Adaptable Aircraft Lavatory Fixtures for Accessibility and Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft lavatories are often cramped, limiting mobility and accessibility for passengers, especially those with reduced mobility or needing to care for children, due to fixed toilet and sink configurations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a movable toilet and sink system within the lavatory, where the toilet can pivot or retract, and the sink can inflate/deflate, allowing for adjustable space configurations to enhance accessibility and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the toilet and sink are fixed in position within the lavatory, then the structural stability is improved, but the mobility and accessibility for passengers is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the toilet and sink movable rather than fixed. The toilet is mounted on a movable platform that can be repositioned along tracks, and the sink is mounted on a movable cart with wheels. This allows the lavatory fixtures to dynamically adjust their positions based on operational needs, improving accessibility while maintaining stability when positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lavatory into movable components (toilet on platform, sink on cart) that can be independently repositioned. This segmentation allows each fixture to be moved separately to optimize space and accessibility, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the toilet and sink extend inwardly into the lavatory space, then the functional capacity is improved, but the available space for passenger movement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The movable platform and cart allow the toilet and sink to be dynamically repositioned within the lavatory space. When not in use or when space is needed, they can be moved to the periphery or against walls, maximizing the available area for passenger movement while maintaining full functional capacity when positioned for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable fixtures serve multiple functions: they provide sanitation facilities when positioned for use, and they create open space when moved to the periphery. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between functional capacity and available space.
3Volume of moving object
If the lavatory is designed with compact fixed fixtures, then the space utilization is improved, but the accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The movable platform and cart enable the fixtures to be positioned at optimal locations for accessibility. Individuals with reduced mobility can request the fixtures be moved to more accessible positions within the lavatory, while the compact design is maintained when space is constrained. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between space utilization and accessibility.
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
This adaptable design provides greater flexibility and space within the lavatory, improving accessibility for various activities and passenger comfort, while maintaining sanitation by retaining residual liquids and preventing unsanitary exposure.
Implementation Method 1
The sink is configured to inflate into the sink deployed position, and deflate into the sink retracted position
Implementation Method 2
The toilet pivotally couples to the one or more walls by a pivot axle. In at least one further example, the pivot axle includes a gear that is configured to cooperate with a reciprocal gear that is on or within the one or more walls.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosed space, such as a lavatory within an internal cabin of a vehicle, includes one or both of: (a) a toilet moveably secured to one or both of a floor or one or more walls, wherein the toilet is configured to be moved between a toilet deployed position and a toilet retracted position, and/or (b) a sink moveably secured to one or both of the floor or the one or more walls, wherein the sink is configured to be moved between a sink deployed position and a sink retracted position.