Retractable PED Holder Spring-Loaded Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat tray tables are insufficient for securely holding Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) during travel, as they can displace other items and may damage the PED if the seat reclines, and existing PED holders are either not retractable or do not allow for adjustable viewing angles.
Innovation Solution
A retractable PED holder with a support structure that integrates with a seat back or passenger monitor, featuring a spring-loaded extension member that translates from a retracted to an extended position, allowing secure clamping of PEDs between a support shelf and the housing, and can be adjusted for different PED sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a PED holder is mounted directly beneath a video monitor, then the PED can be securely held, but a bi-fold tray table is required because there isn't enough space for a single-piece tray table
Solution Approach 1:
The PED holder is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust between extended and retracted positions. This enables the holder to clear the tray table path when retracted, allowing a simpler single-piece tray table to be used, while still providing secure PED holding when extended.
2Reliability
If a dedicated PED holder is integrated into the seat back, then the PED can be securely held, but it may impede other functions of the seat back (e.g. display, tray table, seat pocket)
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable design allows the PED holder to be moved out of the way when not in use, restoring full access to tray table, seat pocket, and display functions. When needed, it extends to provide secure PED holding, thus maintaining versatility while adding PED securing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The PED holder is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently retracted or extended, rather than being permanently integrated into the seat back structure. This segmentation allows other seat back functions to operate independently without interference.
3Reliability
If a fixed PED holder is used, then the PED can be securely held, but the occupant cannot adjust their viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable mechanism allows the PED holder to be extended to different positions, enabling the occupant to adjust the viewing angle and distance of the PED while maintaining secure holding. The holder can be positioned at various extension levels to accommodate different viewing preferences.
4Ease of operation
If the PED is placed on the tray table, then access to the PED is available, but the PED may displace other items the passenger may desire to place on the tray table
Solution Approach 1:
The PED holder extracts the PED from the tray table surface, providing a dedicated holding location separate from the tray table. This allows the entire tray table surface to remain available for other items while the PED is securely held in its own dedicated space.
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 retractable PED holder provides secure and adjustable access to PEDs, allowing for use of additional seat functions like the tray table without obstructing other features, and can accommodate various PED sizes while preventing damage from seat recline.
Implementation Method 1
The housing may include a retraction spring coupled with an extension member. The extension member translates from a retracted position proximal with the housing to an extended position away from the housing. The retraction spring may couple with one or more sections of the extension member to bias the extension member and/or sections thereof for retraction proximal to the housing.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for securely holding a Portable Electronic Device (PED). The PED holder is integrated with furniture viewable by a potential user and configured with a support structure couplable to an existing portion of the furniture. The support structure holds a retractable, spring-loaded extension member biased for retraction. Empty, the extension member automatically retracts proximal with the housing of the support structure. Extended, with a PED in place, the retraction bias allows for securely clamping a plurality of sizes of PED.