Passenger Seat Width Adjustment Linked to Armrest Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seats, particularly in aircraft, lack adjustable width capabilities, leading to discomfort for passengers at the extremes of the size spectrum, as armrest spacing is often too wide for smaller individuals and too narrow for larger ones, with limited adjustment options in economy class and no seamless integration of seat width adjustments with other components.
Innovation Solution
A passenger seat design where the width of the seat bottom cushion automatically adjusts in conjunction with the lateral position of the armrests, using mechanisms such as expandable bellows or pneumatically actuated systems, allowing the seat to expand or contract based on armrest positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If armrest spacing is fixed according to average passenger dimensions, then the seat design can accommodate 95% of adult male passengers, but the armrest spacing becomes too wide for smaller passengers and too narrow for larger passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the seat bottom width adjustable rather than fixed. The seat bottom includes expandable side portions that can be extended or retracted based on armrest position, allowing the seat width to dynamically adapt to different passenger sizes and preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by linking the seat bottom width adjustment to armrest position. When armrests are moved laterally outward, this triggers automatic extension of the seat bottom side portions; when armrests are moved inward, the seat bottom portions retract, creating a coupled adjustment system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seat width is fixed by spreader and armrest attachment locations, then the structural design is simple, but the seat cannot be customized for different passenger sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the seat bottom into a middle portion and expandable side portions. This segmentation allows the side portions to be independently extended or retracted without affecting the overall seat structure, enabling width customization while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nested doll principle by incorporating the expandable side portions within the seat bottom structure. The side portions can be stored in a compact state within the seat bottom and extended when needed, similar to nested dolls.
3Ease of operation
If economy class seats have limited adjustment capabilities due to short seat pitch, then the seat structure remains compact, but passengers cannot adjust seat elements to improve comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the armrest lateral adjustment function with the seat bottom width adjustment function into a single coupled system. Moving the armrests laterally automatically triggers the extension or retraction of the seat bottom side portions, providing dual adjustment capability through one mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger seat including laterally repositionable armrests wherein a seat bottom width adjusts automatically according to the lateral armrest position. Adjustment mechanisms positioned on the opposing lateral sides of the seat carry the armrests and are driven inward and outward to laterally reposition the armrests. In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism includes levers drive by a connecting frame coupled to a motion driver such as a rack-and-pinion mechanism positioned in the seat bottom. In embodiments, the cushion utilizes stored internal energy from the cushion construction to expand when the armrests are repositioned laterally outward.