Actuatable Tray Assembly with Linear Rail Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial aircraft, there is a need to minimize the space occupied by passenger compartment components to increase the number of compartments within the cabin while ensuring safety and meeting aviation guidelines, which is challenging when modifying components like aircraft trays and ottomans.
Innovation Solution
An actuatable tray assembly is introduced, featuring a tray that can stow underneath a monument and extend via an actuation assembly including an extension rail and linear rail system, allowing for compact storage and easy access, while being designed to meet safety and weight-bearing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If components are arranged to minimize space, then the number of passenger compartments increases, but the ease of operation and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is designed with dynamic movement capability, transitioning from a fixed static position to a movable structure that can extend and retract along linear rails. This allows the tray to move between stowed and deployed positions, maintaining accessibility while minimizing space when retracted
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table nests underneath the monument structure when not in use, with the extension rail assembly and carriage system allowing the tray to be stored within the available space under the monument, effectively hiding the tray when not needed
2Volume of moving object
If tray structure is simplified for compact storage, then space efficiency improves, but the strength and weight-bearing capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tray support structure is segmented into multiple components: the monument, extension rail assembly, carriage, and tray table. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rail and carriage provide structural strength while the tray itself remains compact
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage acts as an intermediary between the extension rail and the tray table, providing a robust connection point that transfers loads from the tray to the rail system, enabling the tray to bear weight while maintaining a compact form
3Ease of operation
If actuation mechanism is added for tray movement, then ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table incorporates self-service actuation features including manual release mechanisms and spring-loaded return systems. The carriage can be manually positioned along the rail, and the system automatically returns to stowed position using spring force, reducing the need for complex motorized actuation
Data Source
AI summary
An actuatable tray assembly for an aircraft passenger compartment may include a tray configured to stow underneath a first component positioned a select distance from an aircraft seat in the aircraft passenger compartment, and an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly may include an extension rail assembly. The extension rail assembly may include an extension rail coupled to the first component and coupled to the tray. The actuatable tray assembly may include a linear rail assembly. The linear rail assembly may include at least one linear rail coupled to a second component positioned proximate to the aircraft seat in the aircraft passenger compartment. The linear rail assembly may include a carriage configured to actuate along the at least one linear rail. The carriage may be coupled to the tray. The extension rail assembly and the carriage may be configured to actuate the tray from a stowed position to an extended position.