Drop-Down Armrest Assembly for Aircraft Seat Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft passenger seats in premium cabins face challenges in accommodating disabled, wheelchair-seated, or elderly passengers due to fixed armrests that hinder ingress and egress, and require storage for deployable tables, necessitating a solution that balances passenger access and storage needs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a movable endbay assembly with an armrest that transitions between a raised position and a lowered position aligned with the seat surface, allowing easier access, and includes a deployable tray table with spring-assisted mechanisms for efficient use and storage, ensuring both passenger comfort and storage functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the armrest is kept at a fixed height (16-18 cm above seating surface), then storage volume for deployable tables is maintained, but passenger ingress and egress becomes difficult for disabled, wheelchair-seated or elderly passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one that can transition between a raised position (providing arm support) and a lowered position (aligned with seating surface to facilitate passenger access). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the armrest to adapt its height based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into separable components including the armrest housing, the armrest itself, and the deployable table mechanism. This segmentation allows independent movement and positioning of each component, enabling the armrest to lower for passenger access while the housing maintains storage capacity for tables.
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is lowered to facilitate passenger access, then ease of ingress and egress improves, but storage capacity for deployable tables is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest housing is designed to be movable between opened and closed positions. When the armrest is lowered for passenger access, the housing can remain closed to maintain storage capacity. When storage is needed, the housing closes over the deployable table, preserving both access functionality and storage versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The endbay assembly serves multiple functions: it houses the deployable table for storage, contains the movable armrest for passenger support, and provides structural framing. This multi-functionality ensures that lowering the armrest for access does not compromise the overall storage capability of the assembly.
3Ease of operation
If a movable armrest mechanism is implemented, then passenger access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates a spring-assisted mechanism that automatically returns the armrest to its raised position after being lowered. This self-service feature reduces the complexity of control systems by eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex actuators, while still providing the desired movable functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring mechanism acts as an intermediary between the armrest and the housing, providing the necessary force to return the armrest to its original position. This simple mechanical intermediary replaces complex electronic or hydraulic systems, maintaining ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
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 enhances passenger accessibility and storage efficiency by allowing the armrest to be lowered for easy entry and exit while maintaining storage capacity for tables, improving the overall usability and comfort of aircraft seating for diverse passengers.
Implementation Method 1
a tray table spring reel connected by cabling to the armrest to provide a spring assist in lifting the tray table into its upper, deployed position
Implementation Method 2
a lock assembly that maintains the armrest in its lowered position in the endbay assembly when stowed
Data Source
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AI summary
A seat that includes a seat bottom and seat back, an endbay assembly positioned to one side of the seat bottom, and an armrest positioned within the endbay assembly and selectively moveable between an upper position for use as an armrest and a lower position level with an upper seating surface of the seat bottom for allowing ingress and egress to the seat.