Segmented Aircraft Seatback for In-Bed Lounge Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lie-flat capable aircraft seats lack adjustability in the contour or curvature of the seatback, limiting the ability to achieve comfortable intermediate sitting positions such as a hybrid bed/lounge position, and often require complex and cumbersome adjustments of multiple articulated elements.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft seat features a segmented seatback with independently adjustable lower and upper seatbacks and a headrest, along with a legrest and armrests, allowing for a range of positions from upright to horizontal, including an in-bed lounge position, through precise actuation systems that provide incremental adjustments for comfort and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lie-flat seats use a single articulated seatback, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to achieve comfortable intermediate lounge positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to achieve intermediate sitting positionsVSAvoidseatback structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seatback is divided into multiple independently adjustable segments including a lower seatback, upper seatback, and headrest. Each segment can be positioned at different angles relative to the seat bottom, enabling the creation of various intermediate lounge positions and curved configurations that conform to passenger body morphology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional seats require multiple independently adjustable elements, then adaptability increases, but ease of operation decreases due to successive adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of adjustable elementsVSAvoidadjustment process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple adjustment functions for the lower seatback, upper seatback, and headrest are integrated into a unified adjustment system. A single control mechanism can simultaneously or sequentially position all segments to achieve desired configurations such as the in-bed lounge position, eliminating the need for separate successive adjustments of each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3301024B1Aircraft seat with segmented seatback for achieving in-bed lounge sitting position

Publication Date: 2021.08.11 BE AEROSPACE INC

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AI summary

An adjustable aircraft passenger seat includes a seat bottom; a legrest moveably connected to the seat bottom that articulates between a legrest vertical and a legrest horizontal positions; a lower seatback moveably connected to the seat bottom to be articulated between a lower seatback vertical and a lower seatback horizontal positions; and an upper seatback moveably connected to the lower seatback to be articulated between an upper seatback vertical and an upper seatback horizontal positions. The articulation of the legrest, the articulation of the lower seat back, and the articulation of the upper seatback may be configured to articulate the adjustable aircraft passenger seat from an upright sitting to a horizontal sleeping position, through an in-bed lounge sitting position.