Aircraft Passenger Module With Movable Partition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft downtime is prolonged due to the lengthy process of converting business class seats into first class or vice versa, requiring the disassembly and reassembly of seats and equipment, which takes around five days.

Innovation Solution

A modular passenger seating system comprising two convertible seats, a movable partition, and adjustable foam elements, allowing for quick reconfiguration of the seating arrangement to accommodate either two business class passengers or a single first class passenger, optimizing space and reducing the need for structural changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If seats and equipment are disassembled and reassembled to convert between business class and first class, then the aircraft configuration can be modified, but the aircraft downtime increases to five days

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidaircraft downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft cabin is divided into modular sections with standardized interfaces. Each module can be independently reconfigured by replacing seat assemblies rather than disassembling entire rows, enabling quick conversion between business and first class configurations while minimizing aircraft downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat assemblies incorporate movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration between different class configurations. The standardized mounting systems enable seats to be quickly repositioned or replaced, providing adaptability without lengthy disassembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the interior configuration is modified to replace first class seats with business class seats or vice versa, then the distribution between classes can be modulated, but the operation requires very long immobilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclass distribution modulationVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The aircraft interior utilizes universal seat assemblies and standardized mounting systems that can serve multiple configuration purposes. The same basic seat units can be quickly reconfigured or replaced to accommodate different class distributions, maintaining operational efficiency while providing modulation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration conversion involves changing physical parameters such as seat arrangement, spacing, and module positioning rather than fundamental structural modifications. This allows rapid reconfiguration between business and first class distributions by adjusting measurable parameters like row spacing and seat orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If two seats are arranged side by side with a partition, then privacy is provided for each passenger, but the module cannot accommodate passengers who wish to meet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy provisionVSAvoidsocial interaction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The partition between adjacent seats is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can be positioned to provide privacy when needed or retracted to allow social interaction, enabling the same physical space to adapt to different passenger preferences and flight phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable partition acts as an intermediary element that can be adjusted to mediate between the need for privacy and the desire for social interaction. By controlling the partition position, passengers can dynamically adjust the level of separation between adjacent seats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1888405B1Double module for passenger(s) of an aircraft
Publication Date: 2016.09.28 AIRBUS (SAS)
  • EP1888405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1888405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1888405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a module (8) for passengers of an aircraft, said module comprising: two adjacent seats (10) which are oriented in the same direction and can both be converted into beds; a lateral wall (14) at least partially surrounding the two seats (10); an opening (16) in the lateral wall (14) for accessing the module (8); and a wall (18) for creating a separation between the two seats (10). Said wall (18) can be displaced from a first position in which it separates the two seats (10) into a second retracted position in which it does not form an obstacle between the two seats (10).