Aircraft Seat Locking Stud With Tool-Free Track Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft seating assemblies face challenges in maintaining a secure fit between locking mechanisms and tracks due to loose fits, leading to undesirable movement, and existing solutions require tools for tightening, which can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a track locking assembly that includes a plunger and nut system with a bias element, such as a coil spring, which allows for manual locking and secure engagement of the track foot assemblies into the track, using a pin member with threaded inserts and locking adhesive to prevent loosening, and a cam mechanism for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin or bolt mechanism is used to lock the seat to the track, then the locking function is achieved, but the fit becomes loose over time requiring tools for tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to self-tighten through the cam action during installation. The cam profile converts the insertion motion into a tightening action that automatically secures the pin against the locking feature without requiring external tools. This eliminates the need for manual tightening operations while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism performs the tightening action during the installation process itself, before the seat is put into service. The cam profile is designed to progressively tighten the connection as the pin is inserted and the seat is loaded, ensuring proper fit is achieved automatically without requiring subsequent tool-based tightening.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a tight fit is maintained between the pin and locking feature, then movement is minimized, but installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides a dynamic tightening process where the fit evolves from loose during insertion to tight during operation. The cam profile allows the pin to be easily inserted with minimal resistance, then progressively tightens the connection as the cam rotates and the seat is loaded, achieving both easy installation and stable joint composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accommodates easy installation during the preliminary insertion phase, then automatically transitions to a tight fit through cam action and load-induced tightening. This separates the installation phase from the operational phase, allowing each to be optimized independently.
3Ease of manufacture
If a loose fit is used between the pin and locking feature, then installation is easier, but undesirable play or movement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions dynamically from a loose fit during installation to a tight fit during operation. The cam mechanism and load-induced deformation work together to eliminate play after installation, providing easy installation initially, then automatically achieving joint stability through the cam's tightening action and the pin's deformation under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the pin changes from undeformed during insertion to deformed under operational load. This parameter change in the pin's shape and stiffness transforms the joint from loose during installation to tight and stable during use, without requiring different components for each phase.
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
This solution provides a secure, tool-free locking mechanism that minimizes movement and loosening between the seat frame and track, ensuring stable seating while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by hand, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger and nut system with a bias element, such as a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
locking adhesive to prevent loosening
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
A seat assembly (100) for an aircraft is disclosed. The seat assembly (100) includes a seat frame (193), a track (103) and a track lock assembly (200, 300, 400) slidably connecting the seat frame (193) to the track (103). The track lock assembly (200, 300, 400) includes a track foot body (202, 302, 402) configured for sliding translation within the track, a pin member having a first end configured for threaded engagement with the track foot body (202, 302,402) and a second end, and a plunger (220, 320, 420) configured for sliding engagement with the pin member (212, 312, 412) between the first end and the second end and for locking engagement with the track lock assembly (200, 300, 400).