Aircraft Seat Panel Assembly for Lightweight Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft passenger seats face inefficiencies in structural design, leading to excessive weight due to inefficient load transfer and comfort features, which can be optimized for lighter designs while maintaining safety and comfort standards.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a seat back and bottom assembly with a frame and vertically stacked panels, using elastic attachment members and support structures to allow independent movement of panels, optimizing load transfer and accommodating various passenger sizes through adaptive support mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seat structural assemblies are designed to meet specific loading conditions with safety and convenience features, then passenger safety and comfort are ensured, but the seat weight increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The seat back assembly is divided into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can move independently relative to each other and the frame. This segmentation allows each panel to be optimized for its specific function while reducing the overall structural weight by eliminating the need for a completely rigid framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat back assembly incorporates dynamic movement capability where panels can move independently in response to passenger interaction. The attachment members allow panels to shift position dynamically, providing comfort adaptation without requiring heavy active control systems, thus maintaining safety while reducing weight.
2Ease of operation
If seat structural assemblies include moveable or deployable safety and convenience features, then passenger comfort and convenience are improved, but the structural design efficiency decreases leading to extra weight
Solution Approach 1:
The panels serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable comfort adjustment through independent movement, and contribute to load transfer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each feature, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining comfort and safety capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the structural frame with the comfort-providing panels into an integrated assembly where the panels are directly attached to the frame through elastic attachment members. This merging eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, reducing structural complexity while maintaining ease of operation for passenger comfort.
3Strength
If rigid structural design is used to ensure load transfer capability, then structural strength is maintained, but material usage increases leading to heavier design
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment members are designed with elastic characteristics, allowing them to function as flexible connectors between the frame and panels. This flexibility enables the structure to maintain strength through elastic deformation and energy absorption while using less material than a completely rigid connection would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly combines rigid frame structures with more compliant panel materials and elastic attachment members, creating a composite system that optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio. The rigid frame provides structural integrity while the compliant elements reduce overall material usage by distributing and absorbing loads efficiently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances structural efficiency, reduces material usage, and improves passenger comfort by adapting to different body positions, thereby achieving a lighter and more effective load transfer system while maintaining safety and convenience features.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one attachment member comprises an elastic material configured to allow movement of at least one panel of the seat back assembly due to interaction with a passenger seated in the passenger seat
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a passenger seat that includes a seat bottom assembly (201) with a forward edge and a rear edge and a seat back assembly (101) extending up from the rear edge of the seat bottom assembly (201). The seat back assembly (101) may include a frame (103), a plurality of panels (104-107) within a perimeter of the frame (103), and at least one attachment member (161) configured to attach the plurality of panels (104-107) to the frame (103). The seat bottom assembly (201) may include a frame (203) and a plurality of panels (204,205,206) within a perimeter of the frame (103).