Aircraft Seat Armrest Linkage for Automatic Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft seat armrest extension systems relying on friction-based components face wear issues and lack automatic retraction features, especially in stowable configurations.
Innovation Solution
The aircraft seat system incorporates a pivotable armrest design with a pivot link system and rotator link system, featuring a spring mechanism for extension and retraction, allowing automatic retraction of armrests when the seat pan is actuated, reducing wear and enhancing stowability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction-based components are used for armrest extension, then the armrest can be extended and retracted, but the components are prone to wear and issues upon repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical system with a pivot link system connected to a rotator link system. This new mechanical system uses pinned connections and rotational joints instead of friction surfaces, eliminating wear issues while maintaining the armrest extension and retraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest system automatically extends and retracts through the mechanical advantage of the pivot and rotator link systems. When the seat pan is actuated, the armrest system self-regulates its movement without requiring additional actuators or manual intervention, reducing complexity and potential failure points.
2Volume of moving object
If the aircraft seats are configured to be stowable, then space utilization is improved, but existing armrest systems lack automatic retraction features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the armrest extension mechanism with the seat pan actuation system. The pivot link system is mechanically integrated with the seat pan movement, so that when the seat pan is actuated for stowable configuration, the armrest automatically retracts as part of the same mechanical sequence, eliminating the need for separate retraction controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest system is pre-configured with the pivot and rotator link mechanisms positioned such that when the seat pan begins its actuation sequence, the armrest is already prepared to retract automatically. The mechanical geometry is designed in advance to ensure proper timing and coordination between seat pan movement and armrest retraction.
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
The system provides reliable and wear-resistant armrest extension and retraction, ensuring efficient space utilization and compliance with safety regulations during flight stages.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a spring mechanism for extension and retraction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An aircraft seat system is disclosed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the aircraft seat system includes a seat casement (102); a headrest portion (104); a seat back portion (107); a seat pan (106); and one or more armrests (108) pivotably coupled to one or more portions of the seat casement (102). In another embodiment, the one or more armrests (108) include an armrest body (218); a rotator link system; and a pivot link system. In another embodiment, the pivot link system may be configured to pivotably extend the armrest cap (208) and pivotably retract the armrest cap (208).