Aircraft Seat Tray Table Mounting for Multi-Axis Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger seat designs face challenges in providing flexible usability and comfort while adhering to safety standards, particularly in adapting functions within a limited space and accommodating varying aircraft orientations during flight.

Innovation Solution

A passenger seat with a pivotable table top attached to a structural component via a joint arrangement, allowing for precise adjustment in multiple directions (height, side, and inclination) to ensure the table top remains horizontal during flight, using a connecting arrangement with screw connections for stable and space-efficient adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the table top is fixed in a single position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability and user comfort are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of table top positionVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The table top is made adjustable through a joint arrangement with pivot axis, allowing dynamic repositioning between multiple mounting positions. The connection arrangement includes adjustment means that enable the table top to be positioned at different heights and angles, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure is divided into separate components: a connection arrangement with first and second connection components, and a joint arrangement with pivot axis. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different parameters (position, angle) while maintaining overall structural integrity and simplifying the design of each individual component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the table top is made adjustable in multiple directions, then user comfort and adaptability improve, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-directional adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of connection arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection arrangement and joint arrangement are merged into a single integrated mounting structure. The first connection component attaches to the structural component, the second connection component attaches to the table top, and the joint arrangement with pivot axis connects these components, combining multiple functions (attachment, pivoting, adjustment) into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint arrangement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a connection point between structural components, provides a pivot axis for rotation, enables multi-directional adjustment, and maintains structural stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each adjustment parameter.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the table top is made pivotable with adjustment means, then precision and user comfort improve, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of table top positioningVSAvoidease of adjusting table top
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment means are designed to be operated directly by the user without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. The connection arrangement allows the user to easily adjust the table top to desired positions through intuitive manipulation of the joint arrangement, making the precision adjustment system self-servicing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4045356B1Aircraft passenger seat and seat row
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 ZIM AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH
  • EP4045356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4045356B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4045356B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aircraft passenger seat is proposed, comprising a structural component (53), on which a tray table (33) of the aircraft passenger seat is held via a hinge assembly, the tray table (33) being pivotable about a pivot axis of the hinge assembly. According to the invention, a connection assembly (55) for detachably fitting the tray table (33) on the structural component (53) is provided, the connection assembly (55) comprising adjustment means for adjusting a mounting position for the tray table (33) relative to the structural component (53), the adjustment means being designed such that the mounting position can be selected from a plurality of different mounting positions for the tray table (33) relative to the structural component (53).