Offset Rotorcraft Pilot Seat with Single Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Symmetrical pilot seats in rotorcraft cockpit configurations with offset seat buckets experience uneven vertical movement and energy attenuation due to competing motion assemblies, which is not suitable for compact flight decks requiring dedicated space for retractable landing gear.
Innovation Solution
A pilot seat design featuring a seat bucket laterally offset relative to the seat base, coupled by a singular motion controller centered relative to the seat bucket but laterally offset from the seat base, incorporating a carrier assembly, carriage assembly, and energy absorber to facilitate smooth motion and energy absorption during dynamic events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a symmetrical pilot seat is used with two motion assemblies, then the seat provides even vertical movement and load sharing, but the seat cannot accommodate compact flight decks requiring dedicated space for retractable landing gear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the seat bucket laterally offset from the centerline of the seat base, and positioning the singular motion controller laterally offset from the seat base centerline. This asymmetric configuration enables compact cockpit layouts with dedicated landing gear space while using a single motion controller to avoid the binding issues of dual asymmetric motion assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of two separate motion assemblies into a single motion controller. This singular motion controller provides both vertical motion control and energy absorption functions that were previously distributed across two assemblies, eliminating the competing motion paths that caused binding in offset symmetrical seat configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an offset pilot seat with two motion assemblies is used, then the seat accommodates compact flight decks, but the motion assemblies compete and bind resulting in uneven vertical movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate motion assemblies into a single motion controller. This singular motion controller provides both vertical motion control and energy absorption functions that were previously distributed across two assemblies, eliminating the competing motion paths that caused binding in offset symmetrical seat configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the seat bucket laterally offset from the centerline of the seat base, and positioning the singular motion controller laterally offset from the seat base centerline. This asymmetric configuration enables compact cockpit layouts with dedicated landing gear space while using a single motion controller to avoid the binding issues of dual asymmetric motion assemblies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an offset pilot seat with two motion assemblies is used, then the seat accommodates compact flight decks, but the energy attenuation performance becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate motion assemblies into a single motion controller. This singular motion controller provides both vertical motion control and energy absorption functions that were previously distributed across two assemblies, eliminating the competing motion paths that caused binding in offset symmetrical seat configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful binding and competing forces in offset configurations into beneficial energy absorption. The singular motion controller's energy absorber is designed to efficiently dissipate crash energy through controlled deformation, transforming the challenging offset geometry into an effective energy attenuation 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 design ensures even vertical movement and effective energy attenuation during g-force events, maintaining occupant safety and comfort in compact rotorcraft cockpits by preventing relative motion during normal use and allowing it during dynamic events, thus addressing the issues of uneven motion and binding in symmetrical seats.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorber coupled between the carrier assembly and the carriage assembly. During normal use of the seat, the energy absorber prevents relative motion between the carrier assembly and the carriage assembly. During a dynamic event of sufficient magnitude the energy absorber permits relative motion between the carrier assembly and the carriage assembly.
Implementation Method 2
The carrier assembly includes vertically oriented rollers engaged in and configured to roll along the roller channels of the first and third stanchions
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a rotorcraft pilot seat including a seat base attachable to floor tracks, a seat bucket positioned laterally offset relative to a centerline of the seat base, and a singular motion controller movably coupling the seat bucket to the seat base, wherein the singular motion controller is centered relative to the seat bucket and laterally offset relative to the seat base. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a rotorcraft cockpit configuration including a floor defining a well configured to receive retracted landing gear, a pilot seat positioned to one lateral side of the well, and a copilot seat positioned to an opposing lateral side of the well, each seat including an offset configuration.