Triangular Collapsible Organizer for Airline Cabin Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air travelers face challenges in using airline cabin space to organize and store their electronic devices, beverages, and accessories due to the lack of suitable collapsible article organizers that can accommodate these items while allowing for tray table use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible multi-panel article organizer formed from a planar material with hinged panels that can be folded into a triangular structure, featuring openings for beverage containers, smartphones, and other items, which can be attached to an airliner window or seat pocket, allowing for efficient storage and use during flights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid article organizer is used to hold beverages and electronic devices, then storage functionality is improved, but the organizer cannot be collapsed or folded for storage when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The organizer is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, side panels) that are hingedly connected, allowing each panel to move independently during collapse and expand to form a rigid structure during use. This segmentation enables the transition between collapsed and expanded states while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The organizer employs hinged connections between panels that allow dynamic transformation from a flat collapsed state to a three-dimensional expanded state. The hinges enable the panels to pivot and lock into position, providing adaptability between storage and usage modes without requiring complex mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If the article organizer is made larger to accommodate more items, then storage capacity is improved, but the organizer cannot be carried in a briefcase or laptop case when collapsed
Solution Approach 1:
When collapsed, the organizer panels nest within each other in a compact configuration, similar to nested dolls. The front panel folds over the back panel, and side panels fold inward, creating a small flat package that fits easily into briefcases or laptop cases. When expanded, the panels unfold to provide ample storage capacity for multiple items.
3Ease of manufacture
If the article organizer is made from multiple separate components, then ease of assembly is improved, but the number of parts increases making it more complex to carry
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple organizer panels are integrally formed from a single sheet of material, combining what would otherwise be separate components into one unified structure. The hinges are formed as integral portions of the sheet, eliminating the need for separate hinge components. This merging simplifies manufacturing and assembly while reducing the total number of parts to carry.
Data Source
AI summary
An article organizer includes three interconnected panels which are foldable relative to each other from a flat position to an assembled position. One panel is a base panel that attaches to the window frame of an airline cabin window. A second panel is a support panel that extends outwardly from the base panel, transversely thereto and has opening into which articles may be placed. The third panel is a brace panel that extends at an angle to the base and support panels and which gives the organizer an overall triangular shape. Openings in the brace panel create support edges that engage the bottoms of articles placed in the support panel openings.