Folding Tray Table Headrest Mount with Viewing Device Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers on aircraft face discomfort due to reduced leg space and inability to recline seats, leading to back and neck fatigue, and struggle with securing viewing devices during flights due to turbulence and tray table instability.
Innovation Solution
A portable, folding tray table mount that can be assembled without tools, allowing for a compact storage configuration, which supports a passenger's head or viewing device at an optimal angle, featuring adjustable components for different users and secure positioning over the tray table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray table is lowered to support a passenger's head, then the passenger can rest their head on the tray table, but the tray table surface is hard and uncomfortable for prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
A headrest support structure serves as an intermediary between the hard tray table surface and the passenger's head. The headrest includes a cushioned or contoured support surface that interfaces with the head, while the tray table merely provides structural support underneath. This mediator eliminates direct contact between the head and the hard tray table surface.
2Ease of operation
If the tray table is lowered to support a viewing device, then the device can be placed on the tray table, but the device falls over or falls during turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing device support structure changes the geometric parameters of device placement by providing an elevated platform with lateral confinement features. The support arms extend upward from the tray table to create a raised platform, and the side walls or barriers prevent lateral movement, fundamentally altering the stability parameters compared to flat tray table placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure with side walls or barriers provides preliminary resistance against the forces that would cause the device to fall during turbulence. The confined geometry preemptively counteracts lateral and forward/backward movements before they can cause the device to tip or fall off the tray table.
3Ease of operation
If a headrest support structure is added to the tray table, then head support comfort is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and harder to store
Solution Approach 1:
The headrest support structure is divided into segmented components including adjustable support arms, detachable headrest cushions, and modular framing elements. These segments can be independently folded, collapsed, or detached to reduce overall complexity and facilitate compact storage in carry-on luggage when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable arms that can pivot or telescopic components that extend and retract. These dynamic features allow the structure to transform between a compact folded state for storage and an expanded functional state for use, reducing the permanent footprint and storage requirements.
4Productivity
If the front to back spacing between seats is reduced to provide more seats, then the number of seats increases, but leg space and reclining capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table-based headrest support structure serves as an intermediary that enables headrest functionality without requiring increased seat pitch or reclining capability. By placing the headrest on the tray table rather than integrating it into the seat back, the invention allows comfortable head support in high-density configurations where traditional reclining and built-in headrests are unavailable.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray table folding mount for use on an unfolded tray table on an aircraft that incorporates a headrest attached to an upper support attached to an intermediate member. The intermediate member is attached to a lower planar member that is placed over the tray table. The headrest includes a nose relief aperture that receives the nose of the passenger when his forehead and face are resting in the headrest. The upper support, the intermediate member, and lower planar member are easily assembled or disassembled and stored in a compact configuration. In one embodiment, the upper support and intermediate member are pivotally connected, and the intermediate member is pivotally connected to the lower planar support. Formed on the planar member is an edge engaging lip that captures an edge on the tray table. Also mounted on the intermediate member is a ledge configured to hold a viewing device.