Holding Device for Compact Passenger Seat Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger seating systems in means of transport, such as aircraft, are inflexible and require significant time and effort to reconfigure, making it difficult to adapt seat distribution to actual bookings and categories.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with a seat leg fixing element, sliding element, and rail element that allows for the close positioning and fixation of seat legs, enabling the folding of passenger seats to a more upright and compact stored state, thereby increasing flexibility and reducing the space required for seating arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed seating systems are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability of seating arrangements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of seating arrangementVSAvoidcomplexity of holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is divided into separate functional components: a seat leg fixing element for attaching to the seat leg, a sliding element for movement along the rail, and a rail element providing the guide track. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device incorporates a sliding element that can move dynamically along the rail element, enabling the seat position to be adjusted flexibly. This dynamic capability allows the seating arrangement to adapt to different configurations without requiring complete disassembly or complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If seat legs are positioned far apart, then stability and comfort are improved, but space efficiency in stored state deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace required for seating arrangementVSAvoidpassenger comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device enables dynamic positioning of seat legs along the rail, allowing them to be spaced far apart during passenger use for comfort and stability, then moved close together when folded for compact storage. The sliding mechanism facilitates this dynamic reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

When the passenger seat is folded to the upright position, the rear seat leg with its holding device can be positioned within or adjacent to the front seat leg's holding device, creating a nested or closely packed configuration that minimizes the volume occupied by the seating arrangement in stored state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If reconfiguration of seating is allowed, then adaptability to bookings is improved, but time and effort required deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to passenger bookingsVSAvoidtime and effort for reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element enables quick and easy adjustment of seat positions along the rail without requiring complex tools or procedures. This dynamic mechanism reduces the time and effort needed for reconfiguration compared to fixed or heavily mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device design allows for straightforward attachment and adjustment operations that can be performed by cabin crew without specialized training or equipment, enabling self-service reconfiguration of seating arrangements to match passenger bookings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2803580B1Holding device for passenger seats and passenger seating system with flexible seating arrangement for means of passenger transport
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP2803580B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2803580B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8
  • EP2803580B1 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

A holding device (53) is described for fastening passenger seats (1) in a means of passenger transport (3) and a corresponding passenger seating system (3) for means of passenger transport (5). The holding device (53) comprises a seat leg fixing element (55), a sliding element (57) and a rail element (59). The seat leg fixing element (55) is designed to receive a seat leg (9, 11) of a passenger seat (1). The sliding element (57) is provided on the opposite side of the holding device (53) to the seat leg fixing element (55) and is designed to be inserted in a seat rail (41) located on the floor (45) of the means of passenger transport (5). The rail element (59) is provided on the same side as the seat leg fixing element (55) and is designed to receive and fix a sliding element (58) of an additional holding device (61). The holding device (53) may be provided on a front seat leg (9) and the additional holding device (61) may be provided on a rear seat leg (11) of a folding passenger seat (1) so that when the passenger seat (1) is folded, the rear seat leg (11) can be swivelled towards the front seat leg (9) and the holding device (61) for the rear seat leg (11) can be fixed in or on the holding device (53) for the front seat leg (9).