Removable Privacy Shell for Modular Aircraft Seat Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passenger vehicle cabin designs, particularly in aircraft, face challenges in providing optimal safety, comfort, and efficient seating arrangements that meet both economic and regulatory requirements, especially during taxiing, take-off, and landing when passengers must be in an upright position.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cabin arrangement with distinct seating areas, including a first seating area with immobile backrests and a second seating area with modular seat bodies that can pivot, along with the option of privacy shells that can be removably mounted to provide privacy and enhance the passenger experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular seat bodies with pivot capability are provided, then passenger comfort and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into modular components including a seat pan, backrest, and privacy shell that can be independently configured. The privacy shell is a separate removable component that attaches to the modular seat body, allowing flexible reconfiguration without redesigning the entire seat assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest is designed with pivot capability allowing it to rotate between different positions (upright position for takeoff/landing and reclined position for cruise). This dynamic feature enables the seat to adapt to different flight phases while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If privacy shells are removably mounted to provide privacy, then passenger privacy and comfort are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy shell is designed as a separate removable component rather than an integrated part of the seat assembly. This segmentation allows it to be manufactured independently using simpler processes and attached to the modular seat body through straightforward connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The privacy shell is designed to be removable and reusable across multiple seat assemblies. It can be detached from one seat and attached to another, allowing the same privacy component to serve multiple purposes and reducing the need for additional manufacturing resources.
3Reliability
If upright seating is ensured during critical flight phases, then passenger safety is improved, but passenger comfort during cruise is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest pivot mechanism allows the seat to dynamically adjust its position based on flight phase. During takeoff and landing, the backrest is maintained in the upright position to meet safety requirements. During cruise, the backrest can be reclined to provide enhanced passenger comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat position changes periodically based on flight phases - upright during critical phases (takeoff, landing) and reclined during cruise phases. This periodic adjustment between positions ensures both safety compliance and comfort optimization at appropriate times.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A privacy shell for a passenger seat assembly comprising a modular seat body is disclosed. Said privacy shell (951) comprises a first side panel (953), a second side panel (955) distal from the first side panel (953), and a back panel (957) extending between the first side panel (955) and the second side panel (955). The privacy shell is configured to be removably mounted to the modular seat body (731) such that at least a portion of the privacy shell extends in a forward direction relative to a forward-facing surface (747) of a backrest (733) of the module seat body (731).