Fastenerless Net Backrest Passenger Seat for Adaptive Lumbar Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace passenger seats face challenges in providing effective lumbar support due to the weight and space requirements of conventional solutions, which often fail to accommodate varying spine curvatures and positions, leading to discomfort and potential injury.
Innovation Solution
A passenger seat design featuring a net backrest with a flexible material that surrounds a frame without fasteners, incorporating adjustable cable sets woven into the net for lumbar support, which automatically adjusts tension based on the seat's position, ensuring comfortable support for diverse spine geometries without added weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lumbar support systems (blow-up pillows, movable cushions, bending plates) are used, then lumbar support for passengers with different spine characteristics is improved, but weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible net backrest made of thin film material that can be stretched and molded to different shapes. This net structure provides lumbar support through its flexibility and elasticity, eliminating the need for heavy conventional lumbar support components like blow-up pillows and movable cushions while maintaining adaptability to different spine characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The net backrest's physical parameters (tension, shape, curvature) are changed to provide different lumbar support configurations. By adjusting the net's tension and molding it to different curvatures, the system adapts to various spine characteristics without adding weight, as the same net material provides multiple support configurations through parameter variation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lumbar support systems are used, then lumbar support for passengers with different spine characteristics is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible net backrest occupies minimal space when not in use and can be stretched to provide lumbar support only when needed. This thin film structure replaces bulky conventional lumbar support systems, significantly reducing the volume required for lumbar support functionality while maintaining adaptability to different spine characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The net backrest transitions from a compact, low-volume state to an expanded, supportive state dynamically. This dynamic behavior allows the system to provide lumbar support adaptability without permanently occupying the space required for conventional static lumbar support systems, reducing overall seat volume requirements.
3Strength
If fasteners are used to attach components to the backrest frame, then structural strength is improved, but the backrest frame is damaged and/or weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates fasteners from the attachment system. Instead of using screws, rivets, or other fastening devices that damage the backrest frame, the net backrest is attached through alternative means that do not compromise frame integrity, thereby maintaining both structural strength and frame reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary attachment mechanism is introduced between the net backrest and the frame. This mediator allows for secure attachment without direct fastener-to-frame contact that causes damage, preserving the backrest frame's integrity while still providing the necessary structural strength for lumbar support.
4Reliability
If the backrest frame is designed with increased strength to account for fastener damage, then structural reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing fasteners from the system, the need for an over-engineered, heavier backrest frame is eliminated. The frame can be designed with optimal strength without the additional weight margin required to compensate for fastener-induced damage, achieving reliability through the fastenerless attachment system rather than through increased frame mass.
Data Source
AI summary
Passenger seat assemblies including net backrests are described. An example passenger seat assembly can include a lower frame (14) configured to support a seat bottom (36) of the passenger seat. The passenger seat assembly can also include a backrest frame (18) attached to the lower frame (14) and configured to support a backrest assembly. The backrest assembly can include a backplate (16) disposed adjacent an aft side of the backrest frame (18). The backrest assembly can also include a net material (22) attached to the backplate (16) at a first attachment location (46a) on an aft surface of the backplate (16), extending around a forward side of the backrest frame (18), and attached to the backplate (16) at a second attachment location (46b) on the aft surface.