Space Saving Seating System with Piston-Operated Door Insert
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seating systems occupy too much space, particularly when not in use, and existing space-saving solutions like curved monuments or integrated seats with rotating arms still require valuable space and can interfere with other areas.
Innovation Solution
A seating system with a piston-operated door insert that moves between a starting position blocking access and a retracted position within the wall structure, allowing the seat to be positioned closer to the wall, thereby optimizing space usage by minimizing the footprint when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a rotating arm mechanism is used for the seat, then the seat can be moved to save space, but the rotating arm protrudes into the aisleway and interferes with passenger movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the protruding rotating arm mechanism from the aisleway area by integrating the seat directly into the monument wall structure. The seat is taken out of the traditional movable configuration and embedded into the wall, eliminating the harmful protrusion while maintaining space-saving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is nested within the monument wall structure, with the seat back forming part of the wall assembly. This nesting approach allows the seat to be stored within the wall volume when not in use, eliminating the need for a protruding rotating arm and freeing up aisleway space.
2Area of stationary object
If a sliding mechanism is used for the seat, then the seat can be moved to save space, but the sliding motion requires valuable space to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sliding mechanism from the design by directly integrating the seat into the wall structure. This eliminates the need for a separate sliding motion path, as the seat is positioned within the wall's internal volume rather than sliding along the aisleway.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the seat horizontally along the aisleway (one-dimensional sliding), the invention utilizes the vertical and depth dimensions of the wall structure to accommodate the seat. This dimensional shift eliminates the need for valuable horizontal space to operate the sliding mechanism.
3Area of stationary object
If the seat is built into the wall, then space is saved, but additional effort is required from the user to operate the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The door insert is designed to be automatically operated when the seat is in use. As the seat is pulled out from the wall, the door insert automatically opens to provide access to the compartment, eliminating the need for the user to manually operate the door while still achieving space-saving integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The seating system effectively saves space by allowing the seat to be positioned closer to the wall, increasing available space for other objects or areas, such as passenger seats or walkways, without requiring additional effort from users.
Implementation Method 1
in response to a load being applied to the seat, the piston is compressed and pressure is provided through the closed channel and onto the door insert
Implementation Method 2
pressure is provided through the closed channel and onto the door insert, thereby moving the door insert from the starting position to the retracted position
Implementation Method 3
in response to the load being removed from the seat, the piston is decompressed and the pressure is released through the closed channel
Implementation Method 4
the pressure is released through the closed channel, thereby causing the door insert to move from the retracted position to the starting position
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a seating system includes a seat comprising a chamber, a wall structure adjacent to the seat and defining a compartment, a door insert configured to move within the compartment between a starting position and a retracted position, wherein in the starting position, the door is adjacent to the seat and blocks access to the compartment, and in the retracted position, the door is retracted into the wall structure and provides access to the compartment, a closed channel extending from the chamber and operably connected to the door, and a piston operably coupled to the seat and positioned within the chamber, wherein when a load is applied to the seat, the piston is compressed, moving the door from the starting position to the retracted position, and when the load is removed, the piston is decompressed, causing the door to move from the retracted position to the starting position.