Removable Seat Divider With Fold-Out Work Surfaces for Privacy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers in aisle and window seats adjacent to blocked-out center seats in economy class cabins do not have an enhanced travel experience due to the lack of personal space and privacy, as center seats are typically less attractive and remain vacant, resulting in unused space.
Innovation Solution
A removable seat divider that can be placed in the center seat, featuring a vertical structure with a cavity for securing with a seatbelt, and folding planar members that form a T-type structure with work surfaces, providing additional space and privacy for adjacent passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If center seats are blocked out to create economy plus offerings, then additional space is provided for adjacent passengers, but the travel experience enhancement is insufficient without active utilization of the space
Solution Approach 1:
The center seat space is segmented into functional zones: a vertical structure for privacy division, folding planar members for work surfaces, and storage compartments. This segmentation transforms the empty space into organized functional areas that enhance passenger comfort and productivity during travel.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar members are designed to be foldable, transitioning from a compact storage state to an expanded work surface state. This dynamic configuration allows passengers to adapt the space according to their needs, providing versatility in how the blocked-out center seat space is utilized.
2Ease of operation
If a removable seat divider is placed in the center seat, then personal space and privacy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat divider is segmented into modular components: a vertical structure for privacy, folding planar members for work surfaces, and detachable elements. This modular design allows the complex functionality to be achieved through simple, interchangeable parts that can be easily assembled and disassembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical structure acts as an intermediary element between adjacent seats, providing privacy division while supporting the folding planar members. This intermediary component enables the transformation of empty space into functional work areas without requiring complex integration with the aircraft's existing seat structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If planar members are folded out to form work surfaces, then functionality is enhanced, but stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The planar members are pre-configured with hinge connections and support structures that ensure stable deployment. The folding mechanism is designed beforehand to maintain structural integrity during transition, preventing instability when the work surfaces are extended from the compact to the expanded state.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a removable seat divider for placement in a seat. The removable seat divider includes a vertical structure configured to be placed on the seat along an approximate center of the seat. The vertical structure includes a first outer surface, second outer surface, top, and back portion, where the back portion of the vertical structure is configured to be placed adjacent to a back portion of the seat. The removable seat divider also includes a cavity located adjacent to the back portion, where the cavity connects the first outer surface to the second outer surface, and the cavity is configured to pass a seat belt through the cavity. The base back portion is configured to produce a restraining force against the seat that is proportional to a tension on the seat belt that passes through the cavity. The removable seat divider further includes two opposing planar members that are rotationally coupled to the top of the vertical structure, where the two opposing planar members are configured to fold outward from the vertical structure to form a T-type structure, when fully folded out, having two work surfaces.