Aircraft Pod Bed Deployment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current commercial airline suites compromise between a seat and a bed, with ideal configurations for either position being difficult to achieve due to structural and comfort issues, and existing solutions often require complex electromechanical systems or integrated designs that increase cost and weight, while also making passenger convenience areas inaccessible during sleeping.

Innovation Solution

A separate bed and seat pod assembly with a simple mechanical design, where the bed is independently supported by a structure within the shell, allowing for easy installation and flexibility in manufacturing and deployment, and the seat can be moved out of the way to provide a fully flat sleeping surface without relying on the seat for support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single seat converts into a bed position, then both sitting and sleeping functions are provided, but the seat structure becomes heavy and complex requiring electromechanical actuators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual function of seat and bedVSAvoidelectromechanical actuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the seating system into two separate components: a stationary seat and a movable bed. The bed is segmented from the seat structure and can be independently deployed and stored, eliminating the need for complex electromechanical conversion mechanisms while maintaining both sitting and sleeping functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed function is extracted from the seat structure and implemented as a separate, independently deployable component. This allows the seat to remain simple and mechanical while the bed provides sleeping functionality through a separate deployment mechanism that does not require integrated electromechanical actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate bed is stored in the side ledge area, then sleeping function is provided, but the passenger convenience area becomes inaccessible during sleeping position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate bed storageVSAvoidaccessibility to convenience area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is deployed in a vertical dimension above the seat rather than horizontally in the side ledge area. This vertical deployment allows the passenger convenience area to remain accessible from the side while the bed occupies the vertical space above the seat, resolving the conflict between bed storage and convenience area accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bed deploys from the side ledge area, then sleeping function is provided, but the design requires fully integrated seat and bed structures increasing manufacturing expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebed deployment functionVSAvoidintegrated structure manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bed structure is segmented from the seat and convenience area structures. Each component can be manufactured independently using standard manufacturing processes, then assembled together. This modular approach eliminates the need for complex fully integrated structures while maintaining the bed deployment function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat structure serves multiple functions: providing seating, supporting the deployed bed, and housing the convenience area. This multi-functionality allows independent manufacturing of each component while achieving an integrated final assembly, reducing manufacturing expense compared to fully integrated single-structure designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a reclining seat is used to form a bed, then sleeping function is provided, but the sleeping surface cannot be completely flat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereclining bed functionVSAvoidflatness of sleeping surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is implemented as a separate, rigid structure that can be deployed to form a completely flat sleeping surface. By segmenting the bed from the reclining seat mechanism, the bed can achieve true flatness without being constrained by the curved geometry of reclining seat backs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the seat recline to form the bed surface, the invention inverts the approach: the bed is deployed as a separate flat structure that rests upon or near the seat. This reversal allows the bed surface to be completely flat while the seat remains in its proper seating position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2635492B1Slide-out bed pod

Publication Date: 2018.01.03 ZODIAC SEAT SHELLS US LLC

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~2E

AI summary

A pod assembly for use in an aircraft that includes a seat with a seat bottom and a seat back, a shell that at least partially surrounds the seat, and a bed associated with the shell. The bed is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position where the bed is generally flat. The bed is supported by the shell in the deployed position.