Vertically Adjustable Tray Assembly for Passenger Seat Device Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical vehicle passenger seats, such as those in aircraft, have tray tables that are positioned too low for comfortable use and viewing of personal devices like smartphones and tablets, as they are not adjustable to accommodate passengers of varying heights.
Innovation Solution
A personal device carrier integrated into the backside of a passenger seat with a folding tray assembly that is adjustable in the vertical direction, allowing the tray to move between a stowed and deployed position, and a spring-loaded locking pin for height adjustment, enabling the tray to be positioned at various heights for optimal viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-position tray table is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tray cannot be adjusted to accommodate passengers of varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The tray table is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The patent implements vertical adjustability through a rail system with multiple positioning holes, allowing the tray to be moved to different heights according to passenger needs, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and height adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray assembly is divided into separable components including the tray body, base, rail system, and locking mechanism. This segmentation allows for independent adjustment of each component, enabling height customization while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If the tray is positioned close to the passenger's lap, then food and drinks can be accommodated, but personal devices cannot be comfortably viewed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the vertical dimension to tray positioning, allowing the tray to be adjusted not only in horizontal proximity to the passenger but also in vertical height. This dimensional expansion enables the tray to simultaneously accommodate both food service (lower position) and personal device viewing (higher position) requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the tray is moved away from the seatback, then personal devices can be viewed, but the tray becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system acts as an intermediary between the tray and the seatback structure. It provides guided movement along a fixed path and includes locking mechanisms that secure the tray at desired positions, thereby enabling the tray to be moved away from the seatback for comfortable device viewing while maintaining stability through the constrained motion path and locking features.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a vertically adjustable tray system is implemented, then passengers of different heights can be accommodated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adjustability features locally at critical positions rather than throughout the entire structure. The rail system with predefined positioning holes provides height adjustment capability where needed (vertical position) while maintaining simple, rigid construction in other areas, thus balancing manufacturing simplicity with height accommodation.
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 personal device carrier allows passengers to comfortably view personal devices by adjusting the tray to a horizontal line of sight, accommodating different heights and enabling simultaneous use of the tray for food and devices.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pin is spring-loaded and serves a dual purpose. It is adapted for selectively locking the folding tray assembly at a plurality of heights relative to the backing plate. The locking pin is also adapted for selectively retaining the tray in the vertical stowed position and releasing the tray for movement to the horizontal deployed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal device carrier for a passenger seat. The personal device carrier has a backing plate integrated into a backside of the passenger seat and a folding tray assembly with a base adjustably coupled to the backing plate for vertical movement of the folding tray assembly relative to the backing plate. The folding tray assembly includes a tray rotationally mounted to the base and movable between a generally vertical stowed position and a generally horizontal deployed position for holding a personal device.