Seat-Back Tray Table With Dual-Surface Adjustable Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray tables in passenger seats are limited to a single utility position and lack versatility, restricting their functionality when stowed against the seat back, which limits passenger comfort and utility.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose tray table system with a passenger seat back, pivotally coupled tray table arms, and a tray table featuring multiple surfaces and compartments, allowing for adjustable deployment positions, including a second surface with compartments and support members for vertical or angular item positioning, and optional features like power outlets and video displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tray table is mounted to rotate away from the seat back via tray table arms, then the tray table can be deployed to provide a flat surface for passenger use, but the tray table is limited to only one utility position and lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is designed with two deployable surfaces (first and second surfaces) that can be positioned to perform different functions. The first surface serves as a traditional tray table for eating and working, while the second surface can be deployed to provide additional utility such as a writing surface or device support, allowing the same structure to fulfill multiple passenger needs without requiring separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table incorporates movable surfaces that can be adjusted between stowed and deployed positions, and between different deployed orientations. The surfaces are coupled to allow relative movement, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the tray table structure to adapt to various passenger requirements while maintaining a compact form when not in use
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tray table is stowed against the seat back, then the space is compact and neat, but the utility of the tray table is limited and passenger features are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table surfaces are designed to nest within each other when in the stowed position, with the second surface folding into the space occupied by the first surface. This nesting arrangement allows the multi-functional tray table to occupy minimal space when not in use, while still providing access to multiple surfaces and features when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table utilizes vertical space by deploying surfaces in different orientations - the first surface deploys horizontally for traditional tray table use, while the second surface can be positioned vertically or at angles to provide additional functionality. This three-dimensional deployment strategy maximizes the utility of the limited space surrounding the passenger seat
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
Enhances passenger seat functionality by providing multiple deployment positions and integrated features like power outlets and video displays, increasing utility during both stowage and deployment, while preventing unintentional adjustments through friction hinges and securing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
preventing unintentional adjustments through friction hinges
Data Source
AI summary
Described are multipurpose tray table systems including a passenger seat back, at least one tray table arm pivotally coupled to the passenger seat back, and a tray table pivotally coupled to the at least one tray table arm, comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the tray table may be deployed away from the passenger seat back via rotation of the at least one tray table arm about the passenger seat back to a first deployed position, and the tray table may be rotated about the at least one tray table arm into an adjusted deployed position such that the first surface of the tray table faces generally toward the passenger seat back and the second surface of the tray table faces generally away from the passenger seat back.