Timed passenger tray with infinite position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger tray systems in vehicles lack sufficient flexibility and adjustability to accommodate passengers of varying shapes and sizes, limiting their ability to be repositioned effectively during long travel durations.
Innovation Solution
A passenger tray assembly with a timing drive mechanism that synchronizes the rotation of gears/pulleys, allowing the tray to be repositioned infinitely while maintaining a parallel orientation relative to the seat back, and also enabling longitudinal movement, potentially with automated actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the passenger tray is made fixed or with limited motion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and flexibility for passengers of varying shapes and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tray support system that transitions from fixed to movable configuration. The tray support member is designed to rotate about the first gear/pulley and allows longitudinal sliding on the track, enabling continuous adjustment of tray position and orientation to adapt to different passenger needs while maintaining manageable complexity through guided motion paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray support system is segmented into multiple independent components: the tray support member, the track, the gears/pulleys, and the timing drive. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (support, guide, actuate, synchronize) independently, improving overall adaptability while keeping individual component complexity low.
2Ease of operation
If the tray support member is made movable to allow repositioning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of tray orientation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The timing drive acts as a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors and synchronizes the rotation of the first and second gears/pulleys. This ensures that as the tray support member moves and rotates, the tray maintains its correct orientation relative to the seat back, providing operational ease while guaranteeing orientation reliability through automatic coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing drive serves as an intermediary mechanism between the tray support member's motion and the tray's orientation. It mediates the relationship between the rotating support member and the tray, ensuring that the tray's orientation is automatically adjusted to remain parallel to the seat back regardless of the support member's position.
3Reliability
If a timing drive mechanism is added to synchronize gears/pulleys, then the orientation reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing drive merges the functions of orientation control and position adjustment into a single integrated mechanism. By combining the rotation of the tray support member with the orientation maintenance of the tray through synchronized gears/pulleys, the system achieves reliable orientation without requiring separate complex control systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing drive mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it synchronizes the rotation of both gears/pulleys, maintains tray orientation parallel to the seat back, and enables smooth repositioning of the tray support member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, managing overall system complexity while ensuring orientation reliability.
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
The solution provides enhanced flexibility and adjustability, ensuring the tray remains oriented correctly and can be positioned as needed, improving passenger comfort and convenience during travel.
Implementation Method 1
a timing drive at least partially disposed within the tray support member and configured to engage the first and second gears/pulleys so that the first and second gears/pulleys are simultaneously actuated
Implementation Method 2
a first gear/pulley coupled to the base member and a passenger tray with a second gear/pulley coupled to the passenger tray
Implementation Method 3
The tray support member is configured to support the passenger tray and can rotate about the first gear/pulley when the passenger tray is repositioned
Implementation Method 4
The passenger tray can be configured to slide longitudinally (e.g., forward and backward and/or side-to-side) on the track
Data Source
AI summary
A timed passenger tray with infinite position is disclosed. In embodiments, a passenger tray assembly includes a base member with a first gear/pulley coupled to the base member and a passenger tray with a second gear/pulley coupled to the passenger tray. The passenger tray assembly further includes a tray support member extending from the first gear/pulley to the second gear/pulley. The tray support member is configured to support the passenger tray and can rotate about the first gear/pulley when the passenger tray is repositioned. The passenger tray assembly further includes a timing drive at least partially disposed within the tray support member and configured to engage the first and second gears/pulleys so that the first and second gears/pulleys are simultaneously actuated when the passenger tray is repositioned in a manner that causes the tray support member to rotate about the first gear/pulley.