Nested Aircraft Seat Guide Assembly for Distributed Energy Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy absorption systems in aircraft seats are expensive, require precise fabrication, and inefficient in evenly distributing seat loads during high vertical accelerations and decelerations, particularly in military aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft seat assembly with a stanchion and elongated motion sled nested in a guide channel, using a wire bender assembly with rollers and a low friction material to facilitate sliding motion and energy absorption through wire deformation, manufactured via extrusion process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small machined parts are used for energy absorption, then localized energy absorption is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and fabrication precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small machined parts into a single monolithic extruded component. The energy absorption system uses one or more extruded parts that integrate the functions previously performed by separate machined components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and eliminating the need for precise fabrication of multiple small parts while maintaining energy absorption effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from machining small parts to extruding large components. By using extrusion processes instead of machining, the system achieves the same energy absorption function with lower manufacturing costs and reduced precision requirements, as extrusion is a more cost-effective and less precision-intensive process.
2Reliability
If small machined parts act on localized areas, then energy absorption is achieved, but load distribution efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from localized (point/area) energy absorption to distributed (linear/extended) energy absorption. The extruded components provide a long contact area along the stroke direction, distributing loads over an extended region rather than concentrating them at localized points, thereby improving load distribution efficiency while maintaining energy absorption capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If tolerance controlled extruded parts are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested extruded parts where one extruded component fits within another, creating a telescoping structure. This nesting arrangement provides inherent alignment and guidance, reducing the need for tight assembly tolerances. The nested configuration ensures proper positioning through geometric constraints rather than relying solely on precision machining tolerances.
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 cost-effective energy attenuation by evenly distributing seat loads over a large contact area, reducing the need for precise fabrication and enhancing safety during dynamic events.
Implementation Method 1
a low friction material positioned at an interface between the elongated motion sled and the stanchion, the low friction material facilitating sliding motion between the elongated motion sled and the stanchion
Implementation Method 2
movement of the elongated motion sled relative to the stanchion causes the wire to be pulled through the plurality of rollers thereby deforming the wire by bending the wire thereby attenuating energy
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An aircraft seat assembly (100) including stanchions (112) defining elongated guide channels (120) and elongated motion sleds (116) nested in the guide channels and affixed to a seat bucket (104). An energy absorber (124) implemented as a wire bender assembly is coupled between the stanchions and the motion sled. In use, the elongated guide channels guide motion of the motion sleds and the wire bender assemblies attenuate energy during a dynamic event exceeding a predetermined threshold load value. The elongated interface between the guide channels and motion sleds serve to transfer excessive loading to the seat frame thereby protecting the seat assembly from damage and the occupant from excessive lumbar spinal loads.