Reconfigurable Aircraft Seat Assembly for Cabin Cargo Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft often fly with substantial portions of their internal cabin empty, necessitating a system to utilize this space efficiently for either passenger seating or cargo transport.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable seat assembly that can pivot between a passenger seating position and a cargo support position, featuring a foldable backrest, pivotable armrests, and tie-down couplers for securing cargo, allowing conversion to a cargo-supporting configuration without altering the aircraft's layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the internal cabin is configured with fixed passenger seats, then passenger comfort and seating function are maintained, but cargo transport capability is lost when passenger demand is low
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can support passengers in an upright position and can be folded flat to create a cargo support surface. The backrest includes a rear surface that serves as a cargo platform when folded, and the armrests can be positioned to provide lateral support for cargo items, allowing the same structure to serve both passenger seating and cargo transport needs
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly incorporates movable components including a backrest that can pivot between upright and folded positions, and armrests that can be adjusted between lateral and rearward positions. This dynamic configuration allows the seat to adapt its structure based on whether it is being used for passenger seating or cargo support
2Productivity
If cargo is transported in the cargo hold below the internal cabin, then cargo storage capacity is provided, but revenue opportunity is lost when the internal cabin could accommodate cargo during underbooked flights
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly enables the internal cabin to serve dual purposes by allowing seats to be configured for either passenger seating or cargo support. When passenger demand is low, the seats can be folded flat to create a continuous cargo support surface across multiple rows, enabling the cabin to function as additional cargo space while maintaining the same physical structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest is folded flat to create a cargo support surface, then cargo transport capability is enabled, but passenger seating function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is designed with pivotal coupling to the seat cushion, allowing it to be easily rotated between an upright position for passenger seating and a folded flat position for cargo support. This dynamic mechanism enables quick and simple reconfiguration without complex assembly or disassembly operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A seat assembly (100) for an internal cabin (102) of a vehicle (104) includes a seat cushion (106), and a backrest (108) pivotally coupled to the seat cushion (106). The backrest (108) is moveable between a first position and a second position. The first position is configured to allow a passenger to sit on the seat cushion (106). The second position is configured to allow one or more cargo items to be secured on a rear surface (110) of the backrest (108).