Aircraft Seat Base Unit Integrating Life Jacket Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft seat designs lack integration of life jacket modules in a compact and accessible manner while maintaining structural integrity and comfort, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for a lightweight yet rigid seat base unit with easy access to emergency equipment.
Innovation Solution
The seat base unit incorporates a receiving area with upper and lower wall elements, side wall elements, and a closure mechanism, designed from thin-walled fiber composite materials, allowing for a life jacket module to be stored and easily retrieved, with the seat adjustable between seated and comfort positions, ensuring accessibility and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a life jacket module is integrated into the seat base unit, then accessibility and compactness are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The life jacket module is merged with the seat base unit by integrating it into the receiving area formed by wall elements. The module becomes part of the seat structure, allowing easy access while maintaining compactness. The closure element further integrates the module by providing a closing mechanism that seals the receiving area when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The life jacket module is nested within the receiving area of the seat base unit. The module fits into the space delimited by upper, lower, and side wall elements, creating a compact integrated structure. The closure element can be stored within or attached to the seat base unit when not in use.
2Weight of moving object
If thin-walled fiber composite materials are used for the seat base unit, then weight is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seat base unit is constructed from thin-walled fiber composite materials that combine lightweight properties with high strength-to-weight ratio. The composite material structure provides both weight reduction and sufficient structural strength to support the seat and integrated life jacket module.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall elements are designed with locally optimized thickness and structural properties. Areas requiring higher strength have enhanced structural features, while other areas use thinner walls to reduce weight. The receiving area and closure mechanism are designed with appropriate local structural quality to accommodate the life jacket module while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving area is made accessible for easy retrieval, then ease of operation is improved, but the structural integrity of the seat base unit may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element provides a dynamic mechanism that allows the receiving area to be sealed when closed and opened when needed. The closure element can be actuated by a passenger to retrieve the life jacket module, providing easy access while maintaining structural integrity when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving area is segmented from the main seat base unit structure by the wall elements, creating a separate accessible space. This segmentation allows the life jacket module to be easily accessed through the closure mechanism while maintaining the structural integrity of the overall seat base unit.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention proceeds from a seating device having a seat base unit (18), in particular an aircraft seat base unit. According to the invention, the seat base unit (18) has a receiving region (32) for receiving a module, in particular a life jacket module (34), said module having at least one upper wall element (38) that forms at least one support surface for a comfort element (28).