Aircraft seat with occupant weight sensing mechanism to adjust tilt-recline force

A tilt-recline force adjusting apparatus for an aircraft seat configured for manual tilt-recline positioning, the tilt-recline force adjusting apparatus comprising:

• a first spring having a first axis to urge a seat back of the aircraft seat into an upright position, the first spring arranged to compress as the aircraft seat is manually reclined;
• a helper spring having a second axis parallel to the first axis, the helper spring arranged to assist or counteract the first spring;
• an adjustment mechanism including a motor, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the first spring to adjust the first spring to thereby adjust the helper spring to increase or decrease a force exerted by the helper spring to assist or counteract the first spring;
• and
• a weight sensing mechanism including a strain gauge, the weight sensing mechanism coupled to the adjustment mechanism and operable to actuate the adjustment mechanism in direct proportion to a weight of a seated passenger, whereby the force exerted on the aircraft seat to urge the seat back into the upright position is greater for a heavier seated passenger.