Aircraft Seat Table Linkage for Jam-Free Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table arrangements in aircraft seat modules require users to manually push the table against a gas spring to stow it, risking finger injury and potential jamming or damage, and may not ensure proper stowage, leading to operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical linkage between the activation mechanism and the table or housing ensures that the table moves from a presented to a stowed configuration when the housing is closed, preventing jamming and making stowage easier and safer by linking the activation mechanism's movement to the table's position change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually pushes the table against a gas spring to stow it, then the table can be stowed in the housing, but the user risks finger injury and the table may not be stowed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The table arrangement performs stowage automatically through self-service mechanisms. When the housing door closes, the mechanical linkage connected to the door automatically moves the table from the presented configuration to the stowed configuration without requiring manual intervention. The gas spring also provides automatic assistance by exerting force on the table as the door closes, ensuring proper stowage without user effort and eliminating finger injury risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage is pre-configured to engage with the table before the door completes its closing motion. As the door begins to close, the linkage starts moving the table into the stowed position in advance, ensuring the table is properly positioned before the door fully closes. This preliminary action prevents jamming and ensures safe operation.
2Productivity
If the door is closed before the table is adequately pushed into the stowed position, then the housing closes, but damage may occur to the table or door or associated mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage connected to the door performs preliminary action by automatically moving the table into the stowed position as the door closes. This ensures the table is properly positioned before the door completes its closing motion, preventing any damage to the table, door, or mechanisms. The action is performed in advance, eliminating the risk of premature closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage creates a feedback mechanism where the door's closing motion is directly connected to the table's movement. As the door closes, the linkage continuously monitors and controls the table's position, ensuring it reaches the proper stowed position before the door fully closes. This feedback ensures coordinated motion and prevents damage.
3Ease of operation
If the table is not stowed properly and the user opens the door, then the door opens, but the table may abut and jam against the inside of the door
Solution Approach 1:
When the door opens, the mechanical linkage automatically moves the table from the stowed position to the presented position in advance. This preliminary action ensures the table is properly positioned before the door completes its opening motion, preventing the table from abutting or jamming against the inside of the door. The linkage performs the table movement proactively, eliminating jamming risks.
4Ease of manufacture
If a relatively large force is required to push the table in, then the table can be stowed, but the user may not push the table in far enough
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs stowage automatically without requiring user force. The mechanical linkage connected to the door automatically moves the table into the stowed position as the door closes, and the gas spring provides additional automatic assistance. This eliminates the need for users to apply force, ensuring the table is always stowed to the correct position with high precision, regardless of user strength or effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical system of pushing the table against resistance is replaced with an automated mechanical system. The door's closing motion itself drives the table into the stowed position through the linkage, and the gas spring provides automated counterbalancing force. This substitution eliminates the need for users to overcome large forces, ensuring accurate and consistent stowage positioning.
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 mechanical linkage simplifies and quickens the stowage process, preventing damage and ensuring proper table positioning, enhancing user safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
This reveals an aperture through which the table can deploy. The opening of the door pulls on a cable which activates a gas spring to 'present' the table.
Implementation Method 2
the activation mechanism is linked by a mechanical linkage to the table or housing such that when the activation mechanism closes the housing, relative movement is caused between the table and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides table arrangement comprising a housing that has an open configuration and a closed configuration, a table, which, when in a stowed configuration is at least partially housed in the housing, and when in a presented configuration, is partially protruding from the housing, and an activation mechanism for opening and closing the housing, which is linked by a mechanical linkage to the table or housing such that when the activation mechanism closes the housing, the table changes from the presented configuration to the stowed configuration. The invention also provides an aircraft seat module, an aircraft and a method of stowing a table arrangement.