Aircraft Seat Fitting Offset Pin Longitudinal Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seat fittings can only be connected to a floor rail in a limited number of discrete positions, restricting the precision of the longitudinal position of aircraft seats to approximately one inch, which limits flexibility and precision in seating arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a second holding body with a one-inch longitudinal spacing from the first holding body and an offset pin arrangement allows for more flexible and precise longitudinal positioning of aircraft seats by enabling intermediate positions between standard settings, using a tensioning element to secure the seat fitting against the floor rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pin is arranged directly above the holding body (zero offset), then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the longitudinal position of the aircraft seat can only be selected with a precision of one inch
Solution Approach 1:
The seat fitting is divided into two functional components: the holding body that engages with the floor rail at standardized positions, and the pin that extends upward at an offset position to provide intermediate longitudinal positioning. This segmentation allows the holding body to maintain simple engagement while the pin provides precise positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin is intentionally positioned asymmetrically relative to the holding body, with a longitudinal offset between zero and one inch. This asymmetric arrangement enables the pin to engage with intermediate positions on the floor rail that are not aligned with the holding body, thereby achieving longitudinal position precision finer than one inch while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized floor rails with 1-inch spaced recesses are used, then the floor rail structure is simple and standardized, but the longitudinal position of aircraft seats cannot be selected as desired
Solution Approach 1:
The offset pin acts as an intermediary element between the standardized floor rail and the aircraft seat. While the holding body engages with the standardized 1-inch spaced recesses, the pin extends to intermediate longitudinal positions, mediating between the standardized rail positions and the desired precise seat placement locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a longitudinal offset dimension to the vertical engagement of the holding body. By positioning the pin at an offset in the longitudinal direction, the system transforms the single-degree-of-freedom vertical engagement into a two-degree-of-freedom system that accommodates both standardized positioning and intermediate precision positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat fitting connects an aircraft seat to a floor rail of an aircraft. The seat fitting comprises a vertically oriented pin, a web connected to the pin and a first holding body which projects in the lateral direction with respect to the web. The holding body is configured in order to engage behind a lip of the floor rail. The seat fitting further comprises a tensioning element in order to tension the holding body in the vertical direction against the lip of the floor rail. The seat fitting comprises a second holding body projecting in the lateral direction and having a spacing of an inch from the first holding body in the longitudinal direction, and that the pin is arranged with an offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the first holding body and the second holding body.