Aircraft Seat Support Linkage for Lateral Arc Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthogonal linear track systems for aircraft seat motion require all four rails to be locked for stability, leading to a large footprint, increased weight, and complex control mechanisms, limiting lateral motion and occupant comfort.
Innovation Solution
A support mechanism that moves angularly using a sturdy lower support link sweeping out a lateral arc with a parallelogram linkage, allowing for quasi-linear lateral movement and independent control of fore/aft motion, reducing the need for multiple rail locking and minimizing weight and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional orthogonal linear track systems are used with four rails spaced far apart for structural stability, then reliability is improved, but weight increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional system uses four separate linear rails that are segmented and spaced apart. The patent segments the tracking function into two independent single-rail mechanisms, each handling one degree of freedom (lateral and fore/aft motion separately), eliminating the need for four interconnected rails while maintaining structural stability through independent operation of each rail assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the redundant lateral rail from the conventional four-rail orthogonal system. By using a single linear rail for fore/aft motion combined with a pivot mechanism for lateral motion, the system removes unnecessary structural elements, reducing overall weight while preserving the required tracking functionality
2Reliability
If conventional orthogonal linear track systems lock all four rails for stability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into two independent single-rail locking systems rather than controlling four rails simultaneously. Each rail has its own independent locking mechanism that can be controlled separately, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining stability through independent securing of each degree of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex four-point simultaneous locking requirement by removing the redundant lateral rail. The simplified system requires locking only two separate single-rail mechanisms, dramatically reducing control mechanism complexity while maintaining structural stability through independent locking of each rail
3Reliability
If conventional orthogonal linear track systems use larger rails and bearings for stability, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical load is segmented and distributed across two independent single-rail mechanisms rather than four interconnected rails. Each rail handles a specific degree of freedom independently, allowing for optimized, lighter-weight rail and bearing components since each element carries only its specific load rather than sharing the total system load across four elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the redundant lateral rail and its associated heavy bearing structure. By using a pivot mechanism for lateral motion instead of a heavy linear rail, the system eliminates unnecessary weight while maintaining mechanical strength through the optimized single-rail fore/aft tracking mechanism that bears the primary structural loads
4Reliability
If conventional orthogonal linear track systems increase seat width to accommodate longer rails, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking range is segmented into two independent single-rail mechanisms rather than requiring one long four-rail system. Each single rail provides full fore/aft or lateral travel independently, eliminating the need to increase seat width to accommodate longer rails while maintaining the required tracking range through independent operation of each segmented mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A support for aircraft seats and other equipment has a lower support link that sweeps out a lateral arc. The lower support link supports a platform that may have a conventional linear track. The linear track provides fore/aft movement substantially orthogonal to a line tangent to the center of the lateral arc. A pilot link is attached to the platform to form a parallelogram linkage that maintains the equipment platform in a rotationally fixed attitude as the lower support link sweeps out its lateral arc.