Passenger Seat Tray Table With Embedded Controls and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional passenger seats offer limited control and utilization of personal space during travel, negatively impacting the passenger's experience.
Innovation Solution
A tray table for passenger seats featuring a first and second surface, a pocket recessed in the second surface, and a control panel embedded in the second surface, allowing passengers to control cabin equipment and utilize their space more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional passenger seat designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the passenger's ability to control and utilize their living space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tray table with multiple functional elements including storage pockets, control panels for cabin equipment, and adjustable mechanisms into a single integrated assembly. This merging of functions allows passengers to control lighting, entertainment, and other cabin features through the tray table interface while maintaining a unified structural design that does not significantly increase overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table is designed as a multi-functional device that serves not only as a eating surface but also as a control interface for cabin equipment, a storage unit with pockets for personal items, and an adjustable support structure. This universal design enables a single component to perform multiple functions, improving passenger control over their environment without requiring separate systems for each function
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional tray tables without storage are used, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to store and organize personal items is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table incorporates segmented storage solutions including multiple pockets of different sizes and configurations. These segmented storage areas allow passengers to organize different types of personal items (wallet, phone, documents, etc.) in designated spaces, improving organization capability while maintaining a modular structure that can be manufactured through standardized components
3Ease of operation
If control panels are added to the tray table, then passenger control of cabin equipment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table serves as an intermediary interface between the passenger and the cabin equipment control systems. By embedding control panels directly into the tray table surface, passengers can easily access and control lighting, entertainment, and other cabin features through a unified interface located within reach, simplifying the interaction while integrating control functionality into the existing tray table structure
Data Source
AI summary
Described are tray tables for passenger seats having a first surface, a second surface opposite from the first surface, and at least one of a pocket, a control panel, or a table support. The pocket may be defined in one of the surfaces of a tray table and have a pocket surface that is recessed in the tray table relative to the second surface. The control panel may be embedded in one of the surfaces of a tray table and may control at least one piece of cabin equipment associated with a passenger seat having the tray table. The table support may be connected between opposing sides of a tray table to pivotably support the tray table on a seat back of a passenger seat having the tray table.