Cabin Seat Support Cross Member for Flexible Seat Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat support systems in vehicle cabins are inflexible, making it cumbersome to modify seating layouts in response to varying flight routes and lengths, as they require time-consuming adjustments to accommodate different comfort levels and passenger needs.

Innovation Solution

A seat support system featuring a cross member attached to seat rails, with seat carrying devices that allow for translational and rotational movement of passenger seats, enabling flexible reconfiguration of seating arrangements without compromising robustness or increasing turnaround times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed seating layouts are used, then structural simplicity and robustness are maintained, but adaptability to different flight routes and comfort levels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating layout adaptabilityVSAvoidseat support system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat support system transforms the fixed seating layout into a dynamic configuration by enabling seats to move along guide rails and be repositioned to different locations. The cross member with mounting units allows seats to be translated and rotated, providing adaptability for different flight routes and comfort levels while maintaining a relatively simple structural basis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seat support system divides the seating arrangement into independently movable segments. Each seat can be individually positioned along the guide rail and rotated to different orientations, allowing flexible reconfiguration of the seating layout without moving the entire seating structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of seating layouts is enabled, then adaptability improves, but time consumption for modifications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating layout adaptabilityVSAvoidturnaround time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables rapid reconfiguration of seating layouts through motorized or easily movable seat carriers that can be quickly repositioned along the guide rails. This dynamic capability allows the seating arrangement to be adapted for different flight types without time-consuming manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If simple seat support structures are used, then robustness and quick turnaround are maintained, but flexibility in reconfiguring seating arrangements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating reconfiguration easeVSAvoidseat support structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat support system incorporates dynamic elements such as movable mounting units on cross members that can translate along guide rails and rotate seats to different orientations. This provides ease of reconfiguration while maintaining a structurally simple and robust base framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cross member with mounting units serves multiple functions: it supports seat translation along the guide rail, enables seat rotation to different orientations, and allows for easy repositioning. This multi-functionality achieves seating flexibility without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4183685B1Seat support system for a cabin of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4183685B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4183685B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4183685B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A seat support system for a cabin of a vehicle is proposed, the system comprising a cross member for attachment to seat rails, the cross member having a main extension axis that is transverse to the seat rails in an attached state of the cross member, at least one seat carrying device mounted on the cross member and comprising a mounting unit for receiving a passenger seat, wherein the at least one seat carrying device is adapted to move the mounting unit in a direction along the main extension axis of the cross member and to rotate the mounting unit about at least one rotational axis, which extends vertical to the mounting unit.