Dynamic Aircraft Seat Support for Multi-Posture Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft seats often lack recline options, limiting passenger posture and comfort during long-haul flights, particularly in economy class where passengers cannot convert into a sleep position.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic support system comprising flexible support members with spherical ends and springs, allowing for longitudinal, angular, and lateral movement, integrated into the seat pan and back to adapt to human anatomy and provide a range of postures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If aircraft seats are designed with fixed positioning to maximize seat density, then seat capacity per aircraft is improved, but passenger posture adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming fixed seat components into movable ones. The support members are designed to move between multiple positions (reclined, upright, lateral tilt) allowing passengers to adjust posture dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by enabling posture adaptability while maintaining the compact fixed-structure design that maximizes seat density.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is divided into multiple independent support members (first, second, third support members) that can move independently. This segmentation allows each support member to be optimized for specific body regions while collectively providing full posture adaptability, thus maintaining high seat density without sacrificing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aircraft seats are designed with multiple recline options to improve passenger comfort, then posture adaptability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic system where support members move along defined paths within sockets. The movement is constrained to specific trajectories (recline, lateral tilt) rather than requiring complex 3D adjustment mechanisms. This provides multiple posture options while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through controlled degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components (sockets, guides, springs) that mediate between the support members and the seat frame. These intermediaries simplify the overall mechanism by providing predefined movement paths and force distribution, reducing the complexity that would otherwise be required for direct multi-axis adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support members are designed to move freely in multiple directions, then posture adaptability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements controlled dynamics where support members can move within specific degrees of freedom (recline angle, lateral tilt) but are constrained against unwanted movements. The socket structures and guides provide stable boundaries for the movement, ensuring structural stability is maintained while enabling necessary posture adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surfaces and spherical elements (spherical support members moving in curved sockets) that naturally guide movement along stable arcs. This curvature provides inherent stability by distributing forces evenly during movement while still allowing the full range of required posture adjustments.
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
Enhances passenger comfort by allowing multiple postures and better anatomical adaptation, improving the flight experience through flexible and adjustable seating.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned within the recessed area of the socket and configured to contact a surface of the spherical member of one of the plurality of support members positioned within the socket
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic support systems (10) include a plurality of support members (12), a base material (14), and a support layer (18). Each support member (12) has an upper support surface (20) extending from a first end of a stud (22), and a spherical member (28) extending from a second end of the stud. The base material (14) includes a plurality of receptacles (40) having a socket (42) with a recessed area (52) for positioning a spring (56). The support layer (18) also includes a plurality of apertures (64) that are positioned over the receptacles (40) and allow the studs (22) to extend there through.