Synchronous seat recline mechanism

A seat for use in an aircraft having a floor is provided. The seat has a support assembly, a seat, a seat back pivotably coupled to the support assembly for movement between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the support assembly, and an occupant back support having an upper portion and lower portion pivotally coupled to the seat back at the upper portion. A pivot link pivotally couples to the rear portion of the seat at a first end and pivotally couples to the lower portion of the occupant back support at a second end. The pivot link causes the lower portion of the occupant back support to move downwardly and forward relative to the seat as the seat back moves from the upright position to the reclined position.

FIELD

The invention relates to an aircraft seat, and in particular, a synchronous recline mechanism for an aircraft seat.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft seats have specific performance requirements that generally relate to weight and crash loads, typically requiring low weight and high strength. These performance requirements are often significant drivers of seat design, especially in seats including integral occupant restraints.

The performance requirements are not always aligned with seat comfort. For instance, to attempt to accommodate occupant comfort, current aircraft seats are able to recline by changing the angle of the seat back. In such a traditional aircraft seat, as the seat back is reclined, increasing frictional force is required under the occupant's backside to keep the occupant from sliding out of the seat. This friction uncomfortably tugs on clothing, can lead to the occupant sliding forward, and may create a gap in the lumbar region of the back or spine. Moreover, current seats that incorporate back/bottom motion do not provide proper back motion relative to the seat bottom—in particular where width is restricted and an actual pivot point cannot be placed at the actual hip point of the seated occupant. Moreover, typical recline mechanisms for seat backs do not approximate recline about the hip point, resulting in either gaps that open up between the back and bottom, up/down shear motion relative to the occupant's back, or both. Further, relatively large recline angles in addition to the natural motion are not possible in current aircraft seating products even with traditional/simple recline geometries.

Another typical concern with aircraft seats, and specifically flight deck seats, is the ability of the pilot to fully extend his or her legs to fully actuate the rudder pedals of the aircraft. In current aircraft seats, this need is addressed through complicated mechanisms that “give-way” under load. These systems, unfortunately, are often poorly designed from an ergonomic perspective and are not well-understood by users, causing misuse and reduced comfort.

The foregoing concerns with traditional flight deck seating lead to back fatigue, discomfort, loss of concentration, and the possibility of injury.

SUMMARY

A seat for use in an aircraft having a floor is provided. The seat has a support assembly, a seat, a seat back pivotably coupled to the support assembly for movement between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the support assembly, and an occupant back support having an upper portion and lower portion pivotally coupled to the seat back at the upper portion. A pivot link pivotally couples to the rear portion of the seat at a first end and pivotally couples to the lower portion of the occupant back support at a second end. The pivot link causes the lower portion of the occupant back support to move downwardly and forward relative to the seat as the seat back moves from the upright position to the reclined position.

A seat as described herein provides a highly-structural, synchronous recline mechanism for an aircraft seat that supports the natural recline of the human body based on the human body's linkages. In particular, the seat back moves downward as it rotates, approximating the natural recline of the human body about the hip point.

These and other features and advantages of devices, systems, and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed descriptions of various examples of embodiments.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The attached Figures illustrate one or more examples of an aircraft seat100or flight deck seat and its operation. According to one or more examples of embodiments, the seat100described herein is for use in an aircraft having a floor. An example aircraft seat for use with the present invention is illustrated in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,729, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. While specific examples are provided, the principles set forth herein may be used in other applications or aircraft seats.

The seat100described herein includes several elements that can be mounted to a variety of base structures (seeFIG. 1). The base structure elements described in further detail herein include a seat bottom frame102, a seat back frame104, a seat back beam106, a mid-support beam108, a bottom frame link110, and a bottom-back frame link112.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, the base structure may include a support assembly114. The support assembly114is adapted to be secured to a floor. In one or more examples of embodiments, the support assembly114is or includes a durable rigid frame or bottom frame116formed of one or more stiff composite or metallic elements. The bottom frame116may include one or more structures to couple, or movably couple the seat100to the floor, or otherwise support the seat on the floor.

As can be seen inFIGS. 1-3, a mid-support beam108is coupled to the support assembly114. The mid-support beam element108is coupled to the support assembly114by a pair of pivot assemblies discussed in further detail hereinbelow. The mid-support beam element108includes or is defined by one or more durable stiff or rigid composite or metallic beams, which may be interconnected. The mid-support beam108incorporates pivot points, discussed in further detail hereinbelow, for a bottom frame link110and a seat back beam106. The mid-support beam108enables the seat back104and bottom frame116to be mounted directly to the floor of the aircraft or to a vertical adjustment mechanism118, enabling the seat back frame104and bottom frame116to move up and down. In the illustrated example, a vertical adjustment mechanism118is provided which includes forward and rear pivot arms or assemblies which couple to the bottom frame116at a lower pivot point and couple to the mid-support beam108by an upper pivot point. As can be seen inFIG. 1, the forward and rear pivot arms120,122are each formed of a pair of interconnected pivot arms. The vertical adjustment assembly may be coupled to a suitable control assembly for controlling the movement of the vertical adjustment assembly118, to move the seat vertically between lower and upper extremes.

A seat, or seat bottom124, is carried or supported by the support structure114and/or mid-support beam element108. The seat, and more specifically seat bottom124, is defined by or includes a seat bottom frame element102. The seat bottom frame element102is arranged and sized to support an occupant. In the illustrated example, the seat bottom frame102is defined by a stiff composite shell roughly sized to support a seated occupant's bottom. In the alternative, one or more interconnected frame members may make up the seat bottom frame element102. The seat bottom frame102supports or carries a seating surface, such as for example, an elastomeric seating surface or a foam cushion (seeFIG. 8). In this regard, the seat bottom frame element102provides a compliant support for the seated occupant's bottom.

The seat bottom frame element102incorporates pivot points for connection with the bottom frame link110, the seat back beam106, and the bottom-back frame link112. To this end, as shown inFIG. 6A, the seat bottom frame element102may include a mounting surface126for mounting one or more pivot link connection elements. The seat bottom frame102may also include a rear flange128providing mounting locations for a back support link, as well as lateral bending stiffness in one or more examples of embodiments.

A bottom frame link110is provided which includes or is defined by one or more elements that connect the seat bottom frame102to the mid-support beam108(FIG. 6C). The bottom frame link110can be made from a variety of structural materials, or durable rigid or stiff materials, including for example metallic and/or composite materials. As can be seen inFIG. 6A, the seat bottom frame102, on a lower surface, carries a seat bottom frame to bottom frame link connection element130, providing a pivot and connection point. The seat bottom frame102on the lower surface also carries a seat bottom frame to seat back beam link connection element132, providing a pivot or connection point.

A mid-support pivot point to bottom frame link connection element134is provided on the mid-support beam element108. The bottom frame link110connects or couples the seat bottom frame102to the mid-support beam108by pivotal connection with the mid-support pivot point to bottom frame link connection element134and the seat bottom frame to bottom frame link connection element130. In the alternative, the corresponding pivot points are directly connected.

Similarly, a mid-support pivot point to seat back beam connection element136is provided on the mid-support beam element108. The mid-support pivot point to seat back beam connection element136may be directly, pivotably, connected to the seat bottom frame to seat back beam connection element132, or in the alternative may be pivotably connected through a link.

A seat back or seat back frame104is also provided (seeFIGS. 4-5). The seat back frame104is pivotably coupled to the support assembly114for movement between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the support assembly. The seat back104includes or is defined by an occupant back support and/or seat back frame element104and a seat back beam106(seeFIGS. 2-3).

The seat back frame element104is arranged and sized to support an occupant's back. In the illustrated examples of embodiments, the support includes or is defined by a durable stiff composite shell roughly sized to a seated occupant's back, or in the alternative one or more interconnected frame members. However, variations thereon may be acceptable for the purposes provided. The support may carry an occupant support surface, such as for example an elastomeric surface or a cushion (seeFIG. 8). The seat back frame element provides a compliant support for the seated occupant's back.

Referring toFIG. 7, the seat back frame element104has an upper portion138and a lower portion140. In particular, the seat back frame element104incorporates upper and lower pivot points, as discussed in further detail herein, for connection with the seat back beam106and a bottom-back frame link112.

In the illustrated example, the seat back beam106is pivotably coupled to the occupant back support104at the upper portion138. To this end, a rear surface142of the seat back frame104carries a seat back frame to seat back beam link connection element144, which forms a pivot point connection between the seat back frame104and the seat back beam106. The seat back beam element106carries a seat back frame to seat back beam pivot connection element146on the seat back beam, providing a pivot point. The connection elements may be coupled together by a pivot arm which aligns with and is pivotally secured to the connection elements on both ends of the pivot arm. In the alternative, the connection elements may be directly pivotally coupled, such as by a male-female pivot link. The various elements and links may be coupled by a pivot pin or the like.

The seat back beam element106includes or is defined by one or more durable stiff or rigid composite or metallic beams (seeFIG. 2). The seat back beam element106is positioned and extends or runs behind the seat back frame104or occupant support for the entire height of the seat back frame104and extends forward under a rear portion148of the seat bottom frame102(FIG. 7).

The seat back beam element106incorporates pivot points for the seat back frame element104and seat bottom frame element102. A pivot point for the seat back frame104is toward the upper end of the seat back beam106. A pivot point for the seat bottom frame102is close to the seat back beam106pivot joint152with the mid-support beam108. To this end, the seat back beam element106provides pivot points for the seat back frame104and bottom frame116, and is arranged to react to seat back structural loads. The seat back beam element also incorporates a variety of mounting holes150for other seat100components such as shoulder and lap belt restraints, armrests, and a headrest. The seat back beam element106is also coupled by a pivot mechanism152to the mid-support beam element108, and pivots about a lateral axis on the mid-support beam element. In one or more examples of embodiment, seat back beam motion may be controlled by a locking element between the seat back beam and the mid-support beam108.

A bottom-back frame link112, as shown inFIG. 6B, is provided which includes or is defined by one or more elements that connect the seat bottom frame102to the seat back frame104. The bottom-back frame link112can be made from a variety of structural materials, or rigid or stiff durable materials, including for example metallic and/or composite materials. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the seat bottom frame102on a lower surface102and/or rear surface128carries a seat bottom frame to bottom-back link connection element154, providing a pivot or connection point. In one example, two seat bottom frame to bottom-back link connection elements154are provided in a spaced apart relation near lateral edges of the seat bottom frame102. In addition, the seat back frame104carries a seat back frame to bottom-back frame link connection element156. In one example, two seat back frame to bottom-back link connection elements156are provided. The connection elements may be coupled together by a pivot arm, such as a bottom-back frame link112, which aligns with and is pivotally secured to the connection elements on both ends of the pivot arm. In the alternative the connection elements may be directly pivotably coupled.

Accordingly, a pivot link is provided pivotably coupled to the rear portion of the seat at a first end and pivotably coupled to the lower portion of the occupant back support at a second end. In this arrangement, the lower portion of the occupant back support is caused to move downwardly and forward relative to the seat as the seat back moves from an upright position to a reclined position.

The various elements and links described herein as being coupled, may be coupled by any suitable mechanism, one example of which is a pivot pin or the like.

A recline adjustment assembly may also be provided for controlling the recline of the seat back between two extreme positions, namely full recline and upright or no recline. The recline adjustment assembly is capable of controlling the recline angle of the seat back, and may be coupled to the seat back beam and/or the mid-support beam, as well as the support assembly. The recline assembly may be connected to a control for controlling recline of the seat back.

In one or more alternative examples of embodiments, a seat angle adjustment mechanism may also be provided. For example, an adjustment mechanism may be provided for adjusting a seated occupant thigh angle. In one or more examples of embodiments, an angle adjustment assembly may be mounted such that it connects or is coupled to the seat bottom frame and/or the mid-support beam, and/or the support assembly. The angle adjustment assembly is adapted to vary the position of the seat bottom frame relative to the support assembly and/or mid-support beam, and is thereby capable of changing the angle of the seat bottom frame and supported seat.

Accordingly, a seat100for use in an aircraft having a floor is provided. The aircraft seat has a support assembly adapted to be secured to the floor, a seat, a seat back pivotably coupled to the support assembly for movement between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the support assembly, and an occupant back support having an upper portion and lower portion pivotally coupled to the seat back at the upper portion, a pivot link pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the seat at a first end and pivotally coupled to the lower portion of the occupant back support at a second end for causing the lower portion of the occupant back support to move downwardly and forward relative to the seat as the seat back moves from the upright position to the reclined position.

One or more examples of the operation of the seat100described herein will now be described in reference to the Figures.

Referring toFIGS. 9-11, according to one or more examples of embodiments, the seat100described herein includes various linkages which form a synchronous recline mechanism to enable the seat bottom124and seat back104to move in motions that mirror the natural motion of the human body. To this end, in order to provide the proper motion of the seat bottom frame102, the seat bottom frame102pivots and translates in space roughly about the ankle of the seated occupant. This motion enables a natural recline motion that increases the seat bottom frame102angle during recline to cradle the occupant and reduce friction under the thighs and bottom of the occupant.

To allow the above-described motion, the seat bottom frame102is connected to the mid-support108via the bottom frame link110and the seat back beam106via a pivot joint152, enabling a four-bar-type motion and allowing rotation and translation. As can be seen by reference toFIG. 7, the bottom frame link110connects or couples to the seat bottom frame102roughly in the middle of the seat bottom frame. The pivot point152with the seat back beam is toward the rear of the seat bottom frame102. The position of the pivot points on the mid-support beam108, seat bottom frame102, and seat back beam106result in a seat bottom frame motion that pivots roughly about the ankle point of the seated occupant.

During recline, the seat back beam106(which is unlocked) is allowed to pivot aft. This motion moves the rear pivot point152with the seat bottom frame102and causes the seat bottom frame102to be drawn aft and downward. The motion of the front158of the seat bottom frame102is controlled by bottom frame link110. The front edge158of the seat bottom frame102moves downward as it rotates so that pressure is maintained under the thighs of the occupant.

To provide the proper/ideal motion of the seat back frame104, the seat back frame104pivoted in space roughly about the hip point162(shown inFIG. 9) of the seated occupant. In this regard, the gap160between the seat bottom frame102and the seat back frame104is reduced during recline with the bottom edge of the seat back frame moving forward and down relative to the rear portion of the seat bottom frame. Since a mechanical joint cannot be placed at the actual hip point of the seated occupant, to achieve the motion, as described above the seat100allows the seat back to pivot and translate forward and downward around its bottom edge approximating the proper ideal motion. This motion is achieved through the placement of the pivot points on the seat back frame104, seat back beam106, seat bottom frame102, as well as the bottom-back frame link112. During recline, the seat back beam106(which is unlocked) is allowed to pivot with the mid-support beam108. This motion causes the seat back frame104to be drawn aft via the upper pivot connection between the seat back beam and seat back frame, increasing recline angle of both elements. The motion of the bottom of the seat back frame104is then controlled by its connection to the seat bottom frame102via the bottom-back frame link112. This link causes the seat back to move downward as it pivots while reducing the gap160between the seat back frame104and seat bottom frame102. This motion approximates the natural recline of the human body about the hip point162.

Various advantages are provided by the seat100described and illustrated herein. For example, the seat creates virtual pivot points in space through the use of mechanisms that are behind/below the occupant. This enables the described synchronous motion to be incorporated into the narrow space constraints of an aircraft seat. By comparison, other seats that incorporate synchronous back/bottom motion do not provide proper back motion relative to the seat bottom—in particular where width is restricted and an actual pivot point cannot be placed at the actual hip point of the seated occupant. Additionally, contrary to typical recline mechanisms for seat backs, the seat described herein approximates recline about the hip point of a seated occupant, avoiding or reducing gaps that open up between the back and bottom, as well as the up/down shear motion relative to the occupant's back. In addition, the mechanism of the seat described herein enables relatively large recline angles, in addition to the natural motion, which are not possible in current aircraft seating products. Additionally, the mechanism is capable of reacting to substantial structural loads encountered in aircraft seat testing.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.