Recessed Seat Back Tray Table Assembly for Passenger Space Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passenger seat back systems occupy valuable space when amenities and tray tables are mounted on the exterior, encroaching on the space of aft-seated passengers, and there is a need to minimize the space required for stowed tray tables while allowing them to pivotally couple to the seat back in a conventional location.
Innovation Solution
A seat back assembly with a recess that houses a tray table assembly and an amenity compartment, where the tray table body and compartment are pivotally coupled, and a latching mechanism engages the tray table assembly with the compartment to minimize space usage, allowing the tray table to stow within the recess and pivotally couple to the seat back, while additional fasteners secure the compartment to the seat back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If amenities and tray tables are mounted on the exterior surface of the seat back, then they are easily accessible to passengers, but they encroach on the space available to aft-seated passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table body is nested within a recess formed in the seat back structure. When stowed, the tray table body fits inside the recess, minimizing the space occupied by the tray table assembly. The amenity compartment is also positioned within or adjacent to the recess, utilizing the same space efficiently. This nesting approach allows amenities and tray tables to be accessible while reducing encroachment on passenger space.
2Ease of operation
If the tray table is pivotally coupled to the seat back in a conventional location, then it maintains proper positioning for use, but it requires more space when stowed
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table body pivotally couples to the seat back at a conventional location (exterior surface), maintaining proper positioning for use. However, when stowed, the tray table body rotates to fit within the recess, significantly reducing the space required. The arms pivotally couple to both the tray table body and the seat back, enabling this compact stowing motion while maintaining conventional mounting location.
3Area of stationary object
If the tray table body fits within the recess, then space intrusion is minimized, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seat back assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the recess formed in the seat back, the tray table body that fits within the recess, the arms that provide pivotal coupling, and the amenity compartment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the recess provides space efficiency, while the arms and pivot shafts provide the necessary coupling functionality. The latching mechanism is also segmented into a lever and receptacle components for easy engagement and disengagement.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back assembly comprising a seat back with a recess and a tray table assembly. The table body is configured to substantially fit within the recess. An amenity compartment may also be coupled to the seat back above the tray table assembly and may be configured to also substantially fit within the recess. The amenity compartment may be a bezel or an upper literature pocket. A latching mechanism releasably engages the tray table assembly with the amenity compartment. The amenity compartment may be coupled to the seat back via a hook that engages a slotted bracket on the seat back and projections that engage receptacles on the seat back. A protective covering may be inserted between the seat back and the amenity compartment and coupled to the seat back without additional fasteners. The protective covering may be a full shroud, a partial shroud, or a dress cover.