Bi-Fold Tray Table Assembly for Stable Bridging Between Armrests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray tables in passenger vehicles are limited in adjustability and stability, particularly in bridging the gap between armrests, leading to an unstable 'diving board' effect due to being supported at only one end and restricted movement.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bi-fold tray table with a hinge mechanism and adjustment assembly allowing fore, aft, and lateral movement, supported at both ends by the seat attachment arm and armrest, enabling it to bridge the gap between armrests and fold compactly for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray table is supported at only one end (hinge end), then the tray table can be easily folded and stored, but the tray table becomes unstable and exhibits a 'diving board' effect
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is divided into two separate portions (first tray table portion and second tray table portion) connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows one end to be supported by the seat attachment arm while the other end is supported by the armrest, eliminating the diving board effect while maintaining foldability for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary element connecting the two tray table portions, enabling the tray table to transition between deployed and stored positions while being supported at both ends. The hinge allows rotation and folding motion while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tray table dimensions are limited by end-bay packaging restraints, then the tray table can be easily stored, but the tray table length is insufficient to bridge the gap between armrests
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is segmented into two portions that can be folded together for compact storage in the end-bay, yet when deployed, the two portions extend to bridge the gap between armrests. The segmentation allows the tray table to achieve both compact storage and sufficient length.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table incorporates dynamic elements including a hinge connection between portions and an adjustment assembly with sliding mechanisms that allow the tray table to change its configuration between compact stored state and extended deployed state, adapting to different spatial requirements.
3Device complexity
If the tray table is laterally fixed between hinges, then the tray table structure is simple, but the tray table cannot be adjusted in the lateral or cross-craft direction
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment assembly incorporates sliding mechanisms with guides and guide brackets that enable the tray table to dynamically adjust its lateral position. The tray table can slide laterally along the support arm while maintaining structural support, providing adaptability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the tray table and the support arm, providing lateral adjustability through sliding guides and brackets while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The mechanical stop serves as an intermediary to limit rotation and define operational boundaries.
4Ease of operation
If a complex hinge is used to allow rotation, pivot and folding, then the tray table can be accessed from the end-bay, but the tray table packaging restraints limit the dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is segmented into two portions that can be folded together to reduce overall dimensions for storage in the end-bay. The segmentation allows compact storage while maintaining the ability to access and deploy the tray table when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism provides dynamic folding and rotation capabilities that allow the tray table to transition between compact stored configuration and deployed configuration, enabling access from the end-bay while managing dimensional constraints through movable geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable tray table assembly for a vehicle seat including a bi-fold tray table, an adjustment assembly for adjusting the tray table in the fore/aft and lateral directions, a support arm for supporting the tray table and slidably receiving the adjustment assembly, and an attachment arm interconnected with the support arm for attaching the tray table assembly to the vehicle seat. The adjustment assembly includes a guide bracket that slides both within an elongated opening of the support arm and along at least one guide attached to the tray table to provide the adjustability.