Spring-Loaded Leg Rest Housing for Accessible Life Jacket Stowage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger seat designs that accommodate life jackets either limit storage space or make the jacket difficult to access, particularly when stored under the seat or in seats with leg rests.

Innovation Solution

A pivoting leg rest with a housing device that securely stores the life jacket, featuring two housing halves connected by a spring device, allowing for easy access and storage optimization by pivoting from a closed to an open position, and vice versa, with a locking mechanism for secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the life jacket is stored under the seat cushion or below the armrest, then storage space is provided, but access to the life jacket is difficult or storage space for other components is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to life jacketVSAvoidstorage space for other components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separable halves that can pivot relative to each other, creating an accessible opening while maintaining a compact closed structure. This segmentation allows the life jacket to be easily accessed by opening the housing without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic open structure through pivoting movement. The spring device enables automatic opening and closing actions, making the housing adaptable between storage mode (closed) and access mode (open).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the life jacket is placed below the armrest, then storage is provided, but the life jacket is comparatively difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaccessibility of life jacket
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separable halves that can pivot relative to each other, creating an accessible opening while maintaining a compact closed structure. This segmentation allows the life jacket to be easily accessed by opening the housing without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring device automatically opens the housing when the life jacket needs to be accessed, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of latches or locks. The housing serves itself by using the spring's stored energy to perform the opening action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the life jacket is stored under the seat cushion of a passenger seat with a leg rest, then storage is provided, but the life jacket is not accessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaccessibility of life jacket
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing transitions from a static closed structure to a dynamic open structure through pivoting movement. The spring device enables automatic opening and closing actions, making the housing adaptable between storage mode (closed) and access mode (open).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring device automatically opens the housing when the life jacket needs to be accessed, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of latches or locks. The housing serves itself by using the spring's stored energy to perform the opening action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates easy access to the life jacket while optimizing storage space, ensuring the life jacket is securely protected and reducing the risk of tripping hazards during emergency situations.

Implementation Method 1

the device has a spring device, wherein the first housing half is subjected to a force relative to the second housing half by a spring force of the spring device, such that the first housing half can be moved from an open position relative to the second housing half towards a closed position relative to the second housing half

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4114736B1Leg rest for an aircraft passenger seat, comprising a device
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 ZIM AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH
  • EP4114736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4114736B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4114736B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A leg rest for an aircraft passenger seat, comprising a device, wherein: the device has a housing; the housing has a first and a second housing half; the two housing halves are pivotally connected to one another; the housing is designed such that a life jacket for an aircraft passenger can be stowed therein; the device is provided on a main structure of the leg rest; the first housing half is spring-loaded with respect to the second housing half by the spring force of a spring device of the device, such that the first housing half can be moved from an open position relative to the second housing half towards a closed position relative to the second housing half.