Aircraft Seat Back Pin Mounting for Faster Assembly and Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft seat assembly is complex and time-consuming, requiring improvements to reduce assembly time and facilitate easy replacement of parts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a seat back assembly and support frame with pins and fixing elements, allowing for quick and efficient assembly by inserting pins into openings and using retention plates for secure fixation, enabling easier transportation and replacement of individual parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aircraft seat assembly methods are used, then the seat assembly meets safety and comfort requirements, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into separate modular components: a seat back assembly and a support frame assembly. These modules are designed to be assembled together using simple pin-and-opening connections, allowing rapid assembly while maintaining structural integrity and safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin connection system is pre-designed with alignment features and predetermined insertion paths. The first pin is inserted through a first opening, and the second pin through a second opening, with the sequence and positioning already optimized to minimize assembly time while ensuring proper alignment and structural strength.
2Ease of operation
If the seat back assembly is provided as a separate part connected via pins, then transportation and replacement become easier, but the connection mechanism requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete elements: pins with fixing elements and corresponding openings in the seat back assembly. Each component has a single, well-defined function, making the overall system easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain despite the modular complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing elements are extracted as separate, removable components that can be independently installed or removed. This allows the seat back assembly to be easily detached from the support frame for replacement or maintenance without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Productivity
If pins are used to connect the seat back assembly to the support frame, then assembly speed increases, but secure fixation requires additional fixing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The pin and fixing element are merged into a single integrated connection system. The fixing element is designed to work in conjunction with the pin, where the pin provides the primary mechanical connection and the fixing element provides secure retention. This combination achieves both rapid assembly and secure fixation without requiring entirely separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element acts as an intermediary component between the pin and the seat back assembly opening. It provides the secure fixation function while allowing the pin to maintain its simple insertion and removal characteristics, thus preserving assembly speed while enhancing connection security.
Data Source
AI summary
A 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 seat assembly further comprising:a first pin connected to the first side rail of the support frame the first pin having a portion of reduced diameter;a second pin 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, and a second opening formed in a second side of the seat back assembly opposite the first side for receiving the second pin, wherein the first opening comprises a first slot having a narrow part and a wider part, the first slot being configured to receive the first pin through the wider part and retain the first pin by engagement of the portion of the pin of reduced diameter in the narrower part of the first slot; anda first fixing element which fixes the first pin in position in the narrower part of the first slot.A method of assembling a seat is also disclosed.