Aircraft Seat Positioning System with Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of properly positioning seats within a commercial aircraft's internal cabin is time and labor intensive, especially when reconfiguring seating areas, and existing systems lack efficiency in ensuring accurate placement under tight time constraints.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly positioning system that includes a position indicator coupled to the aft leg of the seat assembly, communicating with a component positioning control unit to compare the seat's position with stored data, providing visual and directional feedback for correction if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement and positioning methods are used to position seats at defined locations, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the process becomes time and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement and positioning methods with an automated electronic system that uses sensors, encoders, and control units to detect and adjust seat positions. This substitution eliminates the need for manual measurement tools and operations, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while significantly reducing the time and labor required for seat positioning and reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service positioning through automated feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors seat positions via sensors and encoders, automatically compares them with desired positions, and activates motors to adjust seats to correct locations without human intervention, thus reducing labor intensity while maintaining precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If seats are reconfigured between flights to adjust pitch between rows, then operational flexibility is improved, but there may not be sufficient time to adjust seats to new positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of seat positions through sensors and encoders that operate throughout the flight cycle. This continuous feedback enables rapid reconfiguration between flights by immediately detecting desired position changes and continuously adjusting seats to new configurations without interruption or delay, maximizing operational flexibility within available time
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit stores predefined seat position data for different configuration modes (e.g., economy, economy plus, first class). When reconfiguration is required, the system retrieves these pre-programmed position parameters and automatically executes the adjustment sequence, eliminating the need for manual calculation and measurement during the time-critical reconfiguration window
3Productivity
If automated positioning systems are implemented to reduce time and labor, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated positioning system is divided into distinct functional modules: sensors for position detection, encoders for precise measurement, motors for actuation, and a control unit for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high productivity through automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions by managing position detection, comparing current positions with desired positions, calculating required adjustments, and activating motors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A component positioning system and method are configured to facilitate positioning of a component (such as a seat assembly) on a seat track within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The component positioning system and method include a component, and a position indicator (202) coupled to a portion (132) of the component. The position indicator emits a proper position indication (212) when the component is in a proper position in relation to the seat track. The position indicator emits a remedial position indication (214, 216) when the component is not in the proper position with respect to the seat track.