Dual-Plane Armrest Layout for Shared Seating Comfort
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multiple seating configurations, such as in aircraft, the existing armrests are designed for single use only, leading to frustration and discomfort for adjacent passengers due to limited lateral seat pitch and unnatural seating positions, and proposed solutions like staggered or reverse-facing seats face engineering and acceptance issues.
Innovation Solution
A dual plane armrest with upper and lower forearm supports that can overlap, allowing each passenger to use one or the other support, reducing elbow and shoulder conflicts and maintaining a low lateral seat pitch while being easily adaptable to existing seating structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single plane armrest is used, then the lateral seat pitch can be kept small, but adjacent passengers cannot use the armrest simultaneously leading to frustration and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane armrest to a dual-plane armrest configuration, adding a vertical dimension to the armrest structure. This allows passengers in adjacent seats to use different planes (upper or lower) simultaneously, resolving the conflict over single-armrest usage while maintaining compact lateral seat pitch.
2Ease of operation
If staggered or reverse-facing seat configurations are used, then shoulder and elbow room is improved, but engineering and certification problems arise and customer acceptance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the overall seat configuration globally (staggered or reverse-facing), the patent applies a localized solution by adding an upper plane to specific armrests. This provides additional shoulder and elbow room where needed while maintaining the simplicity and familiarity of the overall seating arrangement, avoiding engineering and certification complications.
3Ease of operation
If a dual plane armrest is provided, then simultaneous use by adjacent passengers is enabled, but the width of the armrest increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the armrest functionality into distinct upper and lower planes, each capable of independent use. This segmentation allows adjacent passengers to simultaneously occupy different planes without requiring a substantial increase in overall armrest width, as each plane serves a specific user zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual plane armrest includes upper and lower forearm supports that overlap to permit respective use by neighbors. The upper support may be cut-away at the rear to accommodate the elbow of the user of the lower support. The upper forearm support is disposed above the lower forearm support partially or completely. The dual plane armrest provides increased lateral space for neighbors without increasing lateral seat pitch.