Patent Description:
The lack of movement during long-haul flights often causes passengers to feel sluggish. As such, it becomes increasingly difficult for passengers to get up from their seat. <CIT>, <CIT> relate to aircraft seats. <CIT> relates to a seat articulation mechanism.

An aircraft seat is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The aircraft seat is provided in claim <NUM> and includes a base assembly couplable to a floor of an aircraft. The aircraft seat includes a seat frame coupled to the base assembly, the seat frame including a seat pan frame and a seatback frame, the seat comprising a seat pan coupled to the seat pan frame, the seat pan including one or more fixed seat pan rails, the seat pan configured to couple to a seat pan cushion, the seatback frame configured to couple to a seatback cushion. The aircraft seat includes a lift assist system configured to position the seat pan between one or more positions. The lift assist system includes one or more pivoting lift rails configured to couple to the one or more fixed seat pan rails. The lift assist system includes an actuator sub-system, the actuator sub-system comprising an actuator configured to actuate the one or more pivoting lift rails between the one or more positions.

In some embodiments, the actuator sub-system may further include one or more pivots coupled to one or more fixed cross seat pan rails, the one or more pivots configured to couple the actuator to the one or more pivoting lift rails.

In some embodiments, the actuator may be configured to actuate the seat pan frame between a stowed position and a deployed position by lifting the one or more pivoting lift rails a predetermined distance to cause the seat pan frame to lift the predetermined distance.

In some embodiments, the actuator may be configured to apply an amount of force in an upward direction to the one or more fixed cross seat pan rails to cause the one or more pivoting lift rails to lift the predetermined distance to cause the seat pan frame to lift the predetermined distance.

In some embodiments, the aircraft seat may further include a control panel communicatively coupled to an aircraft controller, the control panel coupled to the actuator sub-system to cause the actuator sub-system to actuate the one or more pivoting lift rails a predetermined distance.

In some embodiments, the actuator may include an electro-mechanical actuator.

In some embodiments, the actuator may be configured to actuate the seat pan frame between a stowed position and a deployed position by lifting the one or more pivoting lift rails a predetermined distance to cause the seat pan frame to lift the predetermined distance when the seat pan cushion and the seatback cushion are separated a select distance.

In some embodiments, the aircraft seat may further include a control panel communicatively coupled to an aircraft controller, the control panel coupled to the translation sub-system to cause the translation sub-system to translate the seat pan frame the select distance away from the seatback frame.

The appearances of the phrase "in some embodiments" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of or sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure.

<FIG> in general illustrate a lift assist system for an aircraft seat, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

The lack of movement during flights, particularly during long-haul flights, often causes passengers to feel sluggish. For example, sitting for long periods slows blood circulation, which may cause fluid to pool in the legs. As such, it becomes increasingly difficult for passengers to get up from their seat. Therefore, there is a need for a lift assist system to assist passengers when getting up from their seat.

Although conventional aircraft seats for long-haul flights include cushions to reduce discomfort during long hours of time, the cushions do not alleviate the inherent problems associated with long-haul flights and do not assist passengers when egressing from their seat.

As such, it would be desirable to provide a lift assist system for an aircraft seat. The lift assist system should be configured to lift a seat pan of the aircraft seat to assist the passenger when getting up from the aircraft seat. The lift assist system should meet aviation guidelines and/or standards.

<FIG> in general illustrates an aircraft cabin <NUM> including an aircraft seat <NUM>, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the aircraft seat <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a business class or first-class passenger seat, an economy-class passenger seat, a crew member seat, or the like. It is noted the terms "aircraft seats" and "passenger seats" may be considered equivalent, for purposes of the disclosure.

The aircraft seat <NUM> may include a seatback <NUM>. The aircraft seat <NUM> may include a seat pan <NUM>. The aircraft seat <NUM> may include one or more arms <NUM>. The aircraft seat <NUM> may be coupled to a base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be covered by a shroud <NUM>. For example, the shroud <NUM> may include one or more sections configured to cover at least a portion of the aircraft seat <NUM>. For instance, the shroud <NUM> may include a bucket shroud section and a base shroud section. It is noted, however, that the shroud <NUM> may be formed from one piece (i.e., includes a single section).

The seatback <NUM> may include a headrest <NUM>. For example, the headrest <NUM> may be integrated within the seatback <NUM>. By way of another example, the headrest <NUM> may be a separate component coupled to (or inserted into) the seatback <NUM>. For instance, the headrest <NUM> may be movable relative to the seatback frame of the aircraft seat <NUM> (e.g., adjustable, removable, or the like).

The seat pan <NUM> may be coupled to the seatback <NUM>, such that actuation of one may cause a corresponding actuation of the other. For example, the seat pan <NUM> may be coupled to the seatback <NUM> via one or more pivot joints. For instance, the seatback <NUM> may be configured to rotate about an axis through a pivot joint coupling the seatback <NUM> and the seat pan <NUM> during actuation between the upright position and the lie-flat or bed position.

Referring generally to <FIG>-9C, the aircraft seat <NUM> may include a seat frame <NUM>. The seat frame <NUM> includes at least a seatback frame <NUM>, a seat pan frame <NUM>, and a base assembly <NUM>.

One or more of the seatback frame <NUM> and/or the seat pan frame <NUM> may be directly coupled, or indirectly coupled via one or more interconnecting components, to one or more components of the seat frame <NUM>. At least a portion of the shroud <NUM> (e.g., the bucket shroud section of the shroud <NUM>) may be configured to cover the seat pan frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>-9C the base assembly <NUM> may include one or more base rails <NUM> (e.g., tubes, bars, or the like). For example, the one or more base rails <NUM> may be positioned relative to a particular direction of travel of the aircraft seat <NUM> including, but not limited to, perpendicular (e.g., cross-wise), parallel (e.g., cross-wise), or the like. For instance, the one or more base rails <NUM> may be positioned relative to a same or a different direction of travel of the aircraft seat <NUM>.

The base assembly <NUM> may include one or more base brackets <NUM>. For example, the one or more base rails <NUM> may be coupled together via the one or more base brackets <NUM>. For example, a base bracket <NUM> may couple together the base rail <NUM> and an adjacent base rail <NUM> at any angle, such that the base assembly <NUM> may include an outline of any geometric shape known in the art. For instance, the outline may be rectangular or substantially rectangular. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

The one or more base brackets <NUM> may be coupled to a set of floor tracks of the aircraft cabin <NUM> (e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>) via one or more floor fittings <NUM>. At least a portion of the shroud <NUM> (e.g., the base shroud section of the shroud <NUM>) may be configured to cover the base assembly <NUM>.

<FIG>-9C illustrate a lift assist system <NUM> for an aircraft seat <NUM>, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. It is noted that the description of the various embodiments, components, and operations described previously herein with respect to the aircraft seat <NUM> should be interpreted to extend to the system <NUM>, and vice versa.

The aircraft seat <NUM> includes a lift assist system <NUM>. It is noted that the lift assist system <NUM> may be adapted and mounted in any orientation to cater to various aircraft seat base designs and requirements.

The lift assist system <NUM> is configured to lift the seat pan <NUM> of the aircraft seat <NUM> to assist the passenger while getting up. For example, the lift assist system <NUM> may be configured to couple to a portion of the seat pan frame <NUM> of the aircraft seat <NUM>.

The lift assist system <NUM> includes one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> configured to couple to one or more fixed seat pan rails <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a seat pan cushion <NUM> of the seat pan <NUM> may be configured to couple to the seat pan frame <NUM>. For instance, the seat pan cushion <NUM> may be configured to couple to the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> and the one or more fixed seat pan rails <NUM>. In this regard, when the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> are actuated (as discussed further herein), the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> may be configured to cause the seat pan cushion <NUM>, coupled to the one or more fixed seat pan rails <NUM>, to lift a predetermined distance to assist the passenger when getting up.

Referring to <FIG>, the lift assist system <NUM> includes an actuator subsystem <NUM>. The actuator sub-system <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM>. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the actuator may include, but is not limited to, a piston <NUM> (movable portion of the actuator) and a body/chassis <NUM> (fixed portion of the actuator) configured to actuate the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> between one or more positions. For instance, the piston <NUM> may be configured to actuate the one or more pivoting lifts rails <NUM> between a stowed (or normal) position, as shown in <FIG>, to a deployed (or lifted) position, as shown in <FIG>, and vice versa. In this regard, the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> may be configured to actuate a seat pan <NUM> and/or a seat pan cushion <NUM> (without causing the seatback <NUM> and/or seatback cushion <NUM> to actuate) between the stowed position and the deployed position, and vice versa, by actuating the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the actuator sub-system <NUM> may be installed on any location of the seat frame <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the piston <NUM> may be coupled to the pivot <NUM> and the body/chassis <NUM> may be coupled via a pivot to the seat frame <NUM>. By way of another example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the piston <NUM> may be coupled to the pivot <NUM> and the body/chassis <NUM> may be coupled via a pivot <NUM> to the seat frame <NUM>.

The actuator sub-system <NUM> may be configured to couple to the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> via one or more pivots <NUM>. For example, the one or more pivots <NUM> may be coupled to one or more fixed cross rails <NUM> coupled to the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM>. For instance, when the actuator sub-system <NUM> actuates between the one or more positions (e.g., stowed/normal position and deployed/lifted position, and vice versa), the actuator sub-system <NUM> may apply an amount of force to the one or more fixed cross rails <NUM> to cause the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> to lift a predetermined distance which then causes the seat pan cushion <NUM> to lift, without lifting the seatback cushion <NUM> and/or seatback frame <NUM>. In this regard, the lifting of the seat pan cushion <NUM> a predetermined distance, via the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> and the actuator sub-system <NUM>, provides the passenger assistance when they are getting up from the aircraft seat <NUM>.

The actuator sub-system <NUM> may include any type of actuator known in the art including, but not limited to, one or more electro-mechanical actuators, gas spring actuators, linear/rotary actuators, or the like. It is noted that for purposes of simplicity, the actuator sub-system <NUM> and/or one or more components of the actuator sub-system <NUM> are not depicted in <FIG>-9C, as such <FIG>-9C are provided merely for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Further, although <FIG> depict a specific actuator sub-system configuration, it is noted that the actuator sub-system <NUM> may be configured in any manner suitable for lifting one or more components of the lift assist system, as such <FIG> are provided merely for illustrative purposes and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the lift assist system <NUM> includes a translation sub-system <NUM> configured to translate the seat pan <NUM>. For example, the translation sub-system <NUM> may be configured to translate the seat pan <NUM> including the seat pan cushion <NUM> in a forward direction away from the seatback <NUM>, such that the seat pan cushion <NUM> does not overlap with the seatback cushion <NUM> and/or seatback frame <NUM>. In this regard, the seat pan <NUM> may be actuated without actuating the seatback <NUM> and/or seatback cushion <NUM> of the aircraft seat <NUM>. It is noted that the independent actuation of the seat pan <NUM> and/or seat pan cushion <NUM> is a space saving mechanism. For example, the independent actuation does not require too much space surrounding the aircraft seat <NUM> to operate the lift assist system <NUM>. However, in conventional systems that actuate the seatback <NUM> and/or seatback cushion <NUM>, an ample amount of space surrounding the aircraft seat is needed to operate the system.

The translation sub-system <NUM> includes one or more tracking rails <NUM> positioned between the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> and the one or more fixed seat pan rails <NUM>. For example, the one or more tracking rails <NUM> may be coupled to the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM>, such that the one or more tracking rails <NUM> and the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM> may translate along the axis of the one or more fixed seat pan rails <NUM>. In this regard, the one or more tracking rails <NUM> may translate the seat pan cushion <NUM> a select distance before lifting the seat pan cushion <NUM>, such that the seat pan cushion <NUM> and the seatback cushion <NUM> do not overlap, as shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the translation sub-system <NUM> includes a slot-and-groove assembly configured to translate the seat pan <NUM>. For example, the one or more fixed seat pan rails <NUM> may include one or more grooves <NUM> and the one or more tracking rails <NUM>, coupled to the one or more pivoting lift rails <NUM>, may include one or more slots <NUM>. For instance, the one or more tracking rails <NUM> may translate the seat pan cushion <NUM> a select distance, via the slot-and-groove assembly. In this regard, the one or more slots <NUM> may translate along the one or more grooves <NUM> to translate the seat pan cushion <NUM> a select distance (e.g., until the seat pan cushion <NUM> and seatback cushion <NUM> do not overlap, as shown in <FIG>).

The lift assist system <NUM> may be adjusted electrically. For example, the lift assist system <NUM> may include a control panel <NUM> for adjusting the lift assist system <NUM>. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the aircraft seat <NUM> may include a control panel <NUM> within a portion of the one or more arm rests <NUM>. For instance, when a passenger needs assistance getting up, the control panel <NUM> may be used to lift the seat pan cushion <NUM> a select distance. Further, the control panel <NUM> may be used to translate the seat pan cushion <NUM> a select distance until the seat pan cushion <NUM> does not overlap with the seatback cushion <NUM>, then the control panel <NUM> may be used to lift the seatback cushion <NUM> a select distance. The control panel <NUM> may be coupled to an aircraft controller.

Although <FIG> depicts the control panel <NUM> coupled to a portion of the arm rests <NUM>, it is noted that the control panel <NUM> may be coupled to any portion of the aircraft seat <NUM> and/or to any portion of the aircraft cabin <NUM> (e.g., an overhead portion of the aircraft seat <NUM>, an in-flight entertainment device, or the like).

It is noted herein "vertical" may be understood as being defined with respect to a z-axis as illustrated in the Figures. In addition, it is noted herein "horizontal" may be understood as being defined with respect to an x-axis or a y-axis as illustrated in the Figures.

It is noted the aircraft seat <NUM> and/or the components of the aircraft seat <NUM> (e.g., the lift assist system <NUM> and other components) may be installed within an avionics environment and configured in accordance with aviation guidelines and/or standards put forth by, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or any other flight certification agency or organization; the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), or any other standards setting organization or company; the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) or any other guidelines agency or organization; or the like.

Although embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an avionics environment, it is noted the lift assist system <NUM> is not limited to the aircraft seat <NUM> within the avionics environment and/or the aircraft components within the avionics environment. For example, the lift assist system <NUM> may be configured to operate in any type of vehicle known in the art. For example, the vehicle may be any air, space, land, or water-based personal equipment or vehicle; any air, space, land, or water-based commercial equipment or vehicle; any air, space, land, or water-based military equipment or vehicle known in the art. For instance, the vehicle may include an automobile. By way of another example, the lift assist system <NUM> may be coupled to and/or configured to operate with apparatus sold for commercial or industrial use in either a home or a business. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

Claim 1:
An aircraft seat (<NUM>) comprising:
a base assembly (<NUM>) couplable to a floor of an aircraft;
a seat frame (<NUM>) coupled to the base assembly, the seat frame including a seat pan frame (<NUM>) and a seatback frame (<NUM>), the seat comprising a seat pan (<NUM>) coupled to the seat pan frame (<NUM>), the seat pan (<NUM>) including one or more fixed seat pan rails (<NUM>), the seat pan (<NUM>) configured to couple to a seat pan cushion (<NUM>), the seatback frame configured to couple to a seatback cushion (<NUM>); and
a lift assist system (<NUM>) configured to position the seat pan (<NUM>) between one of a stowed position and a deployed position with respect to the seat pan frame (<NUM>), the lift assist system comprising:
one or more pivoting lift rails (<NUM>) configured to couple to the one or more fixed seat pan rails (<NUM>), the one or more pivoting lift rails (<NUM>) arranged substantially parallel to the one or more fixed seat pan rails (<NUM>) when in the stowed position;
an actuator sub-system (<NUM>), the actuator sub-system including an actuator (<NUM>) configured to actuate the one or more pivoting lift rails (<NUM>) between one of the stowed position and the deployed position; and characterized by
a translation sub-system (<NUM>), the translation sub-system comprising:
one or more tracking rails (<NUM>) positioned between the one or more pivoting lift rails (<NUM>) and the one or more fixed seat pan rails (<NUM>); and
a slot-and-groove assembly configured to translate the seat pan (<NUM>) a select distance away from the seatback frame (<NUM>), the slot-and-groove assembly including one or more slots (<NUM>) positioned on the one or more pivoting lift rails (<NUM>) and one or more grooves (<NUM>) positioned on the one or more tracking rails (<NUM>), the one or more slots (<NUM>) configured to translate along the one or more grooves (<NUM>) to translate the seat pan (<NUM>) the select distance away from the seatback frame (<NUM>).