Aircraft Tray Table Drawer With Nested Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft tray tables lack sufficient storage space for small items used during flights, requiring passengers to stow them elsewhere or request assistance from the flight crew.
Innovation Solution
A deployable tray table assembly with a storage drawer that can move between stowed and deployed positions, providing internal compartments and separate storage within a passenger seat module, allowing access to the drawer regardless of the tray table's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If tray table is made compact for stowage, then stowage space is saved, but storage capacity for small items is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is nested within the tray table's internal compartment, allowing the drawer to be stored inside the tray table when not in use. This nesting arrangement enables the drawer to occupy minimal space during stowage while providing additional storage capacity when deployed, effectively resolving the contradiction between compact stowage and adequate storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If drawer is added to tray table, then storage capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is designed to be movable between stowed and deployed positions, transforming from a static tray table structure to a dynamic system. This dynamic configuration allows the drawer to be integrated into the tray table when needed for storage while being retractable to maintain a simple appearance when storage is not required, balancing storage capacity improvement with device complexity management.
3Ease of operation
If drawer is made accessible from all positions, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is segmented from the main tray table structure, allowing it to move independently between stowed and deployed positions. This segmentation enables the drawer to be accessed and operated independently regardless of the tray table's position, improving ease of operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through independent movement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger seat module, a tray table deployable from within the module, and a drawer deployable from within the tray table. The tray table drawer is accessible regardless of the stowed or deployed position of the tray table to provide a stowage solution independent of tray table deployment. A module adapted to be positioned in proximity to a passenger seat and including a tray table coupled to the module through a support arm, the tray table movable between a stowed position within the module and a deployed position outside of the module.