Adjustable Gap Energy Absorption System for Variable Weight Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorption systems for helicopter and aircraft seats cannot adjust the carriage stroke based on passenger weight, limiting the effective absorption of shock energy.
Innovation Solution
An energy absorption system with a movable carriage, a fixed bearing, and a deformable material strip, where the gap between the carriage and the bearing can be varied using multiple sheet configurations and piston elements, allowing for multi-stage weight-dependent adjustment to control the carriage stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the material strip is fixed to the movable carriage and attached areally strippable to the seat leg, then shock energy can be absorbed through stripping of the material strip, but the carriage stroke becomes weight-dependent and cannot be limited to a certain threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the gap distance between the fixed bearing and movable carriage based on passenger weight categories. The gap can be set to different values (first gap, second gap, third gap) corresponding to different weight ranges, which directly controls the carriage stroke threshold while maintaining effective shock energy absorption for each weight category.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gap between the movable carriage and fixed bearing is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot accommodate different passenger weights effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing an adjustable gap between the fixed bearing and movable carriage that can be modified based on passenger weight. The gap adjustment mechanism allows the system to adapt its parameters dynamically for different operating conditions (different weight categories), transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that responds to varying requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the gap adjustment into discrete stages corresponding to different weight categories. Instead of continuous adjustment, the gap is segmented into specific predetermined values (first gap, second gap, third gap), each optimized for particular weight ranges, simplifying the adjustment mechanism while maintaining adaptability.
3Loss of energy
If the carriage stroke is increased for heavier passengers, then more shock energy can be absorbed, but the stroke may exceed safety thresholds and reduce system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the gap parameter based on passenger weight categories. For heavier passengers, the gap is increased to allow greater carriage stroke and shock energy absorption, while for lighter passengers, the gap is reduced to prevent excessive stroke. This parameter adaptation ensures that the carriage stroke remains within safe thresholds for each weight category while maximizing energy absorption capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient absorption of shock energy across varying passenger weights by adjusting the gap size, ensuring the carriage stroke does not exceed a certain threshold, thereby enhancing safety and accommodating different weight ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable material strip, wherein the deformable material strip is at least areally connected to the fixed bearing
Implementation Method 2
the energy from the areal connection between the material strip and the profile part is absorbed, in such a way that the areal attachment is removed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an energy absorption system. The energy absorption system comprises a movable carriage, a fixed bearing and a deformable material strip. The deformable material strip is at least areally connected to the fixed bearing. Between the movable carriage and the fixed bearing a gap is formed. The energy absorption system further comprises means, which are suited to vary the size of the gap between the movable carriage and the fixed bearing.