Modular Tray Table Rotation Mechanism for Stable Compact Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tray tables in vehicles are often unsteady during use and difficult to stow, and permanently fixed tables occupy valuable space when not in use, causing inconvenience to passengers.
Innovation Solution
A modular tray table apparatus with a tray table carrier unit removably mounted to a console, featuring a tray table support element that moves along a linear displacement path and rotates via a rotational displacement mechanism, allowing for easy deployment and stowage, including a latching mechanism to secure the tray table in the retracted configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a tray table is permanently fixed between passenger seats, then it is stable during use, but it occupies valuable space within the passenger seating area when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between a deployed position for use and a retracted position for storage. The linear displacement mechanism enables the tray table to move along a defined path, allowing it to be pulled out when needed and pushed back when not in use, thus eliminating permanent space occupation while maintaining stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table system is divided into separate functional components: the tray table itself, the support element, and the displacement mechanism. This segmentation allows the tray table to be independently moved between deployed and retracted states, enabling space optimization without compromising structural stability when in use.
2Ease of operation
If a tray table is attached via hinge to the back of another passenger seat, then it can be folded down for use, but it is unsteady during use and difficult to stow away when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge attachment is replaced with a linear displacement mechanism that guides the tray table along a controlled path. This dynamic mechanism provides smooth deployment and stowage motion while maintaining the tray table in a stable, supported position during use, eliminating the unsteadiness associated with simple hinge connections.
Solution Approach 2:
A support element acts as an intermediary between the tray table and the carrier unit. This support element provides structural reinforcement and stable support during use, while the linear displacement mechanism mediates the movement between deployed and retracted states, improving both steadiness and ease of operation.
3Area of stationary object
If a tray table is made movable to save space, then space utilization is optimized, but the deployment and stowage process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The linear displacement mechanism provides a straightforward, guided motion path for the tray table, converting complex multi-axis movement into a simple linear pull-out and push-back action. This dynamic linear guidance system achieves space optimization while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational displacement mechanism incorporates curved guide paths that naturally guide the tray table through rotation and positioning. This curved geometry simplifies the deployment process by providing intuitive rotational motion rather than requiring complex angular adjustments, reducing operational complexity while achieving compact retraction.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples provide a modular tray table apparatus associated with a console of a seat unit. A tray table carrier unit is removably mounted to a portion of the console. A tray table support element is coupled to the carrier unit and a tray table. The tray table support element movably supports the tray table. A linear displacement mechanism is disposed between the tray table and the tray table support element. The tray table slides along a linear displacement path between a fully retracted configuration and at least one deployed configuration. A rotational displacement mechanism disposed between the tray table and the tray table support element. The tray table slides along a rotational displacement path defined by at least one rotational guide between a linear configuration of the tray table and a substantially perpendicular configuration of the tray table when the tray table is in a fully deployed configuration.