Deployable Seatback Sleep Support With Forward Pivoting Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seats, particularly in aircraft, lack ergonomic sleeping provisions that allow passengers to assume a comfortable position without leaning against hard, moving surfaces or requiring personal sleeping devices.
Innovation Solution
A deployable sleep support system integrated into the backrest of passenger seats, featuring pivotally attached support arms that deploy forward to support a pillow assembly, allowing passengers to lean comfortably forward with a tubular cover for hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passengers lean against the fuselage wall to sleep, then sleeping is possible, but the hard rigid surface causes discomfort and the constant movement from turbulence creates instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tray table as an intermediary element between the passenger and the fuselage wall. The tray table provides a stable, cushioned surface that mediates the interaction, eliminating direct contact with the hard, moving fuselage wall while maintaining sleeping stability and comfort
2Reliability
If passengers lean forward onto the deployed tray table to sleep, then sleeping is possible, but the required forward lean angle exceeds comfortable body angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tray table dynamic by enabling it to rotate from a horizontal eating position to a vertical sleeping position. This dynamic transformation allows the tray table to adapt to different usage scenarios, providing proper ergonomic support for sleeping without requiring excessive forward leaning
3Productivity
If the seat pitch in economy class row seats is limited, then space efficiency is improved, but passengers cannot fold over completely to achieve comfortable sleeping position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the space constraint by rotating the tray table into the vertical dimension rather than requiring horizontal space. This dimensional transformation allows the limited seat pitch to be fully utilized while providing adequate support for complete folding over and comfortable sleeping positions
4Ease of operation
If integrated sleeping provisions are added to passenger seats, then sleeping comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing tray table multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as an eating surface and as a sleeping support. This universality allows integrated sleeping provisions to be added without introducing separate dedicated sleeping devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides an ergonomic sleeping position that relieves back pressure and does not require personal devices, enhancing comfort during long journeys.
Implementation Method 1
the first support arm carries a first spring-loaded push button and the first side of the backrest carries a first spring-loaded pin
Implementation Method 2
the first support arm defines a first ramped surface configured to drive the first spring-loaded pin in a direction of the backrest upon engagement of the first ramped surface with the first spring-loaded pin
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger seat including a sleep support system attached to a backrest of the seat and including first and second support arms pivotally attached to respective first and second sides of the backrest configured to deploy forward. A pillow assembly attaches to the deployed first and second support arms and a tubular cover is positioned surrounding at least a portion of the pillow assembly. In use, a seated passenger deploys the arms forward, attaches the covered pillow assembly, and leans forward against the pillow to assume a comfortable sleeping position.