Between-Seat Tray System with Adjustable Legs for Food Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many vehicles lack adequate solutions for safely and conveniently accommodating food items while in transit, leading to inconvenience and potential health concerns from frequent fast food consumption.
Innovation Solution
A tray system designed to fit between vehicle seats, featuring a tray support base with adjustable legs and a tray platform that can support appliances and containers, including a beverage container support portion with rotatable cup holders, to securely hold and organize food and beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tray system is added to accommodate food and beverages, then food accessibility and driver convenience are improved, but device complexity and potential safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tray system is divided into multiple independent components: a tray support base with adjustable legs, a removable tray platform, and a receiver tray. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall system complexity and enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs incorporate adjustable height mechanisms that allow the tray platform to be positioned at optimal heights for driver accessibility. The legs can be dynamically adjusted to compensate for different vehicle floor configurations and driver preferences, improving ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tray platform is made stable to prevent food from toppling, then food security is improved, but the tray system occupies more space between seats
Solution Approach 1:
The tray system utilizes the vertical dimension by incorporating adjustable-height support legs, allowing the tray platform to be positioned at an optimal height for stability without increasing the horizontal footprint between seats. This dimensional approach maintains food stability while preserving passenger space.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray platform features localized reinforcement and non-slip surfaces specifically at food placement areas, providing enhanced stability where needed without requiring the entire structure to be oversized. The support legs are strategically positioned to maximize stability within the available space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tray system is designed to accommodate various appliances and containers, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray platform is designed with a universal support surface that can accommodate various appliances (coffee makers, toasters, microwaves) and containers of different sizes and shapes. The adjustable support legs and removable tray design allow the system to adapt to multiple functions without requiring complex specialized components for each appliance type.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray system for use in a vehicle may include a tray support base that fits between seats of a vehicle, and a tray platform to support an appliance. A container support platform can be supported by the tray platform for supporting a container removable from the appliance. The tray support base can comprise first and second support legs supporting the tray platform. The first support leg can have a recessed portion to accommodate a transmission hump of the vehicle. A receiver tray can receive and support first and second support legs. A tray system for use in a vehicle may include a tray support base that fits between seats of a vehicle, and a tray platform supported by the tray support base. The tray system includes at least one drawer and a lower compartment to contain an electronics device.