Aircraft Seat Fixing Device with Dual Force Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat fixing devices for vehicles, particularly aircraft, face a contradiction between meeting safety strength requirements and achieving a minimum unladen weight, as they need to retain integrity during impacts while minimizing weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A seat fixing device with a force transmission unit that provides a first force application path in normal operating mode and initiates a second force application path during impacts, using a serial arrangement of construction elements and mechanical deformation to absorb overload, allowing for lightweight and cost-effective design without compromising safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mechanical strength requirements are increased to meet safety regulations during impact events, then the safety and integrity of the seat fixing device is improved, but the weight and cost of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission unit transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic system that changes its force transmission characteristics based on load conditions. During normal operation, it transmits forces through the first force application path, but during impact events exceeding the threshold value, it deforms to activate a second force application path, thereby adapting its mechanical behavior to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its mechanical parameters by deforming the force transmission unit when impact forces exceed a predefined threshold. This deformation alters the force transmission characteristics, switching from a single force application path to a dual force application path configuration, thereby changing how forces are distributed and absorbed in the system.
2Reliability
If the mechanical strength requirements are increased to meet safety regulations during impact events, then the safety and integrity of the seat fixing device is improved, but the complexity and cost of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission unit transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic system that changes its force transmission characteristics based on load conditions. During normal operation, it transmits forces through the first force application path, but during impact events exceeding the threshold value, it deforms to activate a second force application path, thereby adapting its mechanical behavior to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The force transmission unit automatically detects when impact forces exceed the threshold value and self-activates the second force application path through its own deformation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external sensors, control systems, or active components to detect and respond to impact events, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety functionality.
3Device complexity
If the first force application path is used for all operating conditions, then the structure can be simplified, but the safety requirements during impact events cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission unit transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic system that changes its force transmission characteristics based on load conditions. During normal operation, it transmits forces through the first force application path, but during impact events exceeding the threshold value, it deforms to activate a second force application path, thereby adapting its mechanical behavior to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with a predefined threshold value that anticipates impact events. When forces exceed this threshold, the force transmission unit is pre-configured to deform and activate the second force application path, providing beforehand prepared protection against impact loads without requiring complex real-time decision-making or control systems.
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 solution effectively absorbs mechanical overload during impacts using linear-elastic deformation, reducing mechanical strength requirements for comfort-enhancing components, thus saving costs and weight while ensuring safety compliance.
Implementation Method 1
mechanical overload occurring because of the impact event can be absorbed by existing, mechanically stable components
Data Source
AI summary
A seat fixing device for fixing a vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, to at least one fixing rail that is attached to a vehicle structure, comprising a fixing means that is to be coupled to the at least one fixing rail, and comprising a force transmitting unit that is used in a normal olperating mode to provide a first force application path of a weight and acceleration force that is introduced into the vehicle structure via the vehicle seat. The force transmitting unit has a transmitting means that is used in an impact mode to at least initiate a generation of at least one second force application path of the weight and acceleration force that is introduced into the vehicle structure via the vehicle seat.