Search

EP-4223641-B1 - ADJUSTABLE SEAT PAN ARTICULATION MECHANISM

EP4223641B1EP 4223641 B1EP4223641 B1EP 4223641B1EP-4223641-B1

Inventors

  • Finlay, Travis

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20230123

Claims (11)

  1. A system (100) comprising: a first clockable articulation insert (128) for a seat (104); and the seat (104), wherein the seat comprises: a seat pan (112); a cross piece (124) coupled to the seat pan, the cross piece configured with two terminal ends; and a seat frame (116) comprising two spreader bars (120 a-b) each configured to receive the first clockable articulation insert; wherein the first clockable articulation insert (128) is clockable by virtue of being configured to be rotated and then removably inserted into any particular rotated position of two or more rotated positions, wherein the first clockable articulation insert comprises: a base portion (216) configured to insert within a cavity (204) of each of the two spreader bars at the two or more rotated positions, the base portion comprising outer walls (220) configured to physically engage with side walls of the cavity (204) and configured to restrict rotation between the base portion and the cavity; and a face portion (228) comprising a guide slot (232) configured to receive a terminal end of the cross piece, wherein the guide slot is configured to guide a movement of the cross piece, wherein the movement comprises a rake, a tilt, or a translation of the seat pan relative to the seat frame and is determined by a position of the terminal end of the cross piece within the guide slot, wherein an articulation profile is determined by a rotated position of the base portion, wherein the articulation profile includes at least one of a range of tilt, a range of rake, or a range of extension of the seat pan relative to the seat frame; and wherein the two or more rotated positions determine a first articulation profile set that comprises a set of articulation profiles, wherein the outer walls (220) are a polygon having three or more sides, wherein the first clockable articulation insert is configured to be clockable by virtue of the outer walls.
  2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second clockable articulation insert (128b) configured with a second articulation profile set, wherein the second clockable articulation insert is configured to replace the first clockable articulation insert.
  3. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising a seatback (108) mechanically coupled to the seat pan (112) and configured to pivot along a back pivot (404).
  4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the outer walls (220) are a gear.
  5. The system of claim 2, wherein the second clockable articulation insert is configured with a guide slot (232) that does not cross a center of the face portion (228).
  6. The system of claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the seatback (108) comprises the back pivot (404).
  7. The system of claim 6, wherein the back pivot (404) is configured to receive a third clockable articulation insert.
  8. A method (700) for modifying an articulation profile of a seat (104) comprising: decoupling (710) a cross piece (124) of the seat (104) from a guide slot (232) of a first clockable articulation insert (128) for the seat (104), the first clockable articulation insert configured in a first rotated position within a cavity (204) of a spreader bar (120a) of a seat frame (116) of the seat (104), wherein the first clockable articulation insert is clockable by virtue of being configured to be rotated and then removably inserted into any particular rotated position of two or more rotated positions, wherein the cross piece is coupled to a seat pan (112) of the seat (104), wherein the first clockable articulation insert comprises: a base portion (216) configured to insert within the cavity of the spreader bar at the two or more rotated positions, the base portion comprising outer walls (220) configured to physically engage with side walls of the cavity and configured to restrict rotation between the base portion and the cavity; and a face portion (228) comprising the guide slot (232) configured to receive a terminal end of two terminal ends of the cross piece, wherein the guide slot is configured to guide a movement of the cross piece, wherein the movement comprises a rake, a tilt, or a translation of the seat pan relative to the seat frame and is determined by a position of the terminal end of the cross piece within the guide slot, wherein the articulation profile is determined by a rotated position of the base portion, wherein the articulation profile includes at least one of a range of tilt, a range of rake, or a range of extension of the seat pan relative to the seat frame, wherein the outer walls (220) are a polygon having three or more sides, wherein the first clockable articulation insert is configured to be clockable by virtue of the outer walls; removing (720) the first clockable articulation insert from the cavity; inserting (730) at least one of the first clockable articulation insert at a second rotated position different from the first rotated position or a second clockable articulation insert (128b) into the cavity, and thereby modifying the articulation profile of the seat; and coupling (740) the cross piece to the guide slot.
  9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first clockable articulation insert (128) is configured with a first articulation profile set.
  10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the seat (104) further includes a seatback (108) coupled to the seat pan (112), wherein the insertion of at least one of the first clockable articulation insert into the cavity or the second clockable articulation insert (128b) into the cavity changes the articulation profile of the seatback.
  11. The method of any of claims 8 to 10, further comprising unlocking a retention screw or a locking tab configured to lock the first clockable articulation insert in place.

Description

BACKGROUND Seat articulation profiles aboard commercial aircraft are implemented via articulation inserts that involve fixed parts of the seat design that are not ideal for all installations of the seat, particularly for passengers or customers with different seat articulation profile preferences. For example, a first passenger may prefer that the seat pan tilt upward when reclining, raising the knee slightly, whereas a second passenger may prefer the seat pan remain essentially level and extending slightly forward when reclining. Differences in the tilt of the seat pan may also alter the overall dimensions of the passenger seat, which may affect the total amount of seating than can be placed within an aircraft cabin. Adjustment or customization of seat articulation profiles often require swapping out entire seats or articulation inserts, which can incur high costs for parts and labor. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a system or apparatus that avoids the shortcomings of conventional approaches. US2020/307801A1 discloses a seat, in particular an aircraft seat. The seat has a seat support structure having at least one seat surface with a seat surface frame and a backrest with a backrest frame being pivotable relative to the seat surface, a base support element supporting the seat support structure, and a seat adjustment arrangement, which includes at least one coupling unit movable relative to the base support element. The coupling unit is configured to connect the seat surface frame and the backrest frame to one another. The coupling unit is provided with at least one bearing element and includes at least one guide element in which the bearing element is movably guided. The seat adjustment arrangement is adapted to transfer the seat support structure into a sitting position, a comfort position or lying position by displacing the bearing element along the guide element. SUMMARY A system is provided as claimed in claim 1. In some embodiments of the system, the system further includes a second clockable articulation insert configured with a second articulation profile set. In some embodiments of the system, the second clockable articulation insert is configured to replace the first clockable articulation insert. In some embodiments of the system, the system further includes a seatback mechanically coupled to the seat pan. In some embodiments of the system, a position of the seatback is determined by the position of the terminal end of the cross piece within the guide slot. In some embodiments of the system the outer walls are configured as a gear. In some embodiments of the system, the second clockable articulation insert is configured with a guide slot that does not cross a center of the face portion. In some embodiments of the system, the seatback includes a back pivot. In some embodiments of the system, the back pivot is configured to receive a third clockable articulation insert. A method for modifying an articulation profile of a seat is provided as claimed in claim 8. In some embodiments of the method, the first clockable articulation insert is configured with a first articulation profile set. In some embodiments of the method, wherein the seat further includes a seatback coupled to the seat pan. In some embodiments, the insertion of at least one of the first clockable articulation insert into the cavity or the second clockable articulation insert into the cavity changes an articulation profile of the seatback. In some embodiments of the method, the method further includes unlocking the first clockable articulation insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments or examples ("examples") of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating of system for adjusting the articulation of a passenger seat 104, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure;FIG. 2 is a drawing of a close-up perspective view of the clockable articulation insert and the spreader bar, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;FIG. 3 is a drawing of a close-up perspective view of the clockable articulation insert inserted into the cavity of the spreader bar, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of the passenger seat configured with the clockable articulation insert set at high ramp, and the cross piece positioned at a low position of the guide slot, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;FIG. 5A is