Movable Seat Arrangement System for Dynamic Space Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed seating arrangements in vehicles and other seating areas often result in underutilization of space due to the presence of aisles, which are not efficiently used when all seats are occupied, reducing passenger comfort and efficiency during boarding, deplaning, and movement within the seating area.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising detection devices and computing devices that track the position and movement of individuals to dynamically rearrange movable seats, maximizing space allocation to occupied seats and minimizing unoccupied areas, while creating pathways as needed for passenger movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed seating arrangements are used, then structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but space utilization and passenger comfort deteriorate due to permanent aisle requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making seats movable rather than fixed. Each seat is equipped with motors and sensors that enable automatic repositioning along tracks, allowing the seating arrangement to dynamically adapt to occupancy patterns. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for permanent aisles while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular seat units with integrated movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of seat position from fixed to variable. By controlling the position parameter of each seat through automated movement, the system can optimize space utilization at different times while maintaining a simple fixed-track structure, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and space efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If fixed aisles are maintained, then ease of operation for passenger movement is improved, but productivity and space efficiency deteriorate due to underutilized space during full occupancy
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically creates temporary aisles by moving seats aside when passenger movement is detected, then returns them to optimal positions when movement ceases. This resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation only when needed while maximizing productivity during full occupancy periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect passenger movement and provides feedback to the control system, which then adjusts seat positions accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that aisles are created only when necessary for passenger movement, maintaining productivity while preserving ease of operation when needed.
3Area of stationary object
If seats are made movable for dynamic reconfiguration, then space utilization and passenger comfort are improved, but device complexity increases due to motors, sensors, and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the seating area into independent modular seat units, each with its own movement capability. This segmentation allows complex functionality to be distributed across simple identical modules, reducing overall system complexity while enabling dynamic reconfiguration for optimal space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Each seat unit is designed as a universal module that can perform multiple functions: seating, movement along tracks, and communication with the control system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining dynamic reconfiguration capabilities.
4Productivity
If dynamic seat reconfiguration is implemented, then productivity during boarding and deplaning is improved, but loss of time for reconfiguration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining seats in optimal positions during occupancy and pre-positioning them for boarding/deplaning operations. This reduces the time needed for reconfiguration during critical operations while maintaining productivity during normal occupancy periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by seamlessly transitioning between different seating configurations without interrupting passenger service. Seats are repositioned during natural transitions between operations, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system comprising a plurality of movable seats arranged in a seating area, a detection device, a non-transitory memory storing an executable code, a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive a first input from the detection device indicating an individual is present in the seating area, determine a first position of the individual in the seating area at a first time based on the first input, and arrange the plurality of seats in a first configuration based on the first position of the individual, wherein arranging the plurality of seats includes moving at least one of the plurality of seats to a new position.