Electric Motor Assembly for Aircraft Seat Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seat locking mechanisms require a large number of cables to adjust seats in multiple directions, leading to increased weight, complexity, and potential reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A seat locking mechanism comprising a plurality of positional brake mechanisms (longitudinal, lateral, and rotational) connected to an electric motor assembly with a clutch system and solenoid, allowing for efficient activation and deactivation to control seat positioning with reduced part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cable-based locking mechanisms are used to adjust seats in multiple directions, then seat positioning control is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple braking functions (longitudinal, lateral, and rotational) into a single integrated electric motor assembly. This motor assembly simultaneously controls all three brake mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate cable systems for each direction and significantly reducing overall weight while maintaining full seat positioning versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a drive motor for position adjustment, a clutch for engagement/disengagement control, and a solenoid for rapid locking/unlocking. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate mechanical systems for each function, reducing weight and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cable-based locking mechanisms are used to adjust seats in multiple directions, then seat positioning control is achieved, but device complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of longitudinal, lateral, and rotational brakes into a single electric motor assembly with integrated clutch and solenoid systems. This consolidation reduces the part count from multiple separate cable-based mechanisms to one unified system, significantly simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cable-based locking mechanisms with an electric motor assembly that uses electromagnetic fields and controlled clutch engagement. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages, pulleys, and cable routing, reducing device complexity while maintaining full positioning control capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cable-based locking mechanisms are used, then seat positioning is achieved, but reliability decreases due to multiple cables and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple braking functions into a single integrated electric motor assembly, reducing the number of independent components that could fail. With fewer separate cables and mechanical linkages, the system has fewer potential failure points, improving overall reliability while maintaining full seat positioning control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cable-based systems with an electric motor assembly using electromagnetic actuation and controlled clutch engagement. This substitution eliminates wear-prone mechanical interfaces and cable fraying issues, resulting in a more reliable system with fewer maintenance requirements.
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
Enables seat adjustment in multiple directions while minimizing weight and part count, enhancing reliability and cost-effectiveness by using an electric motor assembly with a clutch system and solenoid to control the brake mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid operably connected to the clutch system. The solenoid in operation engages the clutch system to operably connect the electric motor to the plurality of positional brake mechanisms when the electric motor assembly is activated and disengages the clutch system to operably disconnect the electric motor to the plurality of positional brake mechanisms when the electric motor assembly is deactivated
Implementation Method 2
a drive motor; a clutch system located between the drive motor and the plurality of positional brake mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A seat locking mechanism (80) comprises a plurality of positional brake mechanisms including a longitudinal brake assembly (600), a lateral brake assembly (500), and a rotational brake assembly (300); and an electric motor assembly (400) operably connected to each of the plurality of positional brake mechanisms. The electric motor assembly (400) comprises: a drive motor (410); a clutch system (430) located between the drive motor and the plurality of positional brake mechanisms; and a solenoid (460) operably connected to the clutch system (430). The solenoid (460) in operation engages the clutch system (430) to operably connect the electric motor to the plurality of positional brake mechanisms when the electric motor assembly (400) is activated and disengages the clutch system to operably disconnect the electric motor to the plurality of positional brake mechanisms when the electric motor assembly (400) is deactivated. The electric motor assembly (400) in operation moves the plurality of positional brake mechanisms to at least one of a locked position and unlocked position.