Rotatable Tray Table Panel for Hands-Free Device Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional airplane tray tables lack innovation, particularly in supporting electronic devices and providing in-flight entertainment, leading to weight and maintenance challenges, as well as limited passenger engagement.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable panel tray table design that securely holds portable electronic devices, offering interactive media capabilities, weight savings, and reduced maintenance needs through a lightweight, wirelessly powered structure that can be easily serviced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional airplane tray tables are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tray table cannot support electronic devices and lacks interactive media capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a traditional food/drink support surface and simultaneously provides a mounting structure for electronic devices. The panel integrates both the tray surface and the electronic device mounting capabilities, allowing one structure to fulfill multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table panel is divided into distinct functional zones: a first surface for supporting food and drinks, and a second surface for mounting electronic devices. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional tray tables are used, then maintenance requirements are low, but weight savings and fuel cost reduction are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table panel utilizes a thin, lightweight construction that reduces overall weight while maintaining structural strength. The panel design employs thin film or shell structures that provide the necessary support for both food/drink and electronic devices without adding excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table is constructed using composite materials that combine lightweight properties with structural strength. These materials enable the panel to support multiple functions (food/drink support and electronic device mounting) while minimizing weight for fuel efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical entertainment materials are used, then passenger engagement is limited to traditional media, but the system requires more maintenance and has higher weight
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical entertainment materials (magazines, books, physical media) with digital copies stored on electronic devices. Passengers can access entertainment content through screens mounted on the tray table, eliminating the need for physical material while providing enhanced interactivity and variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical entertainment delivery systems (physical magazines, books, CDs) with electronic/digital systems. The tray table integrates screen displays and electronic device mounting capabilities, substituting the mechanical handling of physical materials with electronic delivery of content.
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 a panel that secures the portable electronic device for hands free operation. One or more channels at the panel receive at least a portion of the portable electronic device. The panel is capable of rotating between an open and closed position, while the tray table itself may rotate between a stowed and service position.