Aircraft Cabin Ceiling Panel System With Integrated Air Supply Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of panel systems for aircraft cabin ceilings is cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need for separate connections of supply units to fresh air, electrical power, and information signals, and the process is further complicated by varying distances between seat rows, leading to aesthetic inconsistencies and increased complexity in retrofitting.
Innovation Solution
A panel system featuring a support panel with evenly spaced air supply connectors and cover panels with blind connectors, allowing for easy alignment and connection of passenger supply units directly to the support panel, reducing the need for individual conduit and cable connections and enabling flexible reconfiguration during retrofitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate conduit and cable connections are used for each passenger supply unit, then reliable supply of fresh air, electrical power, and information signals is achieved, but the assembly process becomes extremely time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate supply connections (fresh air, electrical power, information signals) into a single integrated support panel structure. The support panel incorporates air supply channels, electrical conduits, and signal pathways that all connect to passenger supply units through one unified mounting interface, eliminating the need for separate conduit and cable connections for each supply type.
Solution Approach 2:
The support panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural mounting for passenger supply units, delivers fresh air through integrated channels, transports electrical power, and carries information signals. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate connection systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If cover panels of fixed length are used to cover space between adjacent passenger supply units, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but aesthetic consistency deteriorates due to visible color differences when seat row distances vary
Solution Approach 1:
The support panel is designed with a modular structure that allows dynamic adjustment of the number and positioning of passenger supply units along its length. The panel can be configured to accommodate different seat row distances by selectively mounting supply units at appropriate intervals, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-length cover panels while maintaining aesthetic consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire panel system is removed for retrofitting new passenger seat arrangements, then adaptability to new configurations is achieved, but the retrofitting process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The panel system is divided into modular components: the support panel can be retained while passenger supply units are individually removed, repositioned, or replaced. This segmentation allows retrofitting to focus only on the specific components that need adjustment rather than removing the entire panel system, significantly reducing retrofitting time while maintaining adaptability to new seat arrangements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a panel system for covering the ceiling portion of an aircraft cabin comprising: a support panel (1) which extends along a longitudinal axis (3) and comprises a mounting surface (13) adapted to receive panel elements, the mounting surface (13) being adapted to point towards the interior of the aircraft cabin, a plurality of cover panels (43) and at least one passenger supply unit (51, 51'), which comprises a housing (53) with a fixing surface (55) and a nozzle arrangement (59) provided in the housing (53) wherein the fixing surface (55) is provided with at least one air reception connector (61) which is configured such that the at least one passenger supply unit (51, 51') can be brought into an engagement position in which the air reception connector (61) engages with one of said air supply connectors (17) and in which the at least one passenger supply unit (51, 51') is supported on the support panel (1), wherein the air reception connector (61) is connected to the nozzle arrangement (59) so as to allow for an airflow from the air reception connector (61) through the nozzle arrangement (59) into the aircraft cabin, wherein when one of the at least one passenger supply units (51, 51') is in the engagement position with one of the air supply connectors (61), an airflow is enabled from the air supply channel (15) through said one air supply connector (61) to the nozzle arrangement (59) of said one passenger supply unit (51, 51').