Backrest-Integrated Tray Table Latching to Reduce Injury Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tray tables in vehicle seats pose a risk of injury during accidents due to potential impact points when the seat deforms, especially affecting the passenger's head and neck.

Innovation Solution

A seat design with a backrest overlap portion that securely integrates the tray table, featuring a recess and latch mechanism to maintain the tray table in the stowed position, preventing unwanted deployment and reducing impact points by ensuring the tray table remains fixed to the backrest during deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the tray table is made moveable between stowed and deployed positions, then the passenger's ability to use the tray table for eating or working is improved, but the risk of injury during sudden deceleration or collision increases due to potential impact with the tray table

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability of tray tableVSAvoidinjury risk to passenger

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a headrest that proactively prevents the harmful effect of head impact before it can occur. The headrest is positioned to contact the passenger's head during sudden deceleration, counteracting the forward motion of the head and preventing impact with the tray table or backrest. This anticipatory protective measure addresses the injury risk while maintaining tray table functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning through the headrest structure that is designed to absorb and distribute impact forces. The headrest provides a cushioning effect between the passenger's head and any potential impact surfaces, reducing the severity of injuries during collisions or sudden deceleration events while allowing the tray table to remain moveable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the tray table is positioned closer to the backrest to reduce impact points, then the risk of head impact is reduced, but the structural integrity and stability of the tray table during deformation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure of tray table edgesVSAvoidstructural integrity during deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the headrest structure with the backrest and tray table assembly. The headrest is formed as part of the backrest structure, creating a unified assembly that maintains structural integrity while reducing exposed tray table edges. This integration ensures that the tray table remains securely attached to the backrest during deformation, preventing the tray table from becoming a separate impact hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by positioning the tray table within the overall backrest structure. The tray table is nested within the space defined by the backrest and headrest, allowing it to be closer to the backrest without compromising structural integrity. This nested arrangement reduces exposed edges while maintaining the strength of the overall assembly during deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the tray table is secured firmly to the backrest to prevent movement during deformation, then the risk of injury from tray table impact is reduced, but the ability to deploy and use the tray table smoothly may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury risk during deformationVSAvoidsmooth deployment of tray table

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the headrest and tray table mounting system to have different behavior under different conditions. During normal operation, the tray table can be smoothly deployed and adjusted. However, during sudden deceleration or collision, the headrest structure becomes dynamically active, engaging to secure the tray table and prevent injury. This dynamic response allows both smooth operation and injury protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by designing the mounting mechanism to change its mechanical properties based on the force applied. Under normal conditions, the mounting allows smooth movement for deployment. Under high-force conditions such as collision, the mounting parameters change to provide firm securing, preventing tray table movement while maintaining ease of operation during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4337532B1Seat with tray table

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SAFRAN SEATS GB LTD

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AI summary

A seat comprising: a backrest; and a tray table coupled to the backrest, the tray table being movable between a stowed position in which the tray table lies against the backrest and a deployed position in which the tray table extends away from the backrest; the backrest comprising a backrest body and a backrest overlap portion, the backrest overlap portion having a fixed orientation relative to the backrest body and overlapping a first portion of the tray table when the tray table is in the stowed position such that the first portion of the tray table is between the backrest overlap portion and the backrest body.