Passenger Seat Cradle Assembly for Hands-Free PED Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers in vehicles often prefer to use their personal portable electronics devices (PEDs) for in-flight entertainment but lack a convenient and standardized way to connect them to onboard entertainment systems, and there is a need for a solution that allows for hands-free viewing and power supply.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronics device coupling assembly comprising a cradle and an adaptor that electronically and releasably engages a PED, allowing it to be mounted to a passenger seat, with adjustable arms and a retaining device to accommodate various PED sizes, and an interface for data and power transfer, enabling connection to the onboard entertainment system or used independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If passengers use their own portable electronics devices for entertainment, then entertainment options and personal preference are improved, but integration with onboard entertainment systems and hands-free viewing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling assembly acts as an intermediary device between the passenger's portable electronics device and the aircraft seat. The assembly includes a cradle that receives the PED and an adaptor that connects to the seat's electronics port and receptacle, enabling both electronic coupling and mechanical mounting to achieve hands-free viewing
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical mounting for hands-free viewing, electronic power connection through the electronics port, and data/entertainment system integration through the receptacle. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by enabling both personal device usage and onboard system integration
2Ease of operation
If standardized coupling assemblies are provided for all passengers, then ease of connection and hands-free viewing are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into two separate components: a cradle that interfaces with the portable electronics device and an adaptor that interfaces with the aircraft seat. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining ease of connection
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly serves as a standardized intermediary device that simplifies the connection process for passengers while managing the complexity internally through its dual-component design and standardized interfaces with both the PED and aircraft seat
3Ease of operation
If portable electronics devices are mounted to passenger seats, then hands-free viewing capability is improved, but compatibility with different device types and orientations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is rotatably coupled to the adaptor, allowing the cradle and mounted PED to rotate to various orientations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables compatibility with different device types and user preferences while maintaining hands-free viewing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connection between the cradle and adaptor separates the mounting function from the viewing orientation, allowing the PED to be securely mounted while enabling flexible orientation adjustment for different device types and passenger preferences
Data Source
AI summary
Described are portable electronics device coupling assemblies including a cradle configured to electronically couple and releasably engage a portable electronics device, and an adaptor configured to electronically couple and releasably engage the cradle to a passenger seat. Other examples may include a passenger seat having an electronics port configured to electronically couple to the portable electronics device, and a receptacle coupled to the electronics port and configured to releasably engage the portable electronics device. As examples, the portable electronics device may be a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a handheld video game system, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a DVD player, data or audio-video media, or a multi-media enabled device.