Segmented Pneumatic Seatback Assembly for Adjustable Lateral Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft passenger seats provide limited adjustability and insufficient support for the lateral sides and upper body of passengers, failing to enhance comfort and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft passenger seat assembly features a multi-staged seatback assembly with segmented panels and actuatable assemblies that allow for selective adjustment of the seatback profile, including offset angles between panels, to provide enhanced support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional aircraft passenger seats are configured to pivot forward and backwards for recline, then passenger comfort is improved, but the seatback profile adjustability remains limited and insufficient support for lateral sides and upper body occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is divided into multiple segmented panels (first segmented panel, second segmented panel, third segmented panel) that can be independently actuated relative to each other. This segmentation allows each panel to be adjusted to different angles and positions, providing customizable profile adjustment while maintaining overall recline functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between recline capability and profile adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback assembly incorporates multiple actuatable assemblies that enable dynamic adjustment of each segmented panel during operation. The panels can be actuated in various sequences and to various degrees, allowing the seatback profile to adapt dynamically to different passenger preferences and body types, thereby enhancing versatility while preserving recline functionality.
2Device complexity
If conventional aircraft passenger seats use a simple pivot mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but support for lateral sides and upper body is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is segmented into multiple panels (first, second, and third segmented panels) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation enables targeted support for different body regions (lateral sides, upper body, lower back) without requiring an overly complex monolithic mechanism, as each segment can be controlled by its own actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segmented panels are designed to provide localized support for specific body parts. The first segmented panel supports the lateral sides, the second segmented panel supports the upper body, and the third segmented panel supports the lower back. This local quality approach enhances overall adaptability and support capability while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional aircraft passenger seats use a single panel design, then manufacturing is simplified, but passenger comfort and support are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is constructed using multiple segmented panels that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual panels while providing the flexibility of multi-panel configuration, thus maintaining ease of manufacture through modular production while significantly enhancing passenger comfort and support capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segmented panel is designed with universal coupling mechanisms that allow them to be assembled in various configurations. The panels can be connected through standardized actuatable assemblies, enabling a single panel design to serve multiple functions (lateral support, upper body support, lower back support) when combined, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving enhanced comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, an aircraft passenger seat assembly includes a seatback assembly including one or more lateral seatback sections. In embodiments, at least one lateral seatback section includes a base seatback panel coupled to a seatback frame, a first set of segmented seatback panels coupled to the base seatback panel, and a second set of segmented seatback panels coupled to the first set of segmented seatback panels. In embodiments, the aircraft passenger seat assembly further includes a plurality of actuatable assemblies, wherein the plurality of actuatable assemblies include a first set of actuatable assemblies configured to selectively actuate the first set of segmented seatback panels relative to the base seatback panel, and a second set of actuatable assemblies configured to selectively actuate the second set of segmented seatback panels relative to the first set of segmented seatback panels.