Aircraft Seat Track Locking for In-Phase Dislodgement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft seats can become inadvertently dislodged from their tracks at a temporary position between metered positions, where the seat track feet are 'in phase' with the scallops, leading to safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A track locking system that includes a base fitting within the seat track, a shaft, a locking hole, and a confinement hole, with a locking member and confinement member that secure the seat in place by aligning with track tabs and scallops, preventing dislodgement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a translatable aircraft seat is allowed to move along the track for adjustment, then the seat can be positioned at different locations, but the seat may become inadvertently detached from the track at positions between metered locations
Solution Approach 1:
The track locking system is pre-configured with a base that fits within the seat track and locking members that can engage with track tabs before the seat is fully positioned. The system proactively prevents dislodgement by having locking mechanisms ready to engage at any position along the track, not just at metered positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The track locking system acts as an intermediary between the seat and the track, providing an additional layer of security. The base fits within the track while the locking members extend to engage with track tabs, mediating the connection and preventing direct disengagement between the seat feet and track.
2Reliability
If a locking system is added to prevent seat dislodgement, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into separate functional components: a base that fits within the track, locking members that engage with track tabs, and a shaft mechanism for operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure by assigning specific functions to discrete parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is designed to be self-latching through the interaction of the base, locking members, and track tabs. Once engaged, the system maintains its locked state without requiring continuous external input, and can be released through a simple manual action on the shaft, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a track locking system is installed to secure the seat, then safety redundancy is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The base of the locking system serves multiple functions: it fits within the seat track to provide structural support, houses the locking mechanism, and anchors the shaft assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the manufacturing process by consolidating functions into a single piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking members are nested within the base structure, and the shaft mechanism is contained within the locking assembly. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall space required, reduces the number of separate parts to manufacture and assemble, and simplifies installation by reducing the number of discrete components that need to be positioned.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft seating system may include an integrated track locking system. The track locking system may include a track lock. The track lock may include a base fitting, securing the seat to the seat track when the seat track feet are between a metered position. The track lock may also include a shaft, a locking hole, and a confinement hole. The track locking system may include a through hole, where the shaft of the track lock is able to fit within the through hole. The track locking system may include a locking cavity. The track locking system may include one or more recesses on at least one face of the locking cavity. The track locking system may include a locking member secured by the one or more recesses and the locking hole. The track locking system may include a confinement member secured by the confinement hole via the through hole.