Transformable Seat Back Panels for Armrest and Work Surface Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seat configurations lack the ability to provide modifiable and customizable positions for seat backs, such as transforming into armrests, work surfaces, or storage openings, without integrated means for panel adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A seat back frame with rotatably coupled panels that can be rotated to expose an opening, form armrests, or create a work surface, and include a hinge assembly for upright to folded positions, with detent features for stabilization, allowing for various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat back is designed with fixed configuration, then structural simplicity is maintained, but versatility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seat back is divided into multiple independent panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be independently positioned. Each panel can be rotated to different configurations, allowing the seat back to transform between upright, folded, armrest, and work surface positions without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat back incorporates rotatable panels with detent mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration between fixed positions. The panels can be rotated to specific angular positions (0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, etc.) and locked into place, providing adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through defined discrete states rather than continuous movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat back is made transformable with multiple configurations, then adaptability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated frame structure. The frame includes integrated detent features that simultaneously guide and lock multiple panels at different positions. The hinge assembly combines rotation and locking functions in a single mechanism, reducing the number of separate components needed to achieve multi-position transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable panels serve multiple functions depending on their position: they can form armrests when rotated to certain angles, create work surfaces when positioned horizontally, or be removed entirely to form through-openings. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single universal panel structure that adapts to different uses without requiring separate components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If panels are rotatably coupled to enable multiple positions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may be reduced due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism provides pre-positioned stopping points that guide the panels into correct configurations. The detent features are positioned beforehand at specific angular intervals (0, 45, 90, 135, 180 degrees) to ensure panels settle into stable, predetermined positions rather than random orientations, maintaining reliability while enabling easy repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism automatically locks panels into place when rotated to specific positions, without requiring additional locking actions or tools. The gravitational force and mechanical engagement of the detent features with the frame work together to self-stabilize the panels in their intended configurations, maintaining structural integrity through the system's own design rather than external intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies, components, and methods are presented herein for a transformable seat. The seat includes a seat back. The seat back incorporates a frame and frame is rotatably coupled at one end to a seat base. The frame at least partially defines an opening in the seat back and two panels are each rotatably coupled to respective sides of the frame.