Passenger Seat Tray Table with Movable Cup Holder for Space Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tray table devices for aircraft passenger seats lack improved comfort, user-friendliness, and safety, particularly in terms of cup holder functionality and space efficiency, while also being prone to damage and high fabrication costs.

Innovation Solution

A tray table device with a movably mounted cup holder unit that integrates with the table unit to form a holding recess, featuring a dual-function design that allows for compact construction, easy handling, and retrofit capability, with the cup holder unit being swivel or sliding-mounted to adapt to different positions and provide intuitive use and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cup holder unit is integrated into the tray table, then comfort and usability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort and usabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cup holder unit is integrated into the tray table device, merging two functions (table and cup holder) into a single device. This allows the cup holder to be provided in a position of use without requiring a separate structure, thereby improving comfort and usability while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray table device is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a table surface and a cup holder. The cup holder unit can be positioned in use or folded away, providing versatility. This multi-functionality improves ease of operation by consolidating needs into one device without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cup holder unit is movably mounted to the table unit, then adaptability and space efficiency are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability and space efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cup holder unit is movably mounted to the table unit, allowing it to transition between a position of use and a folded position. This dynamic configuration improves adaptability and space efficiency, as the cup holder can be adjusted or stored as needed. The movable mounting mechanism accommodates variations in assembly tolerances, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cup holder unit can be folded into or nested within the tray table structure when not in use. This nesting capability maximizes space efficiency by minimizing the occupied volume during storage, while the movable mounting allows for easy deployment without requiring high-precision fixed positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If the cup holder unit and table unit together implement the holding recess, then space efficiency is improved, but reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding recess is formed by the combined structure of the cup holder unit and the table unit. When the cup holder unit is in the position of use, its outer contour together with the table unit implements the holding recess that receives the drinking vessel. This merged structure achieves space efficiency by utilizing the available volume effectively, while the cooperative design of both units ensures reliable vessel support through distributed load-bearing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3266708B1Tray table device
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3266708B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3266708B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3266708B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a tray table device, in particular a passenger seat tray table device, with at least one table unit (10a), and with at least one cup holder unit (12a) which is provided in at least one position of use to at least partly hold at least one drinking vessel (14a). It is proposed that the cup holder unit (12a) is movably mounted to the table unit (10a).