Multipurpose Tray Table With Friction Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tray tables in passenger seats are limited to a single utility position and lack versatility when stowed, restricting their functionality due to the confined space around the seat.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose tray table system with a tray table arm pivotally coupled to the seat back, featuring a first surface for conventional horizontal deployment and a second surface with a compartment that can be adjusted vertically or angularly, equipped with power outlets and a video display, allowing for enhanced item positioning and use during both deployment and stowage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tray table is mounted conventionally to rotate away from the seat back, then the tray table can provide a flat surface for use, but it is limited to only one utility position and lacks versatility when stowed
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be deployed horizontally for conventional use, folded vertically for stowage, and adjusted to intermediate angles to create viewing platforms or display surfaces. The second surface of the tray table includes compartments and features that provide utility in both deployed and stowed positions, making the single structure serve multiple purposes throughout the passenger journey.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray table incorporates a friction hinge mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment between multiple positions. Rather than being fixed in a single deployed or stowed position, the tray table can be held at various intermediate angles, enabling passengers to adapt the table's orientation to different needs such as viewing content, displaying items, or creating ergonomic configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tray table is stowed against the seat back, then space is saved, but the utility of the tray table is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table's second surface includes compartments, power outlets, and other features that provide utility even when the tray table is in the stowed vertical position. This allows the structure to remain functional rather than merely occupying space, maintaining passenger convenience throughout all phases of use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tray table is deployed horizontally, then a flat surface is provided for eating and working, but the tray table cannot be used for other purposes such as viewing or displaying items
Solution Approach 1:
The friction hinge mechanism enables smooth adjustment between horizontal deployment, vertical stowage, and intermediate angled positions. This dynamic capability allows passengers to easily transition between different use cases such as dining, viewing content at an angle, displaying items on the tilted surface, or stowing the table away, all through simple manual manipulation of the hinge.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing angular adjustment capability, the tray table transitions from a two-state system (deployed/stowed) to a multi-state system that utilizes the angular dimension. This allows the same physical structure to create different functional configurations by changing its orientation angle, effectively adding a dimensional degree of freedom to the user experience.
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 system provides increased functionality by enabling the tray table to be adjusted for vertical or angular staging of items, maintaining utility during stowage and deployment, and offering additional features like power outlets and video displays, enhancing passenger comfort and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the tray table is pivotally coupled to the at least one tray table arm via a friction hinge so as to allow for vertical or angular staging or positioning of a passenger's item within the compartment
Data Source
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AI summary
Described are multipurpose tray table systems including a passenger seat back, at least one tray table arm pivotally coupled to the passenger seat back, and a tray table pivotally coupled to the at least one tray table arm, comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the tray table may be deployed away from the passenger seat back via rotation of the at least one tray table arm about the passenger seat back to a first deployed position, and the tray table may be rotated about the at least one tray table arm into an adjusted deployed position such that the first surface of the tray table faces generally toward the passenger seat back and the second surface of the tray table faces generally away from the passenger seat back.