Variable section bench for seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft passenger seats require additional structural members to support lateral loads, which increases weight and complexity, while regulatory requirements demand seats that can withstand significant inertial and deformation loads during hard landings and crashes.
Innovation Solution
A variable section bench design with an upper, middle, and lower layer, featuring increased thickness at frame interface portions and reduced thickness at cantilevered sections, eliminating the need for separate structural members by integrating load transfer into the seat framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional seats use a framework arrangement with separate structural members to support lateral loads, then structural strength and stability are improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lateral support function into the seat pan itself by creating variable thickness sections. The seat pan integrates both seating functionality and lateral load support, eliminating the need for separate structural members. The increased thickness at specific locations provides the necessary structural strength while maintaining a simplified single-piece framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat pan features variable thickness with localized increased thickness at specific sections where lateral load support is needed. This local quality enhancement provides structural strength precisely where required without adding complexity throughout the entire framework. The thickness varies from standard to increased thickness in specific zones to optimize both strength and weight.
2Force
If separate structural members are added to support lateral loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral load support function is merged into the seat pan structure itself through variable thickness sections. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate structural members, thereby supporting lateral loads without increasing overall seat weight. The seat pan simultaneously performs seating and lateral support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the seat pan is changed locally to provide enhanced load-bearing capacity. By increasing thickness at specific sections rather than throughout the entire structure, the patent achieves improved lateral load support while minimizing weight increase. The thickness parameter varies spatially to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio.
3Strength
If seat pan thickness is increased throughout to improve strength, then structural strength is improved, but weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing thickness throughout the seat pan, the patent applies increased thickness only at specific sections where lateral load support is required. This localized approach provides necessary structural strength while minimizing material usage. The seat pan transitions between standard and increased thickness zones based on functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter is varied spatially across the seat pan structure. By changing the thickness parameter locally rather than globally, the patent achieves improved structural strength at critical locations without proportionally increasing overall material usage. The parameter change is targeted to optimize the strength-to-material ratio.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable section bench for a vehicle seat includes: an upper layer, a middle layer, and a lower layer. The variable section bench also includes at least one frame interface portion comprising a fore-aft section, at least one cantilevered portion comprising a fore-aft section, and a seating surface that extends along a full length of the vehicle seat in a lateral direction for a plurality of passengers. The at least one frame interface portion of the variable section bench includes increased thickness compared to the at least one cantilevered portion.