Paired Herringbone Seating Angled Foot Ends for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating arrangements in vehicle cabins face challenges in balancing high density with passenger comfort and privacy, particularly in maximizing space utilization under 25 inches and preserving privacy in narrow sidewalls.
Innovation Solution
A seating arrangement featuring columns of seating units angled such that the distance between head ends is less than the distance between foot ends, with the foot ends of aisle column units positioned adjacent the aisle and wall column units positioned within a concave exterior wall, allowing efficient use of space and maintaining passenger comfort and privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pairs of seats are angled so that the heads of passengers are farther apart and feet are closer together, then passenger privacy is improved, but head room is reduced due to curved cabin exterior walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the herringbone pattern with non-uniform angles - aisle column seats are angled at a first angle while wall column seats are angled at a second angle that is greater than the first angle. This asymmetric configuration allows optimization of both privacy and head room by distributing the angular deviation differently across adjacent columns, resolving the contradiction between privacy improvement and head room reduction.
2Quantity of substance
If pairs of seats are angled significantly to increase density, then seat density is improved, but privacy is reduced requiring privacy shells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the angular configuration between aisle column seats and wall column seats. Instead of applying a uniform angle to all seats, the wall column seats are angled more steeply than aisle column seats. This localized variation in angular quality allows the system to achieve high overall density while preserving privacy in the more critical aisle-facing positions without requiring privacy shells.
3Area of stationary object
If head ends of seats are positioned closer together to increase density, then space utilization is improved, but passenger comfort and privacy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a uniform one-dimensional angular configuration to a two-dimensional differentiated angular configuration. By applying different angles to aisle column versus wall column seats, the system optimizes space utilization in the longitudinal dimension while preserving comfort and privacy through angular variation in the lateral dimension. This dimensional approach allows head ends to be positioned closer together overall while maintaining appropriate spacing where privacy is most critical.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described are seating arrangements having at least one set of columns that include an aisle column of seating units positioned adjacent a wall column of seating units. The aisle column is positioned adjacent an aisle, and the wall column is positioned adjacent an exterior wall. Each seating unit has a bed position having a head end and a foot end, wherein at least a height-limited portion of the foot end is less than a delineating height that separates a lower portion of the aisle from a upper portion of the aisle. The seating units in the adjacent columns are longitudinally aligned and positioned adjacent one another, as well as being angled with respect to each other. The height-limited portion of the foot ends in the aisle column is positioned adjacent the aisle, and the height-limited portion of the foot ends in the wall column is positioned within a concave portion of the exterior wall.