Aircraft Seat Speed Control via Compressible Cam-Roller Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft seat return systems using gas or hydraulic jacks are expensive, heavy, and prone to reliability issues, posing safety concerns due to uncontrolled speed during automatic folding.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical seat speed reduction system incorporating a cam-shaped plate and a roller that compresses to absorb kinetic energy, reducing the seat's movement speed, eliminating the need for fluids and minimizing parts, resulting in a lightweight and maintainable solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If gas or hydraulic jacks are used to control seat return speed, then speed control is achieved, but weight increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat return speed controlVSAvoidseat system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fluid-based mechanical system (gas or hydraulic jacks) with a purely mechanical speed reduction system consisting of a cam-shaped plate and roller. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy fluid reservoirs and complex sealing systems while maintaining speed control functionality through mechanical energy absorption during the seat return motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential speed control function from the complex gas/hydraulic jack system and implements it through a simplified mechanical arrangement. By removing the fluid-based components and retaining only the necessary mechanical elements (cam plate and roller), the system achieves weight reduction while preserving the core speed limitation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If gas or hydraulic jacks are used to control seat return speed, then speed control is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat return speed controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components (cam-shaped plate and roller) that can be manufactured using basic machining processes. These components are simpler and cheaper than gas or hydraulic jacks, which require precision manufacturing, specialized materials, and complex assembly procedures. The mechanical system offers a cost-effective alternative while achieving the same speed control objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If gas or hydraulic jacks are used to control seat return speed, then speed control is achieved, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat return speed controlVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical speed reduction system operates autonomously without requiring external power sources, fluid reservoirs, or complex control systems. The cam-shaped plate and roller automatically absorb kinetic energy during seat return motion, providing inherent speed control that is less prone to failure compared to gas or hydraulic systems that may suffer from leaks, seal degradation, or pressure loss over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Speed

If gas or hydraulic jacks are used to control seat return speed, then speed control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat return speed controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the speed control function into distinct mechanical components: the cam-shaped plate that defines the motion profile and the roller that follows the cam contour. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components compared to the integrated but complex gas or hydraulic jack system, facilitating easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while achieving the same speed control objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 limits seat speed during automatic return, enhancing safety and reducing weight by at least five times compared to gas spring systems, while maintaining reliability and ease of maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the two elements, among said roller and said cam-shaped plate, being able to compress when the roller moves so as to absorb kinetic energy from said seat to reduce its movement speed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy absorption through compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3307622B1Aircraft folding seat with mechanical system for damper the seat retraction

Publication Date: 2019.07.31 ZODIAC SEATS FRANCE

Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates mainly to a seat (10) intended for being installed in an aircraft, comprising: a backrest (13); a seat portion (12) rotatably mounted about an axis (X) relative to said backrest (13) between an extended position and a folded position; a return system (16) capable of automatically moving the seat portion (12) from the extended position to the folded position; and a mechanical system (17) for reducing the speed of the seat portion (12), comprising: a cam-shaped plate (22) and a roller (21) capable of moving along an edge (23) of said cam-shaped plate (22) during a movement of said seat portion (12) from said extended position to said folded position generated by said return system (16), at least one of the two elements, among said roller (21) and said cam-shaped plate (22), being capable of compressing during the movement of the roller (21) so as to absorb kinetic energy of said seat portion (12) in order to reduce the movement speed thereof.