Transformable Aircraft Seat With Motorized Standing Position
Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers on aircraft face limited mobility during flights, as they cannot easily extend their legs or stretch without moving from their seats due to congestion in the internal cabin aisles.
Innovation Solution
A transformable seat system within the aircraft's internal cabin that includes a backrest and seat support, which can pivot between a seated and standing position, allowing passengers to stretch and move without leaving their seat, featuring a motorized mechanism for easy conversion and a tray table that can be moved between privacy and deployed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passengers remain seated in traditional fixed seats, then the seat structure is simple and stable, but passengers cannot extend legs or stretch without moving into congested aisles
Solution Approach 1:
The seat support is made dynamically adjustable between a seating position and a standing position, allowing the seat to adapt to different passenger needs. The motorized actuator enables smooth transitions between configurations, transforming a static seat into a dynamic system that can accommodate leg extension and stretching movements without requiring passengers to leave their assigned seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can support passengers in both seated and standing orientations, provide leg extension capability, and maintain structural stability. The transformable seat support and adjustable backrest work together to create a multi-functional seating system that addresses various passenger comfort needs within a single seat unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat support is made movable between seated and standing positions, then passenger comfort and blood flow are improved, but the mechanism complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with a motorized actuator that automatically positions the seat support between seated and standing configurations. This substitution reduces the complexity of mechanical linkages and adjustment mechanisms while providing smoother, more reliable position transitions. The motorized system can be controlled electronically, simplifying the user interface and improving manufacturing consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest is made movable to accommodate standing position, then the seat becomes more versatile, but the structural stability and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the backrest position and ensure it remains within safe, stable ranges. Sensors detect the orientation and load distribution, automatically adjusting the backrest angle to maintain structural integrity during transitions between seated and standing positions. This feedback control prevents excessive movement that could compromise stability while still allowing necessary adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-programmed position limits and damping mechanisms to prevent the backrest from moving into unstable configurations. Before allowing backrest adjustment, the control system checks whether the current position and load conditions permit safe movement. Damping elements are incorporated to absorb shocks and vibrations during transitions, ensuring smooth, controlled movements that maintain structural reliability throughout the adjustment range.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat system is configured to be within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The seat system includes a backrest, and a seat support moveable between a seating position and a standing position. The backrest and the seat support are configured to support an individual in a seated orientation when the seat support is in the seating position. Further, the backrest and the seat support are configured to support the individual in a standing orientation when the seat support is in the standing position.