Aircraft Seat Armrest Pivot Assembly With Hidden Retention Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armrest assemblies in aircraft seats require frequent maintenance and repair due to wear in pivoting joints, necessitating easy installation, maintenance, and removal while in service, with a discreet connection to minimize disruption and costs.
Innovation Solution
An armrest assembly featuring a pivot block with a retention pin and mating stop blocks that allow rotation between upper and lower limits, with a concealed pivot point for easy installation and removal, and a washer for friction adjustment, ensuring stability and concealment of fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a pivoting joint with friction is used to maintain armrest position, then stability is improved, but wear accumulates requiring maintenance and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly is divided into separate components: an armrest member, a pivot block with bearing surfaces, and a support member with stop blocks. This segmentation allows the pivot block to be easily replaced when worn, without replacing the entire armrest assembly, thus maintaining reliability while preserving stability through the friction-based pivoting joint design.
2Reliability
If the entire passenger seat is replaced to maintain armrest functionality, then reliability is improved, but cost and disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly is designed as a separable unit from the passenger seat, with the pivot block being a replaceable component. This allows maintenance to be performed on just the armrest assembly rather than replacing the entire seat, significantly reducing cost and disruption while maintaining armrest functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot block is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the armrest assembly. When wear occurs in the pivoting joint, only the pivot block needs to be removed and replaced, rather than replacing the entire armrest or seat assembly, thereby reducing maintenance costs and aircraft disruption.
3Ease of repair
If visible fasteners and pivot points are used, then ease of installation and maintenance is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is nested within the armrest assembly structure. The pivot block is retained by features integrated into the armrest member and support member, with the retention mechanism concealed within the assembly rather than exposed externally. This allows easy installation and maintenance while maintaining a clean, discreet appearance.
4Device complexity
If the armrest is made non-adjustable to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but passenger comfort and usability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly incorporates a pivoting joint that allows the armrest to rotate between a stowed position and a deployed position. This dynamic capability enables passengers to adjust the armrest for comfort while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of a pivot block with bearing surfaces and stop blocks for position limits.
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 solution enables easy maintenance and repair of armrest assemblies with reduced disruption and cost, maintaining stability and discreet connection, while allowing smooth adjustment and secure retention of the armrest in aircraft seats.
Implementation Method 1
A retention pin retains the pivot block to the fixed support member. The retention pin is installed through the fixed support member, perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and is received in an annular groove formed in the shaft of the pivot block.
Implementation Method 2
The fixed support member and the pivot block are provided with mating stop blocks configured to limiting pivoting of the pivot block relative to the fixed support member.
Implementation Method 3
a pivoting joint that applies an appropriate amount of friction to permit adjustment and assure stability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an armrest assembly easily installed and removed while in service, and while also maintaining a discreet connection. The armrest assembly includes a pivot block holding an armrest and rotatably coupled to a frame member, for instance a fixed seat spreader. The pivot block and frame member have mating stop block features that allow the armrest to rotate while being restrained from motion in upper and lower positions. A central shaft common to the pivot block allows for rotation. A retention pin is installed perpendicular to the axis of rotation through the spreader and is received in an annular groove formed in the shaft to retain the pivot block while allowing its rotation.