Cantilevered Tray Table Horizontal Slide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray tables in aircraft require stowing, which involves changing the horizontal orientation, making it inconvenient for passengers to ingress/egress, especially when alternate storage space is limited and when adjusting between upright and horizontal bed positions, particularly when the table is supporting food and beverages.
Innovation Solution
A cantilevered tray table designed to slide horizontally, maintaining a horizontal working surface, with a release mechanism allowing movement between positions over the seat and forward of the seat, utilizing a privacy wall for support and incorporating a latch and brake system for controlled sliding, enabling access during seat adjustments and egress/ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray table is stowed by changing horizontal orientation in conventional assemblies, then the tray table can be stored when not in use, but the passenger must remove articles beforehand which is inconvenient during ingress/egress and seat position adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table transitions from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic sliding design, allowing horizontal movement between deployed and stowed positions while maintaining a constant horizontal orientation. This dynamic capability enables the tray table to adapt to different passenger needs without requiring complex orientation changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table is separated from the seat structure and mounted on an independent linear slide mechanism attached to the privacy wall. This segmentation allows the tray table to move independently horizontally without being constrained by the seat's folding or pivoting mechanisms, simplifying the overall stowing operation.
2Ease of operation
If the tray table is attached to the back of a forward positioned seat and pivots downward, then the tray table can be deployed for use, but it interferes with passenger seat room and requires complex hinge assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table mounting is moved from the vertical dimension (attached to the back of the forward seat) to the horizontal dimension (sliding along the privacy wall). This dimensional shift allows the tray table to deploy horizontally into the aisle space rather than vertically into the passenger seat area, eliminating interference with passenger room while maintaining easy deployment.
3Ease of operation
If the tray table is required to be stowed to permit passenger ingress/egress, then the tray table can be stored, but the working surface must change orientation which requires removing articles
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table uses a dynamic sliding mechanism that maintains a constant horizontal working surface orientation throughout its movement between deployed and stowed positions. This eliminates the need for orientation changes and allows passengers to leave articles on the tray table during ingress/egress without concern for spilling or damage.
4Ease of operation
If the tray table is stowed when adjusting the seat from upright to horizontal bed position, then the tray table can be stored, but food and beverages must be set elsewhere which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table's independent horizontal sliding mechanism allows it to remain in the deployed position with a stable horizontal surface even when the seat back is adjusted to a horizontal bed position. This dynamic positioning capability enables passengers to dine comfortably during seat adjustments without needing to transfer food and beverages to other surfaces.
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 comfort and convenience by allowing horizontal tray table access during ingress/egress and seat position changes without stowing, minimizing interference with seat space and maintaining privacy, while supporting articles and adjusting between upright and horizontal seating positions.
Implementation Method 1
a linear slide configured to mount to the privacy wall adjacent the passenger seat and support the table top in a horizontal position
Implementation Method 2
the brake pad engages the linear slide and the latch operates to disengage the brake pad from the linear slide
Implementation Method 3
the tray table assembly may include a torsion spring urging the brake into contact with the linear slide when the brake pad is in a rest position to secure the table top from sliding
Data Source
AI summary
A tray table assembly for a passenger seat including a table top having a cantilevered portion configured to slide horizontally between an overseat position and a position forward of a passenger seat, and a linear slide for providing horizontal motion of the table top, the linear slide configured to mount to a wall adjacent the passenger seat and support the table top in a horizontal position. A tray table assembly for an aircraft passenger suite.