Seatback Sleep Support With Pivoting Arms and Covered Pillow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seats, particularly in economy class, do not provide an ergonomic sleeping position that relieves back pressure and require passengers to lean against hard, moving surfaces or deploy tray tables, which are uncomfortable during long journeys.
Innovation Solution
A deployable sleep support system for passenger seats, featuring pivotally attached support arms that extend forward from the backrest, with a pillow assembly and optional sanitary cover, allowing passengers to lean comfortably forward and relieve back pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passengers lean against the fuselage wall to sleep, then sleeping is possible, but the hard rigid surface and constant movement from turbulence make it uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deployable support frame with a pillow assembly as an intermediary between the passenger and the fuselage wall. This mediator provides a soft, comfortable sleeping surface while maintaining the space-efficient solution of leaning against the fuselage, thereby resolving the contradiction between sleeping capability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is designed to be deployable and adjustable, allowing it to adapt to different sleeping positions and passenger needs. The dynamic nature of the support structure enables it to provide optimal comfort while maintaining compact storage when not in use, addressing the comfort issue during sleep.
2Ease of operation
If passengers lean forward onto the deployed tray table to sleep, then sleeping is possible, but the hard rigid surface and excessive forward lean angle make it uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow assembly serves as a soft intermediary between the passenger's head/neck and the hard tray table surface. This mediator cushions the contact point and allows for a more comfortable leaning angle, reducing the strain on the passenger's body while maintaining the tray table as the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing soft cushioning (pillow assembly) only at the critical contact points (head and back), while the rest of the support structure can remain rigid. This localized softness addresses comfort issues without compromising the structural integrity or space efficiency of the overall system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an integrated sleep support system is provided, then ergonomic sleeping position and back pressure relief are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep support system is segmented into distinct functional components: a deployable support frame, a pillow assembly, and a sanitary cover. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall system design and assembly. The modular nature enables easy deployment and storage, reducing the perceived complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame is designed to serve multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling deployment of the pillow assembly, and facilitating storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining ergonomic sleeping capabilities.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a deployable support frame with pillow assembly is provided, then comfort and hygiene are improved, but the system requires additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The pillow assembly is designed to nest within or attach to the deployable support frame, and the sanitary cover can be stored within the pillow assembly or frame structure. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space required for storage and reduces the number of separate components the user must handle, thereby improving comfort and hygiene without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A passenger seat including a sleep support system attached to a backrest (102) of the seat and including first and second support arms pivotally attached to respective first and second sides of the backrest (102) configured to deploy forward. A pillow assembly (114) attaches to the deployed first and second support arms and a tubular cover (144) is positioned surrounding at least a portion of the pillow assembly (114). In use, a seated passenger deploys the arms forward, attaches the covered pillow assembly (114), and leans forward against the pillow to assume a comfortable sleeping position.