Reconfigurable Cabin Module with Central Aisle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current passenger aircraft seating arrangements face challenges in providing a luxurious in-flight experience for first and business classes while adhering to safety regulations, cost, and weight constraints, particularly in long-haul flights, where lie-flat beds are popular but often result in unequal window views, restricted seat width, and inefficient use of space, especially with a two-aisle configuration.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a reconfigurable cabin module with a single central aisle for first class and herringbone or staggered seating in business class, using movable bulkheads to create contiguous or separate spaces, allowing for wider seats and improved privacy, and optimizing aisle transitions to enhance passenger experience and emergency evacuation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a two-aisle configuration is used for first and business class seating, then space efficiency and regulatory compliance are improved, but seat width is restricted and window view equality is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabin space efficiencyVSAvoidseat width

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cabin into distinct first class and business class zones separated by a bulkhead, with further segmentation within first class into four quadrants around a central aisle. This segmentation allows optimized seat dimensions in each zone while maintaining overall space efficiency and compliance with safety regulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional two-aisle layout to a single central aisle configuration with seats arranged in quadrants around it. This dimensional reorganization eliminates the space consumed by two separate aisles, allowing increased seat width while maintaining regulatory compliance through the central aisle's sufficient width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a two-aisle configuration is used, then regulatory compliance is improved, but all seats cannot be adjacent to windows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidwindow view accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The first class cabin is segmented into four quadrants arranged around a central aisle, with each quadrant containing seats that are all positioned adjacent to windows. This segmentation ensures that every first class passenger receives a window view, eliminating the inequality present in two-aisle configurations where inboard seats lack window access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If lie-flat beds are installed in first and business classes, then passenger comfort is improved, but cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidcabin weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs seats with adjustable and reconfigurable characteristics, allowing transformation between seated and lie-flat configurations. This dynamic capability provides enhanced passenger comfort while utilizing space efficiently, avoiding the need for separate bed structures that would increase weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seats are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide comfortable seating during the day and can be reconfigured into lie-flat beds for sleeping. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate bedding structures, reducing overall cabin weight while maintaining comfort options for passengers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Length of moving object

If a single central aisle is used for first class, then seat width and window view equality are improved, but aisle transition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat widthVSAvoidaisle transition design

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the two separate aisles of conventional designs into a single central aisle that serves the entire first class cabin. This consolidation simplifies the aisle structure and transitions, while the surrounding quadrant arrangement of seats ensures smooth passenger flow and access to all seating positions without complex routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11142320B2Cabin module and layout for a passenger aircraft

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS

AI summary

A cabin module for a commercial aircraft includes a set of bulkheads defining a quadrant with an inboard wall and converging side walls. The module is sub-divided by a removable partition which splits the module into two passenger compartments. The quadrant shape of the module enables it to overlap an adjacent seat area, thereby using space between seat areas that is otherwise underutilised. In a particular form the modules define a single central aisle which transitions from a pair of parallel aisles aft via a Y-shaped transition region.