Table arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft seat modules, especially in business and first class seating, it is challenging to provide a "square on" table surface to passengers due to non-square mounting structures, limiting the options for table arrangement mounting and complicating stowage when trying to achieve a square orientation.
Innovation Solution
A table arrangement comprising a first and second table element, where the second table element is movable from a first position to a second position within the plane of the first table element, allowing rotation and translation to provide a "square on" surface while being mountable on non-square structures, with features like rotational and translational movement, and a support arm for efficient stowage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table arrangement is mounted to a non-square mounting structure, then the table can be installed in available spaces, but the table surface cannot be provided square on to the passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the table arrangement movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The table elements can rotate about horizontal axes and translate along guides, allowing the orientation to change dynamically. This enables the table to adapt to non-square mounting structures while still providing a square-on surface to the passenger when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces movement in multiple dimensions - rotation about horizontal axes perpendicular to the table surface, and translation along guides within the plane of the table element. These dimensional movements allow the table to decouple its mounting orientation from its service orientation, solving the contradiction between adaptability to non-square structures and providing square-on surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If the table arrangement provides a square on table surface to the passenger, then the passenger experience is improved, but the stowage becomes complicated due to the angled fold required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the table arrangement into multiple elements (first table element and second table element) that can move independently. The first element rotates about a horizontal axis, while the second element translates along a guide. This segmentation allows each element to simplify its own stowage motion, with the guide ensuring the second element moves in a straight line that facilitates compact stowage.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary mechanism that constrains the movement of the second table element to a specific path. This guide ensures that during stowage, the second element translates in a controlled manner that simplifies the overall configuration, preventing complicated angled folds while maintaining the square-on orientation when deployed.
3Ease of operation
If the table elements are folded at an angled fold to provide square on surface, then the orientation is correct, but the table shape becomes complicated for stowage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the table configuration dynamic through independent movements of table elements. Rather than being fixed at an angled fold, the elements can rotate and translate to achieve the square-on orientation only when needed. During stowage, they return to a simplified configuration where the guide ensures straight-line alignment, eliminating complicated angled shapes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a table arrangement 100 for use in an aircraft seat module, the table arrangement comprising a first table element suitable for being movably mounted to a mounting structure of the aircraft seat module, the first table element being provided with a first table surface, a second table element provided with a second table surface substantially parallel to the first table surface, wherein the second table element is mounted to the first table element, such that the second table element is moveable from a first position with respect to the first table element to a second position with respect to the first table element, the second position being transformed from the first position within the plane of the second table element. The present invention also provides an aircraft seat module, an aircraft and a method of deploying a table arrangement.