Movable Seat Restraints for Variable Occupant Widths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat bench devices in aircrafts are inflexible and unable to optimize seat density for occupants of varying body sizes, as they are designed based on a predefined shoulder width, limiting the ability to seat more passengers and cannot be easily reconfigured for use as a medical gurney due to fixed seat geometries and restraining systems.

Innovation Solution

A seat bench device with movable restraining units that can be adjusted along guide elements, allowing for variable lateral positioning and easy reconfiguration, enabling flexible seating arrangements based on individual body sizes and accommodating different numbers of occupants or objects, with the option to add or remove restraining units as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If seat bench devices are designed with fixed seat geometries based on predefined body size, then manufacturing and structural simplicity are improved, but adaptability for occupants with different body sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability for different body sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seat bench device is divided into modular individual seats that can be independently adjusted. Each seat includes separate components (seat pan, backrest, armrests) that can be reconfigured, allowing the same modular structure to accommodate different body sizes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat geometry is made dynamically adjustable through movable armrests and reconfigurable seat pans. The armrests can be moved between positions to create different seat widths, and the seat pan angle can be adjusted, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to various occupant sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If predetermined seat density is based on largest occupant size, then safety and comfort for all occupants are improved, but the number of seated occupants deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and comfortVSAvoidnumber of seated occupants

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Each individual seat can be independently configured with local adjustments to armrest positions and seat pan angles. This allows the seating density to be optimized locally for each occupant's body size rather than using a uniform predetermined density, enabling smaller occupants to sit closer together while maintaining safety and comfort standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual seats are stringed together with gaps, then restraining systems can be adapted for different body sizes, but continuous seating surface is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestraining system adaptabilityVSAvoidcontinuous seating surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The armrests serve multiple functions: they provide structural separation between seats for independent restraining systems, yet can be moved or removed to create a continuous seating surface when needed. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to support both separated and continuous seating configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If seat belts are fixedly arranged at predetermined positions, then structural simplicity is improved, but reconfiguration flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidreconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The restraining system is segmented into modular components with engagement members that can be independently positioned. Each seat has its own restraining system that can be configured separately, allowing flexible reconfiguration without affecting the entire seat bench structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement members and seat belts are made dynamically reconfigurable. The engagement members can be moved to different positions on the seat structure, and the seat belts can be routed through different paths, transforming a static restraining system into a dynamic one that adapts to various seating arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10124898B2Seat bench device with a seat bench component and at least one restraining unit

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUT GMBH

AI summary

A seat bench device with a seat bench component and at least one restraining unit. the seat bench component comprising a seating surface and a backrest, and the at least one restraining unit comprising a harness for restraining a seat bench occupant on the seat bench component, wherein at least two guide elements are provided and wherein the at least one restraining unit is movably arranged on the at least two guide elements for being movable on the at least two guide elements along the backrest at least between a storage position and an operating position, in which the harness is operational for buckling up of a seat bench occupant.