Perpendicular Pull Actuator Release for Aircraft Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reclining mechanisms for aircraft seats, such as those using gas springs, face challenges with increased resistance and weight due to coiled cables, which complicate the actuation process and require significant force to recline the seat.
Innovation Solution
A substantially perpendicular pull actuator release mechanism that reduces the length of the control cable by eliminating coiling around the release, utilizing a lever and spring system to apply a depressive force to the gas spring release mechanism, thereby reducing the required force and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cable coils around the frame to couple the actuator to the lever, then the cable can connect the components, but the total length of the cable increases, adding resistance and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coiling function from the cable system by introducing a separate frame structure. The cable no longer needs to coil around the frame to achieve coupling, as the frame's geometry provides the coupling mechanism. This removes the unnecessary cable length and associated weight while maintaining the functional connection between actuator and lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional cable coiling solution to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. By positioning the cable to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gas spring and utilizing the frame's vertical and horizontal portions, the cable achieves effective coupling without excessive length, reducing weight and resistance.
2Ease of operation
If the cable coils around the frame, then the cable can couple to the lever, but the total length of the cable increases, adding resistance to the button
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coiling mechanism from the cable system, extracting the source of excessive resistance. The cable now follows a direct perpendicular path from the actuator to the lever, eliminating the resistance generated by coiling and reducing the force needed to operate the button.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cable's geometric parameters by positioning it to extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gas spring. This parameter change optimizes the cable's path length and tension characteristics, reducing resistance and the force required for actuator operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cable is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas spring, then the cable can couple to the release mechanism, but the cable length increases and adds weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the cable from a parallel alignment with the gas spring's longitudinal axis to a perpendicular orientation. This dimensional change allows the cable to couple effectively to the release mechanism through the lever's rotational motion while minimizing cable length and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the cable run parallel to the gas spring axis, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the cable perpendicular to this axis. This inverted configuration achieves the same coupling function more efficiently, reducing material usage and weight.
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
This solution decreases the length and weight of the control cable by approximately 18 inches and 20%, respectively, and reduces the force needed to recline the seat by 35%, enhancing the efficiency and ease of use of the reclining mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The release can include a lever with a first arm and a second arm, a spring, and a frame
Implementation Method 2
The release can include a lever with a first arm and a second arm
Data Source
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AI summary
Seat assemblies including a substantially perpendicular pull actuator release are described. The seat assemblies can include a seat and a seat recline mechanism. The seat can include a back portion and a seat pan. The seat recline mechanism can include a gas spring, a control cable, an actuator, a frame, and a lever. The gas spring can include a release mechanism. The actuator can couple to a first end of the control cable. The lever can include a pivot location, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm can couple to the second end of the control cable. The lever can respond to a pulling force exerted by the actuator on the control cable by rotating about the pivot location such that the second arm engages the release mechanism of the gas spring to allow the back portion to rotate relative to the seat pan.