Seatback PED Holder With Rotating Partial-Cylinder Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic device (PED) holders on passenger seats, such as those in aircraft, lack sufficient adjustment capabilities and are not suitable for continuous use during taxi, takeoff, and landing (TTOL), often positioning the device screen at undesirable angles.
Innovation Solution
A PED holder with a rotatable partial-cylinder and adjustable clamp, allowing for horizontal or vertical axis rotation, and a guide mechanism to control the partial-cylinder's movement within a socket, enabling adjustable viewing angles up to 45 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a deployable shelf with latch is used to hold PED, then the device can be held securely, but the viewing angle is fixed and not adjustable to passenger preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotatable partial-cylinder mechanism that allows the clamp assembly to rotate dynamically between a stowed position (parallel to backrest) and a deployed position (perpendicular to backrest), enabling continuous viewing angle adjustment to accommodate different passenger preferences and heights
Solution Approach 2:
The PED holder is divided into functionally independent segments: a socket mounted to the backrest, a rotatable partial-cylinder for angle adjustment, and a clamp assembly for device securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while providing overall adaptability
2Reliability
If a deployable PED holder is used, then the device can be held at a specific angle, but the holder must be stowed during TTOL which interrupts usage
Solution Approach 1:
The holder features a dynamic positioning system where the clamp assembly can be held in any angular position between stowed and deployed states through friction or light spring pressure, allowing it to remain in use position during TTOL without requiring full stowing, thus ensuring continuous availability
Solution Approach 2:
The light spring applies continuous pressure to maintain the clamp assembly in its positioned state without requiring active control or stowing mechanisms, allowing the system to self-maintain its operational position throughout different flight phases
3Adaptability or versatility
If the PED is held between shelf and latch, then the device is secured, but the screen is angled upward which is not desirable for some passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable partial-cylinder mechanism enables the clamp assembly to achieve any angular position between parallel and perpendicular to the backrest, allowing passengers to dynamically adjust the viewing angle to ergonomic positions suitable for their height and preference rather than being fixed at an upward angle
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device (PED) holder for being mounted to a structure such as a passenger seat backrest. In embodiments, the PED holder includes a socket, a hollow partial-cylinder rotatably disposed in the socket, and an adjustable clamp mounted in the hollow partial-cylinder. The hollow partial-cylinder and the socket interact via a guide mechanism configured to control rotation of the hollow partial-cylinder relative to the socket. In embodiments, the adjustable clamp is mounted to a base and includes first and second arms, at least one of which is spring-loaded. In some embodiments, an electromagnetic induction coil may be disposed in the base.