Vehicle Seat Folding Table With Adjustable Horizontal Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tables mounted on vehicle seats are difficult to install and stabilize due to varying seat dimensions, contours, and user heights, especially when retrofitting, as existing solutions require complex mechanisms or factory interventions.
Innovation Solution
A folding table design featuring a fastening device with a carrier element and tabletop that can pivot between 80° to 120°, supported by adjustable propping elements and a latching device, allowing for secure attachment to vehicle seats with different inclinations and heights, and incorporating an overload protection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex joint mechanism is used to stably support the tabletop on adjustable backrests, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases and user friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into separate functional elements: the carrier element with first and second joints provides positioning, while the supporting element with latching device provides stable support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, achieving overall stability without complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element is designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. It can be positioned at different locations on the carrier element and locked into place using the latching device, allowing the system to adapt to different backrest inclinations while maintaining stability through simple mechanical means.
2Reliability
If side struts mounted on fixed parts are used to prevent folding table inclination, then stability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to required factory interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier element serves multiple functions: it connects the tabletop to the backrest via joints, provides positioning, and supports the adjustable supporting element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate side struts mounted on fixed parts, allowing universal application to different vehicle seats without factory modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding table system is designed to be self-contained and self-adjusting. The supporting element can be manually positioned and latched onto the carrier element without requiring external mounting structures or factory installations, enabling easy retrofittable installation by end users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If retrofitting folding tables are designed to cover wide variety of vehicle models, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to varying installation situations
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is designed to be adjustable along the carrier element rather than fixed at a specific location. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same folding table design to accommodate different backrest heights, contours, and inclinations across various vehicle models while maintaining precise horizontal support through manual adjustment and latching.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier element with its joint mechanism and supporting element structure serves as a universal interface that can be attached to different vehicle seat types. The system adapts to varying installation situations through its adjustable and reconfigurable components rather than requiring precision-engineered variants for each vehicle model.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding table for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle seat part has a fastening device (2a, 2c) for fastening the folding table to the vehicle seat (1a, 1b, 1c), a carrier element (4) which is connected to the fastening device (2a, 2c) and extends downward from the fastening device (2a, 2c) and a tabletop (6) rotatably connected to the carrier element (4). Supporting elements (7e) are arranged on the tabletop (6) which, when the tabletop (6) is in the working position, can be moved in the direction toward the vehicle seat part (1a, 1b, 1c) by a common actuating member (7a, 7d, 7b′, 7b″) and can be fixed in different positions by a manually releasable latching device (6h, 7b, 7c), so that the tabletop (6) can be aligned in a horizontal position.