Deployable Floor Panel With Foldable Seat For Aircraft Cabin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for changing the cargo-to-passenger ratio in aircraft cabin areas are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring complete removal of seat arrangements, which occupy valuable space and are exposed to weather conditions during reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
A deployable floor panel arrangement with a foldable seat configuration that reduces dimensions by pivoting the backrest and leg arrangement, allowing for quick conversion between passenger and cargo transport modes without removing the seat arrangements from the aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If seat arrangements are completely removed from the aircraft cabin area for cargo transport, then cargo transport capacity is improved, but reconfiguration time increases and seat arrangements are exposed to weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The seat arrangement is designed with movable components that can dynamically change configuration. The backrest can pivot between a deployed position (extending at an angle of approximately 80° to 180° to the floor panel) for passenger transport and a stowed position (extending at an angle of approximately 0° to 40° to the floor panel) for cargo transport, eliminating the need for complete removal and reducing reconfiguration time
2Adaptability or versatility
If seat arrangements are completely removed from the aircraft cabin area, then cargo transport capacity is improved, but seat arrangements must be stored at airports and handled manually
Solution Approach 1:
The seat arrangement incorporates a movable backrest that can be pivoted between deployed and stowed positions. This dynamic design allows the seat to remain permanently mounted on the floor panel while adapting its configuration, eliminating manual detachment and transportation of seats to and from the aircraft
Solution Approach 2:
The seat arrangement is designed to perform multiple functions: it can accommodate passengers when the backrest is in the deployed position and can be converted to a cargo-friendly configuration when the backrest is stowed. This multi-functionality allows a single permanently-mounted structure to serve both passenger and cargo transport needs
3Adaptability or versatility
If seat arrangements are completely removed from the aircraft cabin area, then cargo transport capacity is improved, but the process requires manual detachment and transporting of seats
Solution Approach 1:
The seat arrangement uses a pivoting backrest mechanism that allows the structure to dynamically reconfigure between passenger and cargo modes. This dynamic design replaces the complexity of complete removal and reinstallation with a simpler in-situ transformation mechanism
4Ease of operation
If the backrest is kept in deployed position, then passenger comfort is improved, but space occupancy increases and limits cargo dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is designed as a movable component that can pivot between deployed and stowed positions. When deployed, it provides passenger comfort at an angle of approximately 80° to 180° to the floor panel. When stowed, it reduces space occupancy by extending at an angle of approximately 0° to 40° to the floor panel, allowing larger cargo dimensions
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
Figure 2~2-7
Figure 3~3-3
AI summary
The invention relates to a deployable floor panel (10) arrangement for an aircraft cabin area (50) comprising a substantially planar floor panel (12) with at least one foldable seat arrangement (14) mounted thereto. The seat arrangement (14) comprises at least one backrest (16) which is configured to be moveable between a stowed position in which it extends at an angle (α) of approximately 0° to 40° to the plane of the floor panel (12) and a deployed position in which it extends at an angle (α) of approximately 80° to 180° to the plane of the floor panel (12).