Armrest Cup Holder Assembly to Eliminate Deployment Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holders in aircraft seats are inconvenient, as they require deployment mechanisms, consume backrest space, interfere with tray table deployment, and are prone to damage, especially in economy class seats.
Innovation Solution
An armrest assembly with a recessed cup holder insert that is retained within the armrest, allowing it to be out of the way when not in use, and featuring a retainer cover and biasing member for secure item holding, without the need for deployment mechanisms, facilitating easy cleaning and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cup holders are deployed from within the backrest, then cup holders are provided for beverage containers, but backrest space is consumed and tray table deployment is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder function is extracted from the backrest structure and relocated to the armrest assembly. The armrest includes a recessed cup holder that is integrated into the armrest body, separating the beverage support function from the backrest space, thereby resolving the conflict between providing cup holders and preserving backrest area for tray tables.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cup holders are deployed from within the armrest, then cup holders are provided, but deployment mechanisms are required and armrest use is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is designed as a fixed, self-contained recess in the armrest assembly that requires no deployment mechanism. The armrest simply provides the cup holder as an integral feature, eliminating the need for complex deployment systems while maintaining beverage support functionality throughout the armrest's operational cycle.
3Ease of operation
If cup holders are positioned in the seat space, then cup holders are accessible, but seat ingress and egress are interfered with and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is positioned in the vertical dimension within the armrest structure rather than extending into the horizontal seat space. The recessed cup holder is located at depth within the armrest, placing it out of the way of seat ingress and egress paths while remaining accessible to passengers. This dimensional repositioning reduces exposure to damage from passenger movement.
4Area of stationary object
If cup holders are made deployable, then space can be saved when not in use, but deployment mechanisms and interference with seat functionality occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder function is extracted and integrated into the armrest assembly as a fixed feature rather than a deployable component. The armrest structure incorporates the recessed cup holder permanently, eliminating the need for deployment mechanisms while maintaining space efficiency through the compact integration within the armrest volume.
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 solution provides a robust, space-efficient, and user-friendly cup holder that does not interfere with seat functionality, is easy to maintain, and can accommodate various items, such as beverage containers, while being durable enough for prolonged use.
Implementation Method 1
a retainer cover and biasing member for secure item holding
Data Source
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AI summary
An armrest assembly and aircraft passenger seat including the same, the armrest assembly including an arm having a top cutout and a cup holder insert disposed within the top cutout and retained on the arm by front and rear arm caps affixed atop the arm that overlap portions of the installed cup holder insert, the cup holder insert including a recessed center portion at depth within the arm and disposed between upstanding concave end walls, the cup holder insert usable to secure a beverage or other items when the arm is in a deployed use position.