Moveable Ottoman Cabin Design for Wheelchair Access and Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft passenger accommodation units, particularly for first class seating, face challenges in providing access for passengers with reduced mobility due to limited space and the need to comply with mobility regulations, such as those requiring at least 50% of aisle-seats to be accessible to wheelchair users.
Innovation Solution
A moveable ottoman that slides between extended and retracted positions to adjust the width of the access path, allowing for increased accessibility while maintaining privacy and utilizing unused space within the console for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If the wall length is maximized to enclose the accommodation unit for privacy, then privacy is improved, but the access path width for passengers with reduced mobility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ottoman is made moveable between extended and retracted positions to dynamically adjust the access path width. When retracted, it provides sufficient width for wheelchair access; when extended, it maximizes privacy enclosure with the wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The ottoman is stored within the console structure when in the retracted position, utilizing unused space in the console to partially store the ottoman and maintain a clean aesthetic appearance.
2Area of stationary object
If the ottoman is positioned to maximize privacy enclosure, then privacy is improved, but accessibility for wheelchair users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ottoman transitions between static and dynamic states, allowing the accommodation unit to switch between privacy mode (extended) and accessibility mode (retracted), resolving the contradiction between enclosure area and accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the access path width is increased for mobility access, then accessibility is improved, but the privacy enclosure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ottoman position based on operational requirements: retracted for accessibility, extended for privacy, allowing both requirements to be met at different times without permanent compromise.
4Volume of moving object
If the console space is utilized for ottoman storage, then space utilization is improved, but the console structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ottoman nests within the console structure when retracted, efficiently utilizing the console's internal volume for storage without requiring additional external structures, thereby improving space utilization with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
An aircraft passenger accommodation unit (3) is disclosed. The aircraft passenger accommodation unit (3) comprises a seat (6), a wall (91), an ottoman (15), and a console (11). An access path (7) comprising a width is defined between the wall (91) and the ottoman (15), the access path (7) providing passenger access to the seat (6). The ottoman (15) is moveably mounted with respect to the console (11) and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position to change the width of the access path (7), and the ottoman (15) is at least partially received within the console (11) when the ottoman (15) is in the retracted position.