Stowable Tablet Holder for Reclined Seat Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current business class seat products often have meal tables that are too low for comfortable tablet viewing and are unsuitable for use when the seat is in a reclined or deep recline position, limiting passengers' ability to watch content on their devices during flights.
Innovation Solution
A stowable tablet holder apparatus with a pivotable support arm and base member that can be deployed from a structure, allowing for adjustable viewing angles and secure placement of tablets, even when the seat is reclined, by extending horizontally and rotating to rest the tablet on a lip and support arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the meal table height is optimized for eating, then the meal table is suitable for dining, but the height is too low for comfortable tablet viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet holder is segmented from the meal table structure, allowing independent positioning. The holder includes a base member that attaches to the meal table and a separate support arm that can be independently adjusted to optimal viewing height, decoupling the dining function from the tablet viewing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tablet holder extends vertically from the meal table surface, adding height in the vertical dimension. The support arm projects upward and forward, positioning the tablet at an ergonomically comfortable viewing angle above the meal table level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the meal table height is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the table is unsuitable for use when the seat is in a recline or deep recline position
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet holder incorporates a pivotable support arm that can rotate about a horizontal axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the tablet angle. This enables the holder to adapt to different seat positions including reclined and deep recline positions, maintaining optimal viewing orientation regardless of seat configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed to function universally across multiple seat positions (upright, reclined, and deep recline). The adjustable support arm provides multi-functional capability to accommodate various passenger preferences and seat configurations without requiring different holder designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tablet holder is integrated into the meal table, then the holder is always available, but the meal table cannot be used for meals or stored away
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet holder is segmented into a detachable base member and support arm assembly that can be independently mounted to or removed from the meal table. This allows the meal table to be used for dining when the holder is not needed, while providing tablet support functionality when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member is designed to be positionable between a stowed state (flush with or recessed into the meal table) and a deployed state (extending outward to support the tablet). This dynamic positioning allows the meal table surface to remain unobtrusive when the holder is not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a structure and a stowable tablet holder apparatus. The stowable tablet holder apparatus may include a pivotable support arm and a base member. The base member may have a rear portion and a front lip portion. The base member may be horizontally positioned when in a stowed state and when in a deployed state. The pivotable support arm may extend from the front of the rear portion toward the front lip portion when in the stowed state. When the base member is in the deployed state, the stowable tablet holder apparatus may be configured to hold a tablet at a viewing angle by rotation of the pivotable support arm such that a bottom edge of the tablet rests against the front lip portion and a back of the tablet rests against the pivotable support arm.