Floor seal for accommodating dynamic floor motion in an aircraft or other conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing floor seal assemblies for furniture in aircraft and other conveyances do not effectively seal the stand-off gap formed between the floor and the bottom of the furniture, leading to debris accumulation and difficulties in cleaning without dismounting the furniture.
Innovation Solution
A floor seal assembly comprising a seal carrier mounted to the bottom of the furniture, featuring elongated clearances at both ends to avoid contact with mounting hardware, a transverse plate, and an upstanding rim supporting a foam seal that extends along the seal carrier, creating a soft barrier to block debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If furniture is mounted spaced above the floor using track fasteners to accommodate floor movements, then the furniture can withstand dynamic events without direct loading, but a gap is formed between the floor and furniture that allows debris to accumulate and is difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the mounting hardware system by introducing a separate floor seal assembly. The seal carrier is mounted to the furniture bottom while the foam seal extends into the stand-off gap to prevent debris ingress, separating the mounting function from the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor seal assembly acts as an intermediary component between the furniture and the floor. The foam seal material provides a compliant barrier that fills the gap without rigidly connecting the furniture to the floor, allowing floor movements while blocking debris.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid seal is used to close the stand-off gap, then debris ingress is prevented, but the seal cannot accommodate floor flexing and twisting during dynamic events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the seal material from rigid to compliant by using foam material. This allows the seal to deform and accommodate floor movements while maintaining the sealing function to prevent debris ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam seal provides a flexible sealing barrier that can deform with floor movements. The compliant nature of the foam material allows it to flex and twist with the floor while maintaining contact to block debris from entering the stand-off gap.
3Strength
If the seal carrier contacts mounting hardware to provide structural support, then the seal assembly is more stable, but the seal is subjected to unexpected loads during floor movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load-bearing function from the seal assembly by ensuring the seal carrier does not contact the mounting hardware. The mounting hardware carries all structural loads while the seal carrier provides only the sealing function, preventing unexpected loads during floor movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the functions of the mounting system into separate components: the mounting hardware handles structural support and load-bearing, while the seal carrier handles sealing. This functional segmentation prevents load transfer to the seal assembly during dynamic events.
Data Source
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AI summary
A floor seal assembly (106) for use with furniture configured to be mounted spaced above a movable floor. In embodiments, the floor seal assembly (106) includes a seal carrier (116) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, defines a clearance (126, 130) at each opposing longitudinal end (128, 132) configured to be positioned in surrounding relation and out of contact with mounting hardware (104), and includes an upstanding peripheral rim (140) supporting a lateral side of a foam seal (118) mounted to the bottom of the seal carrier. In use, the floor seal assembly closes off a gap formed between the mounted furniture and the floor to prevent food, waste, and other debris from migrating and accumulating under the furniture. In embodiments, the furniture is a cabin attendant seat (110) in an aircraft.