Articulating Bridge Table for Stable Rear Seat Work Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tray table designs in vehicles provide inadequate work surface area, are uncomfortable for resting hands and forearms, and hinder vehicle entry and exit due to limited packing space and surface topology, with permanently fixtured designs being undesirable and cantilevered tables offering insufficient stability.
Innovation Solution
An articulating bridge table that connects rear seat armrests with a front center console, comprising a rotatable armrest lid and a bridge table that can be stowed or deployed to extend horizontally and abut the console, providing a stable work surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a permanently fixtured tray table design is used, then the work surface area is increased, but the comfort for resting hands and forearms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest lid is made rotatable relative to the armrest base, allowing it to transition between a horizontal position (providing work surface) and a vertical position (providing comfortable arm resting surface). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling both functions at different times rather than being fixed in one configuration.
2Area of moving object
If a cantilevered tray table design is used, then the work surface area is increased, but the stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge table is integrated with the armrest assembly, merging the table structure with the support mechanism. The table is positioned between the armrest base and lid, utilizing both structures for support, which significantly improves stability compared to a cantilevered design that relies on a single support point.
3Area of moving object
If a cantilevered tray table design is used, then the work surface area is increased, but the ability to enter and alight from the vehicle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest lid can be rotated to a vertical position, clearing the path for occupants to enter and exit the vehicle. This dynamic movement resolves the contradiction by allowing the work surface to be present when needed but movable out of the way during vehicle entry/exit, unlike a fixed cantilevered design.
4Area of moving object
If the bridge table is deployed to connect rear armrest with front center console, then the work surface area and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly is segmented into distinct components: the armrest base, the rotatable armrest lid, and the bridge table. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and assembled, managing complexity through modularity while achieving the expanded stable work surface when the table is deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented are articulating bridge tables for connecting rear seat armrests with front center consoles, methods for making/using such armrest tables, and vehicles equipped with such armrest tables. An armrest assembly includes an armrest base that mounts inside a vehicle passenger compartment adjacent a vehicle seat and longitudinally aligned with an armrest console. An armrest lid is rotatably mounted at one end thereof to one end of the armrest base to rotate between a first position, whereat the armrest lid covers the base cavity, and a second position, whereat the armrest lid exposes the base cavity. A bridge table is rotatably mounted at one end thereof to another end of the armrest base to rotate between a first position, whereat the bridge table is sandwiched between the armrest base and lid, and a second position, whereat the bridge table projects substantially horizontally from the armrest base and abuts the armrest console.