Rotatable Inner Tray Table With Powered Device Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional airplane tray tables are outdated and lack the capability to support in-flight entertainment (IFE) while being lightweight and easy to maintain, with no provision for powering or securely housing portable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight tray table with a rotatable inner tray designed to securely hold portable electronic devices, providing power and data connectivity, and featuring a transparent cover to protect the device, with sensors to detect device presence and prevent unauthorized use, allowing for IFE capabilities and weight savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional tray tables are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but capability to support IFE and electronic devices is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a traditional food/drink tray table and simultaneously as a mounting platform for portable electronic devices and IFE systems. The body structure incorporates channels, rotating mounts, and sensor systems that enable both traditional tray functionality and modern entertainment device support, making the system universal and adaptable to different usage scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device is received within channels formed in the inner tray, which itself is rotatably mounted within the tray table body. This nested arrangement allows the electronic device to be securely housed within the tray structure while maintaining access to its display and controls, creating a compact integrated system
2Adaptability or versatility
If elaborate mechanisms are added to ensure entertainment device visibility when stowed, then IFE functionality is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tray is designed to rotate between a stowed position (where the back panel is coplanar with the body top surface) and a service position (where the electronic device is visible and accessible). This dynamic positioning mechanism allows the entertainment device to be concealed when not in use, maintaining a clean aesthetic, while easily accessible when needed, without requiring complex fixed mounting structures
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is pre-configured to detect when the tray table is in the stowed position and automatically prevent operation of the portable electronic device. This preliminary safety action prevents unauthorized use during critical flight phases without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms or manual intervention
3Reliability
If transparent cover and sensor systems are added, then device protection and security are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent cover is placed over the portable electronic device to protect it from damage while allowing passengers to view the display and interact with the interface. This thin film approach provides protection without significantly increasing structural complexity or blocking the user interface
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system automatically detects the tray table position and controls device operation without requiring manual intervention from flight crew or complex mechanical safety mechanisms. The system self-regulates based on detected conditions, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining safety
Data Source
AI summary
A tray table that facilitates consumption of entertainment and various other media via a portable electronic device is disclosed herein. The tray table includes an inner tray secures the portable electronic device for hands free operation. One or more channels at the inner tray receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device. The inner tray is capable of rotating between an open and closed position, while the tray table itself may rotate between a stowed and service position.