Aircraft Cabin Temporary Floor Slabs with Interlocking Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of conventional temporary floors in aircraft cabins is complicated due to varying rail spacings between seat and hostess rails, leading to time-consuming setup and increased risks of accidents and object falls, as well as non-uniform working surfaces and interstice imbalances.

Innovation Solution

A modular temporary floor system comprising slabs with complementary projections and housings for precise assembly, along with gripping tools and non-slip coatings to facilitate quick installation and reduce accident risks, featuring undercut edges for easy assembly and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional boards are used to construct the temporary floor, then the floor can be installed on the rails, but the installation becomes time-consuming and complicated due to varying rail spacings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying rail spacingsVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized slab that can accommodate multiple rail spacing configurations. The slab incorporates adjustable support elements and complementary projection-housing connections that allow it to adapt to different distances between seat rails and hostess rails, eliminating the need for multiple specialized board types while reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If conventional boards are used without interlocking mechanisms, then the floor can be quickly installed, but the junctions create interstices that unbalance operators and increase the risk of objects falling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of floor installationVSAvoidstability and safety of the floor surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nesting principle through complementary projections on one slab that fit into housings on adjacent slabs. This interlocking mechanism eliminates gaps and interstices between slabs, creating a continuous, stable surface that prevents objects from falling through while maintaining ease of installation through the simple plug-and-socket connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple models of boards are provided to adapt to different spaces, then the floor can fit all rail configurations, but the installation becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of different rail spacing configurationsVSAvoidnumber of different board models required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates device complexity by replacing multiple specialized board models with a single universal slab design. The slab achieves adaptability to different rail spacings through integrated adjustable support elements and modular connection systems, reducing inventory requirements and simplifying installation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the seat rails have different heights, then the floor can accommodate various rail configurations, but the upper working surface becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different rail heightsVSAvoiduniformity of the working surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating adjustable support elements at specific locations on each slab that can be independently positioned to compensate for varying rail heights. This allows the slab to adapt locally to different rail configurations while maintaining a uniformly flat upper working surface across the entire floor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2889222B1Temporary floor for an aircraft cabin, used during the construction of the aircraft, and slab making up said floor
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP2889222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2889222B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP2889222B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

The invention relates to a temporary floor (25), placed on rails (1, 2) and stiffeners that form the structure of a permanent aircraft cabin floor, forming a continuous surface and composed of slabs (15) assembled by raised sections. It completely covers the rails. This temporary floor comprises a plurality of identical slabs with complementary raised sections to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the floor.