Rotatable Truck Table Assembly With Integrated Viewing Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing small adjustable tables in truck cabins provide limited visual comfort for recreational activities due to their small size, and there is a need for a larger, movable screen that can be integrated neatly without reducing cabin space.

Innovation Solution

A table assembly with a rotatable turntable that functions as both a conventional bearing surface and a display screen, allowing the screen to be oriented for comfortable viewing while maintaining the table's original dimensions, and incorporating features like a camera for virtual mirror functionality and display authorization to ensure safe usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a larger screen is installed in the truck cabin, then visual comfort for recreational activities is improved, but the available space in the cabin is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual comfortVSAvoidcabin space
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the table and screen into a single integrated unit. The screen is mounted on the underside of the table, allowing the table surface to serve dual purposes: as a bearing surface when horizontal, and as a mounting structure for the screen when rotated. This combination eliminates the need for separate screen installation that would occupy additional cabin space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The table is designed to be rotatable between a horizontal position (providing bearing surface) and a vertical position (providing screen display). This dynamic transformation allows the same physical space to serve different functions at different times, maximizing space utilization while providing both table and screen functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If a conventional table is used for recreational activities, then cabin space is maintained, but the screen size is limited and visual comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin spaceVSAvoidscreen size
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The table assembly serves multiple functions: it provides a bearing surface for equipment when horizontal, and a large screen display when vertical. The same structure supports both the table function and the screen mounting function, making the system universal and multi-functional without requiring additional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the turntable is made thick to accommodate the screen, then the screen can be integrated neatly, but the overall dimensions of the turntable are modified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen integrationVSAvoidturntable dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is nested within a recessed housing formed in the turntable structure. The housing contains the screen and its mounting structure within the turntable's thickness, allowing the screen to be integrated neatly without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the turntable assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4292879A1Table assembly for a truck
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4292879A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4292879A1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP4292879A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a table assembly (1) for a truck (100), comprising a turntable (2) which comprises: - a first side (3) comprising a bearing surface (4) configured for receiving equipment, - a second side (5) opposed to the first side (3), the second side (5) comprising a display surface (6) of a screen (7), wherein the turntable (2) is rotatable around a first rotation axis (D1) between a first position (P1) in which the turntable (2) can hold equipment and at least a second position (P2) in which the display surface (6) of the screen (7) is viewable by a truck user.