Dampened Hinge Assembly for Noise-Free Aircraft Table Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge mechanisms in tray tables used in aircraft seating classes do not control the motion speed effectively, leading to undue noise during deployment and stowage, which affects passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of dampened hinges with assemblies, sliders, links, and springs that brake pivoting movement as the table transitions between folded and planar conditions, providing speed-dependent braking and positive stopping for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinge mechanisms are used for tray table deployment, then the table can be deployed and folded, but undue noise occurs during deployment and stowage due to uncontrolled motion speed
Solution Approach 1:
A damper assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the hinge mechanism and the table panel. The damper includes a piston moving within a cylinder, with fluid flow through restricted openings providing controlled resistance. This intermediary element absorbs and dissipates kinetic energy, reducing motion speed and eliminating noise during table deployment and stowage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the motion characteristics by changing the velocity parameter of the table panel during deployment. The damper system provides speed-dependent resistance, allowing faster motion during initial deployment but automatically reducing speed as the table approaches its final position. This parameter change transforms uncontrolled rapid motion into controlled, quiet operation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If dampers are added to control motion speed, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is merged with the existing hinge mechanism rather than being added as a completely separate system. The piston is integrated into the hinge structure, and the cylinder is positioned to work in conjunction with the hinge's natural motion path. This merging approach provides noise control while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper system is designed to be self-regulating, using the natural motion of the table panel to activate the damping effect. As the panel moves during deployment or stowage, the piston automatically moves within the cylinder, and fluid pressure naturally increases to provide resistance. The system requires no external power source, control systems, or additional actuators, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
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 reduces noise and clatter during table deployment and folding, enhancing passenger comfort by controlling the motion speed and providing a firm planar tabletop.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damper that brakes pivoting movement of the first folding panel relative to the base panel as the folded condition or planar condition is approached
Implementation Method 2
at least one spring is between the at least one slider and a distal end of the housing of the first assembly or the housing second assembly. The at least one spring biases the dampened hinge from the folded condition or planar condition.
Data Source
AI summary
A dampened hinge construction for braking pivoting movement of one structure relative to another. The dampened hinge construction can be utilized in a folding table assembly in an aircraft passenger suite including a base panel and at least one folding panel pivotally attached to the base panel by multiple dampened hinges. Each dampened hinge includes a first assembly attachable to a first structure and a second assembly attachable to a second structure such that the first structure is pivotable relative to the second structure between a first condition and a second condition, such as a folded condition and a planar condition, and at least one damper that brakes pivoting movement of the first structure relative to the second structure as the first condition or second condition is approached.