Modular Rail System for Aircraft Cabin Seating Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail systems in aircraft cabins lack flexibility for easy adaptation to different seating configurations and maintenance, as they require complex adjustments and reconfiguration to change seat distances and layouts.
Innovation Solution
A rail system comprising interchangeable elongated motion rail elements with a specific profile cross-section and holding means, allowing for the creation of a continuous moving rail of variable length, enabling easy reconfiguration and maintenance by allowing sliding movement along the rail elements, which can be adapted to different seat pitches and layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional floor rails with fasteners in a specific grid pattern are used, then seats can be attached to the floor, but the system lacks flexibility for easy adaptation to different seating configurations and requires complex adjustments to change seat distances
Solution Approach 1:
The floor rail is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently adjusted, removed, or reconfigured. Each segment contains standardized attachment points, allowing seats to be easily repositioned along the rail without complex adjustments to the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail system incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration of seat positions and distances. The retaining means enable smooth transitions between different seating configurations without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.
2Ease of repair
If traditional locking mechanisms are used to secure seats to floor rails, then seats can be firmly attached, but maintenance and modification of objects require extensive displacement and reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed as a separate, easily removable component that can be quickly released without displacing the entire seat or rail system. The retaining means allow the locked object to be extracted from the rail with minimal effort and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured with quick-release features that allow maintenance personnel to rapidly disengage seats from the rail without requiring complex disassembly or displacement procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-length floor rails are used, then installation is straightforward, but adaptation to different seat pitches and layouts is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The floor rail consists of standardized modular segments that can be combined in different lengths and configurations. This segmentation allows easy adaptation to various seat pitches while maintaining straightforward installation through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular rail segments are designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate different seat types and configurations. The same basic segment design serves multiple functions across different seating arrangements, simplifying both manufacture and installation.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a rail system (2) for securing objects to a floor in a cabin of a transport means, comprising at least one floor rail (10) that can be integrated in or on the floor, a plurality of first elongated movement rail elements (12), a plurality of second elongated movement rail elements (14), a plurality of retaining means (34) for retaining first and second movement rail elements (12, 14) on the floor rail (10), and a plurality of runners (16, 18) mounted such that they can slide on the first and second movement rail elements (12, 14). The first and second movement rail elements (12, 14) have a rail profile cross-section (30) perpendicular to the main extension axis (x) thereof, which has at least one lateral undercut (28) oriented outwards. The first and second movement rail elements (12, 14) each have two opposing end surfaces (31, 33) which can be brought into surface contact with end surfaces (31, 33) of other first or second movement rail elements (12, 14) in a flush manner, such that a continuous movement rail with a constant rail profile cross-section (30) is produced. For a sliding mounting, the runners (16, 18) have a recess (19) shaped in a manner corresponding to the rail profile cross-section (30). The sum of the lengths of a first elongated movement rail element (12) and a second movement rail element (14) is in the region of 26 inches (approx. 66 cm) to 100 inches (approx. 254 cm), and the length of a second movement rail element (14) is less than the length of a first movement rail element (12).