Angled Aircraft Seat Unit with Detachable Bassinet Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft seat designs face challenges in accommodating diverse passenger needs, such as heavier infants and larger musical instruments, leading to increased aircraft weight, economic burdens, and space inefficiency, while also struggling to provide adequate privacy and secure storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft seat unit features a unique configuration with angled seats, a detachable intermediate portion, and a wall connection system that includes pedestals, a sliding support, and a partition plate, allowing for adjustable privacy, secure restraint of passengers and objects, and efficient use of space, including the ability to support a bassinet without reinforcing the aircraft structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bassinet is attached to the door or wall to support heavier infants, then the weight limit of the bassinet is increased, but the weight of the aircraft increases due to reinforcement of doors and walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate portion as a mediator structure between the existing aircraft body and the bassinet. This intermediate portion includes a connection portion that can be detachably connected to the wall portion, and it is designed to bear the load of the bassinet and infant. By placing this load-bearing function in the intermediate portion rather than reinforcing the door or wall directly, the aircraft's overall structure remains lightweight while still supporting heavier infants.
2Reliability
If a bassinet is provided exclusively for infants, then the safety and comfort of infants is improved, but the seat occupancy rate decreases because family members must occupy additional seats
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate portion is designed with multi-functionality to serve different purposes depending on the situation. When an infant is present, it supports the bassinet and provides safety features like the restraining device. When the infant is not present or does not need the bassinet, the intermediate portion can be configured to allow family members to sit together or store luggage. This universal design ensures that the safety needs of infants are met while maintaining flexible seating arrangements that preserve seat occupancy rates.
3Volume of moving object
If musical instruments are transported in the baggage hold, then the space utilization is improved, but the security and peace of mind of passengers decreases due to separation from the instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate portion serves as a multi-functional space that can accommodate both passengers and their musical instruments during the flight. The restraining device can secure musical instruments placed on the intermediate portion, allowing passengers to keep their instruments within sight and secure them against theft or damage. This eliminates the need to check instruments in the baggage hold while still achieving efficient space utilization in the passenger cabin.
4Reliability
If the partition plate is raised above eye level for privacy, then the privacy of passengers is improved, but the accessibility and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be raised or lowered as needed. When privacy is required, the partition plate can be raised above the eye level of seated passengers. When accessibility is needed, such as when family members need to interact or when the bassinet is not in use, the partition plate can be lowered. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different situations, maintaining both privacy and accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The aircraft seat unit includes a first seat (13), a second seat (14), an intermediate portion (15) disposed between the first seat (13) and the second seat (14), and a front wall (11) adjacent to the intermediate portion (15). An axis line of the first seat (13) and an axis line of the second seat (14) are respectively disposed at angles that are oriented in mutually opposite directions with respect to a traveling direction. The intermediate portion (15) is disposed in a space between the first set and the second seat and is capable of supporting a load of a bassinet (30) placed thereon. The front wall (11) includes engagement holes (11e) that detachably engage with engagement portions (32) of the bassinet (30).