Undulated Aircraft Seat Frame Beams for Dynamic Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft seat frame beam members with uniform axial cross-sections lack sufficient elasticity and energy absorption capacity to handle dynamic loads encountered during flight, which can lead to increased stress and potential damage or injury.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of undulations in the tubular volume of frame beam members, which can be fabricated from composite materials like fiber-reinforced polymers, allows for additional local bending deformation and enhanced energy absorption under dynamic loads, combining stiffness and strength properties for static and quasi-static conditions with increased elasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If uniform axial cross-section is used in frame beam members, then stiffness and strength are improved for static and quasi-static loads, but elasticity and energy absorption capability deteriorate under dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The frame beam member incorporates undulated portions at specific locations along its length, creating local variations in geometry. These undulated portions have different cross-sectional characteristics compared to the uniform sections, allowing the beam to exhibit enhanced elasticity and energy absorption at these localized regions while maintaining overall structural strength and stiffness in the uniform sections.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform axial cross-section is used in frame beam members, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but dynamic load resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame beam member is divided into distinct segments: uniform axial cross-section portions and undulated portions. The uniform segments can be manufactured using conventional processes, while the undulated segments are introduced as specific geometric features at predetermined locations. This segmentation allows the beam to achieve enhanced dynamic load resistance through the undulated portions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity in the uniform sections.
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 undulated design of frame beam members provides enhanced dynamic response, reducing the risk of damage to the aircraft seat frame and improving occupant safety and comfort by absorbing energy effectively during dynamic events.
Implementation Method 1
the undulations allow for additional local bending deformation and enhanced energy absorption under dynamic loads
Implementation Method 2
enhanced capability to absorb energy of the dynamic loads
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A frame beam member may include a tubular volume. The tubular volume may include at least one wall (200) with one or more undulations (202, 204) in a radial direction along a length of the tubular volume. The one or more undulations may be configured to allow the tubular volume to absorb energy of a load applied during a flight scenario through local bending of the one or more undulations. The one or more undulations may be configured to have a first curvature when unloaded, and may be configured to have a second curvature when the load is applied. The second curvature may be different than the first curvature. The frame beam member may be one of a plurality of frame beam members of the aircraft seat frame. The plurality of frame beam members may be configured to couple to a plurality of joints of the aircraft seat frame.