Aircraft Floor Movable Part Pivoting Joint Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In aircraft design, the existing floor structures often lack sufficient access to the areas under the floor, particularly when the upper area is used for container storage, making it difficult to access and maintain components located under the central sail box and main landing gear box.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft floor incorporates a mobile floor part with a portion of rail that allows for a larger transverse movement, facilitated by a joint that enables easy handling. This design provides increased access to the areas under the floor by allowing the mobile floor part to be easily pivoted and moved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If rails are placed close together for container storage, then container storage capability is improved, but access to the area under the floor deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer storage capabilityVSAvoidaccess to area under floor
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The floor is divided into fixed floor parts and movable floor parts. The movable floor parts can be pivoted or removed to provide access to the area under the floor, while the fixed floor parts with closely spaced rails maintain container storage capability. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both contradictory requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floor structure incorporates movable floor parts that can change position dynamically. These movable parts are connected via articulations allowing them to pivot between a horizontal position (providing floor surface) and a raised position (providing access). This dynamic capability enables the floor to adapt between storage mode and maintenance mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If a fixed floor structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but accessibility to areas under the floor deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidaccessibility to areas under floor
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The floor is segmented into fixed and movable portions. The fixed floor parts provide the necessary structural strength, while the movable floor parts provide access when needed. This segmentation allows the overall structure to maintain strength while enabling accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the floor have different properties: fixed floor parts have high structural strength, while movable floor parts prioritize accessibility. This local differentiation of qualities allows each part to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If movable floor parts are introduced to improve access, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidfloor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor incorporates movable parts with articulations that allow pivoting motion. These articulations provide a relatively simple mechanical means to achieve complex functionality - the ability to transform from a solid floor surface to an accessible structure with minimal complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution enhances accessibility to the areas under the floor, allowing for easier operations during aircraft assembly, equipment installation, and maintenance, while also providing a robust connection to support the weight of containers.

Implementation Method 1

the floor comprising at least one articulation (52) connecting the movable floor part (46) to the fixed floor part (44)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting joint: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP4180322B1Aircraft including a floor comprising at least one articulated movable floor part
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP4180322B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4180322B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4180322B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an aircraft floor comprising at least one hinge (52), connecting movable (46) and fixed (44) floor sections, which has a pivot axis (A52) parallel to a longitudinal direction. The floor also comprises: - at least two cross members (36), each having first and second cross member portions (48.1, 48.2) attached respectively to the fixed (44) and movable (46) floor sections and connected to each other by a pivot joint (54), - at least one rail (38) comprising at least a first rail section (50.1) attached to the movable floor section (46) and at least a second rail section (50.2) attached to the fixed floor section (44) of the floor, extending from said first rail section (50.1).