Hinged Folding Table for Aircraft Galley Exit Door Bustle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial aircraft galley areas, space is limited, and temporary tables deployed for food service often face restrictions due to cabin attendant seats and exit door bustles, limiting optimal placement and access to facilities.
Innovation Solution
A stowable folding table with hinged segments that can be unfolded and secured to galley structures, allowing deployment across the cabin space while accommodating the height of cabin attendant seats and exit door bustles, ensuring optimal access to facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a temporary table is deployed across the cabin space between galley structure and exit door, then workspace is increased, but access to water faucets and beverage makers is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The table is divided into multiple segments (first segment attached to galley structure, second segment attached to exit door) that can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the table to wrap around the bustle and provide access to facilities while maintaining workspace
2Ease of operation
If a temporary table is deployed at optimal height, then workspace ergonomics are improved, but placement is restricted by cabin attendant seat height
Solution Approach 1:
The table segments are designed with adjustable height capabilities, allowing the table surface to be dynamically positioned at optimal ergonomic heights regardless of the fixed positions of galley structures and cabin attendant seats
3Ease of manufacture
If a linear table design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the table cannot accommodate the exit door bustle projection
Solution Approach 1:
The table segments are configured to wrap around the curved projection of the exit door bustle, with the second table segment positioned at an angle to contour with the bustle shape, allowing a relatively simple linear segment design to accommodate a complex curved obstacle
4Area of moving object
If table segments are extended to provide adequate width, then workspace capacity is improved, but the table cannot fit around the exit door bustle
Solution Approach 1:
The table transitions from a simple linear extension to a multi-dimensional configuration where segments are positioned at angles to each other, wrapping around the bustle in three-dimensional space to provide adequate workspace width while fitting within the constrained footprint
Data Source
AI summary
A stowable folding table is disclosed. In embodiments, the folding table has a stowed (e.g., folded) state and a deployed state between two adjacent aircraft galley structures. The folding table includes two table segments coupled by a hinge; the two segments may be folded parallel to each other and stowed (e.g., in a galley cart bay or elsewhere in or on the adjacent galley structures). The stowed table is unfolded and deployed by attaching the first and second ends respectively to a galley structure (e.g., on either side of an exit door), such that one table segment extends at an angle to the other when deployed.