Adjustable Console Seating for Wheelchair Accessibility in Transit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Public transportation vehicles, such as airplanes, often lack adequate seating accommodations for individuals with reduced mobility, leading to difficulties in accessing console-based features like armrests, tray tables, and headrests, resulting in inconvenience and potential damage to mobility devices.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable seating apparatus with a foldable base and vertically adjustable console, allowing the console-based features to be repositioned to accommodate users in mobility devices, including wheelchairs, by using a console adjustment mechanism that splits the console into adjustable and fixed halves, enabling easy access to features like tray tables, armrests, and headrests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the seat base is folded against the seatback to accommodate a PRM device, then accessibility to console-based features deteriorates, but PRM device accommodation is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePRM device accommodationVSAvoidConsole accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The console is made dynamically adjustable in vertical position. The console adjustment mechanism allows the console to move between a first position (when the seat base is unfolded) and a second position (when the seat base is folded against the seatback), ensuring accessibility to console-based features regardless of seat configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the console is made fixed to maintain structural simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different seating configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConsole structureVSAvoidSeating configuration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The console incorporates a adjustment mechanism that enables vertical movement between different positions. This dynamic capability allows the console to adapt to different seating configurations (standard seating vs. PRM device accommodation) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the seatback is made rigid to ensure structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but adjustability for different users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSeatback stabilityVSAvoidUser accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seatback is designed with a foldable base that can be positioned in multiple configurations. When accommodating a PRM device, the base folds against the seatback, creating a stable structure. The console adjustment mechanism provides the necessary adaptability, allowing the same stable seatback structure to serve both standard users and PRM device users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240335046A1Adjustable seating area for person with reduced mobility

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 DELTA AIR LINES

AI summary

Adjusting a seat to accommodate a person with reduced mobility (PRM) device. Specifically, a seating apparatus includes a seat having a seatback and a base that is foldable against the seatback to accommodate the PRM device and a console adjacent to the seat. At least a portion of the console is vertically adjustable with respect to the seatback to enable use of the console from the PRM device when the PRM device is positioned proximate to the seatback.