Quick-Release Seat Fitting with Cam-Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft seat fittings are heavy, require tools for installation and removal, and often have 'free play' issues that complicate the conversion of aircraft interior configurations, leading to time-consuming processes and potential loss of parts.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release seat fitting integrated into the seat leg, featuring a pivot mechanism with a lever that allows toolless operation, enabling securement and release of the seat leg to a track without tools or adjustments, using a radially extending flange and hub mechanism for secure attachment and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional aircraft seat fittings are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but weight increases and tool requirement complicates operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into separate functional components: a clamp body with cam members, a lever mechanism, and a release button. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling toolless operation while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam members are designed to rotate between locked and unlocked positions, transforming the static clamp into a dynamic system. The lever mechanism provides mechanical advantage to rotate the cam members, enabling easy operation without tools while maintaining firm securing when engaged.
2Reliability
If conventional fittings with multiple components are used, then securement is achieved, but device complexity and potential part loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into single components. The clamp body integrates the cam members, the lever mechanism, and the release button into one unified structure. This reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated cam-locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever serves multiple functions: it rotates the cam members for locking, provides mechanical advantage for tightening, and can be used to manually release the clamp when combined with the release button. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
3Strength
If heavy-duty fittings are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam members utilize curved surfaces and rotational motion to generate locking force. The arc-shaped cam profiles convert small rotational movements into large radial forces, providing strong attachment with minimal material and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism utilizes mechanical advantage through leverage and rotational motion to amplify the force applied by the lever. This allows a lightweight fitting to generate sufficient locking force for secure attachment without requiring heavy materials.
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
Facilitates rapid and tool-free installation and removal of aircraft seats, reducing weight and eliminating the need for loose equipment, while ensuring secure attachment and easy repositioning of seats within aircraft configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A lever has a first slot and a second slot opposite the first slot. The first slot and the second slot are configured to accept the first transverse member and the second transverse member, respectively, such that the lever is pivotable about the pivot axis. The lever is configured to raise the longitudinal member via the pivoting mechanism and the radially extending flange for securing the radially extending hub to the track.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat configured for removably securing to a track includes a quick-release fitting for operation by hand to releasably secure a bottom end of a seat leg to a floor-mounted track for facile adjustment and removal of the seat. A threaded stud includes a shaft portion arranged through an opening in an end of the seat leg and a radially extending base. A pivot mechanism has a through-hole arranged around the shaft portion of the threaded stud. A first transverse member and a second transverse member each extend transversely from the pivot mechanism in opposite directions along a pivot axis. A lever is configured to pivot about the pivot axis causing the threaded stud to move up or down via the pivot mechanism, which raises and lowers the radially extending base for alternately securing the seat leg to the track and releasing the seat leg from the track.