Aircraft Seat Back Pin Assembly for Fast Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft seat assemblies are complex and time-consuming to assemble, and existing designs do not facilitate easy replacement of parts, leading to inefficiencies and potential wastage.
Innovation Solution
A method of assembling a seat back assembly to a support frame using pins with cooperating formations such as lugs and recesses, allowing for quick and secure attachment without additional locking mechanisms, enabling easier transportation and part replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aircraft seat assembly methods are used, then safety and passenger comfort requirements are met, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into modular components (seat back assembly and support frame) that can be assembled separately using standardized pins and openings. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then quickly assembled together, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining safety requirements through standardized connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are combined into the pin-opening connection system: the pins provide both structural support and locking functionality, while the cooperating formations (lugs and recesses) integrate alignment and securing functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity without compromising safety
2Strength
If conventional seat assembly methods with multiple parts are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooperating formations (lugs on pins and recesses in openings) are pre-configured during manufacturing to ensure proper alignment and engagement. This preliminary preparation allows the pins to be quickly inserted and locked into place without requiring complex alignment procedures during assembly, reducing assembly time while maintaining structural integrity through pre-engineered connection points
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process utilizes dynamic motion where the seat back assembly is rotated during insertion to engage the cooperating formations. This rotational movement transforms a potentially complex multi-step alignment process into a single dynamic action, reducing assembly time while ensuring proper structural engagement
3Reliability
If additional locking mechanisms are added to secure the seat back assembly, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin design integrates both support and locking functions into a single component. The cooperating formations (lugs and recesses) are built into the pin and opening structures themselves, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms. This merging reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining secure attachment through the interlocking geometry of the integrated features
4Ease of repair
If the seat back assembly is provided as a separate part, then ease of replacement is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat back assembly is designed as a separate modular unit connected to the support frame through standardized pin-opening interfaces. This segmentation allows the seat back to be easily removed and replaced as a complete unit, improving ease of repair. The standardized connection method ensures that replacement is straightforward despite the modular design, as the same pin-and-opening mechanism is used for both assembly and disassembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Disclosed is seat assembly comprising a seat back assembly and a support frame, the support frame comprising a first side rail and a second side rail, the assembly further comprising: a first pin comprising a first cooperating formation, the first pin being connected to the first side rail of the support frame; a second pin comprising a third cooperating formation, the second pin being connected to the second side rail of the support frame; the seat back assembly comprising: a first opening formed in a first side of the seat back assembly for receiving the first pin, an edge of the first opening comprising a second cooperating formation corresponding to the first cooperating formation; and a second opening formed in a second side of the seat back assembly for receiving the second pin, an edge of the second opening comprising a fourth cooperating formation corresponding to the third corresponding formation. The first cooperating formation may, for example, be a first lug formed on the first pin and the corresponding second cooperating formation may, for example, be a first recess formed in the edge of the first opening.