Aircraft Sofa Backrest Nesting for Low-Height Recline Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft seat designs face challenges in providing comfortable reclining positions while adhering to dimensional constraints, especially when integrating with other amenities like screens and consoles, and in avoiding offset spaces that can accommodate personal items.

Innovation Solution

A convertible aircraft sofa with a particular kinematic mechanism that allows the backrest to be partially stored beneath the seat section when in the sitting position, enabling it to fit beneath a screen while providing a maximum reclining surface area when converted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the backrest is made long enough to provide comfortable reclining, then the reclining comfort is improved, but the backrest height exceeds the screen level making it impossible to position a second screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereclining comfortVSAvoidbackrest height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest is designed to be dynamic rather than static, capable of changing its position between upright and reclined states. This allows the backrest to be long enough for comfortable reclining while clearing the screen level when upright, resolving the contradiction between reclining comfort and backrest height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The backrest movement is extended into the vertical dimension by allowing it to clear the screen level when upright, rather than being constrained to a fixed height. This dimensional change enables the backrest to provide sufficient reclining length while maintaining proper screen positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of moving object

If the sofa is converted into a bed position, then the reclining surface area is maximized, but the space behind the backrest creates offset spaces where personal items may drop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereclining surface areaVSAvoidoffset spaces for personal items

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The space behind the backrest, which could create harmful offset spaces, is converted into a beneficial storage compartment. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the potential harm into a useful function while maintaining maximum reclining surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of moving object

If foldable sections are used to reduce the size of seat sections, then the space constraints are complied with, but thick and bulky stacks appear which are unsightly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat section sizeVSAvoidappearance of folded sections

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest is nested within the sofa structure when in the upright position, similar to a nested doll configuration. This allows the backrest to be stored compactly without creating bulky stacks, resolving the contradiction between reducing seat section size and maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250289573A1Convertible Aircraft Sofa with Backrest That Can Fit Beneath a Given Height

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 AIRBUS ATLANTIC (SAS)

AI summary

A sofa for a passenger transport vehicle such as an aircraft, including a seat section, a backrest and a structure supporting them, the sofa being convertible into at least two positions each having a total usable surface area by the passenger: a sitting position where the backrest is upright with respect to the seat section, and a reclining position where the backrest is folded down in the same plane with respect to the seat section. The seat having a sufficient length to allow a passenger in the sitting position to fully extend their legs. In the sitting position, the backrest is partially stored beneath the seat section in a space of the structure, such that the total usable surface area in the sitting position is less than the total usable surface area in the reclining position.