Flexible Motor Vehicle Work Surface with Arcuate Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle interiors lack flexible work surfaces that can adapt to various applications, failing to provide mobility and connectivity solutions for both front and rear seat occupants, limiting their ability to use current technology for work or personal needs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A flexible motor vehicle work surface is designed to pivot toward the driver or passenger, featuring a deployable support structure with an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess, providing an arcuate travel path and a damper mechanism to smoothly transition between stored and deployed positions, allowing the surface to be used as a horizontal work area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed work surface is provided in the vehicle, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability and flexibility for different occupants and applications are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The work surface is designed with deployable support structures that allow it to transition between stored and deployed positions dynamically. The surface can be configured in multiple positions to accommodate different occupants and applications, transforming from a static fixed surface to a dynamic adaptable workspace
Solution Approach 2:
The work surface system serves multiple functions: it can be deployed as a workspace for laptops and tablets, configured for different seating positions (driver, passenger, rear seats), and folded away when not needed. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to replace multiple dedicated surfaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable work surface is added to provide flexibility, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The work surface system is divided into separate deployable support structures that can be independently controlled. Each support structure can be deployed or stowed separately, allowing granular control over the workspace configuration and reducing the complexity of moving the entire surface at once
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable support structures are designed to nest within each other or within the vehicle interior when in the stored position. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space required for the movable components and reduces the overall complexity of the mechanism
3Ease of operation
If the work surface pivots through a large arc to reach optimal positions, then the adaptability and ergonomics improve, but the risk of impact and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Damper mechanisms are integrated into the pivot connections of the deployable support structures. These dampers provide controlled resistance during the pivoting motion and absorb impact energy when the surface reaches its deployed position or encounters obstacles, preventing damage while maintaining smooth ergonomic movement
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible motor vehicle work surface is operably coupled with a motor vehicle seating assembly and includes a deployable support structure operably coupled with the motor vehicle seating assembly, the deployable support structure comprising an integrated guide member movable within an arcuate recess disposed on an upper surface thereof and defining an arcuate travel path. A movable horizontal surface is operably coupled with the integrated guide member and deployable support structure and has a first stored position and a second deployed position.