Aircraft Seat Baggage Bar with Energy-Absorbing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baggage bars in passenger vehicles are heavy due to added doublers for strength and stiffness, which increases weight and cost, while lacking flexibility to absorb dynamic loads during events like take-off and landing.
Innovation Solution
A baggage bar assembly with a support mechanism, such as an energy absorber, elastomer shock absorber, or bearing mechanism, that allows for movement relative to the passenger seat, reducing stress and enabling lighter, more modular designs with varied cross-sectional shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If doublers are added to the baggage bar to increase strength and stiffness, then the baggage bar performance is improved, but the weight of the baggage bar and overall seat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static, fixed baggage bar to a dynamic system where the baggage bar can move relative to the seat frame through an energy absorber mechanism. This allows the system to absorb dynamic loads during events like take-off and landing, reducing the need for excessive structural reinforcement while maintaining strength when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorber acts as an intermediary element between the baggage bar and the seat frame. It provides the necessary strength and stiffness through its shock-absorbing properties without requiring heavy doublers on the baggage bar itself, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If doublers are added to the baggage bar to improve performance, then the baggage bar stiffness is improved, but the baggage bar thickness must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorber serves as a mediator that provides the necessary structural support and stiffness between the baggage bar and seat frame, eliminating the need to increase baggage bar thickness. The energy absorber's mechanical properties compensate for the reduced bar thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
By allowing controlled movement through the energy absorber, the system achieves stiffness through dynamic response rather than static structural thickness. The energy absorber provides stiffness during normal operation while allowing movement during dynamic events.
3Reliability
If the baggage bar is made heavier with doublers, then the baggage bar can better withstand dynamic loads, but the overall seat weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorber acts as a specialized intermediary component that handles dynamic load resistance, allowing the rest of the seat structure to be optimized for weight reduction. It concentrates the load-resistance function in a single component rather than distributing weight throughout the entire seat structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic movement capability allows the system to withstand loads through controlled displacement and energy absorption rather than through static mass. This converts weight into functional performance through the dynamic response of the energy absorber mechanism.
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 support mechanism absorbs energy and loads, allowing for reduced baggage bar thickness, resulting in weight and cost savings while maintaining functionality during dynamic events.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorber positionable within an aperture defined by the passenger seat
Implementation Method 2
an elastomer shock absorber
Implementation Method 3
an elastomer shock absorber
Implementation Method 4
an elastomer shock absorber
Implementation Method 5
a spring mechanism positionable within an aperture defined by the passenger seat
Implementation Method 6
a spring mechanism positionable within an aperture defined by the passenger seat
Data Source
AI summary
A baggage bar assembly may be provided for a passenger seat such as but not limited to an aircraft passenger seat. The baggage bar assembly includes a baggage bar and a support for supporting the baggage bar relative to the passenger seat. The support of the baggage bar assembly also allows for movement of the baggage bar relative to the passenger seat.