Aircraft Seat Door Locking for Safe Open-Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seat modules lack enhanced safety and comfort features, particularly in terms of easy and reliable door unit operation and locking mechanisms, which are crucial during critical phases like boarding and landing.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft seat module incorporates an actuator device with two locking elements that can be adjusted between locking and unlocking positions, an actuation switch activated by the door unit's movement, a locking device with spring-loaded elements, and a sensor unit to detect the door's position, ensuring easy unlocking and preventing unauthorized closure during critical phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device with electrically actuatable components is used to lock the door unit in the open position, then the safety and reliability of door operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical locking systems with an electrically actuatable locking device. The actuator device with electric motor or similar actuation mechanism substitutes complex mechanical linkages, providing more reliable and controllable door locking while actually reducing mechanical complexity through electrification.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device automatically locks the door unit in the open position without requiring manual intervention. The system self-actuates through the actuator device, providing automated safety locking that improves reliability while reducing the operational complexity for users.
2Reliability
If a locking device with multiple locking elements is implemented to prevent unauthorized closure, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into multiple independent locking elements that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific locking function, improving overall safety through redundant locking mechanisms while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple locking elements provide redundant safety measures that engage before critical failures can occur. If one locking element fails, others remain to prevent unauthorized closure, providing a safety buffer that improves reliability without requiring overly complex interdependent mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If an actuation switch activated by door unit movement is added to enable easy unlocking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation switch automatically activates based on door unit movement, eliminating the need for separate manual activation steps. The system monitors its own state and self-activates the unlocking sequence, improving ease of operation while minimizing control system complexity through automatic state-based triggering.
4Reliability
If a sensor unit is integrated to detect door position and provide visual indicators, then the safety and information feedback is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit provides real-time feedback on door position to the control system, which then activates visual indicators to inform passengers of the door state. This closed-loop feedback system improves safety by ensuring proper door positioning while managing complexity through standardized sensor and indicator components.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft seat module has an enclosure unit which at least partially delimits a flight passenger seating area, and has a door unit which at least in an operating state is at least configured to close a passage region to the flight passenger seating area, has a bearing device which is configured to support the door unit so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position in relation to the enclosure unit, and has a locking device which is configured to lock the door unit in the open position, wherein the locking device has at least one electrically and/or electronically actuatable actuator device, which is at least configured to be electrically and/or electronically actuated for an unlocking of the door unit.