Aircraft Seat Motion Control With Lever Arm and Metering Pin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern aircraft seats with adjustable systems often have complex and bulky components that are difficult to access, making it challenging to adjust features like vertical height, tracking position, and swivel position efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A motion control system with user-controlled sub-systems that include a lever arm and metering pin assembly, allowing synchronous force transmission through cables for adjustment operations, minimizing added weight and complexity while maintaining ergonomic accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable seating systems include numerous parts and bulky components to achieve multiple adjustment functions, then the adjustment capabilities are improved, but the device complexity and accessibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilitiesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single control device integrates multiple adjustment functions (vertical height, tracking position, swivel position) into one unified interface, allowing one component to perform multiple adjustment operations that would traditionally require separate mechanisms for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple adjustment mechanisms into a single integrated control device with a unified interface, merging separate adjustment functions (vertical, tracking, swivel) into one compact system that reduces overall complexity while maintaining full adjustability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable seating systems include numerous parts and bulky components, then the adjustment capabilities are improved, but the ease of operation is worsened due to difficult accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilitiesVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A single control device integrates multiple adjustment functions (vertical height, tracking position, swivel position) into one unified interface, allowing one component to perform multiple adjustment operations that would traditionally require separate mechanisms for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is positioned and designed to be easily accessible to users, with controls segmented into intuitive zones that correspond to different adjustment functions, making the system operable despite the complexity of multiple adjustment capabilities

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

Enables efficient and user-friendly adjustment of aircraft seat positions with minimal added weight and complexity, accommodating various user sizes and configurations within a low-profile design.

Implementation Method 1

the lever arm is configured to synchronously transmit a force to one or more cables in response to an actuation of the user control device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the metering pin configured to attach to an end portion of one or more cables and receive a force from the one or more cables causing the respective control sub-system to execute an adjustment control operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4311773A1Motion control system for an aircraft seat
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 AMI IND INC
  • EP4311773A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4311773A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4311773A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An aircraft seat (100) may include an integrated motion control system. The motion control system may include one or more user controlled sub-systems (200). Each sub-system may include at least one of a user control device (202), a lever arm (206), and a metering pin assembly (500). The lever arm may couple to the user control device and synchronously transmit a force to one or more cables (300) in response to an actuation of the user control device. The metering pin assembly may include a metering pin (504) which may be configured to attach to an end portion of the one or more cables and receive a force from the one or more cables causing the respective control sub-system to execute an adjustment control operation. The adjustment control operation may include a vertical position adjustment, a swivel position adjustment, or a track position adjustment.