Vehicle Table Top with Multi-Axis Movement for Ingress and Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional movable tables in vehicles lack adjustability and user control, often being limited to only two positions and not aligning with the user's desired position.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted table system with a table top, movement stage, movement actuator, sensors, and a controller that allows the table top to move in various degrees of freedom, controlled by user inputs and vehicle conditions, enabling adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual movement between stored and in-use positions is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustability and user control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The table top is transformed from a static component with fixed positions to a dynamic component that can move continuously in multiple degrees of freedom (vertical, lateral, longitudinal) and be positioned at any location within its range, enabling adaptive adjustment to user needs
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated to detect user inputs (touch, pressure, position) and provide feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts the table top position via the actuator, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances adaptability while managing complexity through automation
2Ease of operation
If fixed position tables are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened during ingress and egress
Solution Approach 1:
The table top can dynamically adjust its position in multiple degrees of freedom, allowing it to move out of the way during passenger ingress/egress and return to functional positions when needed, significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect user presence and automatic control algorithms to adjust the table top position without requiring manual intervention, making the system serve itself and improving operational ease
Data Source
AI summary
A support surface includes a table top, moving portions, base portions, and sensors. The moving portions are configured to move the table top in multiple degrees of freedom. Each moving portion is configured to move the table top in a degree of freedom and prevent movement of the table top in other degrees of freedom. The base portions are coupled to the moving portions and are configured to support the moving portions. The sensors are configured to receive a user input and communicate the user input to the moving portions so that the moving portions move the table top based upon the user input.