Aircraft Stowable Seat Backrest Release Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cabin stowable seats with exposed backrest latches pose safety risks due to potential tampering and compromise aesthetics with additional features needed to hide the latches.
Innovation Solution
A stowable seat design featuring a backrest support structure with integrated locking mechanisms, where a releasing member, such as a strap or wire, is hidden beneath a cushion, allowing the backrest to be rotated and locked without visible latches, ensuring security and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exposed latches are used for the locking mechanism, then the backrest can be locked securely, but the safety is compromised due to potential tampering by unintended persons
Solution Approach 1:
The releasing member (pull strap) is extracted from the visible latch mechanism and relocated to a concealed position behind the seat cushion. The latch itself remains exposed but is rendered inoperable without accessing the concealed releasing member, thereby extracting the critical release function from public view while maintaining the visible locking indicator.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull strap acts as an intermediary element between the user and the latch mechanism. Instead of directly manipulating the latch, the user must first access and pull the concealed strap, which then actuates the latch release. This intermediary step prevents unintended operation while maintaining secure locking.
2Ease of operation
If exposed latches are used for the locking mechanism, then the locking function is accessible, but the appearance is compromised due to extra parts and features needed to shroud the latches
Solution Approach 1:
The releasing function is extracted from the visible latch area and placed behind the cushion. The latch remains visible as a design element while the operational component (pull strap) is concealed, eliminating the need for cosmetic shrouding and maintaining clean lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible latch serves as a cosmetic copy or indicator of the locking state without being the actual operational element. The functional release mechanism is duplicated in a concealed location behind the cushion, allowing the visible latch to serve aesthetic purposes while the hidden strap provides the actual release function.
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 design enhances safety by concealing the locking mechanism, preventing unintended access and maintaining a clean aesthetic, while allowing easy operation of the backrest for flight attendants.
Implementation Method 1
a spring coupled to the first latch
Implementation Method 2
A pin may be located in an aperture defined by the first latch. The pin and aperture may be configured to limit a rotation of the first latch
Implementation Method 3
The releasing member may be located in the channel. Applying a load to the releasing member rotates a latch of the locking mechanism
Implementation Method 4
A cushion may be located over the backrest support and the releasing member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A stowable seat (100) for an aircraft may comprise a housing (101) and a backrest support (160) configured to rotate relative to the housing (101). A locking mechanism (200a) comprising a first latch (202) may be coupled to the backrest support (160). A releasing member (170) may be in operable communication with the first latch (202). The releasing member (170) may be configured to rotate the first latch (202) relative to the backrest support (160). The releasing member (170) may be located behind a cushion (122) coupled to the backrest support (160).