Laterally Expanding Tray Table for More Passenger Legroom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tray tables on transportation seating products, such as aircraft seats, are limited in their ability to adjust size and configuration, restricting passenger space and ease of ingress and egress when in a reduced-size configuration, and do not allow for optimal placement of larger items like personal electronic devices or in-flight entertainment controllers.

Innovation Solution

A seat back tray table design featuring a first stationary segment and a deployable second segment that can increase in size laterally, allowing the table to reduce in size for stowage, with configurations enabling multiple table sizes and increased passenger leg space, utilizing a pair of laterally-opposed arms connected by a pivotally-mounted stabilizing cross bar and a pocket for telescoping or pivotal movement of the second segment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a traditional bifold tray table is used, then the table can be deployed for use, but the space it occupies when stowed is short and wide, restricting passenger space and ease of ingress and egress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable surface areaVSAvoidspace occupied when stowed

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tray table transitions from a fore/aft expanding bifold design to a lateral expansion design. The table segments expand sideways rather than forward, changing the dimension of expansion from longitudinal to lateral. This allows the stowed profile to be narrower while maintaining full table surface area when deployed, improving passenger space and ingress/egress ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray table is divided into multiple segments (first table segment and second table segment) that can move independently relative to each other. The second table segment can be extended laterally from the first segment, allowing the table to achieve full width when needed while maintaining a compact stowed configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If a traditional bifold tray table is used, then the table provides a usable surface, but the aspect ratio is short and wide, dictating a similar form factor to adjacent spaces for items like connectivity ports and remote controls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetable surface areaVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility for adjacent items

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the expansion direction from fore/aft to lateral, the table creates a different spatial relationship with adjacent components. This dimensional change allows connectivity ports, IFE remotes, and other items to be positioned in the fore/aft direction rather than being constrained to side positions, improving adaptability and versatility of the seat back configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the tray table is in a reduced-size configuration, then passenger space is increased, but the table must still provide a usable surface for dining and other activities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger spaceVSAvoidtable surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tray table employs dynamic segments that can be positioned in multiple configurations. The second table segment can be extended or retracted as needed, allowing the table to transition between a compact stowed position (maximizing passenger space) and a fully deployed position (providing full table surface area). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between passenger space and table usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design allows for increased passenger space and ease of ingress and egress by enabling the tray table to adjust size, accommodating taller items and providing more leg room, while maintaining a usable table surface, thus enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of laterally-opposed arms connected by a pivotally-mounted stabilizing cross bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivotal movement: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

the second table segment in its stored position is telescoped into the pocket in the first table segment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTelescoping movement:

Implementation Method 3

the second table segment is mounted for pivotal movement on a vertical axis and in its stored position is rotated into the pocket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivotal movement: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3128873B1Laterally-expanding tray table

Publication Date: 2018.09.26 BE AEROSPACE INC

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AI summary

A seat back tray table that includes an arm assembly attached to a seat having a seat back, and moveable between a stowed position and a deployed, use position, a first table segment carried by the arm assembly and moveable with the arm assembly between a stowed position against a stowage area of the seat back and a deployed position aft of the stowage area, and a second table segment carried by the first table segment and moveable between a stored position within the stowage area of the seat back and a deployed position laterally- extended from the first table segment to increase the total surface area of the tray table.