Articulating Tray Table Support for Secure Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tray tables on vehicles lack the ability to securely and safely support portable electronic devices during turbulence or when in stowed positions, limiting their usability and posing a risk of devices falling or being inaccessible.
Innovation Solution
A tray table with an articulating support system that includes multiple rotating joints, allowing the device to be secured and accessed at various positions, whether the tray table is in a stowed or service position, using a dual or triple jointed configuration with a mount to hold the device and provide tilt functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tray tables are used without articulating support, then the structure is simple and成本低, but portable electronic devices cannot be securely held during turbulence or stowed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing an articulating support with multiple rotating joints that allow the device holder to move between different positions (retracted, extended, tilted) to adapt to various tray table configurations and provide secure device holding in both stowed and service positions
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating support is divided into multiple independent segments connected by rotating joints, including a first rotating section, second rotating section, and third rotating section, each capable of independent movement to achieve complex positioning while maintaining structural simplicity
2Ease of operation
If the tray table is in stowed position, then space is saved, but portable electronic devices become inaccessible to passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating support dynamically adjusts its configuration through rotating joints, allowing the device holder to remain accessible to passengers even when the tray table is in stowed position, by extending or tilting the support independently of the main tray table movement
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex in-flight entertainment systems are used, then entertainment functionality is provided, but cost and fuel consumption increase due to heavier weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the entertainment functionality from a complex built-in system and relocates it to portable electronic devices that passengers bring themselves, while the tray table provides only the necessary support structure through the articulating mechanism, significantly reducing overall system weight
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating support serves multiple functions: it holds portable electronic devices, provides adjustable positioning for viewing, and works with both stowed and service tray table positions, replacing the need for dedicated heavy in-flight entertainment hardware
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances passenger safety by securely holding portable electronic devices during turbulence, improves usability by allowing access regardless of tray table position, and reduces the need for complex in-flight entertainment systems, saving costs and fuel by using lightweight, portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
The first rotating joint rotatably attaches the articulating support to the back wall of the opening at the back end of the body such that the articulating support is rotatable between a retracted position where the articulating support is within the opening and an extended position where the articulating support extends outward from the top surface of the body.
Implementation Method 2
A second rotating section comprising a mount for accepting and securing the portable electronic device thereto extends from the second rotating joint.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray table with an articulating support for portable electronic devices provides adjustable support for use of a portable electronic device at passenger seats of various forms of transportation, regardless of whether the tray table is in a stowed or service position. The articulating support comprises a plurality of rotating joints and rotating sections which combine to provide a plurality of refracted and extended positions, allowing a passenger to position his or her portable electronic device as desired. The articulating support secures the portable electronic device to prevent unwanted movement of the same, while also preserving unobstructed use of the top surface of the tray table when desired.