Segmented Tray Table Design to Reduce Passenger Movement Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray tables in vehicles obstruct passage and are cumbersome during ingress and egress due to their fixed, large surface area, requiring passengers to repeatedly stow and retrieve items when others need to pass.
Innovation Solution
A configurable tray table with a support assembly and tray assembly that allows multiple configurations, including a stowed, full, small, and folded configuration, enabling flexible use and maximizing space between seat rows by pivoting tray segments to create a coplanar or multi-planar surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional tray table with a fixed large surface area is used, then passengers have sufficient surface area for eating and working, but the tray table obstructs passage during ingress and egress of seat rows
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is divided into multiple segments that can be independently configured. The tray assembly includes a first tray table segment and a second tray table segment that can be positioned in different configurations (coplanar or multi-planar) to provide full surface area when needed or reduced surface area to facilitate passenger movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table transitions from a static fixed surface to a dynamic reconfigurable surface. The segments can be pivoted between coplanar configuration (providing maximum surface area) and multi-planar configuration (reducing obstruction), allowing the tray table to adapt its surface area based on operational needs.
2Device complexity
If a conventional fixed tray table is used, then the structure is simple, but the tray table cannot accommodate various usage scenarios and requires repeated stowing and retrieving
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table structure is segmented into multiple pivotally coupled segments, each capable of independent movement. This segmentation enables the tray table to assume multiple configurations (coplanar, multi-planar, folded) to accommodate different usage scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table is designed to perform multiple functions through its reconfigurable segments. It can provide a large coplanar surface for eating and working, a reduced multi-planar surface for minimal obstruction during passage, and a folded configuration for storage, making it adaptable to various usage scenarios.
3Area of stationary object
If a large coplanar tray surface is deployed, then passengers have adequate space for items, but the tray table creates obstruction in the space between seat rows
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table surface dynamically adjusts its configuration based on space requirements. When adequate space exists between seat rows, the segments form a coplanar configuration providing maximum surface area. When space is constrained during passenger movement, the segments pivot to a multi-planar configuration that reduces the volume occupied between seat rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table transitions from a two-dimensional coplanar surface to a three-dimensional multi-planar arrangement. By pivoting segments out of the coplanar plane, the tray table maintains adequate surface area for items while redistributing the volume occupation to reduce obstruction between seat rows.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and methods provide for a configurable tray table and method of configuring a tray table. According to aspects of the disclosure, a tray table includes a support assembly and a tray assembly. The support assembly is configured to connect to a structure. The tray assembly is coupled to the support assembly and is configurable between coplanar and multi-planar tray configurations. The tray assembly includes a number of tray table segments pivotally coupled to one another. (Fig. 1)