Electronic Seat Recline Release for Low-Force Control Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical cabling systems for aircraft seat recline releases require significant physical effort from users and impose limitations on the location and style of the control mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An electronically actuated recline release system that includes an interface assembly, an actuation device connected to the interface assembly, a cable connected to the actuation device, and a recline release cylinder with a gas release button and release lever, allowing for mechanical motion to be translated into the recline release cylinder for easier operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical cabling is used to connect the push button to the recline release cylinder, then the control mechanism can be mechanically actuated, but significant physical effort is required from the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical cabling system with an electronically actuated system. The push button now triggers an electronic actuator (such as a motor or solenoid) that mechanically actuates the recline release cylinder, eliminating the need for direct mechanical force transmission through cables and significantly reducing user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic actuator as an intermediary between the user's push button input and the recline release cylinder. This intermediary device converts the user's minimal mechanical input into sufficient mechanical force to operate the cylinder, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and mechanical directness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical cabling is attached from the push button to the recline release cylinder, then force transmission is achieved, but limits are placed on the location and style of the push button
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical cabling system with an electronic actuation system, the patent enables greater design flexibility. The electronic actuator can be positioned optimally for force generation, while the push button can be located anywhere accessible to the user without being constrained by cable routing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into independent functional components: the push button interface, the electronic actuator, and the recline release cylinder. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned and styled independently, with only electrical connections (which are more flexible than mechanical cabling) linking them.
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 system reduces the physical effort required to operate the recline release and provides greater flexibility in the design and placement of the control mechanism, enhancing user convenience and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation device communicatively connected to the interface assembly and configured to receive the actuation signaling, where the actuation device is configured to provide mechanical motion in response to the actuation signaling
Implementation Method 2
the gas release button is operable to vent the recline release cylinder to atmosphere in response to being depressed
Data Source
AI summary
A seat release system and device, the system including an interface assembly that provides actuation signaling, an actuation device that communicatively provides mechanical motion in response to the actuation signaling, a cable connected to the actuation device, and a recline release cylinder having a gas release button and a release lever at a first end, and having a cylinder piston arm in the recline release cylinder at a second end. The release lever is attached to a second end of the cable where the cable moves the release lever in response to the mechanical motion of the actuation device. The gas release button vents the recline release cylinder to atmosphere in response to being depressed as a result of the cable moving the release lever. The cylinder piston arm may move in the recline release cylinder in response to the gas release button being depressed.