Aircraft Seat Folding Table with Displaceable Top
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding tables for passenger seats, such as those in aircraft, lack the necessary adjustability to accommodate varying space conditions across different seat rows, particularly in environments like aircraft with and without emergency exits.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design that pivots about a pivot axis and features a movable table top relative to a swivel arm, with side guide rails and a variable end stop mechanism, allowing for adjustable length and inclination, and constructed from thermoplastic polymer shells for a reliable and simple assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the folding table is made fixed in length, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate different space conditions in various seat rows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the table top displaceable relative to the swivel arm through side guide rails. This allows the table length to be dynamically adjusted between different positions to accommodate varying space conditions in different seat rows, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure when not in use position
2Adaptability or versatility
If the table top is made displaceable to adjust length, then adaptability to different spaces is improved, but the risk of incorrect operation and reliability issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the end stop mechanism that provides tactile and positional feedback to the user. The end stop prevents the table top from being displaced beyond a predetermined safe position, giving clear feedback when the adjustment limit is reached and preventing incorrect operation that could compromise reliability
3Reliability
If a fixed end stop is used, then the displacement is limited and reliability is improved, but the variability of the folding table is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the end stop itself displaceable along the side guide rails. This allows the limitation position to be dynamically adjusted to different predetermined positions, providing both reliable displacement limitation at each position and variability in the extension length according to different space requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a folding table (1) for attachment to the rear of a backrest of a passenger seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, wherein the folding table (1) is pivotable about a pivot axis between a non-use position, in which the folding table (1) is substantially in contact with the rear of the backrest of the passenger seat, and a use position, in which the folding table (1) is projecting from the rear of the backrest of the passenger seat, wherein the folding table (1) has a pivot arm (2) and a tabletop (3) which is displaceable relative to the longitudinal direction of the pivot arm (2).