Vehicle Seat Table Guide Rail Mechanism for Controlled Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding table mechanisms in vehicles often result in accidental slamming down of the table, causing stress on the mechanism and discomfort to passengers, and require physical effort to deploy into a tilted position, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic fold-out mechanism with guide rails and swivel pins, including a fold-out track and a separate fold-in return track with a curved section, allows the table to smoothly transition into a horizontal position and locks securely, preventing accidental retraction and reducing deployment effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple hinged folding mechanism with release button is used, then the table can be easily deployed, but the table may accidentally slam down into horizontal position causing stress on the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is pre-configured with a curved fold-in return track that automatically guides the guide pin through a controlled folding path when the table is released, preventing accidental slamming by ensuring the table follows a predetermined safe trajectory during deployment and retraction
Solution Approach 2:
The curved fold-in return track acts as an intermediary element between the guide pin and the folding mechanism, mediating the motion control during retraction to prevent direct impact and reduce mechanical stress while maintaining ease of operation
2Reliability
If guide elements or slider blocks are provided to prevent slamming, then the table can be safely deployed, but the passenger still has to physically pull the table up into tilted position
Solution Approach 1:
The curved fold-in return track is designed to utilize gravitational force as a counterweight mechanism, where the geometry of the track converts the table's own weight into a controlled folding motion that assists rather than resists deployment, eliminating the need for additional physical effort from the passenger
Solution Approach 2:
The table folding mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through the curved track geometry, which automatically controls the folding motion using the table's own weight and geometry, requiring no additional physical input from the user beyond initial release
3Reliability
If a separate fold-in return track with curved section is used, then the table can smoothly transition and lock securely, but the guide pin cannot re-enter the fold-out track
Solution Approach 1:
The fold-in return track is designed with asymmetric geometry, where the curved section creates a one-way mechanical constraint that allows smooth secure locking in the folded position while preventing re-entry into the fold-out track, ensuring deterministic bidirectional control
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 mechanism ensures a smooth, stress-free deployment and secure locking of the table in its in-use position, reducing wear and tear and enhancing passenger convenience by eliminating accidental slamming and simplifying the stowing process.
Implementation Method 1
the guide pin is spring biased towards a bottom surface of the guide rail, and that said fold-in return track at least partially extends in a different plane than the fold-out track
Implementation Method 2
a guide rail adapted for sliding engagement with a guide pin protruding from each lateral side of the table leaf unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A folding table arrangement (1) for a vehicle seat back (2), including a table leaf unit (4) which is movable between a stowed position and a substantially horizontal in-use position. Two support brackets (9) are positioned on each lateral side of the table leaf unit (4), each support bracket (9) being provided with a guide rail (13) adapted for sliding engagement with a guide pin (14) protruding from each lateral side (10) of the table leaf unit (4). The guide rail (13) further includes a fold-out track (15) extending upwardly from a lower end (16) to an upper end (17) thereof, said lower end (16) forming a parking position for the guide pin (14) in said stowed position of the table leaf unit (4). The invention is especially characterized in that: - two coaxially arranged swivel pins (18), one protruding from each lateral side (10) of the table leaf unit (4), are provided at a distance from and parallel with said guide pins (14); - the guide rail (13) further includes a separate fold-in return track (21) having a curved upper track section (22), the mean radius of which corresponds to the axial distance (d) between the swivel pin (18) and the guide pin (19); - said fold-in return track (21) also includes a substantially straight lower track section (23) ending in said parking position for the guide pin (14) in the stowed position of the table leaf unit (4).