Aircraft Rail Adapter Plates for Crash Load Decoupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft seat securing systems face challenges in absorbing kinetic energy during crashes while minimizing passenger force exposure, leading to structural deformation and weight increases, and suffer from constraining forces due to differential pressure changes, which can cause material fatigue and reduced static load-bearing capacity.

Innovation Solution

A securing device utilizing at least two decoupled adapter plates mounted on rails with spaced securing attachments, featuring ball-and-socket joints or pivot pins, allowing for rotational mobility and sliding movements to absorb deformations without generating constraining forces, thereby reducing stress on the component and floor structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal seat substructure is used to absorb kinetic energy through plastic deformation, then passenger safety is improved by limiting forces, but the seat weight increases and the envelope of motion becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidseat weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The securing device is divided into multiple independent adapter plates (at least two) that are decoupled from each other, allowing each plate to independently absorb deformation energy rather than requiring a single heavy reinforced structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter plates incorporate rotational mobility and sliding movements that change the mechanical parameters of the securing system, allowing energy absorption through controlled motion rather than rigid plastic deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If structural reinforcement is used to reduce rotation in translational crash events, then the envelope of motion is reduced, but the force limitation on the passenger is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat stabilityVSAvoidforce limitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plates are designed with inherent rotational mobility and sliding capabilities, transforming the static rigid connection into a dynamic system that can adapt its stiffness and motion characteristics based on crash conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter plates are pre-configured with rotational joints and sliding movements that are activated during crash events to absorb energy and control motion, rather than relying on post-crash structural analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid seat substructure is used to minimize deformation, then the envelope of motion is reduced, but constraining forces increase causing material fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat stabilityVSAvoidconstraining forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plates act as intermediary elements between the floor structure and the seat, incorporating rotational joints and sliding movements that mediate the transmission of forces and accommodate floor deformations without transferring constraining forces to the seat substructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing system incorporates flexible connection elements (rotational joints, sliding joints) that allow the adapter plates to flex and adapt to floor structure deformations, reducing the transmission of constraining forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Stability of the object's composition

If the floor structure predeformation is accommodated by a compliant seat substructure, then the envelope of motion is reduced, but the seat substructure is weakened by large strains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat stabilityVSAvoidseat substructure strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plates serve as intermediary components that decouple the seat substructure from direct contact with floor deformations, allowing the seat to remain stable while the adapter plates accommodate the predeformation through their rotational and sliding joints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12043391B2Securing arrangement for a component to be secured in rails of a floor structure of an aircraft interior

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG

AI summary

A securing device for a component that can be secured on rails of a floor structure of an aircraft interior includes at least two adapter plates. The adapter plates are decoupled from one another and configured to be secured on the rails. The adapter plates being configured to secure the component having mutually spaced securing attachments.