Aircraft Sleeper Seat Chevron Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cabin layouts struggle to maximize seating capacity and revenue efficiently, particularly with sleeper seats that require premium pricing, while conventional designs often compromise on accessibility and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of aircraft sleeper seats in a chevron pattern with angled central axes and alternating inward and outward-facing configurations allows for efficient use of space, direct aisle access, and increased seating capacity by using a herringbone angle and complementary angles in seat and ottoman design, along with longitudinal and inter-seat dividers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional aircraft seat layouts are used, then the cabin structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seating capacity and space utilization are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging seats in a chevron pattern where seats in adjacent rows are angled at different orientations. Specifically, seats in odd-numbered rows angle toward the aisle on one side while seats in even-numbered rows angle toward the aisle on the opposite side, creating an asymmetric yet balanced layout that maximizes seating capacity while maintaining accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional linear row-based seating to a two-dimensional chevron pattern where seats are arranged at angular orientations. This dimensional change allows seats to be positioned more efficiently across the cabin width, increasing the number of seats that can be accommodated while preserving direct aisle access for all passengers
2Quantity of substance
If more sleeper seats are added to maximize revenue, then premium seating capacity increases, but accessibility and direct aisle access may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cabin into multiple access aisles that serve different sections of the chevron arrangement. By creating multiple entry points and distributing seats across different angular orientations, the layout ensures that premium sleeper seats do not block aisle access, as each segment of the chevron pattern has its own access pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the angular orientation of seats in different rows and positions. Seats closer to the aisle are positioned with orientations that facilitate easier access, while seats farther from the aisle can be positioned to maximize premium capacity, creating localized optimizations throughout the cabin layout
3Quantity of substance
If seats are arranged in traditional parallel rows, then the layout is simple and accessible, but the number of economy class seats is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dimensional change by arranging economy class seats in a chevron pattern rather than parallel rows. This angular arrangement allows seats to be packed more densely across the cabin width, effectively increasing the number of economy class seats that can be accommodated while maintaining direct aisle access and optimizing the use of available cabin space
Data Source
AI summary
The sleeper seats are shown in sleeping mode. Each comprises a head rest, a back rest, a seat pan or seat cushion and a leg rest, all of which move in a conventional manner when the seat is moved from sleeping mode to sitting mode. The seats also include ottomans. Further they have inter-seat dividers between the individual seats within the their column. The six seats are arranged in a chevron formation or array and two columns. All the seats in each column are parallel with each other and have central axes A set at a “herringbone” angle α to the column direction and in particular to a longitudinal axis 10 of the array.