Aircraft Seat Pair With Foot-Well Console for Compact Sleeper Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleeper-type seats in aircraft cabins consume a large amount of space, which is inefficient given the need to minimize the physical size and aerodynamic drag of the fuselage, while still providing comfortable sleeping positions for passengers.
Innovation Solution
The seats are arranged in an angled configuration, with each seat pair positioned at an inward angle relative to the aircraft's longitudinal axis, forming a 'V' shape, and a center console with foot wells that allow passengers to recline comfortably while sharing space efficiently, including features like video monitors and ottomans for enhanced comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sleeper-type seats are positioned parallel to the center line axis of the aircraft, then passenger comfort is improved, but cabin space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by transitioning from a traditional parallel seating arrangement to an angled configuration where seats are positioned at oblique angles (10-20 degrees) relative to the aircraft center line axis. This angular reorientation allows seats to be telescoped more efficiently along the longitudinal axis, reducing the overall cabin space required while maintaining the reclining functionality for passenger comfort
2Ease of operation
If sleeper seats are made to provide horizontal sleeping surfaces, then passenger comfort is improved, but the physical size of the fuselage must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes angular reorientation of seat pairs relative to the aircraft center line, allowing the sleeping surfaces to be positioned at oblique angles. This enables the telescoping of seat units along the longitudinal axis more efficiently, reducing the volume required in the fuselage while still providing comfortable horizontal sleeping positions for passengers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple seat units into telescoped arrangements where seats are nested alongside each other at angled orientations. By merging the spatial requirements of multiple seats into a compact angled configuration, the overall fuselage volume needed is reduced while maintaining individual sleeping comfort
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an aircraft passenger seat assembly that includes: (a) first and second seats selectively movable between upright and reclined positions and adapted for being positioned beside and at inwardly-facing angles relative to each other; (b) a center console having a relatively wide aft end and a relatively narrow forward end for being positioned between the first and second seats; and (c) the relatively wide aft end of the center console including first and second foot wells therein adapted to permit the feet of a passenger seated in an aft-positioned first or second seat to extend therein when the aft-positioned first or second seat is in the recline position.