Independent Roller Seat Rails for Lie-Flat Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft seat designs with linkage systems under the seat pan and behind the backrest complicate the customization of the relationship between seat pan and backrest angles during adjustments from upright to lie flat positions, making it difficult to simplify the support and control of these angles.
Innovation Solution
The use of independent rollers attached to the seat pan and backrest that travel along guide channels on fixed frame rails allows for simultaneous control of the seat pan and backrest angles, enabling smooth transitions between upright, reclined, and lie flat positions by stabilizing the backrest and seat pan through pivotal attachments and linear actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional linkage systems are used to control seat pan and backrest angles, then the structural connection between seat components is maintained, but the design complexity increases and customization of angle relationships becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seat control system is divided into independent components: the seat pan and backrest each have independent rollers that move along separate guide channels. This segmentation allows each component to be controlled independently without complex linkages connecting them, simplifying the overall design while enabling customized angle relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide channels act as intermediaries between the fixed frame and the movable seat components. These channels constrain and guide the rollers, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for controlling the angles of both seat pan and backrest without requiring complex mechanical linkages.
2Adaptability or versatility
If linkage systems are used to connect seat pan and backrest, then mechanical support is provided, but the difficulty of customizing angle relationships increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into independent roller-guide channel pairs for both seat pan and backrest. This eliminates the need for complex linkages that would be required to connect the two components mechanically, while still providing coordinated control through the shared fixed frame and guide channel geometry.
3Ease of manufacture
If independent rollers with guide channels are used, then control and customization of angles is simplified, but new structural components are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channels serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, constrain the motion of rollers, define the angular relationships between seat pan and backrest, and enable customized positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, making the system both simple to manufacture and highly customizable.
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 simplifies the seat design by allowing independent control of the seat pan and backrest angles, enhancing customization and comfort by ensuring smooth and stable transitions between sitting and sleeping positions without the complexity of under-seat or behind-seat linkage systems.
Implementation Method 1
independent rollers attached to the seat pan and backrest configured to travel along guides of fixed frame rails to control the angle of the seat pan and backrest during recline
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger seat is configured to adjust between an upright seating position and a lie-flat sleeping position, which includes one or more intermediate reclined seating positions, via independent rollers attached to the seat pan, or seat bottom, and to the backrest. As the passenger seat transitions between the upright seating position and the lie-flat sleeping position, guide channels set into the left and right frame rails direct the movement of the independent rollers through the guide channels and thereby control the angles of the seat pan and the backrest throughout the transition.