Staggered Narrow-Body Aircraft Seating With Privacy Shells
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a seating system in narrow-body aircraft that provides the comfort of an articulated seat pan and partial privacy for passengers, especially in business class, while accommodating the design constraints of narrow-body aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A seating assembly with an articulated seat pan and a fixed outer privacy shell that partially surrounds each seat, featuring a staggered configuration of seats, a center console, and additional amenities like a stowable tray, storage units, and power outlets, enhancing passenger privacy and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed outer privacy shell partially surrounds each seat, then passenger privacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passenger seat is nested within the fixed outer privacy shell, with the shell partially surrounding the seat to provide privacy while maintaining a compact integrated structure. This nesting approach allows the privacy shell to enclose the seat without requiring separate complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed outer privacy shell serves multiple functions: it provides passenger privacy, acts as a structural support element, and integrates with the center console and attachment points. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
2Ease of operation
If an articulated seat pan is used to provide reclining capability, then passenger comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pan is made articulated to allow dynamic movement between upright and reclined positions. This dynamic capability enables passengers to adjust their seating position for comfort while maintaining structural integrity through the attachment point mechanism.
3Area of stationary object
If seats are arranged in a staggered configuration, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seats are arranged in a staggered asymmetric configuration rather than traditional aligned rows. This asymmetric layout optimizes cabin space utilization by creating varied seating angles and positions, while the fixed outer privacy shell and attachment points provide reference structures that help maintain positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly for a passenger aircraft. The seating assembly includes a plurality of passenger seats including a first passenger seat and a second passenger seat. Each of the passenger seats includes an articulated seat pan to provide for moving the passenger seat between a first upright position and a second reclined position. In addition, the second passenger seat may be positioned in a staggered configuration with respect to the first passenger seat. A fixed outer privacy shell partially surrounds each seat and includes at least one rear wall and a base attached to the floor of the passenger aircraft for receiving each of the passenger seats. In addition, a center console also may be within each of the fixed outer privacy shell and located adjacent to each of the passenger seats.