Motorized Vehicle Folding Table With Self-Locking Pivot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding table arrangements in vehicles are difficult to handle and require user effort to set up and stow, posing risks of incorrect operation and potential damage, especially for rear seat passengers who need to manually manage the table's position and force to deploy or retract it.
Innovation Solution
A motorized folding table arrangement with a base carrier, support arm assembly, and table top assembly, featuring first and second motorized drive devices for automatic pivotal movement of the support arm and table top, allowing easy setup and stowage without user effort, and including self-locking worm gear mechanisms for stability and emergency unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of folding table is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult handling and user effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The folding table system performs setup and stowage operations automatically without requiring user effort. The motorized drive devices enable the system to service itself by autonomously deploying and retracting the table and table top assemblies, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with motorized drive devices. Electric motors substitute for human physical effort in pivoting the support arm and folding/unfolding the table top assembly, transforming a mechanically-intensive manual system into an automated electromechanical system that improves ease of operation.
2Reliability
If manual folding and stowing process is used, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to risks of incorrect operation and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system autonomously performs the folding and stowage operations, eliminating human error in the process. The system self-regulates the deployment and retraction sequences, ensuring correct operation every time and preventing damage that could result from improper manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from sensors that detect the positions of the support arm and table top assembly. This feedback mechanism ensures the system only performs operations when conditions are appropriate, preventing incorrect operation and potential damage while maintaining high reliability through automated position verification.
3Ease of operation
If motorized drive devices are added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system is divided into separate functional modules: a first motorized drive device for pivoting the support arm and a second motorized drive device for folding the table top assembly. This segmentation allows each motor to handle a specific task, simplifying the control logic and making the overall system easier to operate despite the added complexity of multiple actuators.
4Productivity
If automated pivotal movement is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional motor devices
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized drive devices are pre-positioned and pre-configured to perform pivotal movements automatically when activated. The support arm and table top assembly are designed with predetermined motion paths and mounting positions, allowing the motors to execute folding and deployment operations quickly and efficiently without requiring complex real-time calculations or adjustments during operation.
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 motorized system simplifies and enhances the usability of the folding table, reducing the risk of errors and damage, providing easy, quick, and safe operation, while ensuring robustness and durability, and allowing for flexible and comfortable use in various vehicle settings.
Implementation Method 1
a first motor device for driving and controlling the pivotal movement of the support arm about the first pivot axis relative to the base carrier
Implementation Method 2
a second motor device for driving and controlling the pivotal movement of the table top assembly about the second pivot axis relative to the support arm
Implementation Method 3
including self-locking worm gear mechanisms for stability and emergency unlocking
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically operated folding table arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, includes a base carrier, a support arm assembly coupled to the base carrier and including a support arm which is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis, and a table top assembly which is coupled to the support arm and is pivotable relative to the support arm about a second pivot axis. The table top assembly includes a holding arm hinged to the support arm and a table top rotatably mounted on the holding arm about a rotational axis. Each pivot axis is assigned a drive device with a motor device for driving and controlling the respective pivotal movement about the respective pivot axis. A further motor-assisted drive device can be provided for driving and controlling the rotational movement of the table top about the rotational axis.