Convertible Berth Seat Layout With Vertically Offset Foot Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
In passenger transport cabins, existing seat conversion systems into flat beds require significant space, limiting the number of seats due to the need for a longitudinal distance equal to or greater than the bed length, and compromise comfort when space is reduced, making it difficult to balance commercial attractiveness and passenger density.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of seats in blocks of two or three, where each seat can be converted into a flat bed with vertically offset bed planes and a separating column, allowing for a reduced seat pitch without interfering foot areas, and incorporating storage and comfort features like adjustable footrests and entertainment equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seats are arranged with sufficient longitudinal distance to accommodate flat beds, then passenger comfort is improved, but the number of seats that can be installed in a given cabin length is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical offset to bed planes of adjacent seats, transitioning from a two-dimensional horizontal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration. This allows foot areas of one seat to be positioned vertically above or below rather than horizontally alongside other seats, effectively reducing the longitudinal space required while maintaining full bed length and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cabin into blocks of seats (e.g., 2x2 or 3x2 configurations) with systematic vertical offset patterns. Within each block, seats are arranged with alternating vertical offsets, creating a modular pattern that optimizes space utilization while maintaining comfort standards for flat beds.
2Productivity
If seats are arranged in a compact configuration to increase passenger density, then the number of seats per cabin length is improved, but the ability to provide horizontal flat beds is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vertical offset to create overlapping foot areas in the vertical dimension, allowing compact horizontal arrangement while maintaining full bed length. The bed planes of adjacent seats are offset vertically by distances greater than the height required for foot clearance, enabling horizontal flat beds in a compact cabin layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the foot area of one seat with the vertical space above or below adjacent seats. By positioning foot areas vertically rather than horizontally, the design combines multiple bed volumes into a compact horizontal footprint, achieving high passenger density without sacrificing flat bed quality.
3Ease of operation
If foot areas are positioned horizontally adjacent to seats, then accessibility is improved, but interference between foot areas of adjacent seats occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves foot area interference by transitioning from horizontal to vertical positioning. Foot areas are offset vertically relative to adjacent seats, allowing them to occupy the same horizontal footprint without physical interference. This vertical stacking maintains accessibility while eliminating conflicts between adjacent seat foot areas.
Data Source
AI summary
In a block of seats side by side which can be converted individually between a chair configuration and a horizontal flat bed configuration, and the seats are arranged and oriented substantially in the same direction, the longitudinal axes of two of the seats in the bed configuration converge towards a point situated in front of the seats at a distance such that the foot areas in front of the seats in the bed configuration, where the feet of an occupant of the seat are located in normal use, are superposed. The bed planes of the seats of a block are vertically offset and extended by rest surfaces of the foot areas arranged in a column arranged between the seat backs of the seats of a block situated in front, making it possible to reduce the seat pitch whilst not affecting comfort and allowing an improved cabin layout for transporting passengers.