Vehicle Cabin Rail Structure for Positive-Locking Floor Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail systems for securing objects in vehicle cabins, such as aircraft seats, face complexity in fastening floor panels and require intricate sealing to prevent moisture ingress, often involving non-linear force transmission and multiple screw connections.
Innovation Solution
A rail system comprising a base rail and an installation rail with a lateral gap for positive locking of floor panels, using connecting devices like bushings and positive locking elements to ensure even force distribution and simplified sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections and multiple sealing locations are used to secure floor panels to seat rails, then the connection strength and sealing are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the floor panel attachment and sealing functions into a single integrated lateral gap structure between the installation rail and base rail. This eliminates the need for separate screw connections and multiple sealing locations, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection strength and sealing effectiveness through the unified form-fitting gap design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the traditional screw connection system and implements it through the lateral gap structure. The lateral gap itself serves as the attachment mechanism, removing the need for separate fastening components and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing locations are used to prevent moisture penetration, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but production time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sealing locations into a single continuous lateral gap structure that provides form-fitting attachment. This unified sealing approach maintains moisture prevention effectiveness while significantly reducing the number of sealing operations required during production, thereby decreasing production time and complexity.
3Strength
If floor panels are attached using traditional screw connections, then connection strength is maintained, but the force transmission path becomes complex and lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate screw connection elements and directly engages the floor panel with the lateral gap structure. This creates a direct force transmission path from the floor panel through the lateral gap to the installation rail and base rail, eliminating the complex force transmission through multiple screw connections while maintaining connection strength.
4Strength
If through holes are used for fastening floor panels, then secure attachment is achieved, but the structural integrity and weight efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from through-hole screw connections and implements it through the lateral gap structure. This eliminates the need for through holes that would compromise structural integrity and add weight, while maintaining secure attachment through the form-fitting lateral gap design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rail system for installing objects in a vehicle cabin is proposed, comprising a base rail, an installation rail, and connecting devices for connecting the base rail and the installation rail in a mutually parallel orientation, wherein the base rail has a bottom surface with a fastening section for attaching the base rail to a structural component of the vehicle, and a top surface, wherein the installation rail has an installation surface on which the objects can be placed and connected to the installation rail, and wherein the rail system is designed to position the installation surface at a predetermined distance from the top surface, such that at least one lateral gap is formed between the installation rail and the base rail for positively interlocking retention of a floor panel.