Passenger Seat Leg Crush Insert for Dynamic Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passenger seats in vehicles are prone to failure during dynamic events, leading to potential property damage and bodily harm due to insufficient energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a crushable insert and connector assembly in the seat leg, which includes a slot and a connector that deforms the insert to absorb energy during a dynamic event, maintaining the seat's attachment to the vehicle floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rigid seat leg structure is used, then the seat maintains structural strength and stability, but the seat fails during dynamic events due to insufficient energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
A crushable insert is pre-installed within the seat leg structure to provide energy absorption capability before dynamic events occur. The insert is positioned in advance within the leg's internal cavity, ready to deform and absorb impact energy when turbulence or collisions happen, preventing seat failure while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat leg structure incorporates a crushable insert that changes its physical state from rigid to deformed during dynamic events. The insert's material properties are selected to allow controlled deformation at specific energy thresholds, transforming the leg's behavior from purely rigid to a system that can dissipate energy through controlled parameter changes in the insert.
2Reliability
If a crushable insert is added to the seat leg, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat leg is segmented into distinct functional zones: the external rigid shell maintaining structural strength, the internal crushable insert for energy absorption, and the connector assembly for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable energy absorption without requiring complete redesign of the entire leg structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The crushable insert is nested within the internal cavity of the seat leg, with the connector assembly also integrated within the same space. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization, allowing multiple functional elements to coexist within the existing leg envelope without significantly increasing external dimensions or overall structural complexity.
3Loss of energy
If the connector assembly deforms the crushable insert during dynamic events, then energy is absorbed effectively, but the connector must move within the slot which may affect attachment stability
Solution Approach 1:
The slot acts as an intermediary mechanism between the connector and the crushable insert. It provides a controlled path for connector movement while maintaining the connection to the track fitting assembly. The slot guides the connector's displacement, ensuring that energy absorption through insert deformation occurs without compromising the overall attachment stability to the vehicle floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to move within the slot during normal operation and during dynamic events. This controlled mobility enables the system to adapt to varying load conditions, absorbing energy through insert deformation while maintaining stable attachment through the track fitting connection that remains engaged throughout the motion range.
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 energy, minimizing detachment and potential damage to the seat and vehicle, thereby enhancing safety during dynamic events.
Implementation Method 1
the connector may be configured to deform the crushable insert during a dynamic event
Implementation Method 2
the connector is configured to deform the crushable insert during a dynamic event
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger seat assembly includes a leg, a crushable insert, and a connector assembly. The leg includes an end and a slot extending through the leg proximate to the end, and the slot has a first slot end a second slot end. The crushable insert is retained within the slot, and the connector assembly may connect the leg with a track fitting assembly. The connector assembly includes at least one connector that is at least partially positioned within the slot between the second slot end and the crushable insert such that the connector deforms the crushable insert during a dynamic event.