Variable-Length Rail Cover for Seat Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail covers for seat rails in passenger cabins do not easily accommodate variable seat configurations, leading to irregularities and exposure to dirt and tripping hazards due to fixed lengths and lack of adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A rail cover with movable longitudinal sections and a resilient coupling element that allows for variable length adjustment, ensuring continuous coverage of the seat rail between seats with changing distances, using a combination of overlapping sections and clamping elements for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length rail cover is used to cover the seat rail, then the rail cover can protect the seat rail, but it cannot accommodate variable seat configurations and creates irregularities when seat distances change
Solution Approach 1:
The rail cover is divided into multiple longitudinal sections (first longitudinal section, second longitudinal section, etc.) that can move independently relative to each other. Each section has first and second partial longitudinal sections that can overlap and separate, allowing the cover to adapt its total length while maintaining structural integrity through resilient coupling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail cover transitions from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic variable-length structure. The longitudinal sections are configured to be movable with respect to one another, enabling the rail cover to dynamically adjust its length according to the distance between seats while maintaining continuous coverage through overlapping sections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rail cover is made adjustable to accommodate variable seat distances, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rail cover is segmented into multiple longitudinal sections connected by resilient coupling elements, allowing independent movement of each section. This segmentation enables length adjustment without requiring complex mechanical systems, as each section can move relative to its neighbors through simple resilient connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient coupling elements act as flexible connections between longitudinal sections, allowing the rail cover to bend and adjust its length. These flexible elements provide the necessary movement capability while maintaining structural continuity and coverage of the seat rail.
3Adaptability or versatility
If longitudinal sections are made movable to allow length adjustment, then adaptability improves, but the risk of sections separating and creating tripping hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient coupling elements are pre-configured to automatically pull the longitudinal sections together when the external expanding force is removed. This preliminary action ensures that sections return to their coupled state, maintaining continuous coverage and preventing gaps that could create tripping hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient coupling elements use the natural tendency of elastic materials to return to their original shape after deformation. The expansion force that separates the sections for adjustment is converted into a restoring force that automatically brings the sections back together, ensuring continuous coverage without additional locking mechanisms.
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 rail cover provides flexible length adjustment to accommodate varying seat distances, ensuring effective coverage and protection against dirt and tripping hazards, while maintaining secure attachment to the seat rail without requiring removal for seat displacement.
Implementation Method 1
The rail cover (100) comprises a resilient coupling element, wherein the resilient coupling element mechanically couples the first longitudinal section to the second longitudinal section, wherein the resilient coupling element is configured to bring the first longitudinal section, with respect to the second longitudinal section, out of the expanded state into the non-expanded state.
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3A~5
Figure 6~7B
AI summary
A rail cover (100) for a seat rail (200) comprises: a plurality of longitudinal section parts (150), wherein each longitudinal section part (150) comprises a first partial longitudinal section (153) and a second partial longitudinal section (154), which abut one another in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal section part. A first longitudinal section part (150A) is movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail cover with respect to a second longitudinal section part (150B) abutting the first longitudinal section part (150A) in the longitudinal direction (145) of the rail cover, wherein in a non-expanded state of the rail cover (100), the first partial longitudinal section (153B) of the second longitudinal section part (150B) overlaps the second partial longitudinal section (154A) of the first longitudinal section part (150A) in the longitudinal direction of the rail cover.