Aircraft Seat Frame Monolithic Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft seat frames are costly to manufacture due to their complex design requiring numerous parts, and they encroach on personal space when reclined, affecting passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A universal aircraft seat frame design featuring a contiguous rigid plate with strategically positioned bends to create a back support, seat, and leg portion, reducing the number of parts and complexity, while allowing for easy attachment of cushions and seatbelts, and optional features like armrests and recline support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional aircraft seat frames use multiple parts to achieve structural requirements, then strength and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate frame components into a single integrated seat frame structure. The frame includes a seat pan, backrest, and leg rest portions that are structurally unified, eliminating the need for multiple discrete parts while maintaining the required strength and support functions through a monolithic construction approach
2Reliability
If conventional aircraft seat frames use multiple parts to achieve structural requirements, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple frame functions into a single manufactured component. The unified seat frame structure can be produced as one piece through advanced manufacturing processes, reducing assembly steps and potential failure points from multiple joints and connections, thereby improving reliability while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The single seat frame structure performs multiple functions simultaneously - supporting the seat pan, forming the backrest, creating leg rest support, and providing attachment points for safety belts. This multi-functional design reduces the number of specialized components needed while maintaining structural integrity and reliability
3Ease of operation
If conventional aircraft seat frames allow full reclining, then passenger comfort is improved, but personal space of rear passenger is encroached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic seat frame with a leg rest portion that can be selectively positioned between extended and retracted states. This dynamic configuration allows the front passenger to adjust the leg rest for comfort while preventing it from encroaching on the rear passenger's personal space, creating a controllable balance between comfort and space utilization
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft seat frame for supporting at least one human individual may include a contiguous plate having a first end and a second end; a first bend in the contiguous plate, the first bend spaced from the first end, thus defining a back support portion extending between the first end and the first bend; a second bend in the contiguous plate, the second bend spaced from the first bend, thus defining a seat portion extending between the first bend and the second bend; and a third bend in the contiguous plate, the third bend spaced from the second bend and from the second end, thus defining a leg portion extending between the second bend and the third bend and a base extending from the third bend to the second end.