Aircraft Seat Belt Locking to Fixed Base Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Premium aircraft seats with movable parts pose a challenge in securing passengers during extreme turbulence or crash conditions, as traditional seat belt attachments to the movable seat pan may not effectively transfer the passenger load to a fixed point, potentially leading to seat detachment and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A seat belt locking system that secures the seat belt to a fixed base frame using an angled track or a flyweight system, ensuring the load is directly transferred to the frame during extreme conditions, thereby preventing movement of the movable seat portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat belt is attached to the movable seat part, then the passenger can be retained in any seat position during normal operations, but the load cannot be effectively transferred to a fixed point during crash conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The seat belt system is segmented into two distinct attachment mechanisms: a movable attachment for normal operations and a fixed attachment for crash conditions. The movable attachment allows the seat belt to follow the movable seat part during recline, while the fixed attachment provides reliable load transfer to the base frame during crash events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two operational states: during normal operations, the seat belt attaches to the movable seat part to accommodate position changes; during crash conditions, the load automatically transfers to the fixed attachment point on the base frame, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If electromagnetic locker pins or actuator brakes are used to secure the movable seat part, then crash conditions can be sustained, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the crash securing function from the movable seat part and relocates it to the fixed base frame. By attaching the seat belt directly to the base frame through a fixed attachment point, the system eliminates the need for electromagnetic locker pins or actuator brakes on the movable seat part, reducing weight while maintaining crash sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of securing the movable seat part to the base frame during crash (as in traditional designs), the invention inverts the approach by directly attaching the seat belt to the fixed base frame, bypassing the movable seat part entirely for crash load transfer. This eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms on the movable portion.
3Force
If the movable seat part is secured to the base frame in upright position, then load transfer is improved, but seat motion and passenger movement are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The seat belt system acts as an intermediary that connects the passenger to both the movable seat part and the fixed base frame. During normal operations, the movable attachment allows free seat motion; during crash conditions, the fixed attachment provides rigid load transfer, mediating between the conflicting requirements of motion freedom and load transfer.
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 locks the seat belt to a fixed point, reducing the risk of seat detachment and enhancing passenger safety by minimizing the load path and reducing the need for additional reinforcement, resulting in a lighter and more cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
Another embodiment may use a flyweight system
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for locking a seat belt with respect to a fixed base frame to prevent movement of a movable seat portion in the event of a crash or crash-like condition on an aircraft.