Dampened Hinge Assembly for Quiet Aircraft Tray 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 to control the speed of table deployment and stowage, providing positive stopping and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional hinge mechanisms are used for tray table deployment, then the table can be opened and folded, but motion speed cannot be controlled causing undue noise
Solution Approach 1:
A damper assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the hinge assemblies to control the relative motion between table top sections. The damper includes a piston and cylinder that regulate the speed of deployment and stowage, preventing uncontrolled movement and reducing noise generation during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism incorporates adjustable parameters through the damper system that can modify the damping force and motion characteristics. By changing the damping parameters, the system can control the speed of movement at different stages of deployment, optimizing performance and minimizing noise across the full range of motion.
2Ease of operation
If hinge mechanisms provide required motion for opening and folding, then table functionality is achieved, but motion speed control is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly serves as a mediator between the user's manual operation and the table top's movement. It provides controlled resistance that guides the deployment and stowage process, making operation smoother and more predictable while maintaining ease of use without requiring additional power sources or complex controls.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple table sections are hinged together for compact stowage, then space efficiency is improved, but uncontrolled motion causes noise during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is divided into multiple nested sections that can be folded together for compact stowage within the armrest bay. The damper system is integrated into this nested structure, controlling the relative motion between each section as they deploy sequentially, preventing slapping noises and ensuring smooth, controlled emergence of the table surface.
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 dampened hinge mechanism ensures smooth and quiet operation of tray tables by controlling the motion speed, enhancing passenger comfort and reducing noise during use.
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.