Passenger Seat Tray Table Rail Assembly for Fore-Aft Sliding

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passenger seat tray tables lack a supporting arm assembly that allows the tray table to translate in fore and aft directions, making them unusable when the passenger needs to move or requires increased space, such as during egress/ingress or when more space is needed.

Innovation Solution

A stowable tray table assembly with a frame featuring vertical and horizontal guide rails that guide the arm assembly, a lift bracket, and a tensioned cable system to maintain the tray table in a usable position, enabling it to slide in fore and aft directions while deployed and to be stowed effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tray table is fixed in position, then it provides stable support, but it cannot be moved to facilitate egress/ingress or provide increased free space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovability of tray tableVSAvoidcomplexity of supporting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is divided into multiple independent segments: a first arm segment that rotates with the tray table, and a second arm segment that translates fore and aft independently. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, enabling both stability and movability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic functionality by allowing the second arm segment to translate fore and aft along guide rails while the first arm segment rotates. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the tray table to maintain usability during egress/ingress and provide increased free space when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptive movability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the tray table can be moved far from the passenger, then it provides increased free space, but it becomes difficult to maintain in a usable position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance tray table can be movedVSAvoidease of maintaining usable position

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a second dimension of movement by implementing fore and aft translation along guide rails, in addition to the vertical rotation capability. This dimensional expansion allows the tray table to be moved significantly forward or backward while remaining supported by the guide rail system, making long-distance movement feasible while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails serve as an intermediary mechanism between the second arm segment and the tray table, providing guided fore and aft movement. This intermediary structure enables smooth translation over significant distances while maintaining control and ease of operation, preventing the tray table from becoming unstable during movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex hinge mechanism is used to deploy the tray table, then it provides adjustability, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of tray tableVSAvoidcomplexity of hinge mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is divided into multiple independent segments: a first arm segment that rotates with the tray table, and a second arm segment that translates fore and aft independently. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, enabling both stability and movability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic functionality by allowing the second arm segment to translate fore and aft along guide rails while the first arm segment rotates. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the tray table to maintain usability during egress/ingress and provide increased free space when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptive movability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 tray table assembly maintains usability by allowing sliding movement in fore and aft directions when deployed and efficient stowage, providing increased space and ease of use during passenger movement or when space is needed, while ensuring the tray table remains operational and accessible.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable reel associated with the frame and maintaining a tensioned cable connected to the lift bracket for providing a lifting force to the lifting bracket to counterbalance the weight of the tray table

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

an arm assembly supporting the tray table and configured to translate in fore and aft directions when deployed along a guide rail positioned adjacent a passenger seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8528968B2Stowable passenger seat tray table

Publication Date: 2013.09.10 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

A stowable tray table assembly including a tray table, an arm assembly supporting the tray table, and a frame comprising a vertical guide rail and a horizontal guide rail separately and consecutively guiding movement of the arm assembly, the arm assembly engaging the vertical guide rail when the tray table is in a vertical position and engaging the horizontal guide rail when the tray table is in a horizontal position.