Two-Level Passenger Seat Arrangement with Adjustable Supporting Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern passenger cabins in aircraft and other transport vehicles face challenges in optimizing space usage while maintaining passenger comfort, as conventional seat arrangements do not efficiently utilize vertical space and often compromise on comfort due to limited adjustability and access.
Innovation Solution
A passenger seat arrangement featuring at least one seat at a lower level and one at an elevated level, with each seat having a movable supporting surface that adjusts between upright and reclined positions, increasing distance between seats for comfort and allowing for more seats in a given space, along with an ottoman and integrated stair/ladder for access, optimizing space and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional one-level seat arrangements are used to maximize space utilization, then more seats can be installed in a given area, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to limited personal space and adjustability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-level seat arrangement to a two-level configuration with seats positioned at different heights. The first seats are arranged at a lower level while second seats are positioned at an elevated level, creating vertical separation that increases personal space without reducing overall space utilization. This dimensional change allows more seats to be accommodated in the same floor area while maintaining comfort through vertical stratification.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat arrangement is segmented into distinct functional zones with first seats at a lower level and second seats at an elevated level. Each seat type can be independently configured and adjusted, allowing optimized positioning for different passenger needs. The segmentation enables the system to accommodate more passengers by dividing the cabin space into multiple usable levels.
2Ease of operation
If seats are arranged in a two-level configuration to increase comfort, then personal space is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The elevated level structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the second seats, provides head clearance for passengers in the first seats, and creates the necessary vertical separation for comfort. The ottoman structure also serves dual purposes by supporting the stair/ladder while providing storage space. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support structure for the elevated level with the head clearance provision for lower level passengers. The same structural elements that elevate the second seats also create the necessary vertical space for first seat passengers. Additionally, the ottoman is combined with integrated storage compartments, reducing overall structural complexity through consolidation.
3Ease of operation
If the supporting surface is made entirely flat at 180° for optimal comfort, then passenger comfort is maximized, but the distance between first and second seats must increase, reducing space efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting surfaces are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. Each seat's supporting surface can be independently positioned between an upright configuration (approximately 90° angle) and a reclined configuration (approximately 130-180° angle). This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize both comfort and space efficiency based on operational requirements, as the reclined position provides maximum comfort while the upright position minimizes space requirements.
4Productivity
If more seats are installed in a given space to maximize capacity, then space utilization improves, but access to elevated seats becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A stair or ladder structure serves as an intermediary element connecting the lower level and elevated level. This intermediary provides safe and easy access to the second seats positioned at the elevated level, eliminating the difficulty of accessing upper seats. The stair/ladder is integrated into the ottoman structure, so it does not require additional installation space beyond what is already allocated for the ottoman component.
Data Source
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AI summary
A passenger seat arrangement (10) comprises at least one first seat (12) arranged at a first lower level, and at least one second seat (14) arranged at a second elevated level. Each of the first and the second seat (14) comprises a supporting surface (18, 20) for supporting a passenger which is movable between an upright seating position and a reclined lying position. At least one of the first and the second seat (12, 14) is constructed in such a manner that a movement of its supporting surface (18, 20) from the upright seating position into the reclined lying position results in an increase of a distance between the supporting surface (18) of the first seat (12) and the supporting surface (20) of the second seat (14).