Aircraft Seat Tray Table Hinge Damping for Quiet Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seat designs for aircraft cabins lack optimal usability and operating comfort, particularly in terms of table top functionality, as they often result in undesirable impacts and noise when folding down, and do not effectively utilize available space between seats.
Innovation Solution
A passenger seat with a pivotally mounted table top featuring a damping device, such as a friction damper or rotary damper, that slows down the pivoting movement from an upright to a use position, allowing the table top to be used by passengers behind, while being concealed from the outside and designed to prevent mechanical stress and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table top is designed to pivot from upright to use position, then the usability and versatility of the seat is improved, but harmful impacts and noise occur during the pivoting movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by integrating a damping device into the joint arrangement that actively dissipates kinetic energy during the pivoting movement of the table top. The damping mechanism (friction-based or viscous) is pre-configured to engage during the folding motion, cushioning the impact before the table top reaches its final position, thereby preventing harmful impacts and noise while maintaining full pivoting functionality
2Speed
If the table top pivots quickly into use position, then the operation speed is improved, but the impact and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful kinetic energy and mechanical stress generated during rapid table top pivoting into beneficial thermal energy through the damping device. The friction-based or viscous damping mechanism transforms the excessive motion energy into heat, allowing the table top to pivot quickly initially while the damping system progressively dissipates the energy, converting what would be harmful stress into a controlled energy dissipation process that protects the joint arrangement
3Area of stationary object
If the table top is fully recessed in upright position, then the space utilization is improved, but the joint arrangement becomes more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device provides beforehand cushioning by actively controlling the deceleration profile of the table top during its pivoting movement. As the table top approaches its fully recessed position, the damping force increases to prevent sudden impact with the stop, thereby protecting the joint arrangement from damage while achieving complete space retraction. The damping mechanism ensures that the table top gently settles into its stored position rather than impacting it
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
Enhances usability and comfort by minimizing the duration and impact of table top movement, extending its useable area, and increasing the service life of the joint arrangement, while maintaining a compact and stable design.
Implementation Method 1
the joint arrangement comprises a damping device (40) designed to dampen the pivoting movement of the table top (33) between the upright position of the table top (33) and the use position of the table top (33)
Implementation Method 2
The damping device is designed, for example, as a friction damper with a friction element
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft passenger seat is proposed, comprising a structural component, on which a tray table of the aircraft passenger seat is pivotally held about a pivot axis via a hinge assembly, such that the tray table can be pivoted from an upright position folded up against the structural component into a usage position projecting from the structural component, and can be pivoted back from the usage position into the upright position. According to the invention, the hinge assembly comprises a damping device (40) designed to damp the pivoting movement of the tray table between the upright position of the tray table and the usage position of the tray table.