Aircraft Seatback Structure With Interchangeable Custom Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seatbacks, particularly in aircraft, are limited in design once produced and certified, making it difficult to customize aesthetics and integrate functional features without recertification.
Innovation Solution
A seatback structure with a partially circumferential outer edge and recess that allows for detachable, interchangeable decorative panels, which can be easily installed and customized without tools, enabling airlines to adapt designs and integrate supplemental features like amenity holders and safety cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional seatback design is used, then structural integrity and certification compliance are maintained, but design customization and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is divided into a permanent structural portion and interchangeable panel portions. The structural portion maintains certification compliance, while the interchangeable panels enable design customization without requiring recertification of the entire seatback assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback structure is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate multiple different panel types. This allows the same structural base to support various customized panels for different airlines or applications, achieving multi-functionality while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom seatbacks are produced for each airline, then design customization is achieved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the seatback into a reusable structural base and interchangeable panels, only the panels need to be produced in different designs. The structural base can be manufactured once and reused across multiple customizations, significantly reducing production time and cost compared to producing entirely custom seatbacks for each airline.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural base is pre-manufactured and certified in advance. When customization is needed, only the panels require production and installation, eliminating the need for time-consuming recertification processes that would be required if entire seatbacks were custom-produced.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional seatback design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of customization and modification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is segmented into a simple permanent structure and interchangeable panels. The permanent structure maintains manufacturing simplicity, while the panel interchangeability system provides ease of customization through a standardized mounting interface that requires minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The customizable elements (panels) are extracted as separate, removable components from the main seatback structure. This allows the core structure to remain simple and easy to manufacture, while customization is achieved through external panels that can be easily attached and detached without complicating the fundamental structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure provide a seatback for a vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft seat, comprising a seatback structure that includes a rear side having a partially circumferential outer edge and a recess which is partially surrounded by the outer edge. The recess is configured to retain a panel at least partially arranged within the recess and at least partially covered by the outer edge. The panel is detachable retained to and/or in the recess and is configured as an interchangeable and customized part.