Aircraft Seat Rail Coupling with Needle-Actuated Locking Slide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft seat coupling systems lack an efficient mechanism for securely attaching and detaching aircraft seats from the rail system, requiring manual effort and lacking a reliable locking mechanism to ensure stability during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system featuring a base with a locking slide that can be moved between assembly/disassembly and locking positions using a control device actuated by a handling lever, incorporating a needle and elastic device, such as a helical spring, to facilitate secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking slide mechanism is used to secure the aircraft seat in the rail, then the reliability of seat positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components including needle, elastic device, and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the locking slide component: it serves as both the locking element and the guide for the needle mechanism. The base integrates the rail engagement features and the locking mechanism mounting, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic device automatically returns the needle to its initial position after locking, and the quarter turn mechanism automatically engages the locking position without requiring additional manual intervention. This self-service behavior reduces the need for complex control systems while ensuring reliable locking.
2Ease of operation
If a quarter turn mechanism is used for locking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The quarter turn mechanism utilizes a curved or rotational path for the handling lever, allowing the operator to engage the locking position through a simple quarter rotation motion. This curved mechanical path provides intuitive feedback and ease of operation while maintaining a relatively compact and simple mechanical structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If a needle and ramp surface mechanism is used to move the locking slide, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control components
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp surface is designed with a specific curved profile that guides the needle's movement and automatically positions the locking slide at the precise locking position. This geometric profile ensures accurate positioning through the mechanical interaction between the needle and ramp, eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
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
Enables efficient and secure attachment and detachment of aircraft seats, ensuring stability and ease of operation by utilizing a needle and elastic device to move the slide between positions, reducing manual effort and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic device, such as a helical spring, to transition between assembly/disassembly and locking positions
Data Source
AI summary
In a coupling system for coupling an aircraft seat in a rail of the rest thereof, of the type including a base to which the rest of the seat is connected and associated with a locking slide able to be moved using a control device under the control of a handling lever that can be actuated by an assembly operator, between an assembly/disassembly position and a locking position, the control device includes a device in needle form, which is able to be moved in the base by the lever and whereof one end includes a support surface adapted to cooperate with a complementary ramp surface of the slide to move the latter from its assembly/disassembly position towards its locking position, against the stress from an elastic or spring device.