Folding Table Shielding for In-Seat Screen Impact Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-seat screens in transportation vehicles pose a safety risk due to the potential for sharp edges from broken glass or housing during incidents, necessitating enhanced passenger protection measures.

Innovation Solution

A folding table is positioned in a protective mode in front of the screen, either by pivoting or displacing a portion of the table to cover the screen, which can be locked in place during critical phases like take-off and landing, and may be made of transparent material to allow viewing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an in-seat screen is installed in front of the passenger, then entertainment and information functions are provided, but safety risks arise from broken glass or housing creating sharp edges at passenger head level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen functionVSAvoidsharp edges from broken glass

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The folding table is introduced as an intermediary protective element positioned between the in-seat screen and the passenger. This mediator absorbs the harmful effect by placing its structure in front of the screen, preventing direct contact between the passenger and potential sharp edges from broken glass or housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The folding table is positioned in a protective state before any incident occurs. By pre-establishing the table in front of the screen during normal operation, the protective measure is already in place before damage could occur, rather than being a reactive measure after breaking happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective cover is added in front of the screen, then passenger safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger protectionVSAvoidadditional protective components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding table is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides a surface for passengers to place items during meals, acts as a protective barrier in front of the screen, and can be positioned in different states (raised, lowered, protective). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated protective covers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is merged with the existing folding table structure rather than being implemented as a separate component. The folding table combines the support function and protective function into a single integrated element, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If the folding table is made transparent, then viewing of the screen is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen visibilityVSAvoidtransparent material production

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Only the portion of the folding table that needs to be transparent for screen viewing is made of transparent material, while other portions can remain opaque. This localized application of transparency minimizes manufacturing complexity while maintaining the necessary viewing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9527589B2Method for protecting a passenger and arrangement consisting of a folding table and a seat screen

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 LUFTHANSA SYST GMBH

AI summary

To increase the safety of a passenger in a means of transport and to better protect the passenger from an in-seat screen, wherein a folding table and at least one in-seat screen arranged above the folding table are provided in front of the passenger, and the folding table has a first folded position when the folding table is not in use and a second folded position for using the table which is pivoted with respect to the first folded position through approximately 90°, the method is characterized in that at least a portion of the folding table can be moved in front of the in-seat screen in order to protect the passenger from the screen. A corresponding arrangement is also provided.