Convertible aeronautical sofa with insertable backrest under a given height

Abstract

Sofa (10) for a passenger transport vehicle such as an airplane, comprising a seat (11), a backrest (12) and a structure (13) supporting them, said sofa being convertible into at least two positions each having a total surface area usable by the passenger: a seated position in which the backrest is upright relative to the seat and a sleeping position in which the backrest is folded down in the same plane relative to the seat; said seat having a length (L11) sufficient to allow a passenger in the seated position to fully extend his legs; in the seated position, the backrest (12) is partially stored below the seat (11) in a space (131) of the structure (13), so that the total usable surface area in the seated position is less than the total usable surface area in the sleeping position. Figure for abstract: figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Convertible aeronautical sofa with backrest insertable under a given height Technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of fitting out cabins of passenger transport vehicles, in particular aircraft, and relates more particularly to an aeronautical sofa convertible into a bed and comprising a backrest which can be inserted below a given imposed height.

[0002] The invention finds a direct, but not exclusive, application in the layout of airliner cabins in upper class (business class or first class). State of the art

[0003] In air transport, the level of comfort required in the upper classes (business class and first class) of airliners must be able to offer passengers the possibility of lying down in a comfortable position, particularly sleeping, especially when the flight is long, and of enjoying a certain privacy from other passengers.

[0004] To meet this need, airlines are incorporating seats that convert into beds. These seats have been around for a long time and come in many designs.

[0005] However, the arrangement of convertible armchairs can sometimes involve constraints linked to the environment of the armchair, the use of the available space and the desired level of comfort.

[0006] Indeed, it sometimes happens that convertible armchairs are placed in individual compartments, also called passenger suites, having other amenities, or even extra seats, with which the main armchair must be able to cooperate in its different positions while respecting dimensional constraints. More particularly, the armchair must be able to offer a maximum sleeping surface in bed position while allowing optimal accessibility to other amenities regardless of its position.

[0007] For the most luxurious first classes, airlines complete their offers by adjusting the space dedicated to the passenger so as to include a maximum of additional entertainment services, and this as ergonomically as possible, and / or by enlarging this space to reduce the partitioning effect and / or to be able to fit other additional pieces of furniture such as benches, consoles that can serve as minibars. The aim is obviously to improve the passenger experience during the flight with more comfort and more friendliness.

[0008] By way of example, patent FR3095190, in the name of the applicant, describes a passenger suite comprising a convertible seat, a sofa, an extra seat, a console and a sliding access door. The sofa has a first corner, a central part and a second corner. The convertible seat and the extra seat are attached laterally respectively to the first corner and the second corner so that said seats are opposite each other, and the central part of the sofa is convertible into a table.

[0009] This passenger suite comprises a single screen placed above the level of the backrests of the sofa and the extra seat, the latter not being convertible into a bed so that the length of said backrests does not need to be sufficiently long. On the other hand, the backrest of the convertible seat necessarily has a certain length making it exceed the level of the screen placed opposite.

[0010] Thus, it is not possible to place a second screen above the convertible seat (that of the main passenger) for a person sitting opposite the main passenger, while guaranteeing an optimal angle of visual comfort.

[0011] Another problem concerns the comfort level of the chair. Passenger chairs in airplanes can be used for day flights, during which the passenger will want to work, eat and / or relax, and for night flights, during which the passenger will want to sleep. Preferably, such a chair should be able to offer comfortable positions for all these activities, while being able to respect dimensional constraints related to its environment.

[0012] Another problem concerns the appearance of gaps between the different parts of the chair during its conversion, resulting in non-functional spaces into which the passenger can drop his personal belongings: space behind the backrest, interstitial space between the seat and the backrest, etc.

[0013] Finally, in previous solutions, when it is necessary to restrict the size of a part of the chair, it is customary to use foldable parts such as leg rests and head rests.

[0014] However, folding a flexible part always results in the appearance of a very thick, bulky and unsightly-looking pile.

[0015] Document US2016052633, with reference to [Fig. 1], describes a passenger module intended for an aircraft cabin, which module comprises an armchair F arranged opposite a bench seat B convertible into a bed (of the "click-clack" type). A screen is placed above the back of the bench seat, opposite the armchair F. Due to the limited space between the armchair and the bench seat, the armchair cannot be converted into a bed. Therefore, this solution proposes that the bench seat be convertible in the direction of its width so that its seat and its backrest can have small widths individually but a cumulative width sufficient to form a sleeping surface. Summary of the invention

[0016] The present invention aims to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art set out above by proposing an ergonomic sofa solution respecting dimensional constraints in an aircraft cabin layout.

[0017] An objective of the invention is therefore to propose a sofa with particular kinematics so that it can convert between its two positions (sitting and lying down) despite the presence of dimensional constraints.

[0018] The particular kinematics described in the present invention is not mandatory. Other solutions can achieve the same technical effect regarding compliance with dimensional constraints.

[0019] Another objective of the invention is to propose an innovative alternative to existing arrangements.

[0020] To this end, the present invention relates to a sofa for a passenger transport vehicle such as an airplane, comprising a seat, a backrest and a structure supporting them, said sofa being convertible into at least two positions each having a total surface area usable by the passenger: a sitting position in which the backrest is upright relative to the seat and a sleeping position in which the backrest is folded down in the same plane relative to the seat; said seat having a sufficient length to allow a passenger in the seated position to fully extend his legs. This sofa is remarkable in that in the seated position, the backrest is partially stored below the seat in a space in the structure, so that the total usable surface area in the sitting position is less than the total usable surface area in the sleeping position.

[0021] Thus, part of the backrest "disappears" below the level of the seat when the sofa is in the sitting position, allowing said backrest to be inserted under a limited height, under an ideally placed screen for example. The backrest regains its total length when the sofa is in the sleeping position so that the passenger has a maximum sleeping surface.

[0022] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the support structure is mounted to be movable in translation in a longitudinal direction, carrying with it the seat and the backrest, and the backrest is mounted to be movable both in translation, in its own longitudinal direction when it is upright in a seated position, and in rotation around a transverse axis located at a junction between the seat and the backrest.

[0023] The translation of the structure causes the entire sofa to move parallel to the floor on which it is mounted, in order to allow the backrest to be released, in particular in relation to a screen which would be placed just above, and the upward translation of said backrest to initiate its tilting towards the sleeping position.

[0024] This particular kinematics thus avoids any folding of the flexible surfaces of the sofa.

[0025] More particularly, the translation movements of the structure allowing the sofa to move forward and backward, the proper translation of the backrest allowing it to be raised and lowered, and the rotation of said backrest allowing it to be folded down and straightened, are independent, the sofa comprising an actuator for each of these movements, in other words one actuator per movement.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the rotational movement of the backrest is carried out by means of a circular rack connecting said backrest to the structure and making it possible to offset the axis of rotation of the backrest at the junction with the seat.

[0027] The axis of rotation is thus a fictitious axis merged with a transverse junction line between the seat and the backrest.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the length of the backrest is less than the length of the seat, giving the sofa a meridian shape suitable for the passenger to relax with their legs fully extended.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the seat and the backrest comprise lateral faces, respectively rear and front, intended to be joined in the sleeping position of the sofa, said rear lateral face and said front lateral face being inclined respectively with respect to the upper surface of the seat by an angle less than 90° and with respect to the upper surface of the backrest by an angle greater than 90°, the sum of the two angles being equal to 180°.

[0030] This makes it possible to optimize the junction in order to limit as much as possible the gap which can be created between the seat and the backrest and through which certain personal objects of the passenger can fall.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a compartment for a passenger transport vehicle such as an airplane, comprising at least one convenience console (storage, minibar, cocktail tray, etc.) and a display screen, and further comprising a sofa as shown, said screen being placed above the back of the sofa.

[0032] According to a fundamental aspect of the invention, the screen is placed at a height of the seat when the sofa is in the sitting position, said height being less than the length of the backrest, the excess length of said backrest being stored below the seat, partly in the space provided in the structure.

[0033] Indeed, the position of the screen is imposed for reasons of visual comfort of a passenger who would be installed in an extra seat facing the sofa.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the compartment further comprises an occasional armchair placed opposite and facing the sofa.

[0035] Finally, the present invention also relates to an airliner, comprising at least one compartment as presented.

[0036] The fundamental concepts of the invention having just been set out above in their most elementary form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of a convertible aeronautical sofa, in accordance with the principles of the invention. Presentation of the drawings

[0037] The figures are given purely for illustrative purposes for a better understanding of the invention without limiting its scope. The various elements may be represented schematically and are not necessarily to scale. Throughout the figures, identical or equivalent elements bear the same numerical reference.

[0038] It is thus illustrated in:

[0039] [Fig-1]: (already cited) arrangement of the prior art with compartments including a convertible bench seat and an armchair;

[0040] [Fig.2]: a perspective view of a sofa according to an embodiment of the invention, placed in a first-class compartment of an airplane;

[0041] [Fig. 3a: a bird's eye view of the sofa in the seated position;

[0042] [Fig.3b]: a view in perspective from above, in reverse orientation with respect to the [Fig.3a]; of the sofa in sleeping position;

[0043] [Fig.4]: a side view of the sofa in its two positions, sitting (a) and sleeping (b), showing the dimensional constraints of the environment;

[0044] [Fig.5a]: the sofa in the sitting position, at the start of the conversion;

[0045] [Fig.5b]: the sofa after a first overall translation to release the backrest from the screen placed above;

[0046] [Fig.5c]: the sofa with the backrest translated upwards;

[0047] [Fig.5d]: the sofa during the overall translation and rotation of the backrest;

[0048] [Fig.5e]: the sofa in a position following that of [Fig.5d];

[0049] [Fig.5f]: the sofa in a position following that of [Fig.5e];

[0050] [Fig.5g]: the sofa at the end of translation and with the backrest rotating;

[0051] [Fig.5h]: the sofa in a position following that of [Fig.5g];

[0052] [Fig.5i]: the sofa in the final sleeping position, at the end of the conversion;

[0053] [Fig.6]: a detailed view of the junction between the seat and the backrest, in the seated position (a) and in the sleeping position (b) of the sofa;

[0054] [Fig.7]: a superposition of the sitting position, the sleeping position and a intermediate conversion position in which the backrest is raised;

[0055] [Fig.8]: a partial cabin layout plan with compartments according to the invention. Detailed description of embodiments

[0056] It should be noted that certain technical elements well known to those skilled in the art are recalled here to avoid any insufficiency or ambiguity in the understanding of the present invention.

[0057] In the embodiment described below, reference is made to a convertible armchair, with particular kinematics, mainly intended to be arranged under dimensional constraints in an aircraft compartment in upper class. This non-limiting example is given for a better understanding of the invention and does not exclude the use of the armchair in other passenger transport vehicles offering the required level of comfort.

[0058] In the remainder of the description, the term "convertible" designates the ability of a passenger chair to be configured into at least two functional positions: a sitting position in which the passenger can sit normally; and a sleeping position in which the passenger can be completely reclined. The term "compartment" designates a private space within the cabin, configured to accommodate one or more passenger seats. This space may include specific arrangements such as storage, comfort elements and entertainment facilities for passengers.

[0059] [Fig. 2] shows a passenger compartment 100, comprising a first convertible armchair 10, called a sofa, and a second convertible armchair 20 which is different and arranged opposite the first. The sofa 10, unlike the second armchair 20 of conventional design, has a seat 11 of great length to allow a “relaxed” position for the passenger, in which the passenger has his legs completely stretched out along said seat.

[0060] The sofa 10 has a backrest 12 against which the passenger can lean when in the “relaxed” position.

[0061] The sofa 10 comprises a structure 13 supporting the seat 11 and the backrest 12, said structure being able to be fixed to a floor in a sliding manner.

[0062] The sofa 10 is convertible into a bed and for this purpose has two positions: a seated position, called the reception position in the jargon, in which the passenger is seated with his legs stretched out thanks to the large size of the seat 11 which gives it a meridian shape; and a sleeping position in which the seat 11 and the backrest 12 are substantially coplanar along a plane substantially parallel to the floor of the aircraft.

[0063] [Fig.3a] and [Fig.3b] respectively represent the sofa 10 in the sitting position and in the sleeping position.

[0064] The seat 11 and the backrest 12 of the sofa 10 have dimensions adapted to occupy all the space available in front of the second armchair 20, when said sofa is in sleeping position.

[0065] More precisely, a distance D which remains between the front edge of the seat 11 and a console 25 associated with the second armchair 20 when the sofa 10 is in the sitting position as shown in [Fig.2], is covered almost entirely when said sofa is in the sleeping position as shown in [Fig.3b].

[0066] The empty space which extends over this distance D is filled by the seat 11 of the sofa 10 when the latter is in the sleeping position. To do this, and taking into account the length Lu of the seat 11, the backrest 12 necessarily has a length Ln sufficient for said backrest and seat to occupy all the available space in the sleeping position.

[0067] The length Ln of the backrest 12 being defined, it is configured to be inserted below a screen 30 attached at a height H from the floor. The height H separates the floor of the aircraft and the lower side of the screen 30, the latter having a usual rectangular shape.

[0068] Indeed, in the particular industrial context of the invention, the height H of the screen as well as the distance D are imposed. The sofa 10 is therefore designed to evolve with its two dimensional constraints. On the one hand, the sofa 10 must be able to occupy all the space available in front of the second armchair 20 in order to guarantee the largest possible sleeping surface. On the other hand, the backrest 12 of the sofa 10, which has a length necessary for the first function, must be able to be inserted under the screen 30 when the sofa 10 is in the seated position without said backrest hiding the slightest part of the screen from a passenger in the armchair 20 opposite, knowing that the length Li2 of the backrest is clearly greater than a residual height Hr which exists between the upper surface of the seat 11 and the lower side of the screen 30, as shown in [Fig. 4],

[0069] [Fig.4] allows these different dimensional constraints to be visualized in the two positions of the sofa 10.

[0070] In (a), the sofa 10 is in the sitting position. In this position, the screen 30 is at the residual height Hr relative to the backrest 11. The residual height Hr is significantly less than the length Li2 of the backrest 12. Thus, the backrest 12 is partially stored below the level of the seat 11 so as not to be placed in front of the screen 30. More particularly, a lower part of the backrest 12 is placed in a space 131 provided at the rear of the structure 13. Consequently, the upper side of the backrest 12 barely reaches under the screen 30, almost flush with the lower side of said screen.

[0071] Consequently, in the sitting position of the sofa 10, a part of the backrest 12 is located below the level of the upper surface of the seat 11, said part extending over a length equal to the difference (L[2 - Hr). This difference being greater than the thickness of the seat 11, it was necessary to have the space 131 in the body of the structure 13.

[0072] In (b), the sofa 10 is in the sleeping position, after a complete conversion. In this position, the seat 11 and the backrest 12 have their upper surfaces in the same plane and thus constitute a sleeping surface which occupies all the available space between the wall on which the screen 30 is fixed and the console 25 of the second armchair 20. In the longitudinal direction of the sleeping surface, the available space extends over a distance substantially equal to the sum of the lengths of the seat 11 and the backrest 12, (Lu + Li2), as shown diagrammatically in [Fig.4].

[0073] As will be described below, the sofa 10 moves from the sitting position (a) to the sleeping position (b) with a particular kinematics in which the seat 11 moves forward and the backrest 12 rises to clear the space 131 before folding down horizontally.

[0074] Figures 5a to 5i represent consecutive steps in the conversion of the sofa 10 between its sitting position, shown in [Fig.5a], and its sleeping position shown in [Fig.5i].

[0075] The sofa 10 begins by translating fully forward, parallel to the floor, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b. This translation continues until the backrest 12 is sufficiently clear of the screen 30 so that it can translate upwards.

[0076] [Fig.5c] shows the backrest 12 translated upwards, thus arriving by its lower side at the level of the seat 11. At this stage, the backrest 12 temporarily passes in front of the screen 30.

[0077] [Fig.5d] then represents the start of the rotation of the backrest 12, at the same time as the entire sofa 10 continues to translate forward.

[0078] This compound movement, of translation of the sofa 10 and rotation of the backrest 12, continues progressively and continuously as shown in figures 5e and 5f, until the seat 11 reaches its final position shown in [Fig.5g].

[0079] The rotation of the backrest 12 is carried out by means of a circular rack 15 making it possible to offset the axis of rotation of the backrest on the junction line J between the seat 11 and the backrest 12. In fact, the rack 15 is fixed between the backrest 12 and the structure 13 and makes it possible to ensure the rotation of said backrest around a fictitious axis which merges with the junction line J, so that no gap is created during the rotation of the backrest.

[0080] When the seat 11 is in its final sleeping position, only the backrest 12 continues its rotation to tilt completely and align with said seat to form the sleeping surface.

[0081] This last phase of rotation of the backrest 12, with the seat 11 immobile in its final position, is shown in figures 5g to 5i.

[0082] Finally, [Fig.5i] represents the final configuration of the sleeping position of the sofa 10, in which the upper surfaces of the seat 11 and the backrest 12 are substantially coplanar and brought together so as to avoid the presence of a gap at the junction line J.

[0083] Indeed, the improvement of the junction between the seat 11 and the backrest 12 is obtained thanks to a particular shape of their lateral faces intended to be in contact when the sofa 10 is in the sleeping position.

[0084] [Fig.6] represents the junction between the seat 11 and the backrest 12 of the sofa, in a intermediate position when converting the sofa in (a), and in the sleeping position in (b).

[0085] The rear lateral face and the upper face of the seat 11 are respectively materialized by the planes 111 and 112. Similarly, the front lateral face and the upper face of the backrest 12 are respectively materialized by the planes 121 and 122.

[0086] The front lateral face 121 of the backrest 12 is intended to come into contact with the rear lateral face 111 of the seat 11 when the sofa is in the sleeping position as shown in (b).

[0087] In order to limit the gap in the junction, the front lateral face 121 of the backrest 12 is inclined positively relative to the upper face 122 of said backrest, by an angle An greater than 90°. In return, the rear lateral face 111 of the seat 11 is inclined negatively relative to the upper face 112 of said seat, by an angle An less than 90°.

[0088] In order for the side faces 111 and 121 to fit together perfectly in the sleeping position of the sofa 10, the sum of the angles An and An is equal to 180°. This is visible in [Fig.6] in configuration (b).

[0089] When converting from the sitting position to the sleeping position or vice versa, the sofa performs a translational movement of the structure 13 allowing the entire sofa to move forward and backward, a specific translational movement of the backrest 12 allowing it to be raised and lowered, and a rotational movement of said backrest allowing it to be folded down and straightened.

[0090] These three movements are independent and the sofa 10 comprises one actuator per movement.

[0091] [Fig.7] represents the extreme positions of the sofa 10 superimposed: the positions seating and sleeping positions as well as an intermediate conversion position in which the backrest is raised. This shows that the sofa 10 is compact in design and converts in a small space thanks to its kinematics described above.

[0092] [Fig.8] represents a partial plan, or LOPA (layout of passenger arrangement), of an aircraft 1000 comprising several compartments 100. According to the illustrated embodiment, the aircraft comprises two side compartments, separated by two adjoining central compartments.

[0093] It is apparent from the present description that certain non-essential elements of the sofa may be modified, replaced or deleted without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims

Claims

1. Sofa (10) for a passenger transport vehicle such as an airplane, comprising a seat (11), a backrest (12) of length (Li2) and a structure (13) supporting them, said sofa being convertible into at least two positions each having a maximum surface area usable by the passenger: a sitting position in which the backrest is upright relative to the seat and a sleeping position in which the backrest is folded down in the same plane relative to the seat; said seat having a length (Lu) sufficient to allow a passenger in the seated position to fully extend his legs, said sofa being characterized in that in the seated position, the backrest (12) is partially stored below the seat (11) in a space (131) of the structure (13), so that the maximum surface area usable in the sitting position is less than the maximum surface area usable in the sleeping position.

2. Sofa according to claim 1, in which the structure (13) is mounted to move in translation in a longitudinal direction, carrying with it the seat (11) and the backrest (12), and in which said backrest is mounted to move both in translation, in its own longitudinal direction when it is upright in a seated position, and in rotation around a transverse axis located at a junction (J) between the seat (11) and the backrest (12).

3. Sofa according to claim 2, in which the translation movements of the structure (13) allowing the sofa to move forward and backward, of the proper translation of the backrest (12) allowing it to be raised and lowered, and of rotation of said backrest allowing it to be folded down and straightened, are independent, said sofa comprising an actuator per movement.

4. Sofa according to claim 2 or 3, in which the rotational movement of the backrest (12) is carried out by means of a circular rack (15) connecting said backrest to the structure (13) and making it possible to offset the axis of rotation of the backrest at the junction (J) with the seat (11).

5. Sofa according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the length (Li2) of the backrest (12) is less than the length (Lu) of the seat (11), giving the sofa a meridian shape.

6. Sofa according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seat (11) and the backrest (12) comprise side faces respec- rear (111) and front (121) intended to be joined in the sleeping position of the sofa, said rear lateral face and said front lateral face being inclined respectively with respect to the upper surface (112) of the seat by an angle (An) less than 90° and with respect to the upper surface (122) of the backrest by an angle (An) greater than 90°, the sum of the two angles being equal to 180°.

7. Compartment (100) for a passenger transport vehicle such as an airplane, comprising at least one convenience console (15) and a screen (30), and characterized in that it comprises a sofa (10) according to one of the preceding claims, said screen being placed above the backrest (12).

8. Compartment according to claim 7, in which the screen (30) is placed at a height (Hr) of the seat (11) when the sofa (10) is in the seated position, said height being less than the length (L[2) of the backrest (12), an excess length of said backrest being stored below the seat.

9. A compartment according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising an occasional chair (20) placed opposite and facing the sofa (10).

10. Airliner (1000), characterized in that it comprises at least one compartment (100) according to one of claims 7 to 9.

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