Convertible Vehicle Interior Fixture with Telescopic Base and Folding Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle interior fixtures face challenges in providing adaptable configurations that balance space efficiency and functionality, particularly in aircraft where both elevated seating and horizontal working surfaces are needed without consuming excessive cabin space.
Innovation Solution
A configurable interior fixture with a base assembly that can be positioned between lowered and raised positions, a collapsible table assembly, and an ottoman cushion that can be attached or detached to convert between a footrest and a table configuration, utilizing a telescoping height adjustment mechanism and hinge-supported side leaf sections for efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed table configuration is provided in the vehicle, then a horizontal working surface is available for working or eating, but it consumes significant cabin space and cannot provide elevated footrest functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is designed with telescopic legs that can extend and retract, allowing the fixture to dynamically change height between a lowered footrest position and a raised table position. This dynamic adjustment enables a single fixture to provide multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated spaces for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture integrates multiple functions into a single device: it can serve as both an ottoman/footrest and a table with a horizontal working surface. The base assembly, table assembly, and ottoman cushion work together to provide either elevated footrest functionality or a horizontal surface for working or eating, eliminating the need for separate fixtures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an ottoman configuration is provided in the vehicle, then elevated footrest functionality is available for passenger relaxation, but it cannot provide a horizontal working surface for working or eating
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into distinct functional modules: a base assembly with telescopic legs for height adjustment, a table assembly with a horizontal surface, and an ottoman cushion. These segmented components can be independently positioned and configured, allowing smooth transition between footrest and table modes without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The table assembly is designed to nest within or alongside the ottoman cushion structure. When in ottoman configuration, the table assembly can be stowed or positioned to maintain the footrest function, and when transitioning to table mode, it unfolds or extends to provide the horizontal working surface, minimizing the complexity of the conversion mechanism.
3Volume of moving object
If convertible functionality is integrated into the fixture, then space efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity of the fixture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic base assembly incorporates self-supporting mechanisms where the legs can be extended or retracted using minimal external force, and the table assembly can be folded or unfolded using its own structural hinges and supports. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex motorized or manually-operated conversion mechanisms, keeping the overall system relatively simple despite its convertible functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable interior fixture for a vehicle includes a base assembly, a table assembly and an ottoman cushion. The base assembly is positionable between a lowered position and a raised position. The table assembly includes a center leaf section supported on the base assembly and a side leaf section that is moveable between a stowed position and a use position. The ottoman cushion includes a base frame with a cavity for receiving the table assembly and a cushion assembly attached to the base frame. The interior fixture may be configured as a foot rest by lowering the base assembly, folding the table assembly and attaching the ottoman cushion to the table assembly. The interior fixture may be configured as a table by raising the base assembly, detaching the ottoman cushion from the table assembly and the unfolding the table assembly into the use position.