Transformable Canopy Aircraft Seat for Crew Rest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft crew rest facilities need to be configured in accordance with aviation guidelines and standards, requiring separation from passenger seating areas, which can be challenging with existing solutions that rely on large curtains.
Innovation Solution
A transformable canopy assembly for a cabin attendant aircraft seat that can rotate between a stowed position and a deployed position, providing an arcuate-shaped cover for privacy and sound mitigation, and integrating with the seat to allow for a flat or near-flat sleep position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If large curtains are used to separate crew rest facilities from passenger seating areas, then privacy and sound mitigation are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy is divided into multiple segments including a first canopy portion, second canopy portion, third canopy portion, and fourth canopy portion that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows the privacy enclosure to be achieved through coordinated rotation of smaller components rather than deploying a single large curtain, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining sound mitigation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy portions are designed to rotate dynamically between stowed and deployed positions using rotation mechanisms. This dynamic configuration allows the system to transition from an open state to a private enclosure state on demand, providing sound mitigation only when needed rather than requiring permanent curtain structures, thereby reducing device complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If large curtains are used to separate crew rest facilities, then privacy is improved, but space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy portions are nested within the aircraft seat structure when in the stowed position, with each canopy portion positioned within or adjacent to the seat assembly. When deployed, they rotate outward to form the privacy enclosure. This nesting approach allows the privacy structure to be housed within the existing seat footprint without requiring additional space in the cabin
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending privacy structures horizontally across the cabin like traditional curtains, the canopy portions utilize vertical rotation around the seat assembly. The privacy enclosure is formed by rotating the canopy portions around the longitudinal axis of the seat, creating a three-dimensional enclosure that uses the vertical dimension rather than consuming horizontal cabin space
3Area of stationary object
If a transformable canopy assembly is integrated with the seat, then space-saving benefits are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy assembly is merged with the aircraft seat structure, where the canopy rotation mechanisms are integrated into the seat frame and the canopy portions are positioned to work in conjunction with the seatback and seat pan. This merging allows the privacy function to be achieved using the existing seat structure rather than requiring separate, standalone curtain mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft seat assembly serves multiple functions: it provides seating during operation and forms the structural basis for the privacy enclosure when the canopy portions are deployed. The seatback, seat pan, and frame serve dual purposes as both functional seating elements and as the structural framework for the rotating canopy assembly, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing device complexity
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 transformable canopy assembly effectively provides privacy and sound mitigation for cabin attendants, aligning with aviation standards while minimizing the effort required to convert crew rest locations, and offering space-saving benefits.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more canopy mounts may include at least one of one or more friction hinges or one or more torsion springs.
Implementation Method 2
The one or more canopy mounts may include at least one of one or more friction hinges or one or more torsion springs.
Implementation Method 3
The canopy frame lock may include at least one of one or more hook-and-loop fasteners, one or more solenoid locks, or one or more slide locks.
Implementation Method 4
The canopy frame lock may include at least one of one or more hook-and-loop fasteners, one or more solenoid locks, or one or more slide locks.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A transformable canopy assembly (104) includes one or more canopy mounts (126) configured to couple the transformable canopy to a frame (106) of a seat. The transformable canopy includes a canopy sub-assembly (124) configured to rotate between a stowed and a deployed position. The canopy sub-assembly (124) includes a canopy configured to provide lighting or sound mitigation when in the deployed position. The canopy sub-assembly (124) includes one or more canopy support members (130) coupled to the canopy. The transformable canopy includes a canopy frame lock (136) configured to couple the canopy sub-assembly (124) to the frame (106). When in the stowed position, the canopy sub-assembly (124) is secured to the frame (106) via the canopy frame lock (136), where the canopy frame lock (136) prevents the canopy sub-assembly (124) from rotating to the deployed position. When in the deployed position, the canopy sub-assembly (124) forms an arcuate-shaped cover over at least a portion of one of a seatback (112) or a seat pan (108) of the seat.