Aircraft passenger seat assembly including a backrest tilt apparatus

An aircraft passenger seat has a seat back including a lower portion pivotably mounted to a seat bottom and an upper portion rotatably coupled to the lower portion. The upper portion may rotate in a forward direction relative to the lower portion during articulation of the seat. An inner diaphragm may be positioned between a headrest and a set of side frame members of the upper portion and is rotatably coupled to the upper portion and lower portion to provide support for an upper back and shoulders of a seated passenger. An actuating assembly may coordinate articulation of the lower portion, the upper portion, and the inner diaphragm to permit articulation of the seat between an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position and a reclined position and to enable the seated passenger to achieve more ergonomic postures.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to deployable aircraft “sleeper” seats such as those provided in premium class accommodations of a passenger aircraft (e.g., first class, business class) that articulate between an upright, taxi, take-off, and landing (TTOL) positioned, a reclined positioned, and a lie-flat (e.g., bed) position. The features of these aircraft seats may provide a more comfortable experience for passengers on long-haul flights.

In some conventional implementations, the deployable aircraft seats may include actuators that are responsible for cooperatively controlling movement of various components of the aircraft seat, such as the seat back, seat bottom, and leg rest. The actuator and associated components such as motors, circuitry, and cabling, contribute to an overall weight of the aircraft seat, which can limit the number of sleeper seats that can be added to the aircraft. In addition, these conventional seats may rely on a multitude of articulated elements, e.g. seatback, headrest, or legrest, to increase passenger comfort which may result in difficulty to adjust and find a comfortable position. For example, in these conventional seats each articulated element may have to be independently and successively actuated one by one.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In certain embodiments, an aircraft passenger seat with actuator-controlled components may include a seat back pivotably mounted to a seat bottom to permit varying the angle of the seat back relative to the seat bottom between an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position and a reclined position. The seat back may include a lower portion pivotably mounted to the seat bottom frame at a first pivot point and an upper portion rotatably coupled to the lower portion. The upper portion may include a headrest mounted at an upper end and forward of a first set of side frame members and may articulate in a forward direction relative to the lower portion about a second pivot point between the upper portion and the lower portion. An inner diaphragm may be positioned between the headrest and the set of side frame members. The inner diaphragm may be rotatably coupled to the upper portion and lower portion at the second pivot point and articulate independently of the upper portion to provide support for an upper back and shoulders of a seated passenger. An actuator mounted to the seat back frame may control articulation of the seat between the upright TTOL and reclined position and may cause coordinated articulation of the lower portion, the upper portion, and the inner diaphragm to enable the seated passenger to achieve more ergonomic postures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended to be a description of various, illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Specific features and functionalities are described in connection with each illustrative embodiment; however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced without each of those specific features and functionalities.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, it is intended that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter cover modifications and variations thereof.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context expressly dictates otherwise. That is, unless expressly specified otherwise, as used herein the words “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like carry the meaning of “one or more.” Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” and the like that may be used herein merely describe points of reference and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components, steps, operations, functions, and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular configuration or orientation.

Furthermore, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “proximate,” “minor variation,” and similar terms generally refer to ranges that include the identified value within a margin of 20%, 10% or preferably 5% in certain embodiments, and any values therebetween.

All of the functionalities described in connection with one embodiment are intended to be applicable to the additional embodiments described below except where expressly stated or where the feature or function is incompatible with the additional embodiments. For example, where a given feature or function is expressly described in connection with one embodiment but not expressly mentioned in connection with an alternative embodiment, it should be understood that the inventors intend that that feature or function may be deployed, utilized or implemented in connection with the alternative embodiment unless the feature or function is incompatible with the alternative embodiment.

Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to an aircraft passenger seat that includes a seat back frame with multiple actuator-controlled components that articulate with respect to one another to move the seat between an upright, taxi, take-off, and landing (TTOL) position, a fully reclined, lie-flat position, and various positions between the TTOL and lie-flat positions. In some implementations, the aircraft seat may include a seat back frame with an upper portion and a lower portion that are rotatably coupled to one another so that each portion of the seat frame can be positioned at a different angle to provide a more ergonomic experience for a passenger seated in the aircraft seat. In addition, an inner diaphragm may be positioned forward of the upper portion of the seat back frame to provide a third degree of freedom with respect to seat back articulation. The inner diaphragm may be configured to support an upper back and shoulders of the passenger. In some examples, the upper portion of the seat back frame may also articulate forward of the TTOL position in order to provide additional space aft of the passenger seat when the seat is not occupied by a passenger or during a crash situation. In some implementations, cooperative articulation of the inner diaphragm and upper and lower portions of the seat back frame may be controlled by single motor-controlled actuator, which may contribute to a reduction in weight of the aircraft seat.

FIG. 1illustrates a side view of an example frame for an aircraft passenger seat100that includes a seat back140with multiple articulable components that provide for cooperatively moving the seat100between an upright, TTOL position and a lie-flat position, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the seat back140may also articulate forward of the TTOL position. The seat back140may be articulably (also referred to as pivotably or rotatably) coupled to a seat bottom702(FIG. 7), and the seat bottom702may in turn be articulably coupled to a foot rest114. In addition, the seat100may also include side panels112that are disposed on either side of the seat100and may also function as arm rests112when the seat100is in an upright or lounge positions or to prevent the passenger from rolling out of the seat100when the seat100is in the lie-flat position. The side panels112may be articulably mounted to the seat100at main pivot point110. In some implementations, the main pivot point110may connect at least one of the seat back140, seat bottom702, and side panels112to a main roller124that slideably translates forward and aft across a main guide track126that is fixedly mounted to a base130of the seat100. In this manner, all components of the seat100may smoothly translate together, such that arm rests112move on coordination with the reclining of the seat back140, translation of the seat bottom702, and raising of the foot rest114to provide a passenger with a comfortable arm rest position through a wide range of passenger seat positions. For example, in a recline position ofFIG. 7, in bed lounge position ofFIG. 8, and an upright seating position ofFIG. 1, the arm rests112may maintain a comfortable and ergonomic position for passenger use. For example, an elbow bend angle may be maintained between the upright seating position ofFIG. 1and the reclined sitting position ofFIG. 7by pivoting the arm rests112about the pivot point110in coordination with the angling of the seat back140into the reclined position.

In some examples, as the seat100articulates toward a lie-flat position, the main roller124translates forward (to the right inFIG. 1) along the main guide track126in response to a driving motion of a drive mechanism136. The drive mechanism136, for example, may include an automated drive component, such as a motor or servo, mounted between two mounting elements on either side of a seat pan portion of the seat bottom frame. The mounting elements, in some embodiments, are extendable mounting elements. In other embodiments, the mounting elements are stationery. In some embodiments, the forward motion of the automated drive component of the drive mechanism136engages an actuating mechanism108that is configured to control articulation of an upper seatback portion of the seat100. In other embodiments, the actuating mechanism108includes a separate automated drive component (e.g., an electrical component such as a motor or servo). The actuating mechanism108may include an output arm or rod configured to control one or more of the actuator-controlled components of the seat100.

In some implementations, the seat100includes an electrical mount138connected to the base130. The electrical mount138may cooperatively translate forward and aft between the upright and lie-flat positions. The electrical mount138may support apparatus for electrical power distribution for powering the drive mechanism136, actuating mechanism108, and/or a foot rest actuator.

In some embodiments, the seat100includes linkage with linkage segments118a,118bthat may be configured to pivotably rotate about secondary pivot points120a,120bin order to maintain a substantially constant relative distance between the secondary pivot points120a,120b. In one example, an upper secondary pivot point120amay be positioned at an upper end of a lower portion106of the seat back140, and a lower secondary pivot point120bmay be pivotably mounted to a rear frame128that is a part of the base130. In some implementations, as the seat100reclines toward the lie-flat position and the linkage118pivots to maintain the relative distance between the secondary pivot points120a,120b, the rotation of linkage segment118bmay cause the rear frame128to pivot upward until the seat progresses forward the full length of the main guide track126. Upon reaching the end of travel, the upper secondary pivot point120aand thus the lower portion106of the seat back140articulate to the lie-flat position. Details regarding articulation of the seat100between the upright and lie-flat positions are discussed further below.

In some implementations, the base130is mounted to a floor of an aircraft cabin according to a seating configuration. For example, the seat100may be included in a premium class passenger suite, such as a first class or business class suite that may provide more space for articulating the seat100to the lie-flat position than a passenger seat in a coach class section of the aircraft cabin.

In some embodiments, the seat back140includes an upper portion102having a headrest132mounted at an upper end of upper side frame members134that may be articulably coupled to lower side frame members of a lower portion106of the seat back140at pivot point142. For example, the upper portion102may be configured to pivot forward of the lower portion106about the pivot point142as shown inFIG. 2in response to engagement by actuating mechanism108. In addition, the upper portion102of the seat back140may also include an inner diaphragm104positioned between the upper side frame members134and the headrest132and may be articulably coupled to the upper portion102and the lower portion106of the seat back140at the pivot point142. Stated another way, the inner diaphragm104may be positioned forward of the upper side frame members134and aft of the headrest132to provide support for an upper back and shoulders of a passenger seated in the aircraft seat100.

In some implementations, the inner diaphragm104pivots independently of the articulation of the upper portion102, which may provide a third degree of freedom with respect to articulation of the seat back140, which may enable passengers to achieve more ergonomic postures while seated in the seat100. As will be discussed further herein, the inner diaphragm104may allow a passenger's shoulders to nestle backward relative to the headrest132due to rearward articulation of the inner diaphragm104while the upper portion102of the seat back140remains substantially stationary. In some embodiments, the rearward rotation of the inner diaphragm104is achieved without use of an additional motor or actuator other than the actuating mechanism108. For example, as the actuating mechanism108operates to cause reclining of the lower portion106of the seat back140(e.g., counterclockwise rotation of the lower portion106as shown inFIG. 1), the inner diaphragm104may also cooperatively rotate with the lower portion106of the seat back140(e.g., in the counterclockwise direction) as in the design shown inFIG. 1.

In some implementations, the actuating mechanism108and/or the drive mechanism136includes a linear actuator that is motor-driven, such as by a servomotor or a stepper motor. For example, rotation of the motor may cause extension and/or retraction of one or more actuator rods to cause articulation of the upper portion102, lower portion106, and/or inner diaphragm104of the seat back140. In one example, the actuating mechanism108may include an output arm or rod146connected to the upper portion102of the seat back140at a receiving flange122and may extend upward to cause forward rotation of the upper portion102of the seat back140relative to the lower portion106. Similarly, retraction of the rod146tray cause rearward rotation of the upper portion102relative to the lower portion106. In other examples, the actuating mechanism108may be another type of linear actuator such as a pneumatic actuator, a belt-driven actuator, or a screw-driven actuator. In some implementations, the actuating mechanism108with a single motor may alone be responsible for causing articulation of the seat100through the various positions described further herein. In other embodiments, multiple coordinated actuators may be used to generate the articulations of the seat100described and illustrated herein.

In addition, the actuating mechanism108may cause articulation of the components of the seat100in response to a control signal received from a controller that receives inputs from a passenger at an interface for an input/output (I/O) device proximate the seat100and/or a cabin attendant at an I/O device at a flight attendant station. In some implementations, the I/O device (not shown) may be a control panel with buttons and/or a touchscreen positioned at an armrest or monitor forward of the seat100that allows a passenger to select a desired position for the seat100. In response to receiving the selected position, the controller may issue control signals to the actuating mechanism108and/or the drive mechanism136to cause coordinated articulation of the actuator-controlled components of the seat100. Further, in the event of an emergency situation (e.g., rapid deceleration, heavy turbulence, etc.), a master controller (e.g., in communication with the flight attendant station or another controller) may issue commands causing the seat100and other seats positioned within the cabin to automatically return to a TTOL position.

As shown inFIG. 1, the upper portion102of the seat back140is shown in first position which may be a TTOL or stowed position. In this position, the upper portion102of the seat back140may be deployed in-line (e.g., zero- or near-zero-degree angle) with the lower portion106of the seat back140such that a lower surface of the upper portion102abuts and/or rests against an upper ledge144of the lower portion106of the seat back106. In another embodiment, the TTOL position may involve the upper portion102of the seat back140being rotated forward from the upper ledge144at an angle of 1-30 degrees relative to the lower backrest frame. In selected embodiments, that angle may be 3-20, 5-20, 3-15, 3-15, 3-10, or 5-10 degrees. In one embodiment, the TTOL position may be similar to that shown inFIG. 1, except that the upper portion102of the seat back140may be deployed at an angle of 5-10 degrees forward of the lower portion106of the seat back140.

Turning toFIG. 2, a side view of the seat100is illustrated in which the upper portion102of the seat back is rotated forward to a second position from the pivot point142between the upper portion102and lower portion106. In some implementations, the actuating mechanism108may include output arm or rod146connected to the upper portion102of the seat back140at receiving flange122and may extend upward to cause forward rotation of the upper portion102of the seat back140relative to the lower portion106. For example, in response to receiving a control signal from a controller, a motor of the actuating mechanism108may rotate to cause the rod146to move upward thereby causing the upper portion102of the seat back140to articulate forward of the lower portion106about the pivot point142. In some examples, the upper portion102may be configured to rotate forward until making contact with the inner diaphragm104positioned forward of the upper side frame members134of the upper portion102.

In some implementations, the position of the seat back140shown inFIG. 2in which the upper portion102is articulated to the forward position while the seat100is in the TTOL position may not be typically achieved when a passenger is seated in the seat100. Rather, thisFIG. 2illustrates an exemplary range of motion of the upper portion102of the seat back140. For example, in the depicted forward position, the upper portion102may articulate forward at an extension angle of about 45 degrees relative to the lower portion106of the seat back frame140. In selected embodiments, the angle may be 40-50, 35-55, or 30-60 degrees forward of a longitudinal axis passing through the lower portion106of the seat back140. In some examples, the extension angle corresponds to an angle between the upper ledge144of the lower portion106and a bottom surface of the upper portion102.

In some aspects, the upper portion102of the seat back140may be intentionally rotated to the forward position while the seat100is in the TTOL position, such as to provide additional space to the rear of the seat100when the seat100is unoccupied or may also function as a breakover mechanism during a crash situation. In the breakover mechanism implementation, when the seat100experiences a high G-force event such as a crash event, the upper portion102and/or lower portion106of the seat back140may separately or cooperatively rotate forward to reduce a force of head impact by a passenger seated aft of the seat100. For example, the high G-force event may cause the upper portion102to automatically rotate forward about the pivot point142between the upper portion102and lower portion106as shown inFIG. 2. Automatic rotation, for example, may be triggered by an acceleration sensor configured to identify a rapid deceleration event. Output of the acceleration sensor, for example, may be analyzed by the controller which outputs a control signal, in the event of rapid deceleration, to the actuating mechanism108. In another example, the acceleration sensor may be coupled to local control circuitry for triggering movement of the actuating mechanism108to cause the seat100to move to the forward position. Additional examples of automatic break-over mechanisms for passenger seat seatbacks are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/610,167 entitled “Seat Back Breakover with Dynamically Triggered Actuator” and filed May 31, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Turning toFIGS. 3-4, side views of the upper portion102and inner diaphragm104of the seat back140are illustrated, which show articulation of the inner diaphragm104. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the actuating mechanism108has caused articulation of the seat100to the upright, TTOL position, which may also be referred to as a stowed position. In the illustrated example, the upper portion102of the seat back140is at approximately 0 degrees relative to (e.g., aligned with) the lower portion106and inner diaphragm104of the seat back140. In another embodiment, the upper portion102may be at a predetermined number of degrees relative to the lower portion106and approximately 0 degrees relative to the inner diaphragm104, where the predetermined angle may be approximately 0-15, 5-10 or about 5 degrees. In some implementations, when an orientation angle the upper portion102is approximately 0 degrees relative to the inner diaphragm104as shown inFIG. 3, an upper transverse member304connecting side members504(FIG. 5) of the inner diaphragm104may not be in contact with the upper side frame members134of the upper portion102of the seat back140. In some examples, the relative positions of the upper portion102, lower portion106, and inner diaphragm104shown inFIG. 3may correspond to relative positions when the seat100is in a fully reclined, lie-flat bed configuration as illustrated inFIG. 10.

As shown inFIG. 4, the actuating mechanism108has caused articulation of the seat100to a partially reclined position. For example, extension of the rod146of the actuating mechanism108may cause the lower portion106of the seat back140to recline while also causing the upper portion102to cooperatively rotate forward relative to the lower portion106at a small angle. For example, the upper portion102may rotate forward relative to the lower portion106by about 6 degrees. In some examples, the inner diaphragm104may also cooperatively rotate to the partially reclined position with the lower portion106. At the small angle (e.g., approximately 6 degrees of forward articulation of the upper portion102), the transverse member304at the upper end of the inner diaphragm104may come in contact with the upper portion102of the seat back140. In other embodiments, this engagement occurs not at 6 degrees but rather 5-10, 5-15, 5-25, 10-25 or 10-20 degrees. The forward rotation of the upper portion102relative to the lower portion106may occur as the seat100articulates to a partially reclined lounge position illustrated inFIG. 7(e.g., including a raised position of the legrest114).

The implementations of the seat back140including the upper portion102, lower portion106, and inner diaphragm104described herein provide an advantage that the shoulders of a seated passenger may be allowed to nestle backwards against the inner diaphragm104relative to the headrest132, which may enhance passenger comfort. Significantly, this may be achieved in certain embodiments without use of motors or actuators in addition to the actuator108. As can be appreciated from the implementations described herein, the inner diaphragm104can serve as a shoulder-supporting structure that may come back into alignment (e.g., substantially the same relative orientation angle) with a headrest132of the seat100in a lie-flat position as illustrated inFIG. 10. Again, this may be achieved without the use of an additional motor or actuator.

Another aspect of implementations described herein may be the additional degree of segmentation of the seat back140provided by the inner diaphragm104. Without the articulation of the inner diaphragm104relative to the upper portion102, the seat100would provide fundamentally a dual-segmented seat back with the upper portion102and lower portion106. With the addition of the articulating inner diaphragm104, a third degree of freedom (a third articulating segment) is provided. In addition, the implementations described herein may permit a lower seat back cushion mounted to the lower portion106, upper seat back cushion mounted to the upper portion102, and headrest cushion mounted to the headrest132to articulate relative to one another all with the use of a single actuator assembly, such as the actuating mechanism108.

Turning toFIGS. 5-6, example rear perspective views of the seat back140for the articulating aircraft seat100are shown that illustrate articulation of the upper portion102relative to the lower portion106. For example, bothFIGS. 5 and 6illustrate the seat back140where the upper portion102is rotated to a furthest forward position relative to the lower portion106. Also, inFIGS. 5 and 6, the upper side frame member134bof the upper portion102of the seat back140is shown as being transparent in order to more clearly illustrate the articulation of the upper portion102relative to the lower portion106to include engagement of guide roller510mounted to the inner surface of the upper side frame member134bwith a guide path508on the lower portion106.

As shown inFIGS. 5-6, the seat back140may include an upper portion102having a headrest132mounted at an upper end of upper side frame members134that may be articulably coupled to lower side frame members of a lower portion106of the seat back140at pivot point142. For example, the upper portion102may be configured to pivot forward of the lower portion106about the pivot point142in response to engagement by the output arm or rod146of the actuating mechanism108as the rod146extends. In addition, the upper portion102of the seat back140may also include an inner diaphragm104positioned between the upper side frame members134and the headrest132. The inner diaphragm104may be articulably coupled to the upper portion102and the lower portion106of the seat back140at the pivot point142. In some examples, the inner diaphragm104may include side members504separated by a transverse member304at an upper end and cross-member506at a lower end. The inner diaphragm104, in some embodiments, is configured to abut or contact seat back cushioning designed to assist in ergonomic comfort of the passenger. The seat back cushioning, in one example, includes a foam material. In another example, the seat back cushioning includes an inflatable bladder system such as an inflatable air cushion.

In some examples, each of the lower side frame members of the lower portion106may include a guide path508defining a predetermined travel path for the upper portion102relative to the lower portion. In some aspects, the guide path508may be a curved groove or slot that a guide roller510mounted to an inner surface of each of the upper side frame members134of the upper portion102is configured to travel across as the upper portion102articulates forward and aft with respect to the lower portion106of the seat back140. In some implementations, a rearmost and lowest point of the guide path508may correspond to a rearmost amount of rotation of the upper portion102with respect to the lower portion106. The rearmost rotation may correspond, for example, to a point at which a lower surface of each of the upper side frame members134abuts or rests on the upper ledge144of the lower portion106. In addition, a forward-most and highest point of the guide path may correspond to a forward-most amount of rotation of the upper portion102with respect to the lower portion106. The forward-most amount of rotation, for example, may correspond to a point at which the upper portion102makes contact with the transverse member304of the inner diaphragm104when the inner diaphragm104is in a forward-most rotational position.

The travel path for the upper portion102defined by the guide path508, in some embodiments, provides a degree of rotational freedom that cooperates with the main guide track126and pivot points142,120, and110and the articulation of the inner diaphragm104to provide the compound articulation of the seat100controlled by the actuating mechanism108as shown in figures described herein. In some implementations, the inner diaphragm104may be configured to cooperatively rotate with the upper portion102and/or lower portion106of the seat back140under the control of the actuating mechanism108. In addition, the articulation of each of the upper portion102, lower portion106, and inner diaphragm104may be separately and individually controlled by the actuating mechanism108based on a desired position of the seat100.

Turning toFIGS. 7-10, compound articulation of the components of the aircraft seat100under the control of the actuating mechanism108is illustrated. For example,FIG. 7shows the seat100in a partially reclined lounge position,FIGS. 8-9show the seat100in an in-bed lounge configuration with varied amounts of articulation of the upper portion102of the seat back140along with approximately horizontal position of the footrest114, andFIG. 10illustrates the seat100in a lie-flat bed configuration in which the headrest132, seat back140, and leg rest114are substantially aligned. The positions of the seat100depicted inFIGS. 7-10are not meant to be limiting. For example, the actuating mechanism108can cause cooperative articulation of the seat100to any position between the upright, TTOL positions shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and the lie-flat bed position shown inFIG. 10.

In some implementations,FIG. 7illustrates the aircraft seat100in a partially reclined position that may be similar to the position of the portion of the seat back140illustrated inFIG. 4in which the actuating mechanism108causes the lower portion106and inner diaphragm104of the seat back140to partially recline while the upper portion102of the seat back140rotates forward relative to the lower portion106.

While the lower portion106and inner diaphragm104reclines to the lounge position from the upright, TTOL position, the upper portion102of the seat back140may rotate forward relative to the lower portion106so that the orientation of the upper portion102relative to a horizontal plane remains substantially stationary from its position in the upright, TTOL position as illustrated inFIG. 1. In some examples, the inner diaphragm104may also cooperatively rotate to the partially reclined position with the lower portion106. In some examples, the transverse member304at the upper end of the inner diaphragm104may be in contact with the upper portion102of the seat back140.

When in the lounge position as illustrated inFIG. 7, the lower portion106of the seat back140may be positioned at a first articulation angle, the inner diaphragm104may be positioned at a second articulation angle, and the upper portion102may be positioned at a third angle. Being able to position the components of the seat back140at three angles of articulation relative to a horizontal plane may provide, essentially, a three-part seat back that articulates into ergonomically optimal positions with the use of, in certain embodiments, a single actuator assembly, such as the actuating mechanism108. The first articulation angle of the lower portion106may be, relative to horizontal, 45 degrees, 40-50 degrees, 35-55 degrees or more generally 30-60 degrees. The second articulation angle of the inner diaphragm104may be 60 degrees, 55-65 degrees, 50-70 degrees or more generally 45-75 degrees. The third articulation angle of the upper portion102may be about 65 degrees, about 60-70 degrees, about 55-75 degrees or more generally about 50-80 degrees.

In some implementations, the seat back140may be articulably coupled to seat bottom702, which may in turn be articulably coupled to a foot rest114. In addition, the side panels112that are disposed on either side of the seat100and may also function as arm rests112when the seat100the partially reclined lounge position. The side panels112may be articulably mounted to the seat100at main pivot point110. In some implementations, the main pivot point110may connect at least one of the seat back140, seat bottom702, and side panels112to a main roller124that translates forward and aft across a main guide track126that is fixedly mounted to a base130of the seat100.

In some embodiments, as the seat100articulates from the upright, TTOL position shorn inFIG. 1to the lounge position shown inFIG. 7under the control of the actuating mechanism108, the main roller124translates forward (to the left as shown inFIG. 7) along the main guide track126in response to extension of an output arm or rod146of the actuating mechanism108that is configured to control the cooperative articulation of the articulable seat components. For example, as the rod of the actuating mechanism108extends to cause the seat back140to recline, the lower portion106of the seat back140, side panel112, and seat bottom708may cooperatively pivot about the main pivot point110, which results in forward and downward translation of the main roller124along the main guide track126. In addition, the articulation of the seat bottom702may cause the foot rest114to cooperatively rotate upward to a partially extended position.

In some examples, as the side panel112on each side of the seat rotates about the main pivot point110as the seat100articulates to the lounge position. In some examples, the linkage segments118a,118bmay pivotably rotate about secondary pivot points120a,120bto maintain a substantially constant elan distance between the secondary pivot points120a,120b.

FIGS. 8-9illustrate side views of the articulable aircraft seat100that has articulated to an in-bed lounge position under the control of the actuating mechanism108. In the position of the seat100shown inFIG. 8, the lower portion106of the seat back140, the seat bottom702, the foot rest114, and the side panels112have articulated to a fully extended position while the upper portion102of the seat back140including the inner diaphragm104may be rotated forward relative to the lower portion106such that the upper portion102and inner diaphragm104are at an incline angle relative to a horizontal plane. In some examples, the transverse member304at the upper end of the inner diaphragm104may be in contact with the upper portion102of the seat back140. In the example shown inFIG. 8, the upper portion102and/or inner diaphragm104may be at approximately 34 degrees relative to the horizontal plane while the lower portion106may be at about 0 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. In other embodiments, the incline angle of the upper portion102of the seat back140may be 35 degrees, 30-40 degrees, 25-45 degrees, or more generally 25-50 degrees.

In some examples, as the seat100articulates from the lounge position shown inFIG. 7to the in-bed lounge position shown inFIG. 8under the control of the actuating mechanism108, the main roller124may continue to translate further forward (to the left as show inFIG. 8) along the main guide track126in response to extension of an output arm or rod of actuating mechanism108that is configured to control the cooperative articulation of the articulable seat components. In addition, the lower portion106of the seat back140, side panel112, and seat bottom708may continue to pivot about the main pivot point110, which results in further forward and downward translation of the main roller124along the main guide track126until the main roller124reaches a substantially lowest point on the main guide track126when the seat bottom702and foot rest110are fully extended to the bed position.

In some examples, the linkage segments118a,118bmay pivotably rotate abort secondary pivot points120a,120bto maintain a substantially constant relative distance between the secondary pivot points120a,120b. In some implementations, as the seat100reclines toward the lie-flat position and the linkage segments118a,118bpivot to maintain the relative distance between the secondary pivot points120a,120b, the rotation of linkage segment118bmay cause the rear frame128may pivot upward until forward travel reaches the end of the main guide member126. The linkage segments, after the seat has traveled the extent of the main guide track126, guides the upper secondary pivot point120aand thus the lower portion106of the seat back140to articulate to the lie-flat position.

The in-bed lounge position of the seat100shown inFIG. 9is substantially similar to that shown inFIG. 8except that the actuating mechanism108has caused the upper portion102and inner diaphragm104of the seat back140to recline further to a smaller incline angle from the horizontal plane. For example, the upper portion102may be at approximately 6 degrees relative to the horizontal plane while the inner diaphragm may be substantially aligned with the horizontal plane. In other embodiments, the incline angle of the upper portion102of the seat back140may be about 5 degrees, 3-10 degrees, 2-15 degrees, or more generally 1-20 degrees. In addition, the lower portion106and inner diaphragm104may be substantially aligned with the horizontal plane (e.g., disposed at approximately 0 degrees relative to the horizontal plane). In some examples, the linkage segments118a,118bmay maintain the secondary pivot points120a,120band thus the rear frame128in substantially the same position as shown inFIG. 8. In some examples, in the position of the seat100shown inFIG. 9, a seated passenger's head may be supported in a position above the passenger's shoulders, which may enhance comfort for such activities as reading a book while lying down.

Turning toFIG. 10, the seat100is illustrated in a lie-flat bed configuration, which is substantially similar to that shown inFIGS. 8-9except that the actuating mechanism108has caused the upper portion102of the seat back140to recline further to a fully reclined position while the inner diaphragm104remains in the same position as inFIG. 9such that the transverse member304at the upper end of the inner diaphragm104may no longer be in contact with the upper portion102of the seat back140. In the lie-flat bed configuration, the upper portion102, inner diaphragm104, and lower portion106of the seat back140may all be aligned with one another (e.g., disposed substantially at zero degrees relative to one another), and the bottom surface of the upper portion102may abut the upper ledge144of the lower portion106. In some examples, the linkage segments118a,118bmay maintain the secondary pivot points120a,120band thus the rear frame128in substantially the same position as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. In the lie-flat bed position, the passenger's head may be supported in a position substantially even with (in horizontal alignment with) the passenger's shoulders.