Aircraft Seat Lock Mechanism Wire Mounting and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lock mechanism for aircraft passenger seats experiences reduced movement of lock pins due to wire stretching, leading to malfunction and requiring frequent maintenance, including wire trimming and reconnection, which also compromises the rigidity of the wire mounting bracket.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism with a handle unit featuring a center hole and side wire mounting holes, where the wires pass through slits communicating with the center hole, allowing for easy maintenance and using lightweight materials like aluminum alloy to maintain rigidity and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal wires are used to connect the handle unit and lock pins, then the lock mechanism can be operated, but the wires stretch over time causing reduced lock pin movement and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal wire to nylon cord, which has different physical properties including resistance to stretching. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational reliability while preventing the length change that causes malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a replaceable nylon cord that can be easily replaced when worn, accepting that the cord has a limited service life. This approach prioritizes reliability during the service period and simplifies maintenance compared to attempting to extend the life of metal wires.
2Ease of repair
If the wire mounting bracket is made rigid to prevent wire stretching, then maintenance becomes difficult, but if it is made accessible for maintenance, then structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wire mounting bracket into a fixed portion attached to the seat frame and a movable portion that can be detached. This allows the bracket to maintain structural integrity when closed while enabling easy access for wire replacement during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mounting bracket incorporates a movable cover that can open and close, transforming the static rigid structure into a dynamic one that adapts between providing structural support and enabling maintenance access.
3Productivity
If traditional wire mounting structures are used, then the bracket requires frequent maintenance, but the overall seat weight remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from metal wires to nylon cords, which are lighter in weight and require less frequent maintenance. This parameter change simultaneously addresses both the productivity concern (reduced maintenance frequency) and the weight concern (lighter materials).
Data Source
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Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
In order to improve ease of maintenance of an aircraft passenger seat, the aircraft passenger seat 100 is adapted to be changeable between an upright position and a bed mode position at which the backrest is folded forward. A mechanism for locking the seat at each of the positions is provided with lock pins 350 provided on both sides of the backrest, a handle unit 200 mounted to a rear face of the backrest, and two wires 300 for connecting the handle unit 200 and the lock pins 350. A structure for connecting the wires 300 to the handle unit 200 is improved to facilitate the maintenance of the wires and to make the handle unit lightweight.