Tray Table Direct Pivot Mounting to Reduce Seat Weight and Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray tables mounted to passenger seats are not optimized for non-reclining seat designs, leading to increased weight, material, and labor costs, as well as inefficient space usage, due to their indirect mounting and multiple moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A tray table pivotally coupled to the seat back frame of a non-reclining passenger seat, allowing for simplified installation, reduced weight, and compact design by eliminating the need for reclining mechanisms and minimizing space requirements through direct mounting and a recessed stowed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tray table is indirectly mounted to base of passenger seat via retractable arms, then tray table can be pulled toward passenger while deployed, but weight, material costs, and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tray table mounting directly to the seat back frame, eliminating the separate retractable arm mechanism. The tray table is pivotally coupled to the seat back frame at a pivot location, integrating the mounting function into the seat structure itself rather than using additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat back frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat back and simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for the tray table. The pivot bar coupling mechanism enables both the reclining motion of the seat back and the deployment/stowage motion of the tray table.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tray table is indirectly mounted to base of passenger seat, then seat back can recline without affecting tray table use, but device complexity increases due to multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seat back reclining mechanism and tray table deployment mechanism into a single pivot bar coupling system. Both motions share the same pivot point and structural elements, reducing the number of separate moving parts and simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot bar coupling serves dual functions: it allows the seat back to recline relative to the seat bottom and simultaneously allows the tray table to deploy and stow relative to the seat back frame. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each motion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If tray table is indirectly mounted to base of passenger seat, then vibration isolation is improved, but space requirements between seat back and tray table increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tray table mounting location directly to the seat back frame, positioning the tray table in the recess formed by the seat back frame. This eliminates the need for additional space between the seat back and tray table, allowing for more compact seating arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table is nested within the recess formed by the seat back frame when in the stowed position. The pivot bar coupling allows the tray table to be positioned within this recess, maximizing space utilization and allowing for more compact overall seat design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If tray table is indirectly mounted to base of passenger seat, then mounting flexibility is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tray table mounting directly to the seat back frame using a pivot bar coupling that can be installed from the front of the seat. This simplifies the installation process by eliminating the need to access the base of the passenger seat, reducing labor costs and installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot bar coupling is designed to be pre-assembled with the tray table, allowing for simplified installation. The coupling mechanism includes features that guide the installation process and ensure proper alignment, reducing the skill level and time required for installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described are passenger seat backs having tray tables pivotally coupled to the seat back frame and which rotate about a single axis. The tray table (20) may be directly connected to the seat back frame (10) without the need for a complex and heavy multi-axis pivot. The resulting seat and associated tray table are lighter, more compact, and easier to manufacture.