Homogenous Chemical Bonding for Thermoplastic Seat Back Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial aircraft seat backs face challenges in achieving weight reduction while maintaining strength and durability, with existing manufacturing techniques being costly and prone to errors like delamination and reinforcement disassociation.

Innovation Solution

A unitary seat back assembly is formed via homogenous chemical bonding of thermoplastic components, incorporating a composite seat back cover with reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic layer, and a seat back frame with side rail, top rail main section, and top rail cap, all fused together to create a strong and lightweight structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional manufacturing techniques are used for seat backs, then strength requirements can be met, but weight reduction is limited and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat back weightVSAvoidseat back strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials consisting of thermoplastic matrix combined with reinforcing fibers (such as carbon or glass fibers) to create a seat back structure that achieves both weight reduction and enhanced strength. The composite construction allows optimization of the strength-to-weight ratio by selecting appropriate fiber types, orientations, and volume fractions within the thermoplastic matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The seat back is divided into multiple composite layers with different fiber orientations and material compositions. Each layer is designed to withstand specific stress patterns, allowing the overall structure to achieve maximum strength with minimum weight. The segmentation also enables targeted reinforcement in high-stress areas while using lighter materials in low-stress regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional manufacturing techniques are used for seat backs, then manufacturing can proceed with existing processes, but manufacturing errors like delamination and reinforcement disassociation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing errors (delamination, reinforcement disassociation)
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process utilizes the phase transition properties of thermoplastic materials, heating them above their melting point to achieve a molten state that readily wets and bonds with reinforcing fibers. During cooling, the thermoplastic solidifies, creating strong interlaminar bonds that prevent delamination and ensure reinforcement remains associated with the matrix throughout the product lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls manufacturing parameters such as temperature, pressure, and cooling rates to optimize the bonding between thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers. By precisely controlling these parameters during the molding process, the method prevents common defects like delamination and reinforcement disassociation while ensuring consistent product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are assembled for seat back, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but labor costs and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functional components into a single molded composite structure. The seat back cover, frame, and mounting elements are formed as one unified part through composite molding, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations. This merging reduces labor costs, assembly complexity, and potential assembly errors while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through mold design variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution reduces weight, labor costs, and manufacturing errors, while enhancing mechanical load-bearing capabilities and compliance with safety standards, such as FAR 25.853 and OSU55/55, by using high-strength-to-weight ratio thermoplastic materials and composites with integrated homogeneous connective interfaces.

Implementation Method 1

homogenous chemical bonding of thermoplastic components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The side rail, the top rail main section, and the top rail cap are fused to each other by a homogenous chemical bond

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomogenous chemical bond: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a layer of reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic layer surrounding the reinforcing fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10501190B2Method for homogenous thermoplastic seat back assembly
Publication Date: 2019.12.10 RELIANT WORLDWIDE PLASTICS LLC
  • US10501190B2 patent drawing
  • US10501190B2 patent drawing
  • US10501190B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A seat back assembly that includes a composite seat back cover. The composite seat back cover includes at least one composite layer, that includes a layer of reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic layer surrounding the reinforcing fibers. The thermoplastic layer is coextensive with the layer of reinforcing fibers. In various embodiments, the seat back includes a seat back frame. The seat back frame includes a side rail, a top rail main section, and a top rail cap. The side rail, the top rail main section, and the top rail cap are fused to each other by a homogenous chemical bond. A homogenous chemical bond is formed between the seat back cover and the seat back frame creating a unitary seat back assembly.