Expandable Aircraft Tray Table Using Nested Sliding Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft tray tables have limited usable surface area due to stowage constraints, and existing expandable designs suffer from hinge-related issues such as bulkiness and gaps in the table top surface.
Innovation Solution
A deployable tray table with a main table and an extension that slides from a stowed position beneath the main table, utilizing parallel guide rails and an intermediate support to maintain a flush surface without rotating, thereby expanding the surface area without hinges and minimizing stowage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If hinged table parts are used to expand the tray table, then the table top surface area is increased, but gaps appear in the table top surface and the structure becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable table segment is nested within the main table segment in a retracted position, allowing the table to expand to a fully extended position where the segments form a contiguous surface without gaps. The nested configuration enables the table to double its surface area while maintaining a compact form when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The table is divided into a main table segment and an extendable table segment that can be independently positioned. The segmentation allows the table to transition between compact and expanded states while maintaining structural integrity and surface continuity through the pocket mechanism.
2Area of moving object
If the tray table is made larger to provide more surface area, then usability for dining and working is improved, but the stowage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extendable table segment nests within the main table segment during stowage, allowing the table to provide a large surface area when needed while occupying minimal space during stowage. This nesting mechanism enables the table to effectively double its usable surface area without proportionally increasing stowage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The table transitions dynamically between a compact stowed configuration and an expanded usable configuration. The telescoping mechanism allows the table to adapt its size based on operational requirements, providing large surface area during meals or work activities while minimizing space requirements during flight phases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hinge mechanisms are used for expansion, then the table can unfold to increase surface area, but the hinge constraints and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional hinge mechanism is extracted and replaced with a telescoping slide mechanism. This extraction eliminates the complexity associated with hinges, pins, and rotational joints while maintaining the table's expansion capability through a simpler linear motion system based on guide rails and pockets.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical hinge system is substituted with a guide rail and pocket mechanism that uses linear sliding motion instead of rotational movement. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity by eliminating the need for hinge pins, bearings, and rotational joints while achieving the same functional outcome of table expansion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tray table assembly including a main table and a table extension deployable from a stowed position below the main table to a deployed position laterally adjacent the main table. The main table and the table extension are coupled through an intermediate support slidably coupled to each of the main table and the table extension. The deploy the table extension, the table extension slides relative to the intermediate support and the intermediate support slides relative to the main table to increase the total surface area of the table top as needed.