Haptic system: recline activation control

Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical linkages in passenger seat reclining systems occupy significant volume and weight, limiting design options and aesthetic appeal in vehicles, such as aircraft seats, which hinders the creation of innovative and aesthetically pleasing seating solutions.

Innovation Solution

An electronically-activated recline control system utilizing a lockable hydraulic spring with a sensor and lock actuator, allowing tactile input detection to control the recline mechanism, reducing the need for bulky mechanical linkages and enabling more flexible design options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical linkages are used to control the lockable hydraulic spring, then the reclining function is reliable and controllable, but the system occupies substantial volume and imparts substantial weight on the passenger seat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereclining function controlVSAvoidseat weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fully mechanical linkage system with an electronically-activated system. A sensor detects tactile input (push, pull, or squeeze actions) and triggers an actuator to control the lockable hydraulic spring. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical cables and linkages, significantly reducing weight while maintaining reliable reclining control through electronic sensing and actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If mechanical linkages are used to control the lockable hydraulic spring, then the reclining function is reliable and controllable, but the system occupies substantial volume limiting placement options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereclining function controlVSAvoidcontrol system volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fully mechanical linkage system with an electronically-activated system. A sensor detects tactile input (push, pull, or squeeze actions) and triggers an actuator to control the lockable hydraulic spring. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical cables and linkages, significantly reducing weight while maintaining reliable reclining control through electronic sensing and actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If mechanical linkages are used for recline control, then the control mechanism is robust and functional, but it limits design options and aesthetic flexibility for innovative seat constructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism functionalityVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fully mechanical linkage system with an electronically-activated system. A sensor detects tactile input (push, pull, or squeeze actions) and triggers an actuator to control the lockable hydraulic spring. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical cables and linkages, significantly reducing weight while maintaining reliable reclining control through electronic sensing and actuation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides efficient and compact control over passenger seat recline, enhancing design flexibility and aesthetic appeal by eliminating the need for large mechanical components, while maintaining user-friendly tactile input activation.

Implementation Method 1

a lockable hydraulic spring couplable to a passenger seat to control movement of a portion of the passenger seat, the lockable hydraulic spring actuatable between a locked state and an unlocked state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a sensor for sensing a tactile input, the sensor operatively coupled to the lock actuator to initiate actuation of the lockable hydraulic spring in response to sensing the tactile input

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure-sensitive Paint

Data Source

PatentEP3259157A1Haptic system: recline activation control

Publication Date: 2017.12.27 ZODIAC SEATS US LLC

AI summary

An electronically-activated support positioning system for a passenger seat can include a sensor capable of detecting a tactile input from a passenger and sending a signal, optionally through a controller, to a lock actuator coupled to a lockable hydraulic spring to either lock or unlock the lockable hydraulic spring. The lockable hydraulic spring can control movement of a support of the passenger seat, such as reclining of a seatback. In an example, when tactile input is detected, the lock actuator can unlock the lockable hydraulic spring, allowing an attached seatback to be adjusted. When tactile input is no longer detected, the lock actuator can lock the lockable hydraulic spring, securing the seatback from adjustment. The sensor can be sufficiently small to fit within the confines of an armrest. The sensor can be a microswitch positioned to detect deflection of a tab formed in the wall of the armrest.