SEAT EQUIPPED WITH A BED EXTENSION WITH IMPROVED DEPLOYMENT KINEMATICS

Abstract

The invention relates to an aircraft seat (10) comprising a device (18) for moving the bed extension (17), including a rotary electric motor (16) capable of automatically moving the bed extension (17) from: - the stored position to: - a first intermediate position in which the bed extension (17), moved in translation, is positioned outside the space under the seat (13); - a second intermediate position in which the bed extension (17) has a rear end at the level of the seat (13) and a front end at a level lower than that of the seat (13), such that the bed extension (17) forms a non-zero angle with the seat (13) while being inclined downwards; - the deployed position in which the bed extension (17) extends horizontally in the same plane as the seat (13). Figure 1d

Description

Title of the invention: SEAT PROVIDED WITH A BED EXTENSION WITH IMPROVED DEPLOYMENT KINEMATICS

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat provided with a bed extension with improved deployment kinematics. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of aeronautics, in particular with seats for first class or business class aircraft cabins.

[0002] In a manner known per se, a seat comprises at least one seat and at least one backrest mounted on a frame. The frame is provided with fasteners intended to ensure fixing of the seat on rails of an aircraft cabin. The seat may be associated with a privacy shell extending at least partly around the seat. This makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger by creating a partially enclosed space around the seat unit to isolate the passenger from the external environment.

[0003] In order to create a bed surface for the passenger, it is possible to provide a seat comprising a fixed seat and a fixed backrest associated with a removable bed extension intended to fill a space between the seat base and an ottoman located in front of the seat. Such a configuration is of economic interest due to the elimination of the various actuators conventionally integrated on a seat capable of moving from a seated position to a lying position by tilting the backrest backwards.

[0004] The bed extension may comprise a first flap located on the side of the ottoman and a second flap extending perpendicularly relative to the seat. The first flap is provided with a handle and a mechanical locking device to partially fill the space between the seat and the ottoman. The second flap is moved by means of an electric actuator which brings it from the vertical position to a horizontal position so as to fill the remaining space between the seat and the ottoman.

[0005] However, such a system requires a tedious two-step decomposition of the bed extension deployment function via the movement of the first flap and then the movement of the second flap. In addition, this system induces a risk of trapping the legs of a passenger between the two flaps of the bed extension. It should also be noted that the operation of such a system is not intuitive for the passenger, insofar as the first flap requires manual intervention while the second flap moves automatically.

[0006] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a seat for an aircraft comprising: - a chassis, - at least one seat and at least one backrest mounted on the chassis, and - a bed extension movable between a stored position and a deployed position in which the bed extension extends in an extension of the seat, - said seat further comprising a device for moving the bed extension comprising a rotary electric motor mounted on the chassis capable of ensuring automatic movement of the bed extension from - the stored position in which the bed extension is arranged within a space located under the seat by extending parallel to the seat towards - a first intermediate position in which the bed extension moved in translation is arranged outside the space located under the seat, then - a second intermediate position in which the bed extension has a rear end located at the level of the seat and a front end located at a level lower than that of the seat, so that the bed extension forms a non-zero angle relative to the seat while being inclined downwards, then - the deployed position in which the bed extension extends in the same plane as the seat.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible to improve passenger comfort by filling a space between a seat and an ottoman via a bed extension made in a single piece and deployable without interfering with the passenger's body. The bed extension according to the invention does not interfere with the passenger's environment. The invention is also ergonomic and intuitive, insofar as the bed extension moved automatically by the rotating electric motor will gradually and naturally raise the passenger's legs from bottom to top in order to provide a completely reclined position. The invention also makes it possible to confer good rigidity to the bed extension which will be able to support the weight of a passenger without difficulty.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the moving device comprises a drawer carrying the bed extension, said drawer being mounted to move in translation relative to the chassis by means of a slide.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drawer is mechanically linked to a rack capable of being moved in translation by the rotary electric motor to move the bed extension from the stored position to the first intermediate position.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bed extension is mounted on the drawer by means of a connecting arm and a set of connecting rods comprising connecting rods provided with guide elements cooperating with guide grooves made in the bed extension and / or the connecting arm, said guide grooves having profiles defined so as to move the bed extension from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position and then from the second intermediate position to the deployed position.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting arm comprises a first one end rotatably mounted on the drawer and a second end rotatably mounted on the bed extension.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the set of connecting rods comprises a rear connecting rod having an intermediate portion rotatably mounted on the slide and one end provided with a guide element capable of sliding inside a guide groove made in the connecting arm.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the set of connecting rods comprises a front connecting rod having a first end rotatably mounted on the drawer and a second end provided with a guide element capable of sliding inside a guide groove made in the bed extension.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting rod assembly comprises a connecting rod having a first end rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod and a second end rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat comprises an activation rod having a first end rotatably mounted on a side of the rack and a second end rotatably mounted on one end of the rear rod.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat comprises an accordion-shaped cover arranged around the set of connecting rods.

[0017] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0018] [Fig.la][Fig.lb][Fig.lc][Fig.ld] Figures la, 1b, le and 1d are perspective views of a seat unit illustrating a deployment kinematics of a bed extension according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2a][Fig.2b][Fig.2c][Fig.2d] Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are side views of a seat unit according to the invention illustrating a kinematics of deployment of a bed extension to fill a gap between a seat and an ottoman;

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a bed extension according to the invention equipped with a rotary motor displacement device associated with a set of connecting rods and slides;

[0021] [Fig.4a][Fig.4b][Fig.4c][Fig.4d] Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are detailed side views of a bed extension according to the invention moving from a stored position to a deployed position;

[0022] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a bed extension according to the invention equipped with an accordion-shaped cover.

[0023] It should be noted that the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0024] Furthermore, the relative terms of the type "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a passenger installed on an airplane seat according to the invention would give them.

[0025] Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show a seat 10 for an aircraft comprising a frame 11 comprising fasteners 12 intended to ensure fixing of the seat 10 on rails of an aircraft cabin. Furthermore, at least one seat 13 and at least one backrest 15 are mounted on the frame 11. Preferably, the seat 13 and the backrest 15 are mounted fixed relative to the frame 11.

[0026] The seat 10 may in particular be single-seater or two-seater as shown in Figures 1a-1d. In the case of a two-seater seat, the seat 10 comprises two seats 13 laterally aligned with each other and extending in two opposite directions with respect to each other. The seat 10 may further comprise a single backrest 15 having a first face associated with a first seat and a second face, opposite the first face, associated with the second seat. Two passengers can then sit back to back on the two seats of the seat 10.

[0027] In order to provide privacy to the passenger, the seat 10 may also be associated with a separation wall 14 making it possible to isolate the passenger from a circulation corridor of the aircraft cabin or from a neighboring passenger.

[0028] Each seat 13 may comprise a seat structure and a comfort cushion. The backrest 15 may comprise a backrest structure and a comfort cushion. The comfort cushions of the seat 13 and the backrest 15 may be made of a foam material, for example a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam, a fiber foam, a cellular foam, an inflatable foam or any other material allowing a comfort foam to be produced.

[0029] A bed extension 17 is intended to extend horizontally in an extension of the seat 13 when the bed extension 17 is in the deployed position. The bed extension 17 may comprise a tray covered by a comfort element, such as a layer of foam, for example polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, fiber foam, cellular foam, inflatable foam or any other material making it possible to produce a comfort foam.

[0030] The bed extension 17 in the deployed position is intended to fill a space between the seat 13 and an ottoman 19 arranged in front of the seat 10, as shown in [Fig.2d].

[0031] The seat 10 further comprises a device 18 for moving the bed extension 17 comprising a rotary electric motor 16 mounted on the chassis 11 capable of ensuring a automatic movement of the bed extension 17 from - a stored position in which the bed extension 17 is arranged inside a space located under the seat 13 of the seat, extending parallel to the seat 13 of the seat (see figures 1a and 2a), towards - a first intermediate position in which the bed extension 17 moved in translation is arranged outside the space located under the seat 13 (see figures 1b and 2b), then - a second intermediate position in which the bed extension 17 has a rear end located at the level of the seat 13 and a front end located at a level lower than that of the seat 13, so that the bed extension 17 forms a non-zero angle relative to the seat 13 of the seat while being inclined downwards (see figures 1c and 2c), then - the deployed position in which the bed extension 17 extends horizontally in the same plane as the seat 13 (see figures 1d and 2d).

[0032] It should be noted that in the second intermediate position, the angle between the seat 13 and the bed extension 17 is preferably arranged at the level of the hollow of the passenger's leg joint in order to improve his comfort.

[0033] As can be seen in particular in [Fig. 3], the movement device 18 comprises a drawer 21 carrying the bed extension 17. The drawer 21 is mounted to move in translation relative to the chassis 11 by means of a slide 22. In this case, the drawer 21 comprises two longitudinal portions 23 connected to each other by connecting crosspieces 24.

[0034] The drawer 21 is mechanically connected to a rack 27 capable of being moved in translation by the rotary electric motor 16 to move the bed extension 17 from the stored position to the first intermediate position. For this purpose, the rotary electric motor 16 comprises a shaft carrying at least one toothed wheel 28 engaged with the rack 27.

[0035] The bed extension 17 is mounted on the drawer 21 by means of a connecting arm 31 and a set of connecting rods 32. The connecting arm 31 has a first end rotatably mounted on the drawer 21 and a second end rotatably mounted on the bed extension 17. More specifically, the first end of the connecting arm 31 is rotatably mounted on a front end of the drawer 21 and the second end of the connecting arm 31 is rotatably mounted on a rear end of the bed extension 17.

[0036] The connecting rod assembly 32 comprises connecting rods provided with guide elements 35, 41 cooperating with guide grooves 36, 42 made in the bed extension 17 and / or the connecting arm 31. The guide grooves 36, 42 have profiles defined so as to move the bed extension 17 from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position and then from the second intermediate position to the position deployed.

[0037] Advantageously, the set of connecting rods 32 comprises a rear connecting rod 34 having an intermediate portion rotatably mounted on the slide 21 and one end provided with a guide element 35 capable of sliding inside a guide groove 36 made in the connecting arm 31. The guide element 35 may take the form of a roller, a stud, a rod or any other guide element capable of moving along the guide groove 36. The guide groove 36 comprises two curved portions connected together so as to have a flattened V shape.

[0038] Furthermore, a front connecting rod 40 comprises a first end rotatably mounted on the slide 21 and a second end provided with a guide element 41 capable of sliding inside a guide groove 42 made in the bed extension 17. The guide element 41 may take the form of a roller, a stud, a rod, or any other guide element capable of moving along the guide groove 42. The guide groove 42 comprises a first substantially rectilinear portion extended by a curved portion so as to have a general J-shape.

[0039] A connecting rod 45 has a first end rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod 34 and a second end rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod 40.

[0040] Furthermore, an activation rod 46 has a first end rotatably mounted on a flank of the rack 27 and a second end rotatably mounted on one end of the rear rod 34.

[0041] The kinematics of movement of the bed extension 17 from the stored position to the deployed position are described below with reference to FIGS. 4a-4d. Firstly, the rack 27 driven by the rotary electric motor 16 moves the drawer 21 in translation to move the bed extension 17 from the stored position shown in [Fig. 4a] to the first intermediate position shown in [Fig. 4b]. The drawer 21 then comes to a stop on the slide 22.

[0042] When the drawer 21 has completed its travel due to the slide 22 coming into abutment, the rack 27 continues its translational movement, which has the effect of causing the activation rod 46 to rotate. The activation rod 46 then rotates the rear rod 34 and the front rod 40, the rotational movement of which, combined with the movement of the guide elements 35, 41 inside the guide grooves 36, 42, makes it possible to initiate the upward movement of the bed extension 17.

[0043] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.4c], initially the rear end of the bed extension 17 is moved upwards in such a way that the bed extension 17 moves from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position.

[0044] The rear connecting rod 34 and the front connecting rod 40 continue to rotate while the guide elements 35, 41 continue their travel inside the guide grooves 36, 42, so that the front end of the bed extension 17 is moved upwards so that the bed extension 17 is located in the deployed position in the same plane as the seat 13, as shown in [Fig. 4d]. The rear connecting rod 34 and the front connecting rod 40 then extend vertically so as to constitute force arms making it possible to withstand high vertical mechanical stresses, in particular the weight of a passenger seated on the bed extension 17.

[0045] In order to improve the rigidity of the assembly, it is possible to use two sets of connecting rods 32 and two racks 27 arranged on each side of the bed extension 17, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0046] It should be noted that the movement of the bed extension 17 is not necessarily continuous and without stopping from the stored position to the deployed position. In particular, the passenger can stop the bed extension 17 in the second intermediate position in which the bed extension 17 forms a non-zero angle relative to the seat 13. The passenger can then enjoy a comfortable position in which his legs are slightly bent such that his calves rest on the bed extension 17.

[0047] Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], an accordion-shaped cover 47 is arranged around the set of connecting rods 32. The cover 47 is capable of assuming a folded state when the bed extension 17 is in the stored state and an unfolded state when the bed extension 17 is in the deployed state. Such a cover 47 makes it possible to mask all of the mechanical elements of the movement device 18. The cover 47 also makes it possible to prevent fingers from getting trapped inside the mechanism. Alternatively, it is possible to use a cover 47 of any other shape suitable for the application.

[0048] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0049] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

Claims

Claims

1. Seat (10) for an aircraft comprising: - a chassis (11), - at least one seat (13) and at least one backrest (15) mounted on the chassis (11), and - a bed extension (17) movable between a stored position and a deployed position in which the bed extension (17) extends in an extension of the seat (13), characterized in that said seat (10) further comprises a device (18) for moving the bed extension (17) comprising a rotary electric motor (16) mounted on the chassis (11) capable of ensuring automatic movement of the bed extension (17) from - the stored position in which the bed extension (17) is arranged inside a space located under the seat (13) by extending parallel to the seat (13) to - a first intermediate position in which the bed extension (17) moved in translation is arranged outside the space located under the seat (13),then - a second intermediate position in which the bed extension (17) has a rear end located at the level of the seat (13) and a front end located at a level lower than that of the seat (13), so that the bed extension (17) forms a non-zero angle relative to the seat (13) while being inclined downwards, then - the deployed position in which the bed extension (17) extends horizontally in the same plane as the seat (13).,

2. Seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement device (18) comprises a drawer (21) carrying the bed extension (17), said drawer (21) being mounted movable in translation relative to the chassis (11) by means of a slide (22).

3. Seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the drawer (21) is mechanically linked to a rack (27) capable of being moved in translation by the rotary electric motor (16) to move the bed extension (17) from the stored position to the first intermediate position.

4. A seat according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the bed extension (17) is mounted on the drawer (21) by means of a connecting arm (31) and a set of connecting rods (32) comprising connecting rods provided with guide elements (35, 41) cooperating with guide grooves (36, 42) made in the bed extension (17) and / or the connecting arm (31), said guide grooves having profiles defined so as to move the bed extension (17) from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position and then from the second intermediate position to the deployed position.

5. Seat according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting arm (31) has a first end rotatably mounted on the drawer (21) and a second end rotatably mounted on the bed extension (17).

6. Seat according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the set of connecting rods (32) comprises a rear connecting rod (34) having an intermediate portion rotatably mounted on the drawer (21) and one end provided with a guide element (35) capable of sliding inside a guide groove (36) made in the connecting arm (31).

7. Seat according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the set of connecting rods (32) comprises a front connecting rod (40) having a first end rotatably mounted on the drawer (21) and a second end provided with a guide element (41) capable of sliding inside a guide groove (42) made in the bed extension (17).

8. Seat according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the set of connecting rods (32) comprises a connecting rod (45) having a first end rotatably mounted on the rear connecting rod (34) and a second end rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod (40).

9. Seat according to claims 3 and 6 and 7, characterized in that it comprises an activation rod (46) having a first end rotatably mounted on a side of the rack (27) and a second end rotatably mounted on one end of the rear rod (34).

10. Seat according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an accordion-shaped cover (47) arranged around the set of connecting rods (32).

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