Aircraft Seat Back Decoupler Mechanism for High G-Force Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft passenger seat breakover mechanisms require passenger contact to initiate the breakover, which may not effectively reduce Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and neck injury potential during high G-force events, and can lead to seat damage and egress issues.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic breakover assembly in the aircraft passenger seat that includes a mechanism to sense acceleration, using sensors and actuators to uncouple the seat back from the seat bottom frame during high G-force events, allowing the seat back to move forward without passenger contact, thereby reducing HIC and neck injury risk while maintaining seat integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional breakover mechanisms are used that require passenger contact to initiate breakover, then the seat structure remains simple, but the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) reduction is insufficient and neck injury potential increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHead Injury Criterion (HIC)VSAvoidbreakover mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breakover mechanism is pre-positioned and ready to activate at a specific angle. The seat back is designed with a predetermined breakover angle where the mechanism automatically triggers upon reaching that position during high G-force events, eliminating the need for passenger contact to initiate the breakover action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical trigger system (relying on passenger impact force) with an acceleration sensing system that uses sensors and actuators to detect high G-force conditions and automatically activate the breakover mechanism, substituting mechanical impact detection with electronic sensing and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If seat spacing is increased to prevent head contact with forward seat, then HIC score is reduced, but the number of seats that can be accommodated in the cabin decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHead Injury Criterion (HIC)VSAvoidseating capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful impact force that would normally cause injury into a beneficial trigger signal. The acceleration sensors detect the high G-force conditions and initiate the breakover sequence, transforming the harmful event into the activation mechanism that protects passengers while maintaining normal seat spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If breakover mechanisms are designed to allow seat back movement during high G-force events, then passenger injury is reduced, but seat integrity may be compromised and egress may be hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger injuryVSAvoidseat integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The breakover mechanism dynamically adjusts the seat back's structural characteristics. During normal operation, the seat back maintains its rigid, intact structure. During high G-force events, the mechanism temporarily changes the structure to allow controlled forward movement, then returns to the intact position after the event, maintaining both protection and integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism allows temporary discarding of the rigid seat back structure during the breakover event to absorb impact energy, then automatically recovers and returns the seat back to its original intact position, ensuring the seat remains functional and undamaged after the protective action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution effectively reduces passenger injuries by dissipating energy through the breakover mechanism, adhering to safety regulations without increasing seat spacing, and ensures the seat remains functional post-event.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanism for sensing acceleration corresponding to a force indicative of an abnormal event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial force: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP3666654B1Seat back decoupler mechanism

Publication Date: 2021.10.06 BE AEROSPACE INC

Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary

An aircraft passenger seat having a dynamic breakover assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back pivotally-mounted to the seat bottom frame that allows the angle of the seat back relative to the seat bottom frame to be varied from an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position to a reclined position. The seat may include a means for sensing acceleration corresponding to a force indicative of an abnormal event; and a breakover mechanism coupled to the seat bottom frame and the seat back in which the means for sensing acceleration is coupled to the breakover mechanism. The breakover mechanism preventing movement of the seat back in a forward direction past the TTOL position during normal use, and permitting forward movement of at least a portion of the seat back in the forward direction past the TTOL position upon activation by the means for sensing acceleration.