Translating, locking, and rotating leg rest mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foot and leg rest systems in aircraft seats face challenges due to space and weight limitations, requiring complex actuator systems and control mechanisms for effective deployment and retraction.
Innovation Solution
A deployment mechanism that uses a single linear actuator to control the sequential translation and rotation of the leg rest, ensuring it remains upright only when fully translated and prevents translation while in an upright orientation, utilizing a translation lock and rotation arm to manage these movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional actuator systems are used for leg rest deployment, then reliable sequential control of translation and rotation is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines translation and rotation actuation into a single linear actuator system. The linear actuator drives translation through direct connection, and through the rotation arm mechanism, the same actuator also controls rotation. This merging of functions reduces the number of actuators from multiple to one, simplifying the system while maintaining reliable sequential control through the interlocked translation lock and rotation arm mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single linear actuator serves multiple functions: it provides the primary driving force for translation, and through the rotation arm linkage, it also controls the rotation operation. The actuator system is designed to perform both translation and rotation functions, eliminating the need for separate actuators for each movement type and reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are used for leg rest deployment, then precise control of translation and rotation is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator functions into a single linear actuator. The same actuator that drives translation also controls rotation through the rotation arm mechanism, reducing the total weight of the actuator system while maintaining precise control through the interlocked mechanical linkage between translation lock and rotation arm.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the leg rest is allowed to rotate during translation, then deployment flexibility increases, but control precision and safety decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The translation lock mechanism prevents rotation during the translation phase by mechanically interlocking the rotation arm with the translation assembly. Only after translation is complete does the lock disengage, allowing rotation to begin. This preliminary prevention of premature rotation ensures precise control and safety, while still providing the flexibility of sequential deployment modes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foot and leg rest deployment mechanism prevents the leg rest from rotating into an upright, deployed orientation until fully translated. Likewise, the deployment mechanism prevents the leg rest from translating while in an upright orientation. A rotation arm (504) with a rotation locking channel prevents rotation until a locking arm (504) is disengaged from the rotation locking channel via the locking arm engaging a translation locking portion of a translation channel. A single, linear actuator (414) applies a force to cause both translation and rotation where the leg rest deployment mechanism controls the order of steps of deployment.