Airplane Seat Movable Closure for Bunk Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airplane Business Class seats lack privacy for passengers when in a 'bunk' position due to direct visual contact with other passengers or crew members walking in the aisle, leading to discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A seat arrangement with movable closing means, such as sliding walls or curtains, that can partially or fully close off the transverse passage between seats, creating a private space for passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transverse passage between seats is kept open for direct aisle access, then ease of operation is improved, but privacy is lost due to direct visual contact with passengers and crew members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing movable closing means (walls or curtains) that can transition between open and closed states. These elements allow the transverse passage to dynamically adapt its configuration - remaining open for easy aisle access when needed, and closing to provide visual privacy when required. The closing means are integrated into the seat structure and can be moved by passengers to control their privacy level.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If movable closing means are added to the seat arrangement, then privacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using flexible curtains as closing means in addition to or instead of rigid walls. These thin film elements can effectively block visual contact while occupying minimal space when retracted. The curtains are mounted on guides or rails integrated into the seat structure, allowing them to slide into place to close the transverse passage and retract to open it, providing privacy without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing means are nested within the seat structure itself. The movable walls or curtains are integrated into the seat's existing framework, utilizing the space already defined by the seat contours and transverse passage geometry. This nesting approach allows the closing mechanism to be stored within the seat assembly when not in use, minimizing additional space requirements and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a seat arrangement, in particular designed to be installed in an airplane cabin, comprising:at least one “front” seat and at least one “rear” seat, positioned one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the airplane cabin and comprising respectively at least one seat that can pass from a “seating” position to a “bunk” position,a transverse passage arranged between the “front” seat and the “rear” seat to allow access to an aisle, characterized in that the seat arrangement comprises movable closure means that can at least partially close off the transverse passage when the closure means are deployed.