Conjoinable Reverse Herringbone Seat Partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seating arrangements, particularly in reverse herringbone configurations, isolate passengers, making it difficult for groups or couples to sit together comfortably, while also wasting space with center consoles in rear rows.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an adjustable partition in mini-suites that can be engaged to prevent access to adjacent mini-suites and disengaged to create a joint passenger area, along with seats that can be oriented in sitting, slouched, or berthed positions, and adjustable secondary furniture and consoles to match these orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seats are positioned in a reverse herringbone configuration with isolated mini-suites, then passenger privacy and individual comfort are improved, but the ability for groups or couples to sit together is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The partition between mini-suites is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be engaged to provide privacy for individual passengers or disengaged to allow groups to sit together. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt to different social configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft cabin is divided into separate mini-suites that can function independently when the partition is engaged, but can be combined into a shared space when the partition is disengaged. This segmentation allows flexibility in accommodating both individual and group passengers.
2Ease of operation
If center consoles are installed in all rows, then passenger support and workspace are improved, but space utilization in rear rows is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The center console in rear rows is made foldable rather than fixed, allowing it to be folded down when needed for passenger support and workspace, and folded up when not needed to maximize space utilization. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between providing support and optimizing space.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable center console serves multiple functions: providing workspace when folded down, providing structural support when folded up, and allowing space optimization in rear rows. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single element adaptable to different needs.
3Ease of operation
If fixed partitions are used between mini-suites, then passenger privacy is improved, but the flexibility for adjacent mini-suites to be shared is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The partition is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing passengers to engage it for privacy or disengage it to share mini-suites with adjacent passengers. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between privacy and flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A mini-suite (102) is disclosed. The mini-suite (102) may include a partition (108). The mini-suite (102) may include a seat (104), comprising a footrest (104c), a seat bottom (104b), and a seatback (104a), wherein the seat (104) is configured to be independently oriented in at least one of a sitting position, a slouched position, or a berthed position. The mini-suite (102) may include a console (110), wherein the console (110) is mounted on a rear wall of the mini-suite (102). The mini-suite (102) may include secondary furniture (1060, wherein the secondary furniture (106) is adjustable to match the orientation of the seat (104) when the seat (104) is in any of the sitting position, the slouched position, or the berthed position and match the orientation of adjacent secondary furniture (106) located in the adjacent mini-suite (202). The mini-suite (102) may include a storage compartment located below the secondary furniture. The mini-suite may include a forward cavity, configured to accept the footrest when the seat is in the berthed position.