Aft Cabin Closet Layout for Wheelchair Stowage and Bassinet Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial airliners face challenges in stowing large items like standard wheelchairs within the cabin, leading to disruptions and delays in embarking and disembarking for passengers with restricted mobility, without reducing revenue-generating passenger seats.
Innovation Solution
A closet configuration is designed to utilize the gap space between the outboard seat row and the exterior wall in a tapering aircraft cabin, incorporating a first closet portion from floor to ceiling and a second portion from floor to armrest height, with a horizontal surface for mounting a bassinet, accessible from both longitudinal and transverse aisles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wheelchairs are stowed in the baggage compartment outside the cabin, then cabin space is preserved for revenue-generating seats, but passenger mobility access is disrupted and embark/disembark processes are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The closet is positioned in the tapering rear section of the cabin at the extreme aft, utilizing the conical space geometry to create a dedicated stowage volume that does not interfere with aisle width or seat rows. This dimensional placement allows wheelchair accommodation within the cabin without reducing revenue-generating seat capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closet is divided into a first portion extending from floor to ceiling and a second portion extending from floor to armrest height, creating segmented stowage zones. The first portion accommodates the wheelchair, while the second portion provides additional stowage space, allowing efficient use of the tapering cabin space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a closet is installed in the tapering rear section of the cabin, then wheelchair stowage space is created within the cabin, but cabin space for revenue-generating seats is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closet is positioned in the tapering rear section of the cabin at the extreme aft, utilizing the conical space geometry to create a dedicated stowage volume that does not interfere with aisle width or seat rows. This dimensional placement allows wheelchair accommodation within the cabin without reducing revenue-generating seat capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the closet is made accessible from both longitudinal and transverse aisles, then accessibility for passengers with restricted mobility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closet is designed with dual accessibility from both the longitudinal aisle and transverse aisle, serving multiple functions: stowage for wheelchairs, stowage for passenger accessories, and accessible entry points for passengers with different mobility needs. This multi-functional design improves accessibility without requiring separate stowage solutions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An arrangement for a tapering rear section of an aircraft passenger cabin (200) including a seat row (204) positioned between an aisle (202) and an exterior wall, and a closet (212) positioned behind the seat row (204). A first portion (214) of the closet extends behind the seat row (204) and a second portion (216) of the closet extends into gap space (210) formed between an outboard side of the seat row (204) and the exterior wall. The closet (212) forms interior space (218) dimensioned to accommodate a folded wheelchair positioned along the exterior wall, and interior space behind the seat row (204). The second portion (216) forms an exterior surface for use by a passenger in the seat row (204), for instance a horizontal surface (230) including a provision for mounting a bassinet (228). The interior space (218) is accessible from the rear facing side of the closet to facilitate stowing and retrieving items from the interior space.