Auditorium Desk Layout with Tilting Tables and Shared Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing auditorium desks are not compact enough and have inefficient station organization, leading to 'dead' spaces between tables and reduced capacity due to the need for independent movement and multiple uprights for each table.

Innovation Solution

A desk design featuring a frame with separating plates and tables that tilt independently, guided by undulating blocks and abutments, with dampers to stabilize and damp oscillations, allowing for a more compact and optimized station layout by eliminating unnecessary spacing between stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each table is associated to two uprights dedicated thereto, then the table can be moved independently, but the spacing between adjacent tables increases creating 'dead' spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent table movementVSAvoidspacing between tables
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the uprights into a single shared structure located at the rear of each station, rather than having two separate uprights per table. This merging allows adjacent tables to be positioned closer together, eliminating dead spaces while maintaining independent table movement through the shared upright mechanism with blind slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If tables are spaced apart to allow independent movement, then tables can be moved independently, but the desk becomes less compact and station density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent table movementVSAvoidstation density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the upright structure into a single shared component at the rear of each station, the patent enables closer table spacing which increases the number of stations that can be accommodated in each row, thereby improving station density and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple dedicated uprights are used for each table, then independent movement is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent table movementVSAvoidnumber of uprights
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces device complexity by merging the upright structures into a single shared upright per station, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated uprights per table while maintaining the capability for independent table movement through the shared blind slot mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design results in a more compact and stable desk with improved station distribution, increased capacity, and reduced 'dead' spaces, enhancing usability and aesthetics by presenting a unified structure with enhanced stability and vibration control.

Implementation Method 1

two blocks having a partly undulating profile for guiding the corresponding table during the tilting thereof with respect to the frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance through undulating profile: Cam

Implementation Method 2

an abutment projecting from the frame, the table in the working configuration abutting on the abutment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical stop: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

The desk preferably comprises a plurality of dampers, each of which is situated in one of the blind slots for damping the tilting of each table with respect to the frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3311694B1Desk for auditorium
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 LAMM SRL
  • EP3311694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311694B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3311694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Desk (1) for auditorium, comprising: a frame (2) having a main extension direction (D); a plurality of separating plates (3) constrained to the frame (2) and arranged so as to delimit a plurality of adjacent stations (P1, P2, P3), a tiltable table (4) being present in each station (P1, P2, P3) which, during tilting thereof, slides on two blocks (8) having a partly undulating profile and, once the tilting has been completed, abuts on an abutment (9) projecting from the frame (2).