Overwing Seat Collapse Mechanism for Emergency Exit Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible passenger seats in aircraft emergency exit rows are complex to operate and provide only modest space savings, necessitating large gaps between seat rows, reducing cabin space efficiency and complicating emergency evacuations.
Innovation Solution
A passenger seat design featuring a seat frame, pivotally connected seat cushion, and support leg with a torsion spring and locking mechanism that allows the seat cushion to pivot and collapse onto the cabin floor upon actuation, enabling simultaneous collapse of multiple seats via a simple button press.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distance between seat rows around emergency exits is increased, then emergency evacuation access is improved, but cabin space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is designed with a support leg that can pivot between a deployed position (contacting the cabin floor to support the seat cushion horizontally) and a retracted position (out of contact with the floor, allowing the seat cushion to pivot down towards the floor due to gravity). This dynamic transformation allows the seat to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, providing full seating functionality during normal flight and maximizing evacuation access during emergencies.
2Volume of moving object
If collapsible seats are implemented near emergency exits, then cabin space is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapse mechanism utilizes a torsion spring that automatically biases the support leg into the retracted position (second position) when the locking mechanism is released. The spring stores mechanical energy during normal operation and releases it during collapse, providing self-powered operation without requiring external power sources or complex actuation systems. This reduces mechanism complexity while ensuring reliable collapse functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently actuated via a button. When the button is pressed, the locking shaft moves axially within the outer tube, disengaging the locking elements. This modular extraction of the locking function simplifies the overall system and allows for independent control of the collapse mechanism.
3Volume of moving object
If current collapsible seat designs are used, then some space savings are achieved, but obstruction during emergencies persists
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is pivotally connected to the seatback or seat frame, allowing it to dynamically change orientation from horizontal (during normal use) to vertical (during collapse). When the support leg pivots into the retracted position, gravity causes the seat cushion to pivot down towards the cabin floor, creating a compact configuration that minimizes obstruction and maximizes the clearance needed for emergency evacuation.
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 achieves significant space savings by allowing seats to collapse efficiently, simplifying emergency access, and ensuring minimal obstruction during emergencies, thereby optimizing cabin space utilization and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation mechanism may comprise a torsion spring, wherein a first end of the torsion spring is connected to the seat cushion and a second end of the torsion spring is connected to the support leg and wherein the torsion spring is configured to bias the support leg into the second position.
Implementation Method 2
the seat cushion pivots with respect to the seatback and/or seat frame down towards the cabin floor due to gravity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A passenger seat (102) for an aircraft, comprising a seat frame (104), a seatback (106), a seat cushion (108) pivotally connected to the seatback or seat frame, a support leg (110) pivotally connected to the seat cushion and configured, in a first position, to contact the cabin floor and support the seat cushion in a substantially horizontal orientation and an actuation mechanism (214) configured to cause the support leg to pivot with respect to the seat cushion, into a second position, out of contact with the cabin floor such that the support leg no longer supports the seat cushion substantially horizontally and the seat cushion pivots with respect to the seatback and/or seat frame down towards the cabin floor due to gravity.