Rotatable Seat Base Insert With Indexed Cam Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastening systems for securing aircraft seat bases to floor rails often experience vibration and squeaking due to metal-on-metal contact, which can lead to instability and discomfort during flights.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system incorporating an indexed cam member with a rotatable insert made of compressible material, featuring a hexagonal head-receiving recess and a substantially-arcuate shelf with multiple ramped faces, which increases pressure levels as the bolt is turned, effectively reducing vibration and securing the seat base firmly to the rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fastening systems use metal-on-metal contact to secure seat bases to floor rails, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but vibration and squeaking increase leading to instability and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymeric insert as an intermediary component between the metal bolt and the metal seat base/floor rail interface. This insert acts as a mediator that maintains the structural connection while eliminating direct metal-on-metal contact, thereby reducing vibration and squeaking while preserving the fastening function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining polymeric material with metallic components in the fastening system. The polymeric insert is integrated with the metallic bolt assembly to create a hybrid structure that leverages the strength of metal and the vibration-dampening properties of polymer materials
2Strength
If the bolt is turned to increase pressure levels between the seat base and rail, then the securement strength is improved, but the complexity of the fastening operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotatable cam mechanism that transforms the simple rotational motion of turning a bolt into dynamic, indexed pressure increases. As the bolt is turned, the cam rotates and sequentially engages different positions, automatically creating indexed pressure levels without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed to automatically generate the desired pressure levels through its own rotation, eliminating the need for external tools or complex adjustment procedures. The system serves itself by converting the basic bolt rotation into automated, stepped pressure increases that secure the connection
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 system effectively reduces vibration and squeaking by creating indexed pressure levels between the seat base and the rail, ensuring a secure and stable attachment of the aircraft seat, enhancing passenger comfort and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
each insert having: an axially central bolt-receiving aperture; a head-receiving side having a head-securing recess, the recess being configured to receive and secure the tool-receiving configuration of each bolt, thus causing each insert to rotate with each bolt
Implementation Method 2
each of the one or more inserts are constructed of a compressible material having a compressibility and a coefficient of friction configured to avoiding galling of engaged seat structures during use
Implementation Method 3
the substantially-arcuate shelf having a plurality of variable thicknesses, each thickness in the plurality establishing a different compression level between the one or more lower ends of the flanges and the one on more upper surfaces adjacent to the flanges
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration-reducing insert is usable to reduce vibration or play between two metal aircraft components. The insert rotates on a fastener, and includes a shelf that projects into the gap and operates as an indexable cam to establish an appropriate compression in an engaged portion of the shelf.