FR3137662A1 - SEAT UNIT WITH RETRACTABLE PRIVACY SHELL - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat unit (10) for a vehicle cabin comprising: - a seat (11), and - a privacy shell (15) having a rear panel (26) and a side panel (25) extending along one side of the seat (11), - said side panel (25) comprising a fixed part (25.1) and a movable part (25.2), - said movable part (25.2) of the side panel (25) being movable by relation to the fixed part (25.1) between: - a retracted position in which the movable part (25.2) delimits with the fixed part (25.1) and the rear panel (26) a semi-enclosed space around the seat (11) to provide privacy for the passenger, and - a deployed position in which the mobile part (25.2) of the privacy shell (15) is moved away from the seat (11) so as to create an access space to said seat (11) . Figure 1b

Description

SEAT UNIT WITH RETRACTABLE PRIVACY SHELL

The present invention relates to a seating unit having a retractable privacy shell. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application with "business class" and "first class" type seat units to facilitate access to the seat for people with reduced mobility.

In a manner known per se, such seating units each comprise a seat associated with a side console provided with storage and with a shell extending at least partly around the seat so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger seated on the seat.

The seat offers the passenger different comfort positions, from a "seated" position to a "reclining" position, in which the seat defines a substantially horizontal sleeping surface so that the passenger can lie down. Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the “relax” position in which one of the seat backs is strongly inclined. Generally, these intermediate positions are obtained by the inclination of the pivoting backrest around a horizontal axis and perpendicular to an axis of extension of the seat.

Typically, an airplane cabin has groups of several columns of seat units located one behind the other. Inside a column of seat units, the distance between two successive seat units (called "pitch" in English) is relatively small, in particular when the seats are arranged at an angle to an axis of the airplane cabin. Such a configuration therefore makes access to the seat difficult for people with reduced mobility who need to be transferred from their chair to their seat by the on-board staff.

Document EP3225548 discloses an airplane seat privacy shell comprising a retractable side panel. Such a configuration is based on complex movement kinematics based on the use of an articulated connecting rod inducing combined translation and rotation movements. In addition, this system requires moving the entire side panel to gain access to the seat.

The invention aims to effectively remedy these drawbacks by proposing a seat unit for a vehicle cabin comprising:

- a seat comprising a seat and a backrest, said seat being movable between a sitting position and a lying position, and

- a privacy shell extending at least partly around the seat,

- the privacy shell comprising a rear panel and a side panel extending along one side of the seat,

- said side panel comprises a fixed part and a movable part,

- said movable part of the side panel being movable relative to the fixed part between:

- a retracted position in which the mobile part delimits with the fixed part and the rear panel a semi-enclosed space around the seat to give privacy to the passenger, and

- a deployed position in which the mobile part of the privacy shell is moved away from the seat so as to create an access space to said seat.

The invention thus makes it possible, thanks to the mobile part of the privacy shell, to increase the dimension of access to the seat for short pitch configurations so as to facilitate installation on the seat of a person with mobility scaled down. The invention is based on the use of kinematics that are simpler to integrate than articulated connecting rods. The invention also has the advantage of hiding the electrical and mechanical components located under the seat thanks to the presence of the fixed part of the side panel.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a slide connection is arranged between the movable part and the fixed part of the side panel, so that the movable part is movable relative to the fixed part following a translation movement only.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the mobile part is in the deployed position, a rear edge of the mobile part is located towards the rear beyond the rear panel of the privacy shell.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the slide connection is arranged on an upper face of the fixed part of the side panel, the slide connection forming a non-zero angle relative to a horizontal plane.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a pivot connection having a vertical axis is arranged between the movable part of the side panel and the rear panel located behind the backrest, so as to allow movement of the movable part relative to the fixed part following a rotational movement only around the vertical axis of the pivot link.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the movable part is movable from the retracted position to an intermediate position following a translational movement only and then is movable from the intermediate position to the deployed position following a rotational movement only.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said seat unit comprises a device for locking and unlocking the movable part relative to the fixed part of the side panel of the privacy shell.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking and unlocking device is chosen from a handle or a push button.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking device is arranged in an upper part of the seat unit in an area located between the backrest and the rear panel of the privacy shell.

The invention also relates to a vehicle cabin, in particular an aircraft cabin, comprising a plurality of seat units as previously defined.

The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear further on reading the detailed description which follows including embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented by way of non-limiting examples, which may be used to complete the understanding of the present invention and the presentation of its realization and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

Figures 1a and 1b are side views of an arrangement of seat units according to the invention provided with a retractable privacy shell between a retracted position and an deployed position;

There is a partial perspective view showing a slide connection arranged on a lower part of the side panel of a retractable privacy shell according to the invention;

There is a side view of a seat unit according to the invention illustrating the angle formed by the slide connection relative to a horizontal plane;

There is a partial perspective view of a seat unit illustrating the positioning of a device for locking and unlocking the movable part of a retractable privacy shell according to the invention;

Figures 5a and 5b are top views illustrating the installation of a person with reduced mobility on a seat following deployment of the mobile part of the retractable privacy shell according to the invention;

Figures 6a and 6b are respectively top and perspective views illustrating a deployment of the mobile part of the retractable privacy shell according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7a and 7b are top views illustrating a deployment of the mobile part of the retractable privacy shell according to a third embodiment of the invention.

It should be noted that the structural and/or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

Furthermore, in the remainder of the description, relative terms such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "horizontal" or "vertical" are understood by reference to the common meaning that a passenger would give them. seated on a seat of the seat unit according to the invention.

Figures 1a and 1b show an arrangement 100 of individual seat units 10 installed inside an aircraft cabin. This arrangement 100 comprises at least one column of three seat units 10 arranged one behind the other. Of course, a column of arrangement 100 may include a greater or lesser number of seat units 10.

Each seat unit 10 comprises a seat 11 having a seat 12 and a backrest 13. The seat 11 is associated with a side console 14 extending along one side of the seat 11. In addition, a shell 15 called privacy shell s extends at least partly around the seat 11 so as to delimit a semi-enclosed space, that is to say partially enclosed, around the passenger. Such a configuration makes it possible to guarantee the privacy of the passenger seated on the seat 11. A video screen 17 of a multimedia system or IFE (for "Inflight Entertainment System" in English) could be installed on a rear part of the hull of privacy 15 so as to be usable by a rear passenger.

The seat 11 is advantageously provided with kinematics allowing it to be movable between a "seated" position in which the seat 11 is configured to define a seated position of a passenger, and a "lying" position, in which the seat 11 is configured to define a sleeping surface for the passenger, advantageously substantially horizontal. Intermediate comfort positions are also offered, such as the "relax" position in which the backrest 13 of the seat 11 is strongly inclined.

The seat 11 comprises an axis X1 defined by the intersection between a horizontal plane and a vertical median plane of the seat 11 corresponding in particular to a plane of symmetry of the seat 11. The axis to a central axis X2 of the aircraft cabin, for example of the order of 45 degrees. In this case, the seat 11 is turned in a direction opposite to the axis X2. In other words, the seats 11 face in a direction opposite to a traffic corridor 16 towards the cabin windows. Alternatively, the seat 11 can be rotated in the direction of the axis X2.

In the example shown, the side console 14 comprises a horizontal upper wall 18 forming a table surface on which a passenger can place objects, as is clearly visible on the . On the side of its rear end, a vertical storage space 19 can be provided comprising one or more elements from a literature pouch, a bottle holder, or a minibar. The choice of storage is configurable according to the wishes of the airline. In addition, a portion 21 of the side console 14 may have an armrest function.

The side console 14 may also include an internal housing 22, called foot housing, comprising a horizontal internal face forming a footrest (or ottoman) for a passenger installed in a rear seat.

A control unit 24 (called "PCU" for "Passenger Control Unit" in English) is placed near the passenger. The control unit 24 makes it possible to control the selection of a position of the seat 11 as well as the environment of the seat 11, namely a video system, a heating device, a lighting atmosphere, or any other parameter of the environment of the seat. seat 11.

The privacy shell 15 comprises a side panel 25 extending along one side of the seat 11. The side panel 25 extends on the side of the circulation corridor 16. The side panel 25 extends parallel to the axis circulation corridor 16. The privacy shell 15 also includes a rear panel 26 placed behind the backrest 13 of the seat 11. The rear panel 26 has a rounded shape to match the shape of the backrest 13 of the seat 11.

More precisely, the side panel 25 comprises a fixed part 25.1 and a movable part 25.2. The movable part 25.2 comprises a front edge 29 and a rear edge 30. The fixed part 25.1 has a height H measured relative to a floor of the aircraft cabin less than or equal to a height of an upper face of the seat 12 intended to come into contact with the passenger.

The movable part 25.2 of the side panel 25 is movable relative to the fixed part 25.1 between a retracted position in which the movable part 25.2 delimits, with the fixed part 25.1 and the rear panel 26, a semi-enclosed space around the seat 11 for provide privacy to the passenger (cf. ), and a deployed position in which the mobile part 25.2 of the privacy shell 15 is distant from the seat 11 so as to provide an access space to said seat 11 (see intermediate seat 11 on the ).

In the embodiment of Figures 1a and 1b, a slide connection 31 is arranged between the movable part 25.2 and the fixed part 25.1 of the side panel 25, so that the movable part 25.2 is movable relative to the fixed part 25.1 along a translational movement only. When the movable part 25.2 is in the deployed position, the rear edge 30 of the movable part 25.2 is located towards the rear beyond the rear panel 26 of the privacy shell 15. Thus, when the movable part 25.2 is in position deployed, at least a portion of the movable part 25.2 extends in the longitudinal passage 34 between the seat unit 10 considered (with which the side panel 25 is associated) and the rear seat unit 10. The mobile part 25.2 then partially closes the longitudinal passage 34 extending along the axis X2 between the seat unit 10 considered (to which the mobile part 25.2 belongs) and the adjacent rear seat unit and opening transversely towards the circulation corridor 16. The travel of the movable part 25.2 of the side panel 25 between the retracted position and the deployed position is between 13 inches (or 33.02cm) and 20 inches (or 50.8cm) and is preferably of the order 16 inches (or 40.64cm). By "of the order of", we mean a variation of plus or minus 10% compared to the indicated value.

As can be seen on the , the slide connection 31 is arranged on an upper face of the fixed part 25.1 of the side panel 25. The slide connection 31 is formed by a slide comprising a first element 31.1 intended to be fixed on the movable part 25.2 and a second element 31.2 intended to be fixed on the fixed part 25.1. The first element 31.1 is able to slide in a direction parallel to the axis X2 along the second element 31.2. As an alternative to a slide mechanism, a rail/carriage system could be used and would be more robust than a slide type mechanism.

Advantageously, the slide connection 31 forms a non-zero angle A1 with respect to a horizontal plane P, as illustrated by the . The angle A1 is for example between 3 degrees and 10 degrees. The horizontal plane is parallel to a floor 35 of the aircraft cabin. This makes it possible to avoid interference of the mobile part 25.2 of the side panel 25 with elements arranged at the rear of the Seat Unit 10.

Preferably, as shown on the , the seat unit 10 comprises a device 37 for locking and unlocking the movable part 25.2 relative to the fixed part 25.1 of the side panel 25. The locking and unlocking device 37 is able to take a locked state in which the movable part 25.2 is immobilized relative to the fixed part 25.1 and an unlocked state in which the movable part 25.2 can move relative to the fixed part 25.1.

Advantageously, the locking and unlocking device 37 is constituted by a member which does not require a tool for its manipulation, such as a handle or a push button. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a locking and unlocking device 37 requiring a tool for its handling, such as a key device to secure its handling by a member of the crew or a maintenance team. The locking device 37 is preferably arranged in an upper part of the seat unit 10, for example in an area located between the backrest 13 and the rear panel 26 of the privacy shell 15.

The operation of the removable side panel 25 according to the invention is described below with reference to Figures 5a and 5b. When the movable part 25.2 of the side panel 25 is in the retracted position, the highlights that access to the seat 11 on the side of the circulation corridor 16 is limited due to a reduced distance E between two adjacent seat units 11.

In order to facilitate access to the seat 11 for a person with reduced mobility 38, a crew member 39 can actuate the locking and unlocking device 37 so as to authorize translational movement of the movable part 25.2 relative to the fixed part 25.1 of the side panel 25 along the longitudinal axis.

When the mobile part 25.2 is in the deployed position, access to the seat 11 on the side of the circulation corridor 16 is facilitated due to the increase in the distance E' between the two adjacent privacy shells, such that is illustrated by the .

If necessary, the crew member 39 can command a movement of the seat 11 via the control unit 24, so as to move the seat 11 from the seated position to the lying position and facilitate the installation of the passenger on the seat 11.

Once the passenger has been transferred to seat 11, crew member 39 can perform the reverse operations and return the mobile part 25.2 of the privacy shell 15 to the retracted position to provide privacy to the passenger.

In the embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b, a pivot connection 41 having a vertical axis to the fixed part 25.1 following a rotational movement only around the vertical axis X3 of the pivot connection 41.

The mobile part 25.2 in the deployed position may form a deployment angle A2 of between 90 degrees and 180 degrees relative to a vertical plane passing through the mobile part 25.2 in the retracted position. The deployment angle A2 is preferably around 130 degrees. The deployment angle A2 is adapted according to the environment of the seat unit 10.

In the example shown, the movable part 25.2 of the side panel 25 is extended by a portion 42 of the rear panel 26 which is also movable. The mobile part 25.2 of the privacy shell 15 then has an L shape. The vertical axis X3 is arranged between the mobile part 42 of the rear panel 26 and a fixed part 25.1 of the rear panel 26.

In the embodiment of Figures 7a and 7b, the movable part 25.2 is movable from the retracted position to an intermediate position following a translational movement M1 only then is movable from the intermediate position to the deployed position following a rotational movement M2 only (cf. ).

The translation movement M1 is carried out in a direction parallel to the axis X2. The travel of the movable part 25.2 between the retracted position and the intermediate position is for example between 2 inches (or 5.08cm) and 5 inches (12.7cm) and is preferably of the order of 3 inches (7.62cm).

The rotational movement M2 is carried out along a vertical axis 25.2 in the retracted position. The deployment angle A3 is preferably around 130 degrees. The translational travel as well as the deployment angle A3 may be adapted depending on the environment of the seat unit 10 and in particular the elements located behind the seat unit 10.

Although the invention has been described for a seat 11 installed in an airplane cabin, the invention could also be implemented in another transport vehicle such as a train, a bus, a boat, or any other aircraft such as a helicopter.

Of course, the different features, variants and/or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that those skilled in the art may consider in the context of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (10)

Seat unit (10) for a vehicle cabin comprising:
- a seat (11) comprising a seat (12) and a backrest (13), said seat (11) being movable between a sitting position and a lying position, and
- a privacy shell (15) extending at least partly around the seat (11),
- the privacy shell (15) comprising a rear panel (26) and a side panel (25) extending along one side of the seat (11),
characterized in that said side panel (25) comprises a fixed part (25.1) and a movable part (25.2),
- said movable part (25.2) of the side panel (25) being movable relative to the fixed part (25.1) between:
- a retracted position in which the movable part (25.2) delimits with the fixed part (25.1) and the rear panel (26) a semi-enclosed space around the seat (11) to give privacy to the passenger, and
- a deployed position in which the mobile part (25.2) of the privacy shell (15) is moved away from the seat (11) so as to create an access space to said seat (11). Seat unit according to claim 1, characterized in that a slide connection (31) is arranged between the movable part (25.2) and the fixed part (25.1) of the side panel (25), so that the movable part (25.2 ) is movable relative to the fixed part (25.1) following a translational movement only. Seat unit according to claim 2, characterized in that when the movable part (25.2) is in the deployed position, a rear edge (30) of the movable part (25.2) is located rearwardly beyond the rear panel ( 26) of the privacy shell (15). Seat unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the slide connection (31) is arranged on an upper face of the fixed part (25.1) of the side panel (25), the slide connection (31) forming an angle not zero relative to a horizontal plane. Seat unit according to claim 1, characterized in that a pivot connection (41) having a vertical axis (X3) is arranged between the movable part (25.2) of the side panel (25) and the rear panel (26) located behind the backrest (13), so as to allow movement of the movable part (25.2) relative to the fixed part (25.1) following a rotational movement only around the vertical axis (X3) of the pivot connection (41) . Seat unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part (25.2) is movable from the retracted position to an intermediate position following a translational movement only and then is movable from the intermediate position to the deployed position following a rotational movement uniquely. Seat unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a device (37) for locking and unlocking the movable part (25.2) relative to the fixed part (25.1) of the side panel (25) of the privacy shell (15). Seat unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking and unlocking device (37) is chosen from a handle or a push button. Seat unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the locking device (37) is arranged in an upper part of the seat unit (10) in an area between the backrest (13) and the rear panel (26) of the privacy shell (15). Vehicle cabin, in particular aircraft cabin, comprising a plurality of seat units (11) according to any one of the preceding claims.