Passenger Table Extension Plate Tilting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passenger tables in rail vehicles often have fixed depths, limiting space for access to seats, and the existing table extension mechanisms can tilt unpredictably when moving between positions, requiring complex guide elements to absorb bending moments.
Innovation Solution
The use of torsion-resistant coupling rods connecting levers with rotational axes on the table top and extension plate, allowing a continuous circular movement, effectively counteracts tilting and simplifies the guide mechanism, allowing for a cost-effective and defined movement without the need for additional guide elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional gears are used to move the table extension plate, then vertical loads can be absorbed well, but the table extension plate can tilt in an undefined manner during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling rod as an intermediary element that connects the two gears. This coupling rod acts as a mediator to synchronize the rotational movements of both gears, ensuring that the table extension plate moves in a controlled manner without tilting, while still allowing the gears to handle vertical loads effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the kinematic parameters of the gear system by adding the coupling rod constraint. This modification transforms the system from having undefined rotational freedom to having a specifically defined movement path, where the coupling rod enforces a specific angular relationship between the two gears during operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If guide elements are added to prevent tilting of the table extension plate, then tilting stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and bending moments must be absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex guide elements to constrain the table extension plate, the patent uses the coupling rod as an intermediary that prevents tilting at the source by synchronizing gear movements. This approach achieves stability prevention with a simpler mechanism that does not require absorbing bending moments.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than constraining the table extension plate directly to prevent tilting, the patent inverts the approach by controlling the drive mechanism (gears) to move in a synchronized manner. This prevents tilting indirectly through proper coordination of the driving elements, avoiding the need for additional constraint elements.
3Ease of operation
If the table extension plate is designed with fixed depth, then space for access to seats is improved, but the available table surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the table surface area variable through the extendable plate mechanism. The table extension plate can be moved between retracted and extended positions, allowing the system to adapt its surface area dynamically based on operational requirements while maintaining fixed depth for seat access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the table surface into a fixed table top and a movable extension plate. This segmentation allows the extension plate to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the system to provide additional surface area when needed while maintaining the fixed depth required for seat access.
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
This solution prevents tilting of the table extension plate during movement, enabling a simple and cost-effective design for the guide mechanism, ensuring a stable and defined angular position, thus enhancing usability and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion-resistant coupling rod (6) running on the table extension plate in the extension direction connects the two levers (5) to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a passenger table with a stationary tabletop (1) and a table extension panel (2), which can be moved from a retracted position below the tabletop (1) to a working position, in which the table extension panel (2) abuts an associated outer edge of the tabletop (1), by means of two gear units spaced apart from each other transversely to an extension direction, wherein the two gear units each comprise at least one lever (5), one end of which is rotatably mounted about a first axis relative to the tabletop (1) and the other end of which is rotatably mounted about a second axis (7) relative to the table extension panel (2), the second axis (7) describing a continuous rotational movement along a circular segment when the table extension panel (2) is moved from the working position to the retracted position or vice versa, the radius of which is determined by the distance of the first axis from the second axis (7).and rotational movements of the respective levers (5) of the gears are connected to each other via a torsionally rigid connecting rod (6) running transversely to the extension direction of the table extension plate on the first axis.