Aircraft Seat Ball-and-Socket Studs for Floor Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat designs for motorized flying devices, such as airplanes and rotorcraft, inadequately address the random deformation of the aircraft floor during crashes, leading to uncertain stress distribution and passenger protection, as traditional solutions are often empirically tested and specific to predetermined crash scenarios, lacking a rigorous approach.
Innovation Solution
A seat with a hyperstatic support system incorporating a ball-and-socket mounting mechanism for the studs, allowing axial deformation and tilting to compensate for angular deviations of up to 10°, combined with a second energy absorption mechanism, ensures passenger safety by maintaining a constant seat plane and reducing torsional stresses, while maintaining a simple and lightweight structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sliding mechanisms with deformable retaining means are used to compensate for floor deformation, then the seat can adapt to predetermined crash scenarios, but the structure becomes complex and the protection is not rigorous enough for random crash effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stud assembly dynamically adaptable through ball-and-socket joints that allow automatic adjustment to random deformation directions. The studs can tilt and move axially within defined ranges, transforming the static connection into a dynamic system that responds to unpredictable crash conditions without requiring complex predetermined mechanisms for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through a single ball-and-socket mounted stud assembly that serves multiple functions: compensating for floor deformation in any direction, maintaining connection between tub and base, and providing energy absorption. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate specialized mechanisms for each crash scenario, reducing overall structural complexity while enhancing adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tub is firmly held on the base under normal operating conditions, then the seat is stable during use, but the seat cannot adequately compensate for random floor deformations during crash
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing a dynamic connection system where the ball-and-socket mounted studs provide firm holding during normal operation but automatically adjust to accommodate random floor deformations during crash. The axial deformability and tilting capability allow the connection to transition from a rigid stable state to an adaptable protective state as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the stud assembly to change its geometric parameters (axial position and angular orientation) within defined ranges in response to crash conditions. The studs can move axially by a predetermined amount and tilt within a defined angular range, changing the connection parameters to maintain both stability during normal operation and adaptability during crash while preserving passenger protection reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If empirical testing is used to evaluate seat protection, then development is simplified, but the protection design lacks rigor and cannot address random crash effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the design approach from empirical testing of static configurations to a dynamic design methodology that inherently accounts for random crash effects. The ball-and-socket mounted stud assembly with defined ranges of motion provides a rigorous design basis that can be analyzed deterministically, replacing the need for extensive empirical testing while maintaining or improving design rigor.
4Weight of moving object
If the seat structure is made simple to reduce mass, then the seat is lighter and more efficient, but the seat cannot provide comprehensive protection across various crash scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves comprehensive protection coverage with minimal added mass by employing a dynamic stud assembly that provides multiple protection functions through its ability to tilt and move axially. The ball-and-socket mounting enables the simple stud structure to adapt to various crash scenarios, achieving versatility without requiring complex additional components that would increase seat mass.
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 proposed seat effectively compensates for floor deformations and absorbs sudden changes in speed, providing comprehensive passenger protection across various crash scenarios without increasing the seat's size or mass, and allows for independent operation with other safety mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The studs are axially deformable between two abutment positions, which correspond to respective extreme thresholds of axial deformation of the studs
Implementation Method 2
a first mechanism for geometric compensation of a deformation of the floor, which is characterized in that the studs are mounted in a ball-and-socket mounting on said dedicated upright
Implementation Method 3
at least one axially deformable elastic sleeve slipped onto the tilting axis in axial interposition between one at least of said shoulders and respectively the dedicated upright and the frame against which it rests
Implementation Method 4
The elastic sleeve is composed of a set of washers stacked and independently deformable, which are shaped into a plate of the so-called 'Belleville' type
Implementation Method 5
a second mechanism for absorbing energy induced by a sudden change in speed of the device, which is characterized in that it allows relative movement between the seat and the base in the direction of extension of the uprights
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The seat has a base comprising longerons extended by a post (7), and a bucket seat in hyperstatic maintenance on the base, where the posts are carriers of the bucket seat via studs (10). An articulated geometric compensation mechanism compensates deformation of a floor and associates ball assembly of the studs on one of the posts or on a frame (9) of backrest of the bucket seat. The studs are arranged between opposing axial supports in axial deformation, where the axial supports are supported against the frame of the backrest and posts.