Floor seal for accommodating dynamic floor motion in an aircraft or other conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The gap formed between furniture and the floor in conveyances due to a stand-off distance allows debris accumulation, necessitating frequent disassembly for cleaning, which is inefficient and unsanitary.
Innovation Solution
A floor seal assembly comprising a seal carrier and a foam seal mounted to the furniture, which creates a soft barrier between the furniture and the floor, accommodating floor movement without contacting mounting hardware, and includes a customizable seal carrier and foam seal to fit various furniture shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If furniture is mounted spaced above the floor to accommodate floor movement, then furniture stability during dynamic events is improved, but a gap is formed that allows debris accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
A seal assembly acts as an intermediary component between the furniture and the floor. The seal carrier mounts to the furniture while the foam seal extends downward to contact the floor, creating a barrier that prevents debris accumulation in the gap without requiring the furniture to be in direct contact with the floor. This resolves the contradiction by introducing a mediating structure that fulfills both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the furniture structure itself and implemented as a separate, dedicated seal assembly. The foam seal material is specifically selected and positioned to fill the gap between furniture and floor, preventing debris ingress while allowing the furniture mounting to maintain its stand-off distance for dynamic movement accommodation.
2Reliability
If a stand-off distance is maintained between furniture and floor, then furniture stability during dynamic events is improved, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates due to required disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly serves as a removable intermediary that bridges the gap between furniture and floor. During normal operation, it prevents debris accumulation. During cleaning, the seal assembly can be removed to allow access to the gap area, enabling efficient cleaning without requiring disassembly of the furniture mounting hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is segmented into a separate removable component (the seal assembly with foam seal) distinct from the furniture and floor structures. This segmentation allows the seal to be independently accessed and removed for cleaning purposes, improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining the stand-off distance for furniture stability during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If mounting hardware directly contacts the floor, then installation simplicity is improved, but furniture stability during dynamic events deteriorates due to hard surface loading
Solution Approach 1:
The seal carrier acts as an intermediary mounting component that attaches to the furniture and extends downward. The foam seal portion contacts the floor instead of the mounting hardware, preventing hard surface loading on the furniture structure during dynamic events while still providing a secure mounting arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam seal material provides a compliant, flexible interface between the mounting assembly and the floor. This flexible contact surface accommodates floor movements and dynamic events without transmitting hard impacts to the furniture structure, thereby improving furniture stability while maintaining installation simplicity.
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 seal assembly effectively prevents debris ingress, maintains furniture stability during dynamic events, and allows for easy cleaning without disassembly, enhancing cleanliness and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
the foam seal extending from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end, and the foam seal supported along one lateral side by the upstanding rim
Implementation Method 2
configured to accommodate mounting hardware and floor movement during a dynamic event
Data Source
AI summary
A floor seal assembly for use with furniture configured to be mounted spaced above a movable floor. In embodiments, the floor seal assembly includes a seal carrier that is elongated in a longitudinal direction, defines a clearance at each opposing longitudinal end configured to be positioned in surrounding relation and out of contact with mounting hardware, and includes an upstanding peripheral rim supporting a lateral side of a foam seal 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 in an aircraft.