Rear Seat Tray With Elastic Threads For Touch Screen Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of electronic devices like tablets and touch screens during vehicle journeys poses challenges due to their weight and lack of suitable supports in vehicles, necessitating a practical, safe, and simple design for rear seat back shelves that can securely hold these devices for comfortable viewing without posing a danger.

Innovation Solution

A retractable rear shelf with a pivoting receptacle and elastic retaining means, comprising parallel elastic threads connected by a joining element, securely holds the touch screen in place, allowing comfortable viewing from the rear seat while ensuring safety and ease of installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid clamp or fixed support is used to hold the touch screen, then the holding strength is improved, but the ease of installation and removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding strengthVSAvoidease of installation and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses elastic retaining means that change their physical state between relaxed and tensioned conditions. When the receptacle is in the retracted position, the elastic means are relaxed allowing easy installation. When the receptacle pivots to the horizontal position, the elastic means tension up to securely hold the touch screen, thus resolving the contradiction between easy installation and strong holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means transitions from a static rigid clamp to a dynamic elastic system that adapts its holding force based on the receptacle position. The elastic elements provide automatic adjustment of holding strength throughout the pivoting motion, enabling both easy installation and secure retention without requiring manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex movable clamp mechanism is used to hold the touch screen, then the adaptability to different screen positions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different screen positionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic retaining means serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a support surface, a positioning element, and a securing mechanism. The same elastic elements that provide the holding force also guide the touch screen into the correct position and maintain it throughout the pivoting range, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic retaining means automatically adapts to different touch screen positions and sizes without requiring user intervention. The elastic elements self-adjust their tension and configuration based on the inserted device, providing universal compatibility and automatic positioning while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the receptacle is fixed in a horizontal position to provide stable support, then the comfort of viewing is improved, but the ability to retract for storage or safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of viewingVSAvoidretractability for storage and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is designed as a dynamic pivoting mechanism that can transition between a horizontal viewing position and a retracted storage position. The elastic retaining means maintains its holding function throughout the entire range of motion, ensuring the touch screen remains securely positioned whether the receptacle is extended for viewing or retracted for safety or storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic retaining means is pre-configured to provide holding force in both the extended and retracted positions. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the receptacle is retracted for safety reasons (such as during impact or for storage), the touch screen is automatically secured against the support plate, preventing it from becoming a hazard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 solution provides a practical, safe, and versatile support for various touch screen formats, ensuring comfortable viewing and easy installation, while minimizing user discomfort and preventing sliding or impact-related hazards.

Implementation Method 1

the tablet comprises elastic retaining means able to hold a upper part of the touch screen, the elastic retaining means being constituted by a joining element connecting two elastic threads carried by the support plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3172085B1Rear tray for a motor vehicle seat backrest, seat equipped with such a tray and arrangement of such a seat
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 RENAULT SA
  • EP3172085B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

Rear tray (16) for a motor vehicle seat backrest, comprising a receptacle (18) that pivots about a transverse rotation axis (K) passing through a support plate (22), the receptacle (18) being able to rotate between an approximately horizontal use position and a position raised up against the support plate (22), an inner wall (180) of the receptacle (18) being intended to receive a lower edge of a touch screen, the tray (16) comprising elastic retaining means (20) that are able to hold an upper part of the touch screen (26), the elastic retaining means (20) being formed by a joining element (30) that connects two elastic threads (31) that are carried by the support plate (22).