Angled Lounge Seating With Side-by-Side Ottomans for Cabin Space Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current passenger seating arrangements in aircraft, particularly in first class cabins, consume a large amount of space due to their design, which is inefficient in terms of aerodynamic draft and physical size, making it challenging to minimize cabin space while maintaining passenger comfort during long-haul flights.
Innovation Solution
The proposed seating arrangement includes angled and offset seat units with moveable components such as seat backs, leg rests, and ottomans, along with privacy shells and partitions, allowing for a comfortable sleeping position while minimizing space usage by angling the central axes of the seat units relative to the aircraft's longitudinal axis, enabling a side-by-side configuration of ottomans and reducing overall length and width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sleeper seats are arranged parallel to the aircraft center line axis, then passenger comfort is improved, but cabin space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by angling the seat units at 60 degrees to the aircraft center line axis instead of arranging them parallel to it. This angular arrangement allows the ottomans to be positioned side-by-side in a compact configuration, reducing the overall cabin space required while maintaining the full-recline sleeping capability that ensures passenger comfort
2Ease of operation
If seat units are arranged with large spacing for comfort, then passenger comfort is improved, but space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the spatial arrangement from parallel alignment to angular positioning at 60 degrees, the patent enables a more compact footprint. The ottomans can be placed side-by-side without requiring excessive spacing, thereby improving space efficiency while maintaining comfort through the angled configuration that provides adequate personal space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functional requirements of both seats in a pair by positioning their ottomans side-by-side in close proximity. This consolidation reduces the overall space required compared to traditional arrangements where each seat would require separate longitudinal space, thereby improving space efficiency without compromising comfort
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional forward-facing parallel seats are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces angular positioning at 60 degrees to the aircraft center line, transforming the simple parallel arrangement into an optimized angular configuration. This dimensional change reduces cabin space consumption while the modular seat unit design with standardized components maintains ease of manufacture and installation
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger seating arrangement includes a first seat unit, facing in a first direction; a first ottoman having a first support surface positioned to receive the feet of a passenger seated in the first seat unit; a second seat unit facing in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction; and a second ottoman disposed laterally adjacent to the first ottoman and having a second support surface positioned to receive the feet of a passenger seated in the second seat unit.