Crew Rest Bed Supported by a Stowable Flight Attendant Seat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger aircraft cabin designs lack efficient and space-saving solutions for providing crew rest areas without occupying passenger seating and requiring additional support structures for sleeper berths.

Innovation Solution

A cabin section with adjustable flight attendant seats that convert into stowed positions to support sleeper berths, utilizing the seat surfaces as support points, and incorporating a storage cabinet with foldable sleeping surfaces, which can be quickly deployed and stowed, creating a compact crew rest compartment with privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a bed is provided in the business class seat area, then passenger comfort and service quality are improved, but the risk of foreign objects falling into the engine intake is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidforeign object damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A screen is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the business class bed area and the engine intake. The screen prevents foreign objects from the bed area from entering the engine intake, while allowing the bed functionality to remain operational for passenger comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the bed is positioned close to the engine intake, then space utilization is improved, but the risk of foreign objects entering the engine is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidforeign object intrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screen acts as a mediator that allows the bed to be positioned close to the engine intake for optimal space utilization, while simultaneously preventing foreign objects from reaching the engine intake.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a screen is installed to prevent foreign objects, then engine safety is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and space are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine safetyVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is designed with adjustable parameters including transparency and positioning. This allows the screen to provide engine safety protection while minimizing impact on aesthetic appearance through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If the bed structure is simplified, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the stability and foreign object prevention capability are weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidforeign object prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bed structure is segmented into modular components including the bed unit, screen, and mounting structures. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while maintaining the overall stability and foreign object prevention capability of the complete system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4573007B1Bed which is supported against the flight attendant seat
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 DIEHL AVIATION LAUPHEIM GMBH
  • EP4573007B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4573007B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4573007B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In a cabin section (6) of a passenger cabin (2) of a passenger aircraft (4), - comprising a flight attendant seat (8) which is movable between a usage position (ZN) and a stowage position (ZS), - comprising a bed (20) which is movable between a usage position (ZN) and a stowage position (ZS), - comprising a floor section (24) of a floor (26) of the passenger cabin (2), which floor section is located - when the flight attendant seat (8) and the bed (20) are both in the stowage position (ZS) - between the flight attendant seat (8) and the bed (20) and is available for being walked on, - wherein the floor section (24) is partially covered by the flight attendant seat (8) in the usage position (ZN) of the latter and at least partially covered by the bed (20) in the usage position (ZN) of the latter, and completely covered by both, - when the bed (20) is in the usage position (ZN), it is supported against the flight attendant seat (8).