GB2619724A

GB2619724A - Aircraft seat mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2619724A
Application number: GB2208661.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wallace Andrew; Smith Hugh; Aston Thomas; Hargreaves Dom
Original assignee: DCA Design International Ltd
Current assignee: DCA Design International Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-13
Filing date: 2022-06-13
Publication date: 2023-12-20
Also published as: GB202208661D0; WO2023242555A1

Abstract

A seat mechanism 110 for reclining a seat 100, such as an aircraft passenger seat, where the seat comprises a back rest 102 hinged to a seat pan 104. The mechanism comprises a base 120 secured to a floor and comprising a slide rail (122, figure 3), a support beam secured to the floor and translatable substantially parallel to the floor, and a seat support frame for supporting the back rest and seat pan. The seat support frame comprises a back link 174 for supporting the back rest and coupled to the back rest and the floor, a seat pan frame for supporting the seat pan and comprising a first link 182 coupled to the seat pan and the slide rail such that the slide rail and first link form a sliding pivot 184, and a second link coupled to the seat pan and the support beam. Movement of the support beam from a first position to a second position causes the seat to move from a seated configuration to a lie-flat configuration. The mechanism may instead comprise a translatable support beam coupled to a support frame by a bearing, and a slide rail coupled to the support frame by a constrained roller, with translation of the support rail causing the roller to move along the slide rail.

Description

AIRCRAFT SEAT MECHANISM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aircraft seat mechanism and in particular an aircraft seat mechanism for reclining a seat.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft passenger seats, particularly business class aircraft seats have undergone significant innovation and changes in recent years.

Passengers now demand, particularly for long-haul flights, the ability to recline the seats from a seated configuration to a lay-flat configuration where the back rest, seat pan and calf rest form a substantially flat surface on which the passenger can lie.

Existing mechanisms achieve this by a complex sliding arrangement that utilises one or more curved tortuous paths or tracks that allow for relative sliding and rotational movements of the back rest and the seat pan. In these prior mechanisms the back rest, seat pan and calf rest form part of the sliding arrangement. However these arrangements as well as being complex tend to be heavy and bulky due to the additional complexity of the linkages used. Also, most existing solutions require the use of multiple actuators to move the seats, which add to the weight of the overall seat.

Additionally the calf rest of the seats often requires a user to manually move this into the lie-flat position, which is an inconvenience for the passenger. Or, again, a separate actuator is often used.

Example existing solutions are described in EP3023329, EP3118115 30 and EP3317182.

It is an objective of the present invention to at least ameliorate the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seat mechanism for reclining a seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, wherein said seat comprises a back rest hingedly coupled to a seat pan, said mechanism comprising: a base, secured to a floor, said base comprising a slide rail; a support beam, secured to the floor, said support beam translatable substantially parallel to the floor; and a seat support frame for supporting the back rest and the seat pan, said seat support frame comprising: a back link for supporting the back rest, said back link coupled to the back rest and to the floor; a seat pan frame for supporting the seat pan, said seat pan frame comprising: a first link coupled to the seat pan and to the slide rail such that the slide rail and the first link form a sliding pivot; and a second link coupled to the seat pan and to the support beam; wherein movement of the support beam from a first position to a second position causes the seat to move from a seat configuration to a lie-flat configuration.

The present invention provides for a light-weight seat mechanism that allows for movement of an aircraft passenger seat from a seating configuration to a lie-flat configuration. By use of a series of links and pivot couplings the mechanism can support the elements of the seat whilst also allowing relative movement therebetween. Additionally, the seat mechanism transfers lateral movement of a support beam to rotational movement of the seat components.

The use of links also removes the need for complex side rails and guideplates. Instead, pivotable links in both a fixed and slidable pivots is lighter and uses less components.

In embodiments the back link is pivotably connected to the floor and to the back rest. Accordingly, when moving between configurations the back rest rotates as the seat mechanism moves laterally.

In some examples the first link and the second link are coupled to the seat pan at a first seat pan pivot point. By providing the coupling at a common point the seat pan is supported and able to rotate.

lo In some embodiments the second beam is coupled to the support beam by a bearing.

The seat support frame may further comprise a coupling between the back rest and a foot rest, said foot rest hingedly coupled to the seat pan at an opposite end to the back rest. The coupling may transfer rotational movement of the back rest to the foot rest such that the back rest and the foot rest move in tandem. The coupling may comprise a bracket and a link, pivotably connected therebetween.

In some embodiments, the seat pan frame may comprise a third link coupled to the seat pan and the support beam to further support the seat pan frame. The seat pan frame may further comprises a support link connecting the second link and third link.

In some examples the first and second links may be coupled to the seat pan at a common pivot point.

In other embodiments the sliding pivot may comprise a constrained roller of the first linkage that is seated within and runs along the slide rail.

The support beam may be constrained to translate substantially parallel to the floor. The support beam may be constrained by an engagement between the support beam and a main beam support secured to the floor. The engagement typically comprises rollers such that the main support beam is constrained by the rollers.

In some examples, the main support beam is translated by an actuator. The actuator may be a motor. As such the actuator may drive the main support beam by a rack and pinion drive.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a seat mechanism for reclining a seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, wherein said seat comprises a back rest hingedly coupled to a seat pan, said mechanism comprising a translatable support beam coupled to a support frame by a bearing and a slide rail coupled to said support frame by a constrained roller, wherein translation of the support rail causes the constrained roller to move along the slide rail.

In a third aspect, there is provided an airline passenger seat 20 configured to move between a seat configuration and a lay-flat configuration, said seat comprising: a seat mechanism according to any embodiment of the first and second aspect.

Accordingly the present invention provides a lay flat seat recline mechanism. The mechanism is controllable by a single actuator that controls the full range of seat movement, including any foot or calf rest. Furthermore, the strut or link arrangement aids in reducing weight, whilst the sliding mechanism allows for the dual seat configuration.

Additionally, by reducing the number of components used in the support and sliding mechanism the relative loads can be more easily optimised, and furthermore the design is simplified to reduce manufacturing costs.

It can be appreciated that any embodiment described in relation to 5 the first or second aspect can be applied to any other aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples, which should not be construed as limiting, are shown in the figures, in which: Figure la shows an aircraft seat comprising a seat mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure lb shows the aircraft seat of Figure la; Figure 2a shows the aircraft seat of Figure la in a lay-flat configuration Figure 2b shows a side view of the aircraft seat of Figure 2a; Figure 3 shows a schematic of the seat mechanism shown in Figure la; Figure 4 shows a side view of the seat mechanism shown in Figure 2a.

Embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example below.

Figures la and lb shows a suite 10 or cabin for a business class cabin of an aircraft. The suite 10 comprises a booth having a foot rest 20. The booth comprises a seat 100 arranged in a broad herringbone configuration. The seat is configured to extend into a space between the foot rest 20 and the seat in the seated configuration.

Figures 2a and 2b show the seat of figure la and lb in a lay-flat configuration. It can be seen that the seat sits within the booth. Figures 3 and 4 show a skeleton view of the seat and seat mechanism in isolation.

The seat 100 comprises a back rest 102, seat pan 104 and calf rest 106. The back rest is hingedly connected to the seat pan along edge 103, whilst the calf rest 106 is hingedly connected to the seat pan at an opposing side 105.

As show, a seat mechanism 110 is also provided for reclining the seat. 5 The mechanism 110 comprises a base 120, secured to a floor 130, said base comprising a slide rail 122.

A support beam 150 is secured to the floor 130, said support beam being translatable substantially parallel to the floor. The support beam is shown as a having a strut structure, but any beam that provides structural support for the seat may be used. Cutaways and/or reinforcements may be provided to allow for mounting of additional components, such as media systems and the like. The support beam is secured to the floor 130 via a support beam frame 152. The frame comprises a plurality of rollers 154 that engage with corresponding shaped grooves 155 in a rear side of the support beam such that the beam is constrained. The beam is constrained by the frame, rollers and grooves to only allow movement of the beam in a lateral direction substantially parallel to the floor.

The beam 150 is driven by an actuator, such as a motor 160 that engages with the beam using a rack and pinion drive 158, 162. It can be appreciated that other actuator systems may be used.

The seat mechanism further comprises a seat support frame for supporting the back rest 102 and the seat pan 104. The seat support frame comprises a back rest support 172 and a back link 174 for supporting the back rest. The back link 174 coupled to the back rest at point 176 and to the floor at point 178. In the embodiment shown the link 174 is connected to the floor via a link support 179 that provides pivotable movement of the link 174 relative to the floor.

Similarly, the link 174 is pivotably engaged at point 176 to the back rest 102.

The seat mechanism further comprises a seat pan frame for supporting the seat pan 104, said seat pan frame comprising: a first link 182 coupled to the seat pan 104 and to the slide rail 122 such that the slide rail and the first link form a sliding pivot 184. This is typically a roller engaged within a corresponding groove or slot on the slide rail 122. The slide rail 122 is substantially linear and angled between 10 and 30 degrees from horizontal (i.e. parallel to the floor).

The seat pan frame further comprises a second link 186 coupled to the seat pan 104 and to the support beam 150. This coupling is a fixed pivot point at bearing 187. The first and second links are coupled to the seat pan at a first seat pan pivot point 185, located adjacent to the hinge point 103.

The seat support frame further comprises a coupling between the back rest and a foot rest, said foot rest hingedly coupled to the seat pan at an opposite end to the back rest. The coupling acts to raise the calf rest 106 as the back rest 102 is lowered. This occurs by translating both the back rest anticlockwise in the direction a and the calf rest anticlockwise in the direction c. The coupling comprises a bracket 190 and a link 191.

The seat pan frame comprises a third link 192 coupled to the seat pan 104 and the support beam 150. The third link 192 is coupled to the support frame 150 and the second link at bearing 187. A further cross-linked support link 193 may be provided for structural rigidity.

In use, movement of the support beam from a first position to a second position in the direction c causes the seat to move from a seat g configuration to a lie-flat configuration. This occurs due to the relative arrangement of fixed pivot connections and the sliding pivot 184. The movement of the support beam in a lateral or direction parallel to the floor is translated into the linear movement of the links via the slide rail to provide rotational movement of the back rest 102 and the calf rest 106. It can also be appreciated that due to the seat pan support structure movement of the seat, rotational movement of the seat pan in a clockwise direction d occurs such that seat pan moves from the non-parallel (to the floor) position shown in Figure la to the flat (parallel to the floor) position shown in Figure 2b.

Although specific examples have been described, these are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which should be determined with reference to the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A seat mechanism for reclining a seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, wherein said seat comprises a back rest hingedly 5 coupled to a seat pan, said mechanism comprising: a base, secured to a floor, said base comprising a slide rail; a support beam, secured to the floor, said support beam translatable substantially parallel to the floor; and a seat support frame for supporting the back rest and the seat pan, said seat support frame comprising: a back link for supporting the back rest, said back link coupled to the back rest and to the floor; a seat pan frame for supporting the seat pan, said seat pan frame comprising: a first link coupled to the seat pan and to the slide rail such that the slide rail and the first link form a sliding pivot; and a second link coupled to the seat pan and to the support beam; wherein movement of the support beam from a first position to 20 a second position causes the seat to move from a seat configuration to a lie-flat configuration.
2. The seat mechanism of claim 1, wherein the back link is pivotably connected to the floor and to the back rest.
3. The seat mechanism of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first link and the second link are coupled to the seat pan at a first seat pan pivot point.
4. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the second beam is coupled to the support beam by a bearing.
5. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the seat support frame further comprises a coupling between the back rest and a foot rest, said foot rest hingedly coupled to the seat pan at an opposite end to the back rest.
6. The seat mechanism of claim 5, wherein the coupling transfers rotational movement of the back rest to the foot rest such that the back rest and the foot rest move in tandem.
7. The seat mechanism of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the coupling comprises a bracket and a link, pivotably connected therebetween.
8. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the seat pan frame comprises a third link coupled to the seat pan and the 15 support beam to further support the seat pan frame.
9. The seat mechanism of claim 8, wherein the seat pan frame further comprises a support link connecting the second link and third link.
10. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second links are coupled to the seat pan at a common pivot point.
11. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the sliding pivot comprises a constrained roller of the first linkage that is seated within and runs along the slide rail.
12. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the support beam is constrained to translate substantially parallel to the floor.
13. The seat mechanism of claim 12, wherein the support beam is constrained by an engagement between the support beam and a main beam support secured to the floor.
14. The seat mechanism of claim 13, wherein the engagement comprises rollers such that the main support beam is constrained by the rollers.
15. The seat mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the main 10 support beam is translated by an actuator.
16. The seat mechanism of claim 15, wherein the actuator is a motor.
17. The seat mechanism of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the actuator drives the main support beam by a rack and pinion drive.
18. A seat mechanism for reclining a seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, wherein said seat comprises a back rest hingedly coupled to a seat pan, said mechanism comprising a translatable support beam coupled to a support frame by a bearing and a slide rail coupled to said support frame by a constrained roller, wherein translation of the support rail causes the constrained roller to move along the slide rail.
19. An airline passenger seat configured to move between a seat configuration and a lay-flat configuration, said seat comprising: a seat mechanism according to any preceding claim.