Recessed Seat Back Tray Table Assembly for Passenger Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passenger seat back systems encroach on space available to aft-seated passengers due to the external mounting of amenities and tray tables, necessitating a solution to minimize space occupation and provide a way to pivotally couple the tray table while stowed.
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, allowing the tray table to stow within the recess, and a latching mechanism engages the tray table assembly with the compartment to secure it in place, minimizing space intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If amenities and tray tables are mounted to the exterior surface of the seat back, then they are easily accessible and deployable, but they encroach on the space available to the aft-seated passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table assembly 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 recess is positioned to optimize space utilization while maintaining accessibility for the passenger.
2Ease of operation
If the tray table is pivotally coupled at a location on the seat back, then it can be deployed conveniently, but it requires additional space for the pivot mechanism and stowing
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot shaft is positioned exterior to the recess, allowing the tray table assembly to pivot in a dimension that does not interfere with the recess space. This spatial arrangement enables the pivot mechanism to operate in a different dimensional plane, minimizing the volume required for the pivot mechanism while maintaining smooth deployability.
3Area of stationary object
If the tray table stows within the recess, then space occupation is minimized, but a secure mounting mechanism is required to hold it in place
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism automatically engages to secure the tray table assembly within the recess when it is in the stowed position. The lever and receptacle work together to provide automatic securing without requiring additional fasteners or complex mounting procedures, reducing device complexity while ensuring secure mounting.
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.