Retractable Screen Support for Aircraft Seat Armrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft cabin seats often lack a convenient and safe way to support passengers' personal touch-sensitive tablets during flights, as existing support devices are bulky and difficult to retract, posing safety and comfort issues during critical flight phases.

Innovation Solution

A retractable support system integrated into the armrest of an aircraft cabin seat, featuring a pivoting housing and articulated arm that can be stored within the armrest, allowing easy deployment and retraction, with a snap-locking mechanism for secure positioning and a fastening device for tablets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a support device is integrated into the armrest, then space utilization is improved, but the armrest bulk prevents retraction of the support arm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest space utilizationVSAvoidsupport arm retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed to nest within the armrest structure when retracted. The armrest contains a recess or cavity that receives the support arm in its retracted state, allowing the support mechanism to be stored within the existing armrest footprint without requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the support arm is made retractable, then safety during flight phases is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during critical flight phasesVSAvoidretractable mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic retractable mechanism. The arm can move between extended and retracted positions based on flight phase requirements, allowing it to adapt its configuration rather than requiring multiple fixed structures for different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support mechanism is divided into separable components including the support arm, mounting bracket, and fastening elements. This segmentation allows the arm to be independently retracted while the mounting structure remains fixed to the armrest, simplifying the overall retraction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the support arm is made disassemblable for storage, then storage flexibility is improved, but handling and assembly become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidhandling and assembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is pre-configured with fastening elements and connection interfaces that align automatically during installation. The mounting bracket includes pre-positioned slots or guides that facilitate straightforward assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10513336B2Retractable support for a screen, and aircraft cabin seat comprising such a support

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 DASSAULT AVIATION SA

AI summary

A retractable support for a screen, and aircraft cabin seat including such a support are provided. The retractable support for a screen comprises a support arm for the screen and a housing for receiving the arm in a retracted position inside the housing. The housing comprises a mechanism for deploying the arm outside the housing. The support further comprises a compartment defining a cavity for receiving the housing in a retracted position inside the compartment. The housing is mounted movably relative to the compartment between the retracted position and a free position outside the compartment.