Offset Pilot Seat Motion Controller to Prevent Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rotorcraft cockpits with offset pilot seats, the symmetrical motion assemblies and energy absorbers tend to compete and bind during dynamic events, resulting in uneven vertical movement and energy attenuation performance.
Innovation Solution
A pilot seat configuration featuring a singular motion controller centered relative to the seat bucket and laterally offset from the seat base, coupled with a singular energy absorber made of a laterally oriented stainless steel sheet that prevents relative motion during normal use but allows deformation during dynamic events to absorb energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a symmetrical pilot seat configuration is used, then the motion assemblies and energy absorbers work together to share the load and provide even seat bucket motion, but the seat cannot be positioned offset relative to the attachment points in the floor for compact flight deck configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the singular motion controller laterally offset from the centerline of the seat base, matching the offset seat bucket position. This asymmetric configuration allows the seat to accommodate compact flight deck layouts while the singular energy absorber maintains reliable energy attenuation through controlled plastic deformation without binding issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If offset pilot seats are used to accommodate compact flight decks, then the seat can be positioned laterally relative to attachment points, but the two motion assemblies and associated energy absorbers compete and bind during stroking, resulting in uneven vertical movement and uneven energy attenuation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate motion assemblies and energy absorbers into a single integrated singular motion controller with one singular energy absorber. This consolidation eliminates the binding and competition between multiple assemblies, ensuring smooth vertical movement and uniform energy attenuation while maintaining the necessary lateral offset position for compact cockpits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If offset pilot seats are used to accommodate compact flight decks, then the seat can be positioned laterally relative to attachment points, but the two motion assemblies and associated energy absorbers compete and bind during stroking, resulting in uneven energy attenuation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple energy absorbers into a single singular energy absorber that uniformly attenuates energy during dynamic events. This merged configuration prevents the uneven energy distribution and binding that occurs with multiple offset absorbers, ensuring efficient energy dissipation while maintaining the lateral offset seat position required for compact flight deck configurations.
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 solution ensures uniform energy absorption and maintains occupant safety by preventing binding and ensuring even vertical movement during dynamic events, such as crashes or turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
the singular energy absorber operative to maintain relative positions of components of the singular motion controller during normal use of the rotorcraft pilot seat and allow relative motion between the components of the singular motion controller during a dynamic event
Data Source
AI summary
A singular energy absorber and an offset pilot seat including the same. The pilot seat includes a seat base, a seat bucket positioned laterally offset relative to a centerline of the seat base, 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, and the singular energy absorber associated with the singular motion controller, the singular energy absorber operative to maintain relative positions of components of the singular motion controller during normal use of the rotorcraft pilot seat and allow relative motion between the components of the singular motion controller during a dynamic event.