Multi-Actuator Seat Control with Shared Motors and Variable Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft passenger seats require multiple motors and controllers for each actuator, leading to increased complexity, weight, cost, and space requirements, which are undesirable in weight-constrained environments like aircraft.

Innovation Solution

An actuator control system using a singular controller and two-motor configuration with a flexible shaft and gear assemblies, allowing individual variable speed control of multiple actuators through a toroidal drive mechanism and steerable rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a dedicated controller and motor are used for each actuator, then precise control over each actuator is achieved, but the number of motors and controllers increases, leading to increased complexity, weight, cost, and space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple actuators are merged into a single actuator assembly that shares common components including one motor, one controller, and a differential gear mechanism. This consolidation maintains individual control capability while reducing the total number of motors and controllers from N to 1, directly addressing the technical contradiction between control precision and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single motor and controller are designed to perform multiple functions by controlling multiple actuators through the differential gear mechanism. The universal actuator assembly can independently control multiple moveable components, eliminating the need for dedicated motors and controllers for each actuator while maintaining precise control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a dedicated motor is used for each actuator, then individual actuator control is achieved, but the total weight of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual control capabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple motor units are merged into a single motor unit that drives multiple actuators through a differential gear mechanism. This consolidation reduces the total weight of motors and controllers from N separate units to one shared unit, directly addressing the contradiction between individual control capability and system weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single motor is designed as a universal drive unit capable of independently controlling multiple actuators through the differential gear mechanism, maintaining individual actuator control capability while minimizing system weight by eliminating redundant motor and controller components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controllers are used for multiple actuators, then each actuator can be controlled independently, but the cost of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual actuator controlVSAvoidcontroller quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple controllers are merged into a single controller that manages multiple actuators through a differential gear mechanism. This consolidation maintains the ability to independently control each actuator while reducing the number of controllers from N to 1, directly addressing the technical contradiction between adaptability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single controller is designed as a universal control unit capable of independently managing multiple actuators through the differential gear mechanism, maintaining full adaptability and individual control capability while minimizing the number of controller components to reduce cost and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces the number of motors and controllers needed, simplifying the system while maintaining precise control over actuator movements, thus minimizing weight and cost while enhancing adjustability.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible shaft includes a driving section and a driven section interconnected by a variable speed controller including a toroidal drive mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectToroidal drive mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP4431395B1Actuator control system with individual variable speed control

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 BE AEROSPACE INC

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AI summary

An actuator control system for an assembly including moveable components such as a passenger seat. The system includes a first motor (102) having a first rotating shaft (104), a second motor (106) having a second rotating shaft (108), and a plurality of gear assemblies (114) including a gear disposed between the shafts. A controller (112) operates to move each gear independently between a neutral position and a rotationally engaged position with one of the rotating shafts. Each gear is coupled to a flexible shaft rotationally coupled to an actuator for moving the moveable component. In use, a singular controller and the two motors control N number of actuators. Each flexible shaft may be further coupled to a variable speed controller including a toroidal drive mechanism.