Aircraft Seat Adjustment Mechanism with Coupling Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seats face challenges in achieving a compact, lightweight, and comfortable adjustment mechanism that can smoothly transition between sitting, comfort, and lying positions without stressing the hip-point, while also simplifying the design and reducing material usage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The seat features a seat support structure with a pivotable backrest and seat surface connected via a coupling unit and guide element, allowing for synchronized movement and adjustment, with a single motor unit capable of controlling both components, and an actuation unit for locking positions, which reduces complexity and material requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional seat adjustment mechanism is used with separate control for seat surface and backrest, then the seat can achieve adjustment between positions, but the device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seat surface frame and backrest frame into a single integrated adjustment mechanism. The coupling unit connects both frames, allowing them to move together as one assembly rather than independently, thereby reducing the number of separate motor units and control systems needed while maintaining full adjustment capability between sitting, comfort, and lying positions
2Ease of operation
If multiple motor units are used to control seat surface and backrest independently, then precise adjustment is achieved, but the weight and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of motor units from two (one for seat surface, one for backrest) to a single motor unit that controls the combined adjustment mechanism. The coupling unit and guide element work together to synchronize the movement of both frames, maintaining precise adjustment control while significantly reducing the weight associated with multiple motor units and their respective control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seat surface and backrest are adjusted independently in vertical and longitudinal directions, then adjustment flexibility is improved, but the hip-point experiences stress and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adjustment of the seat surface and backrest into a single synchronized movement through the coupling unit and guide element. This integrated approach ensures that both frames move together in a coordinated manner, maintaining the natural alignment of the hip-point and avoiding the stress that would result from independent adjustment of the two components
4Device complexity
If a compact adjustment mechanism is implemented, then the seat design is simplified and material usage reduced, but the smoothness of adjustment movement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element acts as an intermediary component between the coupling unit and the base support element. It provides a defined guide contour that ensures smooth, controlled movement of the bearing element during adjustment, while the coupling unit maintains the connection between the seat surface frame and backrest frame. This intermediary mechanism achieves both compact design and smooth adjustment operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a seat (S), in particular an aircraft seat, comprising - a seat support structure (1) comprising at least one seat surface (1.1) with a seat surface frame (1.1.1) and a backrest (1.2) with a backrest frame (1.2.1) being pivotable relative to the seat surface (1.1), - a base support element (2) supporting the seat support structure (1), and - a seat adjustment arrangement (3), - which comprises at least one coupling unit (4) movable relative to the base support element (2), the coupling unit (4) is configured to connect the seat surface frame (1.1.1) and the backrest frame (1.2.1) to one another and which is provided with at least one bearing element (5), and - which comprises at least one guide element (6) in which the bearing element (5) is movably guided, wherein the seat adjustment arrangement (3) is adapted to transfer the seat support structure (1) into a sitting position (P1), a comfort and/or lying position (P2) by displacing the bearing element (5) along the guide element (6).