parts without complicated procedures, significantly reducing assembly time.
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 support frame provides enhanced stability and convenience by allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without removing supported parts, ensuring reliable radial support and efficient folding.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member having a first end fixedly connected to the outer sleeve tube at a head end of the support frame and a second end fixedly connected to the inner lining tube at the head end of the support frame
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor appliance has a support frame with multiple inner lining tubes that are sequentially connected end to end by flexible ropes and multiple outer sleeve tubes that are slidable on the outer surfaces of the inner lining tubes. The outer sleeve tube and the inner lining tube at the head end of the support frame are respectively connected to an elastic member. When the support frame is in a locked state, each inner lining tube is located between and supports two abutting adjacent outer sleeve tubes. When the support frame is in an unlocked state, each inner lining tube is moved out of one outer sleeve tube and into the next successively (e.g., longitudinal) axially adjacent outer sleeve tube against the force of the elastic member such that the radial support between adjacent outer sleeve tubes is eliminated thereby allowing the support frame to be folded.