Seat Control Arm Tensioning for Low-Force Lateral Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat control mechanisms in aircraft fail to account for movement and loosening over time due to use and design tolerances, leading to inefficiencies in lateral tracking and swivel systems, and require excessive force for activation.
Innovation Solution
A central control arm system with a cylindrical body, paddle arms, and adjustment mechanisms featuring set screws to limit motion and maintain consistent force application, allowing for easy maintenance and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid linkages are used for lateral tracking, then the system structure is simple, but no adjustments can be made to account for movement and loosening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable linkages with set screws that allow the system to adapt to movement and loosening over time. The linkages can be adjusted to compensate for wear and design tolerances, transforming a static rigid system into a dynamic adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The set screws allow change in the geometric parameters of the linkage system, enabling adjustment of the lateral tracking mechanism to account for component movement and loosening while maintaining the overall structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If a swivel pin release with rotation interface is used, then the swivel mechanism can be activated, but the applied force is applied out of the plane of movement which decreases efficiency and increases the force necessary to activate the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable system as an intermediary that transfers force efficiently from the control mechanism to the swivel pin release. The cable runs through a sheave, allowing force to be applied in-plane with the movement, improving mechanical efficiency and reducing the activation force required.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a central control arm with tensioning for a lateral tracking and swivel system in a seat are provided. The control system includes a central control arm body, where the central control arm body has one or more attachment points and a cable interface feature, one or more paddle arms, and one or more adjustment mechanisms attached to the central control arm body, where each adjustment mechanism of the one or more adjustment mechanisms is aligned longitudinally along the central control arm body with a respective attachment point of the one or more attachment points, where each adjustment mechanism of the one or more adjustment mechanisms has a set screw that impinges on a face of a paddle arm of the one or more paddle arms.