RU2827660C1 - Vehicle seat backrest control system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aviation.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to passenger aircraft seats. Vehicle seat backrest control system comprises seat backrest locking device including spring-loaded (25) pin (24). Pin (24) is installed in the through holes of power beam (8) of the backrest and the power beam of the seat and is connected by means of cable (26) with the first drive mechanism made with the possibility to act on pin (24) to release the movement of the backrest. Second drive mechanism of backrest angle adjustment is connected with bracket (22) installed on backrest.

EFFECT: increasing the reliability of the seat backrest fixation and increasing the safety of using the seat in flight.

6 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The invention relates to equipping passenger vehicle cabins, in particular to passenger aircraft seats equipped with a reclining backrest.

In civil aviation, there are certain "aviation" rules, compliance with which when designing the structure of aircraft and aviation components of the product will ensure the further safety of passengers during operation. In the aviation rules, there is a clause describing the dynamic conditions of an emergency landing, the actual extreme conditions under which a person has a real chance of surviving the impact of large overloads and impacts. Similar to conducting car crash tests, a seat with a dummy simulating a person is installed on an acceleration stand, where significant overloads are applied to it and other negative conditions are created that complicate the testing.

According to statistics, the most dangerous modes of operation for an aircraft are takeoff and landing. During takeoff or landing, the seat backs must be in the vertical position, which is the safest in terms of an emergency.

There are various layouts and arrangements of passengers in the cabins of transport aircraft. In the classic "passenger" layout, the passenger seats are arranged in the direction of flight, the harness consists of a waist belt and the seats are located close to each other. The "flight" arrangement is very effective in terms of mass return when designing the seat power set, since the design only works in one direction.

In business class or in private jet configurations, seats of increased comfort are often used with the ability to move, turn, with functions of folding into a horizontal position, etc. As a rule, the use of this functionality is possible only during the flight, and at the takeoff/landing stage, passengers are located in the direction or against the direction of flight with the obligatory condition of a fastened seat belt and an upright position of the back.

A mechanism for tilting the backrest is known according to patent US3416839, published on 17.12.1968, comprising a seat power frame, backrests connected via a rocker to the base. Fastening to the base is carried out by a spring method. The disadvantage of this technical solution is the lack of fixation in selected positions and excessive elasticity of the structure, not applicable for air transport

A folding car seat is known according to patent US11351891B2, published 06/07/2022, comprising a backrest frame pivotally connected to the seat beams, attached by means of rockers to the floor rails. The mechanism for folding, unfolding and tilting the seat consists of an actuator connected via a gear transmission to the front seat rocker. The backrest power beam is controlled by the action of the seated passenger, the position is fixed by means of a locking mechanism located in the inner part of the backrest beam. The disadvantage of this technical solution is the distributed control and the mandatory presence of a synchronizer for separate control of the backrest position angle and folding/unfolding of the seat.

An aviation seat is known according to patent EP1670336A2, published on 21.06.2006. The seat consists of a base unit, a seat frame located above the base unit, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the seat includes such elements as an energy-absorbing base, a fully reclining backrest, and a seat that increases its angle relative to the horizontal as the seat backrest reclines. The seat and seat backrest can also assume a fully horizontal position when the seat backrest is fully reclined. A disadvantage of this technical solution is the deflection angle locking system in the form of a stop secured to a beam, providing rigid fixation of the backrest in only one of the directions of the load.

The technical task of the claimed invention is to develop a backrest tilting mechanism that provides the ability to tilt the backrest and reliably fix the backrest in a vertical “take-off” position.

The technical result consists in reliable fixation of the back of the transport seat at the required angle of inclination and increased safety of using the seat in flight.

The technical result is achieved in that the vehicle seat backrest position control system comprises a seat backrest position locking device, including a spring-pressed pin installed in through holes of the backrest power beam and the seat power beam and connected by means of a cable to the first drive mechanism, designed with the possibility of, upon supply of a control signal, acting on the pin to release the backrest movement, and also additionally comprises a second drive mechanism for adjusting the backrest angle, connected to a bracket installed on the seat backrest.

The invention is illustrated by the following drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a general view of the chair;

Fig. 2 shows a view of the backrest power frame with a connection unit with the seat frame;

Fig. 3 shows the connection unit of the bracket for mechanical control of the backrest installation angle with the vertical power beam;

Fig. 4 shows the backrest locking device in the locked position;

Fig. 5 shows the backrest locking device in an unlocked state;

Fig. 6 shows the manual release system for movement;

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a design with mechanical control of the backrest tilt angle;

Fig. 8 shows the summing mechanism of the mechanical backrest position control system.

The vehicle seat (Fig. 1) according to the present invention consists of a headrest 1, a backrest cushion 2, armrests 3, a control panel 4, a seat cushion 5, a retractable footrest 6, decorative elements 7 and a power frame (Fig. 2). A control panel with keys for controlling the backrest raising and lowering mechanism is located on the armrest.

The vehicle seat backrest position control system includes a seat backrest position locking device and a tilt angle control system. The seat design may include a mechanical or electromechanical control configuration.

The backrest frame (Fig. 2) consists of two vertical load-bearing beams 8 of the longitudinal load-bearing frame, profiles 9, 10 and 11 of the transverse load-bearing frame, front (not shown in Fig.) and rear skins 12, which form a closed contour together with the elements of the longitudinal and transverse load-bearing frame. The elements of the longitudinal load-bearing frame are made in the form of one-piece milled channel-shaped beams, which ensures high torsional resistance. The vertical load-bearing beams 8 are made with transverse stiffeners to increase the strength of the structure. The upper U-shaped profile 9 is placed on top of the power beams 8 in the recesses of the power beams 8 and forms with the lower U-shaped profile 11 and the sheathing 12 a closed profile contour, which is necessary to increase the torsional resistance of the structure, while the sheathing 12 is tightly pressed against the upper profile 9, the power beams 8 and the profiles 10 and 11, forming one plane.

In the upper part of the backrest there are guides 13 for the headrest lifting mechanism (not shown in the fig.). Between the trims 12 there is a seat control unit 14 and an inertial reel of the shoulder belt (not shown in the fig.). In the power beams there is an insert 15 made of structural steel, which is connected to the bracket 16 (fig. 3) via distance brackets 17.

The seat frame contains one-piece milled power beams 18 with an internal set of stiffening ribs, support tubes 19 and upper casing 20.

The backrest is connected to the power beams 48 via axles 21, which also serve to install brackets 22 (brackets 22 are necessary for local strengthening and installation of the backrest axles).

The backrest position locking device is located in the power beam 48 and includes a housing 23, a pin 24 installed in the through holes of the power beam 8, an insert 15, and a bracket 22. The pin 24 is pressed by a spring 25 located in the housing 23. The pin 24 is connected by means of a cable 26 to the drive device.

Electromechanical control of the release of the backrest position is carried out by sending a control signal from the control unit 14 through the solenoid 27. To obtain information about the retracted position of the solenoid and to send a signal for the backrest to deflect, a screw is provided in the solenoid pin, which moves in the oval groove of the bracket 49, preventing the pin from turning, and at the end of the screw, cylinders 29 are provided, which in the retracted position of the solenoid 27 act on the limit switch 28. To prevent the pin from going beyond the profile of the power beam, a sector plate 30 is provided in the design, fixed on the power beam 8 (Fig. 4, 5).

The electromechanical control of the backrest angle is carried out through the bracket 16 with the help of a drive device connected to it - a gear motor 31 when the passenger presses the control button on the armrest of the chair. The backrest tilt angle is set programmatically. Gear motor 31 is fixed on one side to the power beams 48 through the rotation bracket 32 and on the other side is fixed to the sheet bracket 33, fixed to the support pipes of the seat 19. When the backrest is rotated, the gear motor has the ability to tilt relative to the axis 34 (Fig. 2).

The seat is also provided with a manual (emergency) release system. This system is necessary to bring the seat to the takeoff position (the seat back in the vertical position) in the absence of power supply. Between the seat 5 and the armrests 3 there are three loops 35 (Fig. 6) with the emergency control designation applied, each of which controls the release of the motor-reducer rod 31. The route is a Bowden cable 36 with a steel rope crimped on both sides, at one end on the motor-reducer 31, at the other on the release strap. When the passenger pulls on the release strap 35, the passenger has the ability to manually bring the seat to the takeoff position.

Mechanical control of the backrest installation angle (Fig. 7) is carried out through brackets 16 connected to gas lifts 37 when the passenger acts on the mechanical key 38 for controlling the backrest release. The mechanical key 38 is part of the summing mechanism (Fig. 8) connected to Bowden cables 39 and 40 connected to the pin 24 for fixing the vertical position and the gas lift 37, respectively. The gas lift 37 is designed with the ability to act on the bracket 16 and rotate the backrest.

The summing mechanism includes a housing 41, a mechanical key 38 on a guide bearing 42, a spring axis 43 connected to the key 38, a rocker 44, a shortened rocker 45, rollers 46 built into the lower part of the button (Fig. 8).

Description of the device operation

The device is initially in the closed position when the seat back is in the vertical (take-off) position (Fig. 4). The pin 24 of the power beam in the vertical (take-off) position of the seat locks the movement of the back. The passenger acts on the back deflection key. From the push-button panel, the control signal is sent to the seat control unit 14. Before the angle change begins, the control unit 14 sends a signal to the solenoids 27, which pull out the pins 24 for fixing the vertical position of the backrest, and through the cylinder 29 act on the limit switches 28. The control unit receives a signal from the limit switches 28, located on the solenoids 27, that both pins 24 are retracted, after which the motor-reducer 31 begins to tilt the backrest relative to the axis 21. To prevent excessive heating of the solenoids 27, the power supply to them is disconnected after the passenger has finished pressing the backrest position control key, and the spring 25 pushes out the pin 24 for fixing the takeoff position. To prevent pin 24 from going beyond the profile of power beam 8, a sector plate 30 is provided on it. When the backrest is deflected to any position except for takeoff and landing, pin 24 will always rest against this plate 30 and will eliminate the situation where power beam 8 can rest against it.

In the event of a power failure, the passenger can independently set the backrest to the vertical takeoff (emergency) position by applying a manual pulling force to the release strap 35, connected to the motor-reducer rod 31 via a Bowden cable 36.

In the case of using a mechanical control system (Fig. 7, 8), which can be implemented as an independent system or, together with an electromechanical system, as an emergency release system for the position in the absence of power supply.

When the passenger presses the mechanical button 38 on the control panel, the roller 46 closest to the rocker 44 sets the rocker 44 in motion and tightens the Bowden cable 39, pulling the pins 24 for fixing the vertical position, after which the second roller 46 rolls onto the rocker 45 and rotates it, tightening the Bowden cable 40, thereby unlocking the lock 47 of the gas lifts 37, the gas lift is brought to a compressed position, the internal pressure of the gas lift 37 cavity increases, and the passenger, pressing his back on the backrest frame, can change the angle of the position. In order to return the backrest to its original position, the passenger presses and holds the mechanical button 38, after which the gas lifts 37 are unclenched under the force of the internal pressure, thereby bringing the backrest to a vertical position, until the pins 24 for fixing the vertical position enter the power insert 15.

The invention provides the ability to reliably fix the back of a transport seat at the required angle of inclination, including urgently bringing the back to a vertical position both electromechanically and mechanically in the absence of power supply, thereby increasing the safety of using the seat in flight.

Claims (6)

1. A system for controlling the position of a vehicle seat back, comprising a device for locking the position of the seat back, characterized in that said locking device includes a pin pressed by a spring, installed in through holes of the backrest power beam and the seat power beam and connected by means of a cable to a first drive mechanism, designed with the possibility, when a control signal is supplied, of acting on the pin to release the movement of the back, and also additionally comprises a second drive mechanism for adjusting the angle of the back, connected to a bracket installed on the seat back. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin of the locking device is designed with the possibility of being pulled by means of a cable connected to a solenoid associated with the control unit of the chair. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin of the locking device is designed with the possibility of being pulled out by means of a Bowden cable connected to the summing mechanism of the control panel. 4. The system according to item 1, characterized in that it is designed with the possibility of adjusting the angle of the backrest by means of a motor-reducer connected to the control unit, connected to the said bracket. 5. The system according to item 1, characterized in that it is designed with the possibility of adjusting the angle of the backrest by means of a gas lift connected to the said bracket, connected by means of a Bowden cable to the summing mechanism of the control panel. 6. The system according to item 1, characterized in that it contains a manual release system, including loops for manual pulling action, connected by means of a Bowden cable to the rod of the gear motor.