Flight Deck Pilot Rest System with Rotating Seat Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft, such as the BOEING 737 model, lack designated crew rest accommodations, leading to revenue loss, security risks, and inadequate sleep options for crew members, as existing seats are used for rest and cannot be laid flat, and space constraints limit the installation of sleep compartments.
Innovation Solution
A pilot rest system within the flight deck featuring a sleeping area divided into two parts, with one part beneath the seat and another adjacent, accessible via a rotating seat base and enclosed by a curtain, allowing for a fully flat rest position, along with optional mini-lavatory and mini-galley facilities to enhance comfort and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crew member uses a revenue-generating seat in the cabin for rest, then crew rest needs are met, but revenue is lost and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flight deck space is segmented into functional zones: a sleeping area created beneath and adjacent to observer seats, a working area for active crew members, and a mini-galley. This segmentation allows the flight deck to simultaneously serve as both operational workspace and rest area, eliminating the need to use cabin seats for crew rest.
2Ease of operation
If a sleep compartment is created beneath or above the flight deck floor, then crew rest comfort is improved, but space requirements cannot be met on single-aisle aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a separate sleep compartment that would require additional floor space, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the sleeping area beneath the observer seats. The seat bases are rotated upward to create leg room, transforming unused vertical space into a functional sleeping area that accommodates crew rest needs without increasing the aircraft's footprint.
3Ease of operation
If typical passenger or business class seats are used for crew rest, then crew rest is provided, but the seats cannot be put into a lay-flat position
Solution Approach 1:
The observer seats are designed with dynamic bases that can rotate upward along tracks, transforming from a fixed seating position to a horizontal sleeping position. This dynamic mechanism allows the same seat structure to serve dual purposes: providing upright seating during operation and creating a flat sleeping surface during rest periods, eliminating the need for separate lay-flat seat configurations.
4Ease of operation
If the flight deck door is opened to access the cabin for crew rest, then crew can reach the cabin, but unauthorized access risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resting function is extracted from the cabin environment and relocated to the flight deck itself. By creating a dedicated sleeping area within the flight deck boundaries, crew members can rest without needing to open the flight deck door or enter the cabin, thereby maintaining continuous security isolation between the flight deck and cabin areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A pilot rest system for use in a flight deck of an aircraft comprising a sleeping area, which comprises two parts, the first part being the space beneath one or more observer seats and the second part being a seat-free area adjacent to said seats. A curtain is preferably provided to enclose the second part of the sleeping area to ensure privacy and keep the sleep area dark if desired. The rest system can further comprise a mini-lavatory and a mini-galley in the flight deck.