Accessible Lavatory Unit With Transition Seating Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lavatory units on vehicles, such as aircraft, are space-constrained and often cannot accommodate individuals with reduced mobility, as they require additional space for wheelchair access and use.
Innovation Solution
A lavatory unit design featuring a transition seating support that can be positioned in two transfer positions, allowing individuals in wheelchairs to safely transfer to the toilet assembly without needing to enter the lavatory unit, thereby minimizing the required space while ensuring accessibility for persons with reduced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the lavatory unit is minimized in size to meet space-saving requirements, then the space efficiency is improved, but the accessibility for persons with reduced mobility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lavatory unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first lavatory space for standard use, a second lavatory space for enhanced accessibility, and a transfer area with seating support. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while collectively meeting both space efficiency and accessibility requirements
Solution Approach 2:
A seating support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the wheelchair and the toilet assembly. This mediator facilitates the transfer process by providing a stable intermediate position, enabling persons with reduced mobility to access the minimized lavatory unit without requiring additional space for manual transfer assistance
2Area of stationary object
If the lavatory unit is designed for standard use only, then the space requirement is minimized, but the versatility for different user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lavatory unit incorporates multiple functional spaces within a minimized footprint: a first lavatory space for standard use, a second lavatory space with enhanced accessibility features, and a shared transfer area. This multi-functionality allows the same compact structure to serve both standard passengers and persons with reduced mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall between the first and second lavatory spaces is designed to be movable, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the interior space. This enables the unit to adapt between different usage scenarios: providing separate spaces when needed, or creating a more open layout for assisted transfers, thereby enhancing versatility without increasing the overall footprint
Data Source
AI summary
Lavatories on-board a vehicle, and in particular to a lavatory unit for use by persons with reduced mobility on-board a vehicle are described. The lavatory unit includes a lavatory housing structure enclosing a lavatory interior space, a door opening in the lavatory housing structure, a toilet assembly inside the lavatory interior space, and a transition seating support for a user. The transition seating support provides a first transfer position and a second transfer position. In the first transfer position, in an open door state the transition seating support is directly accessible for a person sitting in a wheelchair that is located at least partly outside the lavatory unit such that the person can transfer to the transition seating support and vice versa, and in the second transfer position, a person sitting on the transition seating support can transfer to the toilet assembly and vice versa.