Tray Table Support Arm Design to Reduce Neck and Eye Strain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passengers using personal electronics devices on economy-class seat tray tables face discomfort due to limited fold-up range and distance from the screen, causing neck and eye strain from unsuitable viewing angles.

Innovation Solution

A support structure with a configurable support arm that matches the tray table's contour, allowing items to be positioned at an angled orientation, integrated with a lip for stability and adjustable components for customizable viewing angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the PED is placed directly on the tray table surface, then the device is stable and easy to position, but the viewing angle is unsuitable causing neck and eye strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of positioningVSAvoidneck and eye strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm acts as an intermediary between the tray table and the PED, providing an angled support surface that elevates the device to a more ergonomic viewing position while maintaining stability through the contour-matching design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the support arm is made adjustable to customize viewing angles, then passenger comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle adjustmentVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable length segments and rotatable joints that allow the viewing angle and position to be customized by the user, transforming a static tray table into an adaptive support system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm is divided into multiple segments that can be independently adjusted, allowing for fine-tuning of the viewing angle while keeping each individual segment relatively simple in design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the support arm extends beyond the tray table contour for better support, then the viewing angle is improved, but the stability and neat appearance when stowed is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing comfortVSAvoidstowed position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed to nest within or along the contour of the tray table when in the stowed position, with the arm's profile matching the tray table's peripheral contour to maintain a neat appearance and stable configuration when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9758249B2Passenger seat tray table

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 ST ENG AEROSPACE LTD

AI summary

A support structure for attachment to a tray table for a passenger seat, a tray table for a passenger seat, and a passenger seat. The support structure comprises a support arm shaped to substantially match at least a first portion of a peripheral contour of the tray table; and a connecting structure for connecting the support arm to the tray table in a manner such that the support arm is configurable into a stowed position in which the support arm extends substantially along said at least first portion of the peripheral contour of the tray table and at least one support position for supporting an item on the tray table in an angled orientation between a surface of the item and the surface of the tray table.