Seat unit provided with a shelf storable behind a video screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat unit (10.1, 10.2) for an aircraft, comprising: - a seat (12), - a privacy shell (15) at least partially surrounding the seat (12), - a shelf (23) that is movable between a stored position and a deployed position, - a video screen (27) disposed behind the seat (12) on a rear face of the privacy shell (15), - the video screen (27) being movable between a use position and a release position, such that, when the video screen (27) is in the release position, the shelf (23) can switch from the deployed position to the stored position such that the shelf (23) in the stored position is located behind the video screen (27) in the use position.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE: SEATING UNIT WITH A STORABLE TABLET BEHIND A VIDEO SCREEN

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat unit provided with a tablet storable behind a video screen. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of aeronautics, in particular with seat units for first class or business class aircraft cabins.

[0002] In a manner known per se, such a seat unit comprises a seat associated with a side console and a privacy shell extending at least partly around the seat. Such a configuration 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] The seat offers the passenger different comfort positions, from a "sitting" position to a "lying" position, in which the seat defines a substantially horizontal sleeping surface for the passenger to lie down on. Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the "relax" position in which a seat backrest is strongly inclined. Generally, these intermediate positions are obtained by tilting the pivoting backrest around a horizontal axis and perpendicular to an extension axis of the seat.

[0004] A recess in which a footrest is arranged is provided in the side console. The recess is open towards the rear seat, so that the passenger in the rear seat can rest his feet on the footrest, especially when the rear seat is in the bed position.

[0005] In order for the passenger to be able to place objects, in particular his meal tray or personal items, the seat unit includes a tablet capable of moving from a stored position to a deployed position by a rotational and / or translational movement. The tablet is generally arranged on the central console, in upper part of the housing receiving the footrest, or in a passage providing access to the seat. However, these tablet integration configurations have the disadvantage of encroaching on the passenger's living space.

[0006] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a seat unit for an aircraft comprising: - a seat, - a privacy shell surrounding at least part of the seat, - a tablet movable between a stored position and a deployed position, and - a video screen placed behind the seat on the rear side of the privacy shell, - the video screen being movable between a use position and a release position, such that, when the video screen is in the release position, the tablet can move from the deployed position to the stored position so that the tablet in the stored position is located behind the video screen in the use position.

[0007] The invention thus makes it possible to increase the passenger's living space and comfort by freeing up space in height at the level of the passenger's footwell. The invention also makes it possible to discreetly integrate the tablet inside the seat unit. The invention also has the advantage of simplifying the movement of the tablet and of offering a weight saving and reliability compared to prior art devices. The invention also maximizes an available desk surface for the passenger when the tablet is located at the same level as the upper face of the side console.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the video screen is movable between the use position and the release position, so that, when the video screen is in the release position, the tablet can move from the stored position to the deployed position.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tablet is mounted to be able to rotate around a horizontal axis to move from the stored position to the deployed position and vice versa.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the video screen is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the privacy shell around a vertical axis to move from the use position to the release position and vice versa.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, a tablet locking and unlocking device is configured to unlock the tablet only when the video screen has traveled an angle of at least 90 degrees relative to the position of use to free the passage of the tablet.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tablet is mounted to move in translation relative to the privacy shell, so that when the tablet is in the deployed position, a distance between the tablet and a passenger's body can be adapted according to the passenger's morphology.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the video screen is mounted tiltable around a horizontal axis so as to improve the visibility of the video screen when the seat is in a bed position.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat unit further comprises a support for a seat control module.

[0015] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising: - at least one front seat unit as previously defined, and - at least one rear seat unit as previously defined arranged behind the front seat unit, said rear seat unit comprising a seat and a side console arranged along one side of the seat.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shelf of the front seat unit in the deployed position is located in an extension of an upper face of the side console of the rear seat unit.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the seat of the front seat unit and the seat of the rear seat unit each form a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of an aircraft cabin.

[0018] 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 for illustrative purposes 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:

[0019] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a set of seating units according to the invention comprising a storable tablet behind a video screen;

[0020] [Fig. 2a] [Fig. 2b] [Fig. 2c] Figures 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate a kinematics of deployment of the tablet of the seat unit according to the invention allowing said tablet to pass from a stored position to a deployed position;

[0021] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the seat units according to the invention which can integrate a seat control module;

[0022] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of a "tablet-video screen" module equipped with a device for locking and unlocking the tablet according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig. 5a] [Fig. 5b] Figures 5a and 5b are respectively side and top views of a "tablet-video screen" module equipped with a device for locking and unlocking the tablet according to the invention in the locked state;

[0024] [Fig. 5c] Figure 5c is a detailed top view of the connection between a cable and the pivot link of the video screen when the tablet locking and unlocking device according to the invention is in the locked state;

[0025] [Fig. 6a] [Fig. 6b] Figures 6a and 6b are respectively side and top views of a "tablet-video screen" module equipped with a device for locking and unlocking the tablet according to the invention in the unlocked state;

[0026] [Fig. 6c] Figure 6c is a detailed top view of the connection between the cable and the pivot link of the video screen when the tablet locking and unlocking device according to the invention is in the unlocked state;

[0027] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of a rotational damping system of the tablet according to the invention.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a set of seat units comprising at least one front seat unit 10.1 and at least one rear seat unit 10.2. In the example shown, the set comprises two front seat units 10.1 and two rear seat units 10.2. Of course, the number of front seat units 10.1 and the number of rear seat units 10.2 can be adapted depending on the space available inside the aircraft.

[0030] A seat unit 10.1, 10.2 comprises a seat 12 associated with a side console 13 extending along one side of the seat 12. Furthermore, a privacy shell 15 extends at least partly around the seat 12 so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger seated on the seat 12.

[0031] The seat 12 is advantageously provided with kinematics allowing it to be movable between a "seated" position, in which the seat 12 is configured to define a seated position for a passenger, and a "reclined" position, in which the seat 12 is configured to define a sleeping surface for the passenger, advantageously substantially horizontal. Intermediate comfort positions are also proposed, such as the "relax" position in which a backrest of the seat is strongly inclined.

[0032] The seat 12 has an extension axis X1 defined by the intersection between a horizontal plane and a vertical median plane of the seat 12 corresponding to a plane of symmetry of the seat 12. The extension axis X1 of the seat 12 may form a non-zero angle with respect to a direction parallel or coincident with a central axis X of the aircraft cabin or of an arrangement of two seat units 10.1 or 10.2 side by side. In this case, the seat 12 is rotated in the direction of the X axis. Alternatively, the seat 12 may be rotated in a direction opposite to the X axis.

[0033] The side console 13 has an upper face 16 with a horizontal orientation. The upper face 16 forms a table surface on which a passenger can place objects. The side console 13 may also have a vertical storage space 17 comprising one or more elements from among a literature pocket, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage is configurable according to the wishes of the airline. The side console 13 may have a recess 18 having an armrest function.

[0034] A housing 21 in which a footrest 22 is arranged is provided in the side console 13. The housing 21 is open towards the rear seat 12, so that the passenger seated on the rear seat 12 can place his feet on the footrest, in particular when the rear seat 12 is in the bed position.

[0035] The seat unit 10.1, 10.2 comprises a tray 23, in particular a meal tray, movable between a stored position and a deployed position. The tray 23 may have a rectangular, square, oval shape or any other shape suitable for the application. In the stored position, the movable tray 23 has a use face 24 facing the privacy shell 15, as shown in FIG. 1. The tray 23 then extends in a substantially vertical plane. In the deployed position, the use face 24 intended to receive objects is facing upwards, as shown in FIG. 2b. The tray 23 then extends in a substantially horizontal plane so that the passenger can place objects on said tray 23, in particular a meal tray or personal items. By "substantially", we mean the fact that the tray 23 can form a maximum angle of a few degrees, in particular around ten degrees, relative to the direction indicated.

[0036] For this purpose, the tablet 23 is mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the privacy shell 15 around a horizontal axis X2 to move from the stored position to the deployed position and vice versa. A pivot connection 30 with horizontal axis X2 can be arranged between the tablet 23 and the privacy shell 15.

[0037] The tablet 23 can also be mounted to move in translation relative to the privacy shell 15 along the axis X1, so that when the tablet 23 is in the deployed position, a distance between the tablet 23 and the body of a passenger can be adapted according to the morphology of the passenger.

[0038] A video screen 27 of a multimedia system or IFE (for "Inflight Entertainment System" in English) is arranged behind the seat 12 on a rear face of the privacy shell 15 so as to be usable by a rear passenger.

[0039] The video screen 27 is movable between a use position and a release position, such that when the video screen 27 is in the release position, the tablet 23 can move from the deployed position to the stored position so that the tablet 23 in the stored position can be located behind the video screen 27 returned to the use position, as shown in FIG. 1. The tablet 23 is then disposed between the privacy shell 15 and the video screen 27.

[0040] In the position of use, the video screen 27 forms a zero or small angle, i.e. less than 10°, relative to a face of the privacy shell 15 opposite which the video screen 27 is arranged. In the position of use, the video screen 27 is located in the passenger's field of vision. In the release position, the video screen 27 forms a significant angle, in particular of the order of 90° or possibly greater than 90°, relative to the face of the privacy shell 15 to allow the tablet 23 to pass freely.

[0041] For this purpose, the video screen 27 is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the privacy shell 15 about a vertical axis X3 to move from the use position to the release position and vice versa. For this purpose, a pivot connection 31 with a vertical axis X3 is arranged between the video screen 27 and the privacy shell 15.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the tablet 23 is in the stored position, the tablet 23 is located behind the video screen 27 in the use position. A rear face of the video screen 27 is then located opposite, and the case where appropriate, in contact with a lower face of the tablet 23 corresponding to the face of the tablet 23 intended to be turned towards the floor of the cabin when the tablet 23 is in the deployed position. There is then at least one straight line perpendicular to the plane of the video screen 27 in the use position which intersects perpendicularly the plane of the tablet 23 in the stored position. Advantageously, at least 80%, preferably close to 100%, of the surface of the tablet 23 in the stored position is covered by the video screen 27.

[0043] The deployment kinematics of the tablet 23 and the video screen 27 are described below, with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2c.

[0044] As illustrated in Figure 2a, the passenger pivots, along the arrow F1, the video screen 27 around the vertical axis X3 to access the tablet 23 and clear the space necessary for the tablet 23 to move from one position to another. The video screen 27 pivots in a direction away from the tablet 23 to move from the use position to the release position. Advantageously, a device 34 for locking and unlocking the tablet 23 described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4, 5a-5c, 6a-6c and 7 is configured to unlock the tablet 23 only when the video screen 27 has traveled an angle of at least 90 degrees relative to the use position to free the passage of the tablet 23.

[0045] As illustrated in Figure 2b, the passenger pivots the tablet 23 downwards along the arrow F2, around the horizontal axis X2 to move it from the stored position to the deployed position. The movement of the tablet 23 to move from the stored position to the deployed position may be a damped movement.

[0046] Preferably, the shelf 23 of the front seat unit 10.1 in the deployed position is located in an extension of an upper face 16 of the side console 13 of the rear seat unit 10.2. Thus, the shelf 23 of the front seat unit, in particular the use face 24, is located in the same plane as the upper face 16 of the side console of the rear seat unit 10.2. Furthermore, an edge of the shelf 23 is joined with an adjacent edge of the side console 13, so that such a configuration makes it possible to maximize an available surface on on which the passenger can place objects. By "adjacent" is meant the fact that a gap between an edge of the shelf 23 and an adjacent edge of the side console 13 is less than 3 cm, preferably less than 1 cm.

[0047] As illustrated in Figure 2c, the passenger then pivots, following the arrow F3, the video screen to move it from the release position to the use position. The video screen 27 and the tablet 23 are then functional.

[0048] The kinematics are reversed to store the tablet 23. Thus, the passenger moves the video screen 27 into the release position to allow the tablet 23 to move from the deployed position to the stored position in which the tablet 23 is pressed against the privacy shell 15. The device 34 then locks the tablet 23 in the stored position. The video screen 27 can then move from the release position to the use position.

[0049] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the seat unit 10.1, 10.2 may further comprise a support 35 for a module 36 for controlling the seat 12 and its environment (called "PCU" for "Passenger Control Unit" in English). The control unit allows the passenger in particular to control the selection of a position of the seat 12 as well as the environment of the seat 12, namely the video system, a heating device, a lighting ambiance, or any other parameter of the environment of the seat 12.

[0050] The video screen 27 may also be mounted tiltable about a horizontal axis X4 so as to improve the visibility of the video screen 27 when the seat 12 is in a bed position. The video screen 27 may then be tilted downward about the axis X4 so as to be oriented towards the field of vision of the passenger lying on the seat 12.

[0051] The device 34 for locking and unlocking the tablet 23 is described below, with reference to FIGS. 4, 5a-5c, and 6a-6c.

[0052] A pivot arm 45 is mechanically connected to the shelf 23. The pivot arm 45 comprises the pivot connection 30 of the shelf 23 allowing the shelf 23 to rotate about the horizontal axis X2. As can be seen in Figure 5a, the arm pivot 45 comprises a portion 45.1 extending between the shelf 23 and the pivot connection 30 and a portion 45.2 extending rearwardly from the pivot connection 30.

[0053] A retractable finger 40 is movable in translation relative to the pivot arm 45. The retractable finger 40 is associated with a return spring 50. The retractable finger 40 is connected to the pivot link 31 of the video screen 27 by means of a cable system 41 comprising a cable 42 and a sheath 43 surrounding the cable 42. For this purpose, the cable 42 has a first end fixed to one end of the retractable finger 40 and a second end fixed to an external periphery of the pivot link 31. The sheath 43 is fixed relative to a frame of the "tablet-video screen" assembly.

[0054] Thus, as illustrated in Figures 5a and 5b, when the video screen 27 is in the use position while the cable 42 is relaxed, the retractable finger 40 is in a locking position in which the retractable finger 40 blocks a movement of the pivot arm 45 to prevent a movement of the tablet 23 from the stored position to the deployed position. The retractable finger 40 is then resting against an upper edge of the portion 45.2 of the pivot arm 45. Figure 5c highlights that the cable 42 is not tensioned. The return spring 50 is then decompressed.

[0055] As illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, when the video screen 27 rotates about the axis X3 of the pivot link 31 until it travels through an angle of at least 90 degrees relative to the position of use, the cable 42 is stretched so as to move the retractable finger 40 into an unlocked position in which the retractable finger 40 away from the pivot arm 45 allows a movement of said pivot arm 45 allowing the tablet 23 to move from the stored position to the deployed position. Figure 6c highlights that the rotation of the video screen 27 about the axis X3 of the pivot link 31 causes a partial winding of the cable 42 around a winding guide integrated into the pivot link 31, which causes a tension in the cable 42 having the effect of pulling the retractable finger 40 to move it into the unlocked position. The return spring 50 is then compressed.

[0056] When the video screen 27 rotates around the axis X3 of the pivot link 31 and returns to the position of use, the cable 42 relaxes and the return spring 50 decompresses to return the retractable finger 40 to the locked position.

[0057] As can be clearly seen in FIG. 7, a damping system 46 comprises a rotation damper 47 provided with a pinion 49 meshing with a toothed sector 48 to dampen a rotational movement of the tablet 23 passing from the stored position to the deployed position. The toothed sector 48 has the shape of a plate provided with a toothed upper edge extending along an angular sector so that the rotation damper 47 can follow the rotational movement of the tablet 23.

[0058] The rotation damper 47 is preferably a unidirectional damper configured to act only when the shelf 23 moves from the stored position to the deployed position and to be inactive when the shelf 23 moves from the deployed position to the stored position.

[0059] The rotation damper 47 is for example an oil damper but could alternatively be a spring damper or any other type of damper suitable for the application.

[0060] The return spring 50 is arranged between the retractable finger 40 and a fixed element constituted here by the toothed sector 48. The toothed sector 48 comprises a through opening inside which the retractable finger 40 is inserted. The return spring 50 can bear on the one hand against a shoulder of a movable part of the retractable finger 40 and on the other hand against a face of the toothed sector 48.

[0061] In addition to locking the tablet 23 before opening the video screen 27, the device 34 also makes it possible to avoid interference between the tablet 23 and the video screen 27 when the meal tablet 23 is raised while the video screen 27 is in the use position. Indeed, when the video screen 27 is in the use position, the retractable finger 40 in the locking position prevents rotation of the tablet beyond a limit angle, for example of the order of 45 degrees. This makes it possible to raise the tablet 23 to facilitate emergency evacuation while preventing the tablet 23 from coming into contact with the video screen 27 in the use position.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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 modes of operation described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Set comprising: - a front seat unit (10.1) for an aircraft comprising: - a seat (12), - a privacy shell (15) at least partially surrounding the seat (12), - a tablet (23) movable between a stored position and a deployed position, - a video screen (27) arranged behind the front seat (12) on a rear face of the privacy shell (15), and - a rear seat unit (10.2) arranged behind the front seat unit (10.1) comprising a seat (12) and a side console (13) arranged along one side of the seat (12), said side console (13) having a horizontally oriented upper face (16), the upper face (16) forming a table surface on which a passenger can place objects, said side console (13) having a housing (21) open towards a rear seat in which a footrest (22) is arranged, characterized in that the video screen (27) of the front seat unit (10.1) is movable between a use position and a release position, so that, when the video screen (27) is in the release position, the tablet (23) can move from the deployed position to the stored position so that the tablet (23) in the stored position is located behind the video screen (27) in the use position, - the shelf (23) of the front seat unit (10.1) in the deployed position located in an extension of the upper face (16) of the side console (13) of the rear seat unit (10.2).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the video screen (27) is movable between the use position and the release position, so that, when the video screen (27) is in the release position, the tablet (23) can move from the stored position to the deployed position.

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tablet (23) is mounted to move in rotation around a horizontal axis (X2) to move from the stored position to the deployed position and vice versa.

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the video screen (27) is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the privacy shell (15) around a vertical axis (X3) to move from the use position to the release position and vice versa.

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a device (34) for locking and unlocking the tablet (23) is configured to unlock the tablet (23) only when the video screen (27) has traveled an angle of at least 90 degrees relative to the position of use to free the passage of the tablet (23).

6. Assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the tablet (23) being mechanically linked to a pivot arm (45) comprising a pivot connection (30), the device (34) for locking and unlocking the tablet (23) comprises a retractable finger (40) movable in translation relative to the pivot arm (45), said retractable finger (40) associated with a return spring (50) being connected to a pivot connection (31) of the video screen (27) via a cable system (41).

7. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a damping system (46) comprising a rotation damper (47) provided with a pinion (49) meshing with a toothed sector (48) to dampen a rotational movement of the tablet (23) passing from the stored position to the deployed position.

8. Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotation damper (47) is a unidirectional damper.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the shelf (23) is mounted movable in translation relative to the privacy shell (15) along an axis (X1), so that when the shelf (23) is in deployed position, a distance between the tablet (23) and the body of a passenger can be adapted according to the morphology of the passenger.

10. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the video screen (27) is mounted tiltable around a horizontal axis (X4) so as to improve the visibility of the video screen (27) when the seat (12) is in a bed position.

11. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a support (35) for a seat control module (36).

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