Aircraft Seat Track Fitting With Elastic Locking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seat track fittings often experience unstable locking positions and insufficient clamping force, particularly under stress conditions such as vibration, due to inadequate locking systems and geometrical tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A seat track fitting design featuring a stud with a spacer and a locking mechanism comprising an elastic fitting with a U shape, connected by a resilient member, and an activation mechanism with pivotally coupled legs, allowing for tool-free locking and unlocking without requiring excessive force, and an overload path system to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking system with a lever and hook is used to secure the seat to the track, then the seat can be locked in place, but the locking position becomes unstable under stress conditions such as vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static lever-hook system to a dynamic spring-loaded system where the resilient member continuously applies clamping force. The spring effect allows the locking arms to dynamically adapt to vibrations and stress conditions while maintaining stable engagement with the track, preventing the locking position from becoming unstable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the locking system by introducing elastic deformation through the resilient member. The spring effect transforms the rigid locking arms into flexible components that can deform elastically under stress, absorbing vibrations and maintaining reliable locking engagement without losing positional stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a screw mechanism is used to generate clamping force, then infinite adjustment is possible to compensate for tolerances, but a hand tool is necessary and clamping torque must be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member serves itself by automatically generating the required clamping force through its spring effect. The system self-adjusts to compensate for geometrical tolerances between the seat attachment and track without requiring external tools or manual torque control, as the elastic deformation of the spring-loaded arms naturally accommodates tolerance variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the screw mechanism (which requires manual operation and torque control) with a spring-loaded mechanical system. The resilient member substitutes the need for threaded fasteners and hand tools by using elastic potential energy to generate and maintain clamping force automatically upon installation.
3Device complexity
If no locking system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the clamping force and security are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two functional components: the resilient member (spring-loaded arms) that generates clamping force, and the activation mechanism (trigger system) that controls locking and unlocking. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable clamping with a relatively simple structure, where each component has a specific function that contributes to overall effectiveness without excessive complexity.
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 design ensures secure attachment of the seat to the track with a stable clamping force, maintaining energy peak during stress conditions without the need for tools, and effectively compensates for geometrical tolerances, enhancing safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism comprising an elastic fitting (112) comprising an upper arm (116a) and a lower arm (116b) connected by a resilient member (120)
Implementation Method 2
an activation mechanism comprising an upper leg (124a) pivotally coupled to a lower leg (124b)
Data Source
AI summary
Described are seat track fittings (100) with a stud (102) having a spacer (104) separated from a lower flange (106), and a locking mechanism (110). The locking mechanism includes an elastic fitting (112) having an upper arm (116a) and a lower arm (116b) connected by a resilient member (120). An end of the upper arm and an end the lower arm are coupled to the stud, with the end of the upper arm positioned above the spacer, and the end of the lower arm positioned above the lower flange. An activation mechanism (114) is coupled to the elastic fitting to transition the seat track fitting between unloaded, unlocked, and locked positions.