Vehicle Seat-Mounted Foldable Table With Stable Over-Seat Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted tables are not suitable for personal transportation vehicles as they interfere with the operation of the vehicle and pose safety hazards, especially when deployed over the driver's lap, and are not strong enough to support laptop computers and other work equipment on uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted apparatus with a base support connected to the seat, a planar member, and a parallel linkage that translates and pivots to provide a stable, horizontal work surface above the seat, allowing for easy operation and safe use, with a selectably lockable support linkage to maintain the surface in a horizontal orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the table is located over the driver's lap to provide a work surface, then the work surface is provided for the driver, but it interferes with vehicle operation and poses safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The table is moved from a two-dimensional position over the driver's lap to a three-dimensional position above and forward of the driver's lap, utilizing vertical and longitudinal space. This dimensional change allows the table to be positioned in a location that does not interfere with the driver's lap or steering wheel operation while remaining accessible to the driver.
2Strength
If the table is made substantially stronger to accommodate work equipment, then the table can support laptop computers and equipment on uneven surfaces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table incorporates a dynamic support linkage that can selectively lock between a folded position and a rigid extended position. This allows the table to transition from a compact, low-complexity state during normal vehicle operation to a strong, rigid work surface when needed. The support linkage provides mechanical strength on demand without permanently increasing the overall structural complexity of the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing a work surface proximate to a seat in a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a base support connectable to the vehicle, a substantially planar member and a parallel linkage extending between the base support and the planar member for planar translational movement from a first position to a second position about an arcuate path defining a first plane. The first position is substantially proximate to the seat and the second position is above the seat and forward of the first position. The planar member is also pivotable about an axis parallel to the first plane away from the seat. The apparatus further comprises a support for selectably maintaining the planar member at a substantially horizontal orientation. The method comprises moving the planar member from the first position to the second position, rotating the planar member to the horizontal orientation and supporting the planar member with the support.