Seatback Tablet Holder With Protective Hinge Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers on aircraft, trains, and buses face difficulties in comfortably positioning electronic devices like smartphones and tablets for easy access and visibility, as they often rely on unsatisfactory methods such as resting them on utility trays.
Innovation Solution
A tablet holder assembly with a connector mechanism attached to seatbacks, featuring a pivot hinge assembly and extender arm that can be moved between stowed and deployed positions, along with a rotatable display support arm for optimal positioning, housed in protective mechanisms to prevent injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tablet holder is mounted on seatbacks with pivot hinge assemblies, then the holder can be deployed from a compact stowed configuration to an extended support position, but the pivot hinge assemblies create pinch hazards that may injure passengers
Solution Approach 1:
A protective housing is introduced as an intermediary element between the pivot hinge assembly and the passenger. The housing encloses the pivot hinge, allowing the mechanical deployment function to operate while preventing direct contact with hazardous moving parts, thus eliminating the pinch hazard while maintaining ease of operation.
2Volume of moving object
If the tablet holder uses a compact design with pivot hinge assemblies, then it can be easily stored when not in use, but the assemblies pose safety risks to passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot hinge assembly is nested within a protective housing structure. When the holder is not in use, the entire assembly including the hazardous pivot hinge is contained within the housing, maintaining compact storage volume while shielding passengers from the dangerous moving components.
3Ease of operation
If the display support arm is made rotatable for optimal positioning, then the display can be positioned at various angles for comfort, but additional moving parts increase the complexity of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The display support arm incorporates a rotatable joint that enables dynamic adjustment of the display angle. This single dynamic element provides multiple positioning options for comfort while adding minimal complexity compared to alternative solutions, as the rotation mechanism integrates seamlessly into the existing arm structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a tablet support that can be readily affixed to one side of a substantially upright seatback and one that can conveniently function to support numerous types of informational displays, including, but not limited to books, magazines, tablet computers, note book computers, media players, smart phones and the like.