Canted Aircraft Seat Leg Assembly for Flexible Cabin Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat systems for aircraft are inefficient and wasteful due to the need for numerous specialty parts and additional fasteners to accommodate varying seating configurations, leading to weight penalties and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A seat system with canted leg assemblies and non-perpendicular joint clamps that allow for lateral positioning and attachment, using the same components to create different spaced apart passenger seating configurations without additional parts or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialty parts and additional fasteners are used to accommodate varying seating configurations, then adaptability to different seating requirements is improved, but weight increases and waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assembly is designed with a universal canting mechanism that allows a single component to serve multiple positioning functions. The adjustable cant angle enables the same leg assembly to accommodate different seating configurations (e.g., various aisle positions, seat widths) without requiring specialty parts for each configuration, thereby reducing weight while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assembly incorporates an adjustable cant mechanism that allows dynamic repositioning of the leg relative to the floor track. This dynamic adjustment capability replaces the need for multiple fixed specialty parts, enabling the seat system to adapt to different configurations using the same components, thus reducing weight and eliminating waste from unused specialty parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialty parts with location-specific hole placements are fabricated, then adaptability to specific seat locations is improved, but device complexity increases and waste is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assembly features a universal design with a canting mechanism that can be adjusted to accommodate various seat locations and configurations. Instead of fabricating complex specialty parts with location-specific hole placements, the same leg assembly can be canted to different angles to suit different positions, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating waste from unused specialty parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assembly is segmented into adjustable components, particularly the canting mechanism, that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the leg to be adjusted to different angles and positions without requiring complex integrated specialty parts, simplifying the overall device design while maintaining adaptability to specific seat locations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional fasteners are used to secure spar tubes in various positions, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but the quantity of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assembly employs a universal canting mechanism that can be adjusted to different angles using the same set of fasteners. Instead of requiring additional fasteners for each configuration, the existing fasteners can be repositioned or reused with the adjustable cant mechanism, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing the total quantity of fasteners and parts required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seat system (10) for a passenger aircraft includes a passenger seat frame (22) (i) a plurality of spreader bars (29) and (ii) a plurality of laterally extending spar tubes (50) connecting the plurality of spreader bars (29) to one another and at least one canted leg assembly (40,42) connected to the seat frame (22) for attachment to fixed, spaced apart attachment points on a supporting surface of the passenger aircraft. The canted leg assembly (40,42) includes: (i) a front leg portion (62) including a front joint clamp (66) for receiving one of the plurality of laterally extending spar tubes (50) in a non-perpendicular attachment point; and (ii) an aft leg portion including an aft joint clamp (68) for receiving another one of the plurality of laterally extending spar tubes (50) in a non-perpendicular attachment point, whereby the seat system (10) is adapted to be laterally positioned and attached to provide different spaced apart passenger seating configurations. A seat back tray table (20) may be attached to the back of the passenger seat frame (22).