Side-Opening Armrest Doors for Unobstructed Tray Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deployable tray table designs with hinged doors in passenger seats suffer from space inefficiency and complex deployment mechanisms, particularly due to the obstruction caused by the hinge and the need for separate mechanisms for tray tables and cocktail trays, which increases weight, complexity, and wasted space.
Innovation Solution
A side-opening armrest or console door with an integrated cocktail tray, utilizing mechanisms like slides, parallelogram linkages, or electric actuators for lateral translation, which allows for enhanced clearance and separate deployment of tray tables, reducing interference and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged door is used to cover the tray table in the armrest or console, then the door can pivot up to allow deployment, but the hinge creates an obstruction that compromises the stowed position and pushes the tray table closer to the center of the seat, resulting in wasted space
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is extracted from the interior of the armrest or console and relocated to the exterior. This removes the obstruction from the storage space, allowing the tray table to be positioned optimally without being pushed toward the center of the seat. The hinge is now located on the outer surface of the armrest or console, where it no longer interferes with the stowed position or available storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The door deployment mechanism transitions from a vertical pivot motion to a lateral sliding motion. The door now moves sideways along the outer surface of the armrest or console rather than pivoting upward from the interior. This dimensional change eliminates the hinge obstruction problem while maintaining ease of operation for deploying the tray table.
2Ease of operation
If a hinged door pivots up to allow tray table deployment, then the door can be opened, but it impedes on the movement of the tray table during deployment, requiring the door to be opened, partially deployed, closed, and then finished deploying
Solution Approach 1:
The door mechanism is extracted from the interior deployment path and relocated to the exterior of the armrest or console. The door now slides laterally on the outer surface, completely clearing the tray table's deployment path. This allows the tray table to be deployed in a single continuous motion without requiring the door to be opened, closed, and reopened, significantly reducing deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The door and tray table are separated into independent deployment mechanisms. The door slides laterally on its own track on the exterior, while the tray table deploys independently on its articulating arm. This segmentation allows both components to move simultaneously without interference, eliminating the multi-step deployment process required by conventional hinged doors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate cocktail tray is included in addition to a tray table, then drink storage is provided, but additional mechanisms are required to rotate or pivot the tray, increasing complexity, cost, and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The cocktail tray is merged with the door assembly, forming an integrated unit. The cocktail tray is mounted on the door itself, so when the door slides laterally to the exterior of the armrest or console, the cocktail tray is automatically positioned for use. This eliminates the need for separate rotation or pivot mechanisms for the cocktail tray, reducing complexity, cost, and weight while maintaining drink storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The door serves multiple functions: it provides access to the tray table, stores the cocktail tray when closed, and positions the cocktail tray for use when opened. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated mechanisms for the cocktail tray, as the door's lateral sliding motion simultaneously performs both door opening and cocktail tray deployment functions.
4Ease of operation
If conventional hinged doors are used in armrests or consoles, then tray tables can be deployed, but the hinge and door movement create obstructions that reduce usable storage space and require complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional hinged door mechanism is replaced with a lateral sliding mechanism. Instead of using a hinge that requires vertical pivot motion and internal mounting, the door now slides horizontally along the exterior surface of the armrest or console. This substitution simplifies the mechanical system by eliminating the need for internal hinge mounting, pivot bearings, and complex door-tray coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The door motion transitions from vertical pivoting to lateral sliding. This dimensional change moves the entire door mechanism to the exterior of the armrest or console, where it operates in a different plane that does not interfere with the tray table's deployment path. The result is a simpler mechanism with fewer moving parts and no obstructions to the tray table.
Data Source
AI summary
Passenger seat armrests and consoles have laterally translating armrest doors that open and close to allow for deployment and stowage of tray tables. The armrest doors may be guided through their translation by slides or a linkage that controls their motion. The armrest doors may also translate in two-dimensions, incorporating a vertical translation as well as a lateral translation. The resulting motion allows for better placement of the deployable tray tables within the armrest or console and a reduction in wasted space. The passenger seat armrests may also incorporate cocktail trays that can be integrated into the armrest doors or the armrest or console itself.