Aircraft Armrest Pivot Layout for Fast, Secure Pilot Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft pilot seating with adjustable armrests are cumbersome due to the need for sequential adjustments and robust locking mechanisms, which are often slow and difficult to use, as they are constrained to tilt about a pivot near the elbow and require coarse adjustments to accommodate multiple operators safely and comfortably.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable armrest system where the armrest platform is hinged to an armrest support member near the wrist-end, allowing for vertical and angular adjustments independent of the elbow pivot, with telescoping struts that form triangular and quadrilateral trusses for precise locking, enabling smooth and effortless positioning relative to the side stick controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the armrest pivot is located near the elbow and requires sequential vertical and angular adjustments, then the locking mechanism can be robust against in-flight loads, but the adjustment process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional armrest adjustment approach by moving the pivot point from the elbow area to the wrist-end near the control stick. This allows the armrest to be adjusted in a single motion rather than requiring sequential vertical and angular adjustments, directly resolving the contradiction between robust locking and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pivot function from the traditional elbow-mounted location and relocates it to the wrist-end attachment point. This separation allows the armrest support member to pivot independently near the seat back while the armrest platform itself pivots at the wrist-end, enabling direct positioning without sequential adjustments
2Reliability
If robust locking mechanisms like ratchets or screw drives are used to resist in-flight acceleration and landing loads, then the armrest can be securely locked, but the adjustment mechanism becomes slow and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems (ratchets, screw drives) with a simplified telescoping strut mechanism that uses basic friction and geometric locking. The strut's telescoping action provides secure positioning through triangular truss formation rather than complex mechanical locks, dramatically increasing adjustment speed while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the armrest support structure into multiple components (armrest support member, armrest platform, telescoping struts) that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the telescoping struts to provide both adjustment and locking functions separately, eliminating the need for integrated complex locking mechanisms
3Device complexity
If the armrest is constrained to tilt about a pivot fixed at the pilot's elbow, then the structure can be simple, but the hand positioning precision relative to the side stick controller is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the pivot location from the elbow to the wrist-end, allowing the armrest platform to pivot directly at the point where positioning precision is most critical. This single pivot point provides both structural simplicity and precise hand positioning capability relative to the side stick controller
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through the telescoping struts that allow the armrest platform to be positioned at multiple discrete locations along the wrist-end pivot arc. This dynamic positioning capability provides precise hand placement without requiring a complex multi-pivot mechanical structure
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft seat has an adjustable armrest in which the armrest platform is supported by a hinged attachment to an armrest support member. The hinged attachment between the armrest platform and the arm support member is located at the wrist-end of the arm support member near the aircraft control stick. The armrest platform and the armrest support are locked into position by means of telescoping struts that are controlled at the wrist-end of the arm platform member. The telescoping struts can be selectively locked to create triangular and/or quadrilateral trusses that lock the armrest firmly into position and may include springs or other elements to bias the armrest platform up and forward so that the armrest “floats” when the telescoping struts re released.