A seat with adjustable natural frequency

Abstract

A seat with adjustable natural frequency includes a seat body; a seat support structure assembly connected to the seat body below the seat body and supporting the seat body; and a seat slide rail connected to the seat support structure assembly below the seat support structure assembly, wherein the seat support structure assembly includes a seat support member and a frequency adjustment block, the seat support member has a guide groove, and the frequency adjustment block is disposed in the guide groove and configured to be movable and stopped in the guide groove to change a position in the guide groove, and wherein the guide groove of the seat support member has a plurality of stop positions that receive the frequency adjustment block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of civil aircraft, and specifically relates to a seat with an adjustable inherent frequency. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the air transport industry, the comfort and safety of airplanes, as an important means of transportation, are receiving increasing attention. Among these factors, seats are one of the most important factors that directly affect passenger comfort.

[0003] During flight, aircraft occupants are exposed to mechanical vibrations. The causes of aircraft vibration are varied, and each aircraft has a different mass distribution and structural stiffness distribution, resulting in different normal vibration patterns. Normal vibrations generally have small amplitudes and low frequencies. However, the vibration amplitude can significantly increase during landing gear retraction and extension, when influenced by external airflow, or under certain specific flight conditions. These vibrations are transmitted to the pilots via the floor connected to the fuselage and the seats placed on it. This vibration can affect their comfort and even their health and flight safety.

[0004] Traditionally, vibration damping or isolation devices are used in aircraft (e.g., airplane) seats. These devices utilize elastic components such as springs or the pressure of gases or liquids to absorb and mitigate shocks. However, these damping or isolation devices have limited effect on altering the system's natural frequency and are not designed for frequency avoidance.

[0005] Other vibration damping or isolation devices exist, which employ damping or isolation mechanisms to alter the seat frequency to achieve damping or isolation effects. However, these damping or isolation mechanisms result in complex seat structures with numerous redundancies, significantly limiting their practical installation on aircraft. Furthermore, current damping or isolation mechanisms have a limited frequency adjustment range.

[0006] Therefore, in order to reduce the discomfort caused by vibration, there is still a need for an aircraft seat with an adjustable natural frequency. By changing the natural frequency of the seat within a wider range, the frequency of the pilot's seat can be adjusted to avoid resonant frequencies and frequencies that are sensitive to discomfort for the human body, thereby improving passenger comfort, flight quality and safety. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the discomfort caused by seat vibration, this invention designs a seat with an adjustable natural frequency. This seat achieves natural frequency adjustment by adjusting the mass distribution of the main force transmission structure. This seat offers a wider frequency adjustment range compared to existing technologies. Furthermore, this seat is created by improving existing structures without introducing additional components, resulting in weight reduction and optimization.

[0008] Specifically, this inherently frequency-adjustable seat includes: a seat body; a seat support structure assembly connected to and supporting the seat body below the seat body; and a seat slide rail connected to the seat support structure assembly below the seat support structure assembly. The seat support structure assembly includes a seat support member and a frequency adjustment block. The seat support member has a guide groove, and the frequency adjustment block is disposed in the guide groove and configured to move and stop within the guide groove to change its position. The guide groove of the seat support member has multiple stop positions for receiving the frequency adjustment block.

[0009] This naturally adjustable seat also includes a seat frequency adjustment device, which is mounted on the seat body and operable to adjust the movement of the frequency adjustment block in the guide groove of the seat support member. The operator can easily adjust the seat's natural frequency simply by interacting with the seat frequency adjustment device.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide groove of the seat support member has multiple channel portions, and the ends of the multiple channel portions form multiple stop positions.

[0011] In one alternative embodiment, the guide groove of the seat support member is coated with a magnetic material, and the frequency adjustment block is made of a magnetic material, such that the frequency adjustment block stops in the guide groove when not in operation, to prevent or at least mitigate external forces from interfering with the frequency adjustment block and causing changes in the seat frequency.

[0012] In one design, a seat support member is connected to a seat body via a first connecting shaft, a seat support member is connected to a seat slide rail via a second connecting shaft, and the seat support member has a connecting hole, and the seat support members are connected together via a third connecting shaft passing through the connecting hole.

[0013] Preferably, the seat support component has two guide grooves, which are symmetrically distributed relative to the connecting hole. A frequency adjustment block is disposed in each of the two guide grooves. By changing the position of multiple frequency adjustment blocks, a variety of mass distributions can be selected, thereby achieving a larger frequency adjustment range and higher frequency adjustment accuracy.

[0014] Advantageously, the frequency adjustment block is cylindrical to facilitate its movement in the guide groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the frequency adjustment block has a blocking portion extending beyond the guide groove to prevent the frequency adjustment block from disengaging from the guide groove, thereby preventing the inherent frequency adjustment function of the seat from becoming inaccurate or malfunctioning.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, an acceleration sensor is provided within the seat body. The acceleration sensor is connected to the central processing unit via a drive circuit, a register, and a data memory. After the system's inherent frequency is adjusted according to the operator's comfort level, the central processing unit can record the system's inherent frequency and the distribution of frequency adjustment blocks through the data memory for subsequent retrieval.

[0017] Additional features and advantages of the inherently frequency-adjustable seat described herein will be set forth in the detailed description below, and will be recognized by those skilled in the art either by the following description or by practice of the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] With reference to the above objectives, the technical features of the present invention are clearly described in the following claims, and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, without limiting the scope of the inventive concept.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an inherently frequency-adjustable seat according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a portion of an inherently frequency-adjustable seat according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 A perspective view of a seat support structure assembly of an inherently frequency-adjustable seat according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0022] Figure 4 A perspective view of a seat support member of a seat support structure assembly for a seat with an inherently adjustable frequency according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure Labels

[0024] 1 Seat Body

[0025] 2 Seat support structure components

[0026] 20 Seat support components

[0027] 210 Connecting hole

[0028] 220 guide groove

[0029] 221 First Channel Section

[0030] 222 Second Channel Section

[0031] 223 Third Channel Section

[0032] 21 First connecting shaft

[0033] 22 Second connecting shaft

[0034] 23 Third connecting shaft

[0035] 24 frequency adjustment blocks

[0036] 3 Seat rails

[0037] 31 orbits

[0038] 4 Central Processing Units

[0039] 5. Seat frequency adjustment device Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Note that, for clarity, the devices or components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale (e.g., the central processing unit hereinafter).

[0041] In this article, the term "stopped" refers to an object not undergoing significant movement; that is, stopping can include slight shaking or minute displacement that is imperceptible to the naked eye.

[0042] In this paper, directional terms such as "up," "down," "horizontal," and "vertical" are used to describe features relative to their position on the ground.

[0043] For ease of understanding, the same or detailed parts or elements are referred to by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0044] This invention patent describes a seat with an adjustable natural frequency achieved by adjusting the mass distribution of the main force transmission structure. This seat is intended for use by pilots in aircraft cockpits. However, it should be understood that such seats with adjustable natural frequencies can be similarly applied to other modes of transportation or spaces, such as cars and trains, in addition to aircraft like airplanes. For simplicity, the following description will focus on a pilot's seat.

[0045] The following description of the adjustment method for the natural frequency is based on the theory related to the natural frequency:

[0046] Taking a single-degree-of-freedom system as an example:

[0047] The differential equation for the free vibration of a single-degree-of-freedom system is:

[0048]

[0049] Where m is mass; c is damping; and k is stiffness.

[0050] The natural frequency ω of an undamped system n for:

[0051]

[0052] The natural frequency ω of a weakly damped system d for:

[0053]

[0054] Where ζ is the damping ratio.

[0055] As can be seen from the above-mentioned fundamental theory of natural frequency, the natural frequency of a structure depends on the inherent parameters of the system: mass, stiffness, and damping.

[0056] For multi-degree-of-freedom systems:

[0057] The differential equation for free vibration of a multi-degree-of-freedom system is:

[0058]

[0059] Where M is the mass matrix; C is the damping matrix; and K is the stiffness matrix.

[0060] Therefore, by adjusting the mass distribution of the main force transmission structure of the seat, the inherent frequency of the seat structure can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the seat frequency to avoid human sensitivity frequencies and uncomfortable frequencies, improving passenger comfort, and enhancing flight quality and safety.

[0061] A schematic diagram of the seat with adjustable inherent frequency is shown below. Figure 1 As shown. This type of seat includes a seat body 1, a seat support structure assembly 2, and a seat slide rail 3, and is equipped with matching drive circuits, registers, data memory (not shown), and a central processing unit 4, etc.

[0062] These components will be described in detail below.

[0063] Reference Figure 1-2An acceleration sensor (not shown, for example, under the seat body 1) is installed inside the seat body 1. The acceleration sensor is connected to the central processing unit 4 via a drive circuit, register, and data memory. It should be understood that the seat body 1 shown in the figure is merely a schematic structure, and the seat body can be designed with any body structure that provides ergonomic comfort. A seat frequency adjustment device 5 is installed on the seat body 1 to enable frequency adjustment control. The seat frequency adjustment device 5 may, for example, have a knob on the outside of the seat body 1, which the operator can operate to adjust the inherent frequency of the seat. Specifically, as will be described below, the seat frequency adjustment device 5 can be operated to adjust the movement of the frequency adjustment block 24 in the guide groove 220 of the seat support member 20. In other cases, the operator can also achieve frequency adjustment by directly setting the frequency of the seat on the control panel.

[0064] Continue to refer to Figure 1-2 The illustration shows a seat support structure assembly 2 and a seat slide rail 3 for a seat with an inherently adjustable frequency according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seat support structure assembly 2 is connected to and supports the seat body 1 below the seat body 1, and the seat slide rail 3 is connected to the seat support structure assembly 2 below the seat support structure assembly 2. The seat slide rail 3 is connected to an aircraft seat guide rail (not shown) by fasteners, allowing the seat slide rail 3 to move horizontally along the aircraft seat guide rail and thus move the seat body 1 horizontally.

[0065] Reference Figure 2 and 3 An exemplary structure of a seat support structure assembly 2 is shown, which includes seat support members 20 (only some of the seat support members 20 are labeled in the figure for clarity). In an embodiment of the invention, there are four seat support members 20, which are arranged in pairs to form identical "X" shapes. Each seat support member 20 is connected at one end to the seat body 1 via a first connecting shaft 21 using fasteners, and at the other end to the seat slide rail 3 via a second connecting shaft 22 using fasteners. A connecting hole 210 is provided approximately in the middle of each seat support member 20, and the seat support members are connected together via a third connecting shaft 23 passing through the connecting hole 210 using fasteners.

[0066] It should be understood that although there are four seat support members 20 in the illustrated embodiment, which are paired together to form the same “X” shape, this is merely an example and not a limitation. In other cases, the number of seat support members 20 may be more or less, and the seat support members 20 may be combined into other shapes, as long as they can support the seat body 1.

[0067] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and3 In an embodiment of the present invention, the seat slide rail 3 may include a track 31, and the two ends of one of the third connecting shafts 23 may be placed in the track 31 respectively, so that the third connecting shaft 23 can be operated to move along the track 31 and cause the seat support member 20 to move, thereby driving the seat body 1 to move vertically.

[0068] like Figure 2 and 4 As shown, in this invention, the seat support structure assembly 2 includes frequency adjustment blocks 24, which are disposed together with the seat support member 20. Specifically, the seat support member 20 has a guide groove 220, and the frequency adjustment blocks 24 are disposed in the guide groove 220. The frequency adjustment blocks 24 can be moved and stopped in the guide groove 220 by a seat frequency adjustment device to change their position in the guide groove 220, thereby changing the mass distribution of the seat support structure assembly 2. As described above, changing the mass distribution of the seat support structure assembly 2 can adjust the natural frequency of the seat, thus avoiding resonant frequencies and frequencies that are sensitive to discomfort, improving passenger comfort, and enhancing flight quality and safety. Furthermore, the design of the seat support member 20 and the frequency adjustment blocks 24 does not introduce other vibration damping structures, making the seat of this invention lighter and simpler.

[0069] In an embodiment of the invention, the guide groove 220 of the seat support member 20 has multiple stop positions for receiving the frequency adjustment block 24. See also Figure 4, the guide groove 220 of the seat support member 20 has a plurality of channel portions, and the ends of these channel portions form a plurality of stop positions. Specifically, the guide groove 220 has a first channel portion 221, a second channel portion 222, and a third channel portion 223, wherein the second channel portion 222 and the third channel portion 223 intersect the first channel portion 221 respectively, forming a shape similar to "艹", whereby the respective ends of the first channel portion 221, the second channel portion 222, and the third channel portion 223 form a total of six stop positions. Preferably, the seat support member 20 is provided with two guide grooves 220, which are symmetrically distributed with respect to the connection hole 210, and the frequency adjustment blocks 24 are provided in each of the two guide grooves 220. Thus, in the example of the combination of the seat support members 20 in the above "X" shape, there are four seat support members 20, and thus there are eight guide grooves 220 and eight frequency adjustment blocks 24. Thus, according to the position of the frequency adjustment block 24 in the corresponding guide groove 220, various choices of mass distribution can be obtained, thereby achieving a larger frequency adjustment range and higher frequency adjustment accuracy. It should be noted that although in this embodiment, the seat support member 20 is provided with two guide grooves 220, and the frequency adjustment blocks 24 are provided in each of the two guide grooves 220, this is not restrictive. In other embodiments, the seat support member 20 may be provided with one or more than two guide grooves 220, and the frequency adjustment blocks 24 are not necessarily provided in each of the two guide grooves 220, and the natural frequency adjustment of the seat can still be achieved. After the natural frequency adjustment of the system according to the operator's own comfort is completed, the central processing unit 4 can record the current system natural frequency and the distribution of the frequency adjustment blocks 24 through the data memory for subsequent call.

[0070] It should also be understood that the present invention only shows one available shape of the guide groove 220, but the shape of the guide groove 220 can be arbitrary, such as serrated, snowflake-shaped, etc., and the stop positions provided in the guide groove 220 can also be any position other than the ends existing in the guide groove 220, as long as it can ensure that the frequency adjustment block 24 can stop at this position when not operated.

[0071] The guide groove 220 of the seat support member 20 can be coated with a magnetic material, and the frequency adjustment block 24 can be made of a magnetic material, so that when the operator does not operate, the frequency adjustment block 24 stops in the guide groove 220 due to magnetic adsorption force to prevent or at least reduce the interference of external forces on the frequency adjustment block 24, resulting in a change in the seat frequency.

[0072] Advantageously, the frequency adjustment block 24 is cylindrical to facilitate the movement of the frequency adjustment block 24 in the guide groove 220. In addition, the shape of the guide groove can also be designed to be smooth without sharp corners to facilitate the movement of the adjustment block 24 in the guide groove 220.

[0073] Preferably, the frequency adjustment block 24 may be designed with a blocking portion (not shown) extending beyond the guide groove 220 to prevent the frequency adjustment block 24 from detaching from the guide groove 220. For example, the blocking portion may be a panel portion with a width greater than the width of the guide groove 220.

[0074] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical advantages:

[0075] 1)Reference Figure 2 and 4 The aircraft seat with adjustable natural frequency provided by the present invention adopts an integrated design, which is reliable and stable. The frequency adjustment block 24 is controlled by the seat frequency adjustment device 5 to move within the guide groove 220 in the seat support member 20, thereby changing the mass distribution of the seat support member 20. This allows the natural frequency of the seat to be adjusted according to the frequency characteristics of environmental excitation and the human body vibration sensitive frequency, making the operation simple.

[0076] 2)Reference Figure 3-4 Taking the “X”-shaped seat support structure assembly 2 described in this article as an example, at least eight frequency adjustment blocks 24 can be configured on the four seat support members 20, and the frequency adjustment blocks 24 can move within the guide groove 220 of the seat support member 20, with a wide frequency adjustment range.

[0077] While the structure and operation of the present invention have been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the invention. Therefore, modifications and variations can be made to the present invention, all of which will fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seat with an adjustable inherent frequency, comprising: Seat body; A seat support structure assembly, which is connected to and supports the seat body below the seat body; as well as A seat rail, which is connected to the seat support structure assembly below the seat support structure assembly. The seat support structure assembly includes a seat support member and a frequency adjustment block. The seat support member has a guide groove, and the frequency adjustment block is disposed in the guide groove and configured to move and stop within the guide groove to change its position within the guide groove. The guide groove of the seat support member has multiple stop positions for receiving the frequency adjustment block.

2. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a seat frequency adjustment device, which is mounted on the seat body and operable to adjust the movement of the frequency adjustment block in the guide groove of the seat support member.

3. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide groove of the seat support member has multiple channel portions, and the ends of the multiple channel portions form the multiple stop positions.

4. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide groove of the seat support member is coated with a magnetic material, and the frequency adjustment block is made of a magnetic material, such that the frequency adjustment block stops in the guide groove when not in operation.

5. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The seat support member is connected to the seat body via a first connecting shaft. The seat support member is connected to the seat slide rail via a second connecting shaft, and The seat support member has a connecting hole, and the seat support members are connected together via a third connecting shaft passing through the connecting hole.

6. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The seat support member has two guide grooves, which are symmetrically distributed with respect to the connecting hole, wherein the frequency adjustment block is disposed in each of the two guide grooves.

7. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The frequency adjustment block is cylindrical.

8. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The frequency adjustment block has a blocking portion that extends beyond the guide groove to prevent the frequency adjustment block from detaching from the guide groove.

9. The seat with an adjustable inherent frequency as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An acceleration sensor is installed inside the seat body, and the acceleration sensor is connected to the central processing unit via a drive circuit, a register, and a data memory.

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