Deployable Aircraft Table Assembly with Sliding and Rotating Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft passenger seat tables are limited in ease of deployment, manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance, requiring improvements for better functionality and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A deployable table assembly with a base portion, arm portion, and table portion that can be slidably moved along a longitudinal axis, rotated between vertical and horizontal positions, and stowed within a seat console, featuring a latch mechanism, damper, and track system for smooth operation and secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a table is built into the seatback or deployed from a seat console, then passengers can have use of tables for food and drink placement, but the tables are difficult to manufacture, assemble, adjust, and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The table assembly is divided into distinct segments: a base portion attachable to the seat, an arm portion with longitudinal axis, and a table portion that can move independently. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, improving ease of manufacture and assembly while maintaining deployability.
Solution Approach 2:
The table portion is designed to be dynamically movable between retracted and extended positions along the longitudinal axis of the arm portion, and rotatable between vertical and horizontal positions. This dynamic capability provides adjustability and versatility while using simple mechanical movements that are easy to manufacture and maintain.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a table is deployed from within a seat console, then passengers can access the table surface, but the table is difficult to stow and deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The table portion can be easily moved between retracted and extended positions along the longitudinal axis of the arm portion, and rotated between vertical and horizontal positions. This dynamic design allows smooth transitions between stowed and deployed states, improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The table portion changes its positional parameters along the longitudinal axis and its rotational parameters around the longitudinal axis to transition between stowed and deployed configurations. These parameter changes enable easy stowing and deploying while maintaining accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a table is designed with multiple moving parts for adjustment, then the table can be positioned in various configurations, but the table becomes more complex to manufacture and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The table assembly is segmented into a base portion, arm portion, and table portion, each with specific functions. This segmentation reduces overall structural complexity by assigning simple functions to each segment while maintaining position adjustment capability through the relative movement between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The table portion is designed with dynamic movement capabilities along the longitudinal axis and rotation around the longitudinal axis, providing multiple position configurations without requiring complex mechanisms. The simplicity of the movement paths reduces device complexity while maintaining adjustability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A table assembly movable between stowed and deployed configurations. A base portion is attachable to a surface, and a table portion is moveable between retracted and extended positions. The table portion includes upper and lower surfaces. An arm portion has first and second ends, the first end engaging the base portion and the second end disposed within the table portion. The table portion is slidably moveable along a longitudinal axis of the arm portion between the retracted and extended positions, and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the arm portion between generally vertical and generally horizontal positions when the table portion is in the extended position.