Passenger Seat Armrest Gas-Spring Control Against Free Fall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for controlling the movement of vertically movable armrests in passenger seats rely on the strength of flight attendants or coil springs, which are insufficient in supporting the weight and controlling the movement of the armrests, leading to free fall or undesired oscillations.
Innovation Solution
A passenger seat armrest control mechanism comprising a base member, a gas spring, a pulley, and a cable, where the gas spring provides the necessary force to resist the downward motion and assist the upward motion of the armrest, ensuring controlled and reliable movement between the stowed and deployed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coil springs are used to control armrest movement, then the armrest can be supported, but the springs produce insufficient forces and result in undesired oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional coil springs with a gas spring mechanism. The gas spring uses compressed gas to provide controlled force for supporting the armrest weight, eliminating the oscillation problems associated with mechanical coil springs while providing sufficient support force throughout the movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable-pulley system as an intermediary mechanism between the gas spring and the armrest. This intermediary system translates the linear motion of the gas spring into the appropriate motion for controlling the armrest, providing smooth and oscillation-free movement control.
2Ease of operation
If flight attendants manually support the armrest weight, then movement can be controlled, but the entire weight must be supported which is physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring mechanism is configured to automatically provide the necessary force to support and move the armrest without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the armrest's own weight and the gas spring's elastic energy to control the movement, eliminating the need for flight attendants to physically support the entire weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (flight attendant's physical effort) with an automated pneumatic system (gas spring). This substitution eliminates the need for human strength while providing consistent, controlled force throughout the armrest's movement range.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is made vertically movable to facilitate access for disabled persons, then accessibility is improved, but the armrest may free fall without adequate support
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring is pre-charged and positioned to provide immediate counterbalancing force when the armrest begins to move. This preliminary action ensures that the armrest is continuously supported throughout its vertical travel range, preventing free fall while maintaining the accessibility benefits of vertical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-pulley-gas spring system creates a mechanical feedback mechanism where the gas spring continuously adjusts its force output in response to the armrest's position and weight. This feedback ensures that the support force matches the armrest's weight at all times, eliminating free fall risk while enabling safe vertical movement for accessibility.
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
The armrest control mechanism effectively supports the weight of the armrest, prevents free fall, and provides controlled movement, enhancing safety and usability, especially for disabled passengers, while fitting within a compact space.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spring, the gas spring includes a first end attached to the base member and a second end moveable relative to the base member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An armrest control mechanism for a passenger seat may be attached to a seat frame and an armrest to control movement of the armrest relative to the seat frame. The armrest control mechanism may include a base member, a gas spring, a pulley attached to the gas spring and moveable relative to the base member, and a cable movable relative to the base member for moving the pulley. The gas spring may provide forces through the pulley and the cable to the armrest.